The Red Monk

I've been enjoying the Westmalle here for several years.  Between the Royal Mile downstairs, and the Red Monk upstairs you've got two complimentary halves of the best place for import beers for sale by the glass.  

We made a habit of stopping down to Red Monk after AHL hockey games when I was a season ticket holder.   It was nice because it was calmer place to unwind with an exceptional selection of my favorite Belgian beers.  High prices here ($6 for a Delirium Tremens on tap, $9.50 for a bottle of Westmalle), but they house some of the most well established & revered beers on the planet and it's served in a cozy and rustic atmosphere that should accompany these grand malt beverages.

After a recent visit: the word is out and right behind it is the atmosphere.  What used to be a good place of introspection, conversation and debate about world-class beer has become the domain of explosive "woos", obnoxious bachelorette parties and loud music. Great beers here, but sadly it has lost it's best characteristic which was the ability to converse ABOUT the beers they offer.

Delirium Tremens on tap.  That is all.

OK, that's not all.  My love for Belgian beer is well-documented, so it's no shock that I love the Red Monk.  I also love the Royal Mile (OK, so they are really just different sections of the same bar), and I think it's fantastic that you can rent out the Red Monk for parties (which I did, and it was great except for a few misunderstandings, my advice is get everything in writing... but I digress).  

What I really love is the atmosphere - the high backed wooden benches, the stained glass, the big arched doorway.  And the only thing I don't like is that they crank the music around 11pm.  And I mean they CRANK it.  At the risk of sounding like a little old lady, does the music need to be SO LOUD???

Anyway, that's a minor issue.  Regardless of their seeming inability to properly judge decibel levels, I love the Red Monk anyway.

Red Monk. My love affair with you is long-lasting. I couldn't appreciate you more if you were joined with me forever in all the states I move. Except...except, like all great affairs, they are strew with passionate arguments and feelings.

My only problem, Red Monk, is that you annoy me with your loud music. While others might love metal/grunge/whatever playing at such high volumes, my ears want to connect to my body and transfer to the sweet, sweet nectar before me. I want to breathe in the aroma of goodness, the waft of hops, malts, and yeast yearning to be free. I want to spend time with the beer while not wearing earplugs. Sometimes these beers need us to be quiet like the monks who make them.

That, Red Monk, is why you are only 4 stars. That, Red Monk, is why I shy away. That, Red Monk, is why I must leave you too soon. That, Red Monk, is also why I hate you. It will always be my love affair to remember.