Judge's Review: 87 Rating - Beyond the Clouds by Monday Night Brewing

Beyond the Clouds by Monday Night Brewing is a Brett IPA (BJCP sub-style 28A, Brett Beer, under American Wild Ale). In the glass it formed a, thick, white, well-retained head atop a golden-orange brew that became hazy with warming (much like a New England IPA). The aroma led off with profoundly funky Brett notes, followed by citrusy ones presumably from the West Coast hop varietals used late in the boil and/or during dry-hopping, consistent with style. Like the aroma, the flavor profile was also funk-forward before fading into juicy fruitiness (apple, grapefruit, and melon) with little or no distinctive malt presence or hop bitterness, and eventually into a dry finish with both tart and barnyard notes. The mouthfeel initially featured moderate carbonation, medium body and a smooth creaminess. This beer’s overall impression is multi-faceted, combining many complementary tastes and aromas seldom found in a single bottle. This should be a pleasant “transition” beer for drinkers who have not yet ventured far into the realm of American Wild Ales, and a drinkable staple for those who have.