Thunderhead Modern Monks Smoked Bock

Pours a black midnight color. When held to the light there is very little color distortion. Some hints of a rich brown color are noticeable but mostly it holds its black color. The head retention is good and stays around as does the lace. Both have a off white color. The smell is very noticeable but not overwhelming. A good deep smoky malt smell. Actually more of a smoky smell then malt, but both are detectable. Hints of chocolate and a hint of coffee tones as well. The taste is strong in smoke flavor. More noticeable in the taste then smell. The malt has black patent taste to it with a roasted and burnt quality to it. But it mixes nicely as a hint of caramel comes out and smoothes the harsher flavors down. There is a slight earthy tone that heightens the smokiness. Also there is a dry quality that does the same. Both of these qualities just accents the smoke flavor which becomes the dominate flavor. The aftertaste leave the strong smoke flavor around. Kind of reminds me of liquid smoke in a way. A good body and a nice dry flavor. I liked this beer but would like to see a tad less smoke flavor to it. But then again it is a “smoked” porter.

From a growler at Logan’s Pre-GABF party. Smokey from the get go. Nice and sweet underneath the smokey flavors. Very nice.

Growler. Poured a hazy amber color. The aroma was fairly smokey with some malt finding its way through. The sweet malty flavor also had a good bit of smoke. The smoke was pleasant and tasty though.

Date: 10/10/2007
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting, Logan Pre-GABF

clear dark yellow, wispy off white head, huge smokey aroma with a nice sweet malt backbone, big thick bock body, huge sweet malt flavor, lots of smoke character provides great balance to the sweet, light bitterness adds a bit more balance

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

On tap at the brewpub. Pours a rich golden yellow color. This beer looks like apple cider. Has a thin white head of no distinction until you swirl it vigorously to generate an ivory plume. Has a very mild malty aroma that only hints at a slightly smoked smell when the beer is first served at a bone chilling temperature. This mild ham sandwich-like smoked flavor from the beer is quickly abated by a strong malty sweetness that is almost like rock candy sugar. There’s a lingering roasted/burnt grain bitterness at the back of the tongue for the finish that significantly wakes the palate up from the sweet ride. Has a medium thick body. Very low carbonation. This may be one of the mildest rauchbiers that I’ve tasted. The candy sweetness enmerges strongly at the warming of this beer. A delightful peppery sensation on the tip of the tongue also develops with the warm brew. This is indeed delicious.