Beer of the Week

Monk's Blood, 21st Amendment Brewery.

Most recently available on draught at Churchkey in DC, whose Feb 17 update is linked here: http://www.churchkeydc.com/documents/CK_DRAFT_02_17_2010.pdf

This is a strongish (8.3%), dark, Belgian-style ale brewed with 8 different malts, Belgian candi sugar, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and dried local black mission figs. It's oak aged, and very unique. It's unique in that it has just a slightly sweet edge that increases its appeal for the "average" drinker in a way that the typical Belgian dark ale doesn't really quite pull off.

The brew is by 21st Amendment Brewery, http://www.21st-amendment.com/, out of San Francisco. They doggedly stick to serving craft beer in a can, which is a bit unique.

Of note also is their Hell or High Watermelon Wheat, which is actually a not-as-sweet-and-girly-as-it-sounds summery brew I am pretty fond of (and my GF is even more fond of). Careful note on all of their brews, though - it's almost impossible to tell age properly when it's in a can, and if you get a skunky one WATCH OUT, as it is craft beer and doesn't hold age as tolerably as simpler light pilsners. If you can find it on draught somewhere you're in luck!

- Mike