Today we’re looking at our first beer from 21st Amendment Brewing Company, located in San Francisco, Monk’s Blood. It’s a beer that pays homage to Belgium’s monasteries and their beer brewing monks. “During times of fasting, the monks subsist solely on beer, which they refer to as ‘liquid bread’. Beer, quite literally, is in their blood.” -21st Amendement. Monk’s Blood was inspired by recipes and ingredients found in small traditional breweries across Belgium. The ingredients include: Belgian Candi Sugar, Cinnamon, Oak, Vanilla, and Dried Figs. This sample was poured from a 12 oz can into a 10 oz snifter glass. Monk’s Blood comes in at 8.3% abv.
Appearance: Deep Mahogany Red in color with a small, fizzy white head. The head dissipates very quickly. The beer is vibrant, clear, and overall very beautiful looking.
Aroma: Burnt Sugar, Cherry, Pomegranate, Cotton Candy, Red Wine, Cinnamon, Oak, Bourbon
Taste: Velvety, smooth dark fruits right at the front. I picked up a large cherry and pomegranate flavor that reminded me of cherry licorice. Your typical Belgian Ale but enhanced with dark fruit flavors. The vanilla and cinnamon round out the beer nicely, delivering a smooth and creamy mouthfeel and finish. The oak/bourbon qualities are there but very generic tasting, and don’t do too much to enhance flavor.
Overall: 4/5 Belgian style beers are one of my favorites, and this was a nice addition to the style. The dark fruits were well represented, but the bourbon/oak flavor really weakened the beer in my opinion. But don’t get me wrong, Monk’s Blood is a Dark Belgian Ale and 21st hit everything on the nose with the style. Well done.
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