39/100) North Coast Brewing Co.

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Brother Thelonius, Old Rasputin, La Merle

North Coast is legendary. They've been around since 1988 and over time have become very well established, distributing their beers to 47 states, parts of Europe, etc. And while I've even heard them touted as one of the top 10 breweries in the world, what caught my eye was the name: NorthCoast. I don't see California as all that North, but if you look at where they are situated, they are indeed settled in the Northern end of California in a place called Fort Bragg. I can only presume that is the origin of the name.

Brother Thelonius) so titled to honor Thelonious Monk, this abbey ale's sales support a Jazz school, a legacy of a musician with the same name. The bottle cover depicts a stylized image of that jazz master, and I hope you noticed the halo made of black and white piano keys. The beer itself pours a nice a brown-red and plays across your tongue as a malty masterpiece of bliss. ☆☆☆☆

Old Rasputin) The aged Russian mystic is brilliantly represented in this potent imperial stout. Pitch like his beard, it too holds a wealth of secrets. I thought is was a bit boozy and harsh on the finish, but the rich maltiness and thick mouthfeel won me over. I will have to see sometime if the barrel-aged version smooths out that crusty edge, but for now I'm still very satisfied. ☆☆☆☆

La Merle) This saison farmhouse is golden and great. For those of you who don't speak French - like me-, the name means "the blackbird." Perhaps the name is a reference to Poe's the Raven? Unfortunately for me and my literary fandom, not likely. However, it could be from "La Merle Noir" a piano and flute piece that encapsulates how much of a nuisance a black bird can be. The song is quite frustrating and jumpy unlike the smooth, tart traits of this beer. ☆☆☆☆

(This post was composed while listening to Thelonious's jams, by they way. I recommend Monk's Dream. The album is very soothing)