It is official. The new Modern Monks beer is called Arctic Storm. The perfect beer to keep you going through the last blast of winter. 8.5% ABV will keep you warm. Don’t drink too much, though, because you’ll get drunk.
Please join the Modern Monks as we unveil our latest creation, Arctic Storm, at Lincoln’s Bread & Cup.
The gathering will take place on Thursday, February 21st from 6.30-8.00 pm. For $15 you will get two pints of beer as well as various snacks which should include a few things made with Modern Monks beers…possibly some beer bread…maybe some meatballs with Arctic Storm, etc… No reservations required. Bread & Cup is located on the corner of 8th & S streets in the Haymarket.
Back in December, the Monks made a somewhat harrowing voyage to Grand Island to brew a new beer. A storm had hit and was just starting to rage at 6.30am. By the time two of us traveling monks reached Milford, we were feeling rather uncomfortable with the journey. We turned around and decided to try it out again the next day. Good thing we did, as Sunday was sunny and we saw 3 cars past Milford that had either flipped or ended up in the median.
The beer was supposed to be a strong amber with a certain caramel character to it. We thought the yeast we had on hand would be as great in a darker malt loaded beer as it is in the golden hoppy Brothers’ Cup. We used some darker malts in this, as well as some Demerara sugar to help move it in the caramelly direction. The beer is clocking in someplace around 8.5%, and the samples so far have been quite enjoyable. The beer is smooth and malty with some nice caramel and fruity notes. The strength is well hidden. The overall palate of the beer is quite light, making it feel like a session strength brown ale or something…dangerously drinkable.
The real challenge has been coming up with a name for this one off batch. Bob, Ryan, and Bob went to work brainstorming one evening and produced the above list. For all you brewers out there reading this, don’t even think about stealing any of these gems. We will sue you.
Look for the beer, whatever it is called, to be available in the next 3-4 weeks at your favorite Modern Monks pub.