Imperial Nut Brown Ale

Tommyknocker
Idaho Springs, CO

Available: CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, NEBR, NC, ND, OH, RI, SC, TX, VA, WI, WY

Miners believe that Tommyknockers are little elf-like beings who lived in the cracks and crevices of the mines. Some are mischievous, some helpful, but miners also believed that their tapping and knocking led them to rich veins, or warned of danger.

ABV: 9.8
ABW: 7.7
Color: 50.5
Bitterness: 57
Original gravity: 1080
Final gravity: n/a
Malts used: two-row, Munich, 34, 75 and 150 crystal, chocolate
Hops used: Perle, Willamette

Appropriately named for a very deep amber robe. Eternal, cloud-like head floats above the beer like a Turner nightscape. Malty nose with subtle spice. Big, full-bodied and gutsy on the palate, with notes of ginger, clove, treacle, chocolate — complex and delicious. Perfection with a grilled organic beef and garlic sausage and salad of pears, pomegranates, blue cheese and arugula tossed in Dijon dressing.
- Charles Finkel

I can’t get this vision of an Imperial Tommyknocker out of my head, banging loudly on mineshaft walls, trying to rouse us from a deep sleep this nightcap of a beer might induce. Molasses/maple sweetness makes the first impression and also the last. Chocolate and ale fruitiness join maple and a bit of nuttiness on the nose, followed by roasted cocoa beans and emerging alcohol character in the mouth. Earthy hops provide flavor and bitterness can’t quite balance the sweetness.
- Stan Hieronymus

Charles Finkel
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.

Stan Hieronymus
Editor at Realbeer.com, a professional journalist for 40 years and amateur brewer for 15, Hieronymus is the author of four beer books, including Brew Like a Monk.

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