Weyerbacher Brewing Co. Merry Monks
What the brewers say
“Pilsner malt combined with an abbey yeast strain yields a remarkable and complex flavor packed with notes of spice, banana, and pear. Nicely balanced, with a moderate to dry finish. 9.3 percent ABV.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Very mild nose with some lemony citrus along with a vague malt sweetness. Bright and citrusy. Wheat biscuits and noble hops plus light spice.”
Flavor: “Banana and bubblegum. Citrus fruity and tree-fruit esters as well as some clove spicy phenolic. Sweet honey malt that’s cut beautifully with the crisp carbonation and fruity alcohol presence. Balance definitely leans to the sweet side, bordering on cloying.”
Overall: “Very fruity, giving it the impression of being on the sweeter side of the style spectrum. High carbonation and an assertive, but not harsh, alcohol presence pulls it all together. Crisp but sweet with a nice spice character.”