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Monolith

Burning Sky Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Farmhouse Ale · One of 9 Farmhouse Ales in hopIQ

Monolith is a remarkable farmhouse ale from Burning Sky Brewery in Firle, East Sussex — one of Britain's most celebrated producers of wild and mixed-fermentation beer. Aged for three years in a Chianti foudre with wild yeast, this Sussex-crafted ale pours a deep amber-mahogany with a delicate off-white head. The aroma is complex and captivating: earthy farmhouse funk mingles with dark chocolate, sun-dried fruit, and vinous oak. On the palate, a gentle acidity lifts rich, wine-soaked grain character, while layers of dried cherry, cocoa, and barrel tannin unfold with quiet confidence. The finish is long, dry, and contemplative — woody, lightly tart, and thoroughly elegant. A beer that rewards patience in every sense.

ABV
8.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
golden6
See all Farmhouse Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Very crisp and dry.

A direct pour that closes clean — trim and sharp, working together to keep things moving.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Farmhouse Ale.
Hop character
earthy
Malt character
chocolate
malty
Fermentation & yeast
funky
sour
tart
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Monolith

Appearance

Monolith presents a deep amber-mahogany hue, burnished by three years in oak and wild fermentation. The pour reveals excellent clarity beneath a delicate off-white head that maintains a fine Schaumkleiden around the glass. Carbonation is gentle and restrained, befitting a contemplative farmhouse expression.

deep amber-mahoganyclearfine lacinglow carbonation

Aroma

The nose is layered and complex, opening with earthy, funky farmhouse character—the signature of wild yeast working across three years. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder emerge alongside sun-dried cherry and fig, underpinned by vinous oak and a whisper of barrel tannin. The aromatics suggest age and patience without any sharpness or vinegar note.

wild yeast funkdark chocolatedried stone fruitvinous oak

Taste

Entry is smooth and wine-soaked, with rich grain character balanced by a gentle acidity that lifts without dominating. Mid-palate unfolds layers of dried cherry, cocoa, and subtle barrel tannins, while the low bitterness (25 IBU) allows oak and fermentation character to speak. The body is full yet refined, never heavy or cloying.

smooth entrylayered mid-palategentle aciditybarrel tannins

Finish

The finish is long, dry, and woody, with a light tartness that lingers without aggression. A contemplative aftertaste of dried fruit and cocoa dust fades slowly, leaving the palate clean and inviting another sip.

long dry finishlight tart edgewoody aftertaste
90
hopIQ score
Aroma
92
Taste
91
Appearance
87
Finish
88
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Monolith

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Monolith

About Farmhouse Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Farmhouse Ale?

Farmhouse Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Farmhouse Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same earthy, funky, dry character as Monolith will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Farmhouse Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Farmhouse Ale beers in hopIQ →New to Farmhouse Ale? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →

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