Mean Old Tom

I haven't met a Maine Beer Company beer I haven't liked.   

When I saw a beer with the name Mean Old Tom on it, I couldn't pass it up.  I have a thing for crotchety men.  I married one, after all (see Old Curmudgeon).

I guess we've all have an angsty poophead in our lives at one time or another.  It's obvious the brewers at Maine beer have!

The back of the bottle of Mean Old Tom reads:

I think it was the summer of ’76, I was 5 years old and my uncle Tom came to paint our house. It was in the tiny town of Louisiana, Missouri, on the mighty Mississippi River, where he would take me to troll the roadside ditches to gather one man’s junk (beer cans). In honor of his magnificent treasure (his beer can collection) and his spirit for fast cars, tough motorcycles and mean smiles, we bring you Mean Old Tom.

Heh, I read that and immediately visualized Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men!

So, I bought the beer because I liked the name on the bottle.  Let's see what's inside!









Mean Old Tom (6.50% ABV) pours as black as night but has deep ruby highlights in the glass if the light hits it just right.  It builds a massive mocha colored rootbeer-like head even with a gentle pour. That is some serious foam!  Awesome!


The aroma is like a cup of fresh dark roasted coffee with a touch of dark chocolate and smoke stirred in.

The taste was big on bitter coffee but that was mellowed by a subtle sweetness.  There is a clear dark chocolate presence and a hint of smoke. The vanilla is delicate and nuanced. The aftertaste is dark chocolate and slightly bitter. 

The mouthfeel is full with moderate carbonation.

Mean Old Tom is a well crafted brew.  It's well balanced and flavorful, creamy and delicious!

Overall: very good.