Like Only Monk's Cafe Can...

This past Monday afternoon, in very Monk's Cafe style, they tapped a slew of absurdly good beer -- with no fanfare. No mass emails, no internet posting, just good beer on a Monday afternoon.

Beginning with Russian River Blind Pig, Damnation 23 and Salvation, Monk's announced a list of beers they will be tapping over the course of the week. The highlights include Russian River Consecration, Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Damnation, Stille Nacht 2007, and Calva Reserva.

According to Tom, the warm weather is coming and he simply doesn't have room in the basement to store all this good beer. Guess that works out for the rest of us. Stop by Monk's anytime and I'm sure you won't be disappointed by their tap list. But then again, I never am.

Monk's Café on New Year's Day!

Having worked on New Year's Eve until 1am, I was very excited to go to Monk's on New Year's Day for 20 stouts and 1 delicious lambic. Only Tom Peter's would, or could, do something so awesomely rare and extreme.

Dr. Joel, my lovely dining companion and I arrived a little after 12:30, and the front bar was packed. Luckily, we grabbed a table, and had a quick brunch. We sampled the following:

1. New Holland Dragon's Milk Stout
2. Pennichuck Pozharnik Russian Imperial Stout
3. High and Mighty Two Headed Beast Chocolate Stout

Alright, beer geek confession time: Stouts have never been my thing. I know, I know, you don't have to tell me, I'm crazy. I must admit though, they are growing on me. (See Black Albert entry) It was refreshing to try them side-by-side. It allowed me to compare and contrast flavor profiles. I would have tried more, however, time was not on my side, and one very special beer at the back bar was calling my name.

Back in late November, when Tom's Cantillon Monk's Café Cuvee Kriek was rumored to be coming into the country, I stopped by Monk's daily. Yes, I really did. I found out when the kegs got to the wholesaler, and when they had likely arrived at Monk's. On November 28th, they tapped the first keg, and I was there.

While I wasn't in love at first, it's growing on me. It's not that I didn't like it, I just wanted it to be more complex and more sour. Since Tom drinks it everyday (hey, I would too), we asked him if he had noticed any variances in the kegs. He said he didn't think so, but I think it's becoming more delicious.

After several stouts, it was truly the perfect palate cleansing beer. Personally, I'm glad that Monk's has quite a few kegs left of this fantastic creation. I can't stop in without having one, or two, or...

Here's the full list of stouts for those of you who are curious:
1. Founder's Breakfast Stout
2. Hercule Stout
3. High and Mighty Two Headed Beast Chocolate Stout
4. Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
5. New Holland Dragon's Milk Stout
6. Southampton Espresso Stout
7. Arcadia Imperial Stout
8. Bear Republic Big Black Bear Stout
9. Bell's Cherry Stout
10. Bosks Monster Mash Imperial Stout
11. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout 2007
12. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout 2008
13. Hitachino Next Espresso Stout
14. Legacy Nor'easter Oatmeal Imperial Stout
15. North Coast Old Rasputin
16. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout
17. Pater Lieven Buffalo Stout
18. Pennichuck Pozharnik Russian Imperial Stout
19. Southern Tier Choklat Stout
20. Stoudt's Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout

Cheers!
And here's to a Beery Happy New Year!