I am a quiet fan of the Het Nest beers, and I’d been looking forward to tasting this beer for a few years but could never seem to source any. Finally we get to make that right.
As you might recall, Brouwerij Het Nest hails from the Belgian town of Turnhout which is also home to several different companies that produce playing cards and export them around the world. Every beer label is designed to a playing card theme.
A ‘Dead Man’s Hand’ is a pair of black aces and eights. It is said this was the hand held by Wild West Lawman (and gambler) ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok when he was shot in the back of the head by another poker player, so is considered an unlucky hand by poker players today.
Much luckier to be holding this Russian Imperial Stout. It is a big, dark intimidating beer full of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee and dark fruits in the aroma. They all follow through in the flavour. Chocolate and dark dried stone fruits like figs and raisins provide the sweetness, with the roasted malts and coffee cutting through. There is a little smokiness to the beer, and a hint or licorice or star anise.
It finishes reasonably dry, with a good level of bitterness accentuated by an herbal spiciness in the finish. Personally, I would have enjoyed a little fuller and softer mouthfeel, with a little less sharpness to the finish. But that’s just my preference, it’s a good beer just as it is.
De Moersleutel's renowned Motorolie Russian Imperial Stout, with added smoked plums
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A big Russian imperial Stout aged in Bowmore Whiskey barrels
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Like black engine oil, rich and complex. An interesting take on the style, aged 2 months on oak
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
An Imperial Russian Stout aged in a single use Old Smokey Bourbon barrel
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
An Imperia Russian Stout aged in red wine barrels and then blended for packaging
A Russian Imperial Stout brewed to an original English recipe from 1750
A rich Russian Imperial Stout with cinnamon and brown sugar, based on the traditional Dutch pastry dessert
by Totem
A big and rich Russian Imperial Stout with coffee and 'specula's' (a spiced Dutch shortbread biscuit)
A lovely blond bitter beer from one of Belgium's home-brewing success stories
A perfect beer for the colder nights, dark roast malts, stone fruit and gentle spicing
The Hobby Brewers have taken their successful Tripel recipe and upsized it for this Grand Cru...then left it lying about in some Cognac barrels for a while
This is the annual winter (rum barrel aged for 2020) version of Het Nest's signature tripel
