Category Archives: Stout

Drexl Blackstrap Imperial Stout – Bench Creek Brewing

by Mike

From Bench Creek Brewing out of very rural Alberta (Yellowhead Country) near Edson comes their “Drexl Blackstrap Imperial Stout”.  The beer pours an opaque black colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, smoke, molasses and anise.  The flavour is of roasted malts, smoke, molasses, anise, toffee, sweetness, resin and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 11% with an IBU of 80.  I have been a fan of Bench Creek Brewing for some time and this beer does not change that opinion at all.  This is a well made Imperial Stout.

Commercial Description:  Y’know what we got here? Charlie Bronson. Mr. Majestyk.Rich biscuity UK base malt and multiple caramel malts for layered toffee and dark fruit flavours got you thinkin’ it’s pretty… But it’s not as pretty as a variety of roasted malts which provide chocolate and coffee depth. In fact, we’re gonna show you with a little demonstration.  Now, see, we’re sittin’ down here, ready to negotiate, and you’ve already given up. It’s still a mystery to you. But we know it’s got generous additions of blackstrap molasses and star anise.  All right, peep this: it’s aged on American oak to fully mimic the flavours and aromas of blackstrap rum. Ey’ yo, yo why you trippin’?

Wintervention (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chocolate Imperial Stout) – Garrison Brewing

by Mike

From Halifax Nova Scotia’s Garrison Brewing comes their “Wintervention” a Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chocolate Imperial Stout.  The beer pours a black close to opaque with a brown head.  The aroma consists of chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, toffee and oak.  The flavour is of chocolate, toffee, treacle, coffee, vanilla, bourbon, oak, roasted malts, ash, bitterness and resin.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.5%.  Garrison Brewing does some amazing things and this one ranks up there with some of their best beer.

Commercial Description:  With 11 months in Bourbon barrels, we’re taking this Wintervention to the next level! The time spent in the Bourbon barrels give this brew a deliciously complex flavour. Rich bittersweet chocolate aromatics with cherry and vanilla underneath. Layers of chocolate fudge, coffee, malted milk balls and molasses flavours with a bittersweet chocolate finish.

You Gonna Eat That?- Twin Sails Brewing

by Mike

From Twin Sails Brewing in Port Moody comes their “You Gonna Eat That?” a Black Forest Cake stout.  The beer pours a deep brown colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of chocolate, mild roast, cherry and some sweetness.  The flavour is of cherries, chocolate, mild roast, earth, creamy with a mild bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 8.2%.  I personally really like the pastry stout and this one was defiantly enjoyable.

Holliewood Oyster Stout – Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub

by Mike

From Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub in Victoria BC comes the “Holliewood Oyster Stout”.  If you have a shellfish allergy you will want to skip this beer as it used Ocean Wise Oysters in the brewing process.  The beer pours a deep black colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, chocolate, salty and some sweetness.  The flavour is of roasted malts, chocolate, toffee, earth, mild bitter, ash and some salt.  The alcohol content comes in at 7.6% with and IBU of 20.  I don’t know if this would pair well with Oysters as I do not like them but I sure as hell liked this brew.

Commercial Description:  Oysters and stout have a rich history as food for the masses.  With a creamy rich texture and briny finish from the oysters and a roast bitterness from the malt, this heavyweight stout was brewed with three additions of prime fresh oysters from our friends at Hollie Wood Oysters in Fanny Bay BC.  The world is yours.  And yes, there really are oysters in this beer!

Foreign Export Stout – Sooke Brewing Company

by Mike

From Sooke Brewing Company in Sooke on Vancouver Island comes their “Foreign Export Stout”.  The beer pours a black opaque colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, earth, toffee and chocolate.  The flavour is of chocolate, creaminess, coffee, toffee, ash, bitterness and some resin with little to no alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 8%.  This is one mighty fine Imperial Stout that hides the alcohol perfectly.