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RIP Monster Ale

RIP Brooklyn Monster Ale

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Not everything in the world of craft beer is Sunshine Wheat and barley pops. The harsh inevitability of life tends to find its way into the best of craft beery times. Case in point, we first told you about Brooklyn Brewery’s famed brewery cat, Monster in 2012 with “A Life Well Spent: Monster the Brooklyn Brewery Cat.” The silver lining of this story was that mourners of Brooklyn’s favorite feline friend could still toast the good name of Monster with the aptly named Monster Ale, a barley wine.

Unfortunately it seems that all good things do come to an end as Brooklyn reported that they will no longer be brewing their winter seasonal. “After the passing of Monster the cat, things were just not the same with Monster Ale,” said the brewery’s blog post, “When Monster was laid to rest, the spirituous, malty libation could be seen aimlessly meandering through the fermentation hall, lazing about the brewhouse, and listlessly watching bottles fill up with beer in the packaging room, giving the sense to those close with this classic winter seasonal that perhaps the end was near.”

The brewery has hinted that there may be a replacement to Monster (the beer) in the future. Brooklyn ensures fans that while the beer is no longer in production, Monster Ale’s 10.3% ABV makes it possible to toast Monster, both the beer and the brewery pal for potentially years into the future.

Read the entire Brooklyn Brewery Blog post: R.I.P. Monster Ale: The Captain Goes down with the Ship


Andy Sparhawk, the Brewers Association's acting editor-in-chief for CraftBeer.com. Andy is a Certified Cicerone® and BJCP Beer Judge. He lives in Westminster, Colorado where he is an avid craft beer enthusiast. On occasion, Andy is inspired to write on his experiences with craft beer, and if they are not too ridiculous, you might see the results here on CraftBeer.com.

CraftBeer.com is fully dedicated to small and independent U.S. breweries. We are published by the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers. Stories and opinions shared on CraftBeer.com do not imply endorsement by or positions taken by the Brewers Association or its members.