Review Date 3/14/2016
Try? Re-buy?
Do you like sequels? I know I do, at least if they’re good. One assumes the original was good, or there wouldn’t be a sequel in the first place. Thus it’s a shame that that wonderful movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail never got a sequel. OK, you might say that Life of Brian was its sequel, but it doesn’t have any Black Knights or Knights Who Say Ni or holy hand grenades or such in it.
Be that as it may, Monty Python and the Holy Grail does have a beer, and that’s something. Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale form the Black Sheep brewery of Masham, England, has been around for some many years now, and lo and behold, it now has a sequel! That sequel is Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight’s Reserve, a new beer. Sort of. It’s stronger and darker than the classic Holy Grail Ale, but it might not be a new beer after all.
That’s because when I hopped on over to the Black Sheep website to see what I could see about Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight’s Reserve, I found no listing for it. While there, and while sipping the brew, I remarked upon how this dark Yorkshire Ale tasted so much like Riggwelter Yorkshire Ale, also by Black Sheep. Lo and behold, they’re also both 5.7% alcohol by volume.
So, if you ask me, Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight’s Reserve is a lot like a bunch of crazy English knights hiding inside a giant wooden rabbit. The outside may be distracting, but you know there’s something familiar about what’s inside.
Anyway, from the label:
A deep, ruby-chestnut brown ale topped by a near-white creamy head; rewards with a complex palate from Marris Otter and Pale Chocolate Malts, and a dry Goldings hop finish. Cheers!
Well isn’t that interesting, because here’s how the brewery describes the malts in Riggwelter:
We use a base of Maris Otter malted barley, but add plenty of crystal malt, specifically a Pale Chocolate Malt.
Hmmmm. Well, I haven’t seen Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight’s Reserve in single bottles, only in a gift pack that included two bottles of the beer and a magnificent Holy Grail Ale chalice. I’ve seen the Chalice alone on Ebay for about $25 plus crazy high shipping; I got the gift box at Cost Plus World Market for $26.99.
Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight’s Reserve pours to a dark brown color with a thick creamy tan head and a luscious nose of butterscotch, dark fruity raisin and subtle roast. Taking a sip the beer has a rich buttery character up front followed by toffee and treacle, chocolate covered bananas, raisin and burnt candy sugar and a very gentle balancing grassy hop bitterness.
Delicious and I want more and more as I sip it. So OK, even if this is the same beer as Riggwelter, it’s so delicious you won’t even care, especially as you sip from your new chalice. You see? The Black Knight always triumphs after all.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft