Top 100 Beers of 2019

#3

96
by Michael Bury
Stranger Danger
Monday Night Brewing

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Brewmaster Peter Kiley Talks Stranger Danger

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
This one was my idea. We made a really big stout a while back and released it without adjuncts. Crazy, right? We saved some of it to age in barrels. Both of those were really well-received. So, when we were thinking about beers we were going to brew in the fall months, that big stout came back to me. We were planning to release it in October, so I thought we should do some sort of Halloween-themed beer. Since everyone’s favorite candy is peanut butter cups (there’s no debating), we went with it.

What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
There are a lot of crazy good “pastry stouts” out there, so I’m honored this beer scored so high. But If I had to say, it’s probably because we put a wildly irresponsible amount of peanut butter cups into this beer. So many, in fact, that we were getting dirty looks at the store when we bought them. I’m proud to say that during brewing, we only ate two bags of them. Well, maybe it was more like five!

What makes this beer truly world-class?
I’m extremely proud of the entire team on this one. I got the crazy idea to do this beer, but it’s their job to make that idea a reality. We do a lot of research and development and tweaking before we start brewing, and then the crew works tirelessly to create the best beer we can put out. Plus, this one had a little something extra and fun built into it.

What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma,mouthfeel, etc.)?
This has been one of those beers that brings people joy when they try it. When it was on at our taproom, it was the one beer everyone’s eyes were immediately drawn to. It was fun to develop and fun to make, but the most fun is seeing the smiles on people’s faces after they try it. It’s such an experiential liquid.

What’s a good food pairing for this beer?
This one works well on its own. Send the kids out trick-or-treating and stay at home with this beer. It pairs well with a cold night, a warm fire, good company and a sweet tooth.

Judge’s Second Opinion

Is it a beer? Or a favorite treat from the circus? Maybe a decadent pie? If you answered yes to all three of those questions, then we’re talking about Monday Night Brewing’s Stranger Danger. It’s an imperial milk stout that stops short of being overly sweet like a pastry stout while containing peanut butter, cocoa and vanilla beans that have all married together within the confines of a bourbon barrel. And at 13 percent ABV, this beer is best served in a snifter and enjoyed as a post-meal treat. An even better situation would be a weekend evening with a roaring fire going in the fireplace and snow falling outside.

One of the many reasons this beer received top marks stems from the brewer’s creativity and skill in transforming the base ingredients into a culinary adventure. During my career judging over 10,000 different beers, I’ve sampled dozens upon dozens of peanut-based beers. Yet I’ve never had a beer that highlights peanut butter so well without any of the rancid flavors that can arise from such a heavy dose. It literally is reminiscent of a peanut butter pie with a chocolate graham cracker crust. That’s the skill of the brewer shining through. Additionally, the lactose used (it’s an imperial milk stout after all) and the bourbon barrel-aging could have easily tilted the balance of the beer into the extremely sweet realm. But with a proper fermentation, it’s well attenuated and without any fusel alcohol. Furthermore, the savory aspects of the peanut butter help to offset the sweetness.

All the praise being said about the beer there is one drawback: it’s intense. It doesn’t shy away from what it is and makes some of the boldest imperial stouts blush. The peanut butter, which comes off more as roasted peanuts, dominates in both the aroma and flavor. But all the flavors are potent and upfront so if you struggle picking up nuances of lighter styles, then give Stranger Danger a chance. Just remember to bring a friend for backup. - Michael Bury