DRINK IT DOWN: Merry Monks Tripel Ale by Weyerbacher Brewing Company
Beer: Merry Monks
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Company
Style: Tripel
ABV: 9.30%
Description: Merry Monks pours a clear, bright golden hue with a frothy white head that dissipates quickly, leaving very little lacing behind. The aroma is very Belgian yeast forward, with notes of banana and pear being the most dominate and backing notes of spices and sweet grains. The taste brings sweet malts to the forefront; it is sweet but not cloying. These notes are followed by hits of bananas, pears, and hints of apples from the yeast, with a crisp yet creamy carbonation. The fruit flavors from the yeast are dominant, but they do not take over; instead, they find perfect balance within the beer.
The medium body and carbonation are perfect for the style and give the beer its world-class drinkability factor. Merry Monks is not only a great beer for Belgian beer fans, but for lovers of all beers!
Food pairing: Merry Monks is a unique beer in that it is very light appearing with its fruit notes, but it’s also very rich with a wonderful malt punch. This is a beer that can find itself at home with a light salad or a hearty roast. If you are looking for a lighter food pairing, try it with a citrus-infused shrimp salad with a fruit-based dressing. While the hearty malt punch coats the food, it matches perfectly, and the citrus notes from the salad will enhance the wonderful fruit notes of the yeast in Merry Monks.
During the cold winter months, nothing is more enjoyable than a warm, rich, and hearty meal. If you are having roasted chicken, be sure to have some Merry Monks on hand as well. The natural sweetness and caramelization of the roasted chicken will completely melt into the succulent and sweet malts of the beer.
Merry Monks also makes a great pairing with desserts, but goes especially well with warm peach cobbler topped with creamy vanilla bean ice cream. It is also a perfect beer for any upcoming holiday celebrations, as it can be paired with light appetizers all the way up to hearty main courses – just keep the higher ABV in mind throughout the evening. Otherwise, your celebration will end very quickly!
The final word: Weyerbacher is one of Pennsylvania’s best breweries and, with beers like Merry Monks, it is easy to see why. Located in Easton, the brewery is a short drive from Northeastern Pennsylvania and a must-visit for all craft beer fans. They have been expanding slowly over the years with many great new beers being added to their portfolio, but Merry Monks was one of their first and proof that they knew what they were doing right from the start.
Many American breweries have brewed Belgian-style beers with mixed results, but the authentic Belgian qualities that Merry Monks possesses takes it to the top of the list. The crisp flavor, rich malts, and light aroma make this beer a must-have all year round.
Merry Monks is also the perfect beer to do some aging experiments with to see how the flavors develop. Over time, it dries out a bit more, so be sure to pick up a few bottles to hold onto for a year or two. Also, if you are timid to approach a beer with such a high ABV, fear not – Weyerbacher has you covered. They also offer Mellow Monks, a 4.5 percent ABV Belgian-inspired beer with a great flavor punch but much lower ABV that is perfect for a night out with friends.
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Where can I get it? Currently available in 12 oz. bottles at: Sabatini’s Bottleshop & Bar (1925 Wyoming Ave., Exeter), Backyard Ale House (523 Linden St., Scranton), Cooper’s Seafood House (701 N. Washington Ave., Scranton), Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer (720 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre), Arena Bar and Grill (380 Coal St., Wilkes-Barre), and Wegmans (1315 Scranton Carbondale Hwy., Dickson City) and (220 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre).
