What is Monster Park (rye barrel version)?

A 13% imperial stout aged in rye whiskey barrels from Modern Times Brewing of San Diego, reviewed here as a limited release.

How does it compare with the coffee version?

The author liked the coffee-aged Monster Park a touch better for its extra dark chocolate complexity and fuller mouthfeel. The rye-barrel version runs a little less sweet, more boozy, and has a medium-thin body.

What was the verdict score?

88/100, with a note that the Monster Park variants might be worth repurchasing in six to eight months.

How does the rye-barrel version pour?

Dark black verging on a deep brown, with little carbonation when poured and quite low bubble retention.

What was the previous Modern Times beer the reviewer had?

The other Monster Park barrel-aged variation, the coffee version.

Why did the reviewer think a fuller body could be a problem?

He thought all the malt and chocolate flavors would be overkill if the beer had more body.

Modern Times Brewery / Monster Park Imperial Stout aged in Rye Barrels

📅 2015-01-06

Tasted and published in 2015. Recipes and availability change.

Modern Times Brewery | Monster Park Imperial Stout aged in Rye Barrels. (13%) San Diego, CA.

Looking forward to this limited release from Modern Times. The last Modern Times beer I had was the other Monster Park barrel aged variation with coffee added.

Pour: Dark black, verging on a deep brown. Little carbonation when poured. Bubble retention was quite low. Yeah at 13% it's a huge looking barrel aged stout, almost looking identical to the coffee version I had previously.

Aroma: Huge notes of rye and vanilla and even though I like this, it's almost too dominant. Subtle notes of dark chocolate, oats, maybe a little bit of a chocolate almond aroma as well, but lots of booze. It's almost just like the coffee version, but a little less sweet and more booze.

Taste: Almost following the aroma exactly. Lots of rye, bourbon, and vanilla. The amount of sugary, oaky, and chocolate taste is enjoyable, but again it may be a little bit unbalanced. The mouthfeel is medium-thin, but what I like about it is that I think if it had a fuller body that all the malt and chocolate flavors would be an overkill to this beer. It's a solid offering, but I think I like the coffee one a touch better because it added a tad more complexity with more dark chocolate and a touch more mouthfeel.

Verdict: 88/100. A solid offering from Modern Times and in about 6-8 months I might seek to repurchase the variants of Monster Park. Cheers!

Key takeaways

Monster Park is a 13% imperial stout from Modern Times Brewing of San Diego, reviewed here as a limited release aged in rye whiskey barrels.
It pours dark black verging on deep brown, with little carbonation and low bubble retention at 13%.
Rye and vanilla dominate the aroma — almost too dominant for the reviewer — with subtle dark chocolate, oats, and a hint of chocolate almond, plus lots of booze.
The taste follows the aroma closely: lots of rye, bourbon, and vanilla, with a medium-thin mouthfeel.
The reviewer liked the coffee-aged Monster Park variant a touch better for its extra dark chocolate complexity and fuller mouthfeel.
88/100 — a solid offering, possibly worth repurchasing in six to eight months.

Frequently asked questions

What is Monster Park (rye barrel version)?: A 13% imperial stout aged in rye whiskey barrels from Modern Times Brewing of San Diego, reviewed here as a limited release.
How does it compare with the coffee version?: The author liked the coffee-aged Monster Park a touch better for its extra dark chocolate complexity and fuller mouthfeel. The rye-barrel version runs a little less sweet, more boozy, and has a medium-thin body.
What was the verdict score?: 88/100, with a note that the Monster Park variants might be worth repurchasing in six to eight months.
How does the rye-barrel version pour?: Dark black verging on a deep brown, with little carbonation when poured and quite low bubble retention.
What was the previous Modern Times beer the reviewer had?: The other Monster Park barrel-aged variation, the coffee version.
Why did the reviewer think a fuller body could be a problem?: He thought all the malt and chocolate flavors would be overkill if the beer had more body.

Editorial note: grammar and clarity of the original 2015 review were lightly corrected in 2026. Facts, opinions, and ratings are the author’s own.