Monday Night Brewing Ante Meridiem
What the brewers say
“Aged in Georgia’s ASW Distillery bourbon barrels. We add locally roasted coffee from Batdorf and Bronson, Ugandan vanilla beans, and maple syrup. The result is a boozy, sweet, satisfying drink that works well with chocolaty desserts, ice cream, or a Connecticut-leaf cigar.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “The bourbon barrel is the strongest aroma with maple a close second. In the distance is coffee and some mild caramel malts that suggest there’s a beer in here somewhere.”
Flavor: “Relatively dry (surprise!). Still sweet, though. Coffee melds with the malt character. Nice roast-malt edge with nice toffee touches. Vanilla and maple syrup fold into the bourbon- barrel character. Good hops bitterness helps bring the beer to the party. Warming. Finish is hops and coffee bitterness.”
Overall: “This is a coffee beer with support from the other ingredients. Sweetness is restrained, balanced. Some hops bitterness along with coffee bitterness make for a drying finish.”