This beer from De Moersleutel is perfect for our current isolation/home detention, because at a whopping 12% ABV – and in a big can to boot – you ain’t driving anywhere after having this bad boy!
We are used to big, tasty beers from these guys, and almost always really well executed. This beer is no exception (personal preferences aside).
Pour it without reading the notes, and no prizes for guessing it is an imperial stout (with cocao nibs and roasted peanuts), as the pitch black liquid slowly glugs out of the can like old engine oil from the sump. The usual imperial stout aromas - dark chocolate, roasted malts, a little coffee, a hint of licorice, a faint smoke whisper, vanilla, cocoa – are all present.
Following through in the flavour, it is pretty sweet without ever being too much so. The roasted malt astringency and hop presence reign in any runaway sweet flavours. Its quite soft in the mouth, and while you know it has some alcohol behind it, the truth is remarkably well hidden.
The only thing for me is I really don’t get much of the peanut character. Given I know it is there, I’m looking for it and I can probably get a touch more in the aroma than the flavour. As a straight up (Russian) Imperial Stout, I really like it as a beer. Others I’ve shared this beer with say they get the peanuts, so it must be me!