As the leaves turn and the evenings grow cooler, there’s nothing better than a beer that feels like fall in a glass. Enter Brother Thelonious, our signature Belgian Abbey Ale and the ultimate craft beer for fall. In this post, we’re diving into what makes Brother Thelonious so special, from its storied beginnings and tasting notes, to our favorite pairing ideas, and finally, a cozy kitchen creation: Brother Thelonious Spiced Cupcakes with Brown Butter Glaze.

A Monk’s Journey: How Brother Thelonious Found Its Soul

After the success of our Belgian Golden Ale PranQster, founding brewmaster Mark Ruedrich set out to create his take on a more malt-forward Belgian style brew. The process came together quickly. “Within a couple weeks, we said ‘this is it!’ It was not hard to know when it was perfect,” Mark recalls. The name was suggested by Sheila Martins (now our Vice President of Admin and Ops) during a lively naming session. “We were talking about the new beer and throwing out names, and I suggested Thelonious, which struck a chord,” she says. The idea came to Sheila thanks to her son’s obsession with the movie Shrek, the character of Thelonious front of mind at the time. The result is a deeply balanced ale that pairs rich malt character with the soulful complexity of classic Belgian abbey brewing.

The story of Brother Thelonious doesn’t end in the brewhouse, it continues in the community it helps support. We donate a portion of all sales of Brother Thelonious to the youth music education programs of the Monterey Jazz Festival, keeping creativity and community in perfect harmony. You can read more about our community initiatives and sustainability efforts in our annual sustainability report.

A Taste of Fall: Brother Thelonious Tasting Notes and Pairing Ideas

Brother Thelonious is a craft beer that truly embodies the spirit of fall. Dark mahogany in color, it pours with a rich, inviting presence that hints at the flavor experience to come. On the palate, you’ll find layers of caramel and malty depth, creating a robust ale that’s perfect for crisp evenings and seasonal gatherings. With an ABV of 9.4%, Brother Thelonious is warming without overpowering, inviting slow sips, and asking you to savor the moment.

It isn’t just a great beer to drink, it’s one our brewmaster Chuck Martins loves to use in his own kitchen. Around his house, Brother Thelonious often finds its way into beef stew, barbecue sauce, and other hearty dishes where its rich malt body and subtle clove notes shine. It stands in beautifully for stout in braised recipes and adds a smooth depth to slow-simmered sauces.

And with Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect beer to bring to the table. Its rich malt character and gentle spice pair beautifully with roast turkey, stuffing, and all the classic trimmings. It also transitions seamlessly into dessert, complementing pumpkin or pecan pie with a touch of sweetness and depth. The richness of the malt and subtle spice notes enhance both savory and sweet flavors, making it a versatile companion at the table.

A Taste of Fall: Brother Thelonious Spiced Cupcakes Recipe

Fall flavors don’t have to stay in the glass; you can bring them straight to the oven! Inspired by the rich, malty notes of Brother Thelonious, these spiced cupcakes with brown butter glaze capture the essence of autumn in every bite. Perfect for a sweet breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or as a delicious finish to your Thanksgiving spread, this recipe lets you enjoy the character of our Belgian Abbey Ale in a whole new way.

Ingredients:
Cupcake Batter:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp grated nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 granny smith apples, shredded
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp Brother Thelonious
• 1 generous cup sour cream

Brown Butter Glaze:

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1Tbsp half and half
• 1Tbsp sour cream
• 1tsp Brother Thelonious

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, vegetable oil, and shredded apples until well mixed. No need to strain the apples, their juice adds moisture to the cupcakes.
4. Whisk the eggs into the wet ingredients one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and Brother Thelonious beer. Mix until smooth.
5. Stir half of the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined, then fold in the sour cream. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix gently until fully incorporated.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
7. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the brown butter glaze: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the solids turn golden brown and give off a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
9. Whisk in the powdered sugar, half-and-half, sour cream, and Brother Thelonious beer until smooth and glossy.
10. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cupcakes (or, if you’re short on time, give the top of each cupcake a quick dip in the glaze) and enjoy!

Raise a Glass to Fall!

Here’s to gathering around good food, good friends, and great beer. Brother Thelonious captures the rich, spiced, and malty flavors of fall, and now you can enjoy it in a glass…or in a cupcake! If you don’t have time to bake, don’t worry: these spiced cupcakes will be coming soon to our Pub, so you can taste the season alongside your favorite North Coast Brewing Company beers. May your holidays be full of warmth, flavor, and a little bit of malty magic. Cheers!