Tag Archives: anise

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’?

Pinot Noir Barrel Baltic Porter 2016 – Boundary Brewing

by Mike

From Boundary Brewing in Kelowna comes their “2016 Vintage Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Baltic Porter” a very small batch of 250 bottles.  The beer pours an almost opaque black colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, caramel, toffee, pinot noir, grapes, sweetness and some barrel.  The flavour is of roasted malts, ash, anise, chocolate, caramel, oak, tannin’s, pinot noir and some bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 8% with an IBU of 22.  The Bourbon Barrel version of this beer is tasty but this version is next level and I am stoked I got the chance to try it out.

Sirens Chai Saison – Britannia Brewing Company

by Mike

From Britannia Brewing Company in the Richmond with a tasting room in Steveston Village comes their “Sirens Chai Saison”. The beer poured a copper orange with a white head. The aroma consists of chai tea, orange, anise, spices and yeast. The flavour is of chai tea, mild funk, anise, spices, orange with a saison yeast finish. The alcohol content comes in at 5.7% with an IBU of 22. I am not a huge tea fan but this one was quite ewnjoyable. 

Commercial Description:  The Sirens call to lure you into this refreshing and effervescent farmhouse ale.  Kettling a local chai tea blend of rooibos, orange, star anise, clove and pepper all adding up to give off a unique spice aroma that compliments our Belgian yeast.

Imperial Stout Bourbon Barrel Aged 2017 – Steamworks Brewing

by Mike

From Steamworks Brewing in Burnaby BC comes their latest release the “Imperial Stout Bourbon Barrel Aged”  part of their 2017 Barrel Aged series.  The beer pours an opaque black with a brown head.  The aroma consists of bourbon, chocolate, treacle, anise, oak, vanilla, roasted malts and alcohol.  The flavour is of bourbon, milk chocolate, anise, treacle, toffee, roasted malts, burnt coffee, ash, oak, vanilla, mild bitterness and alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 9.5%.  Julia knocked it out of the park once again with this release!  This is exactly what I want out of an Imperial Stout.

Commercial Description:  Aged for months in Kentucky Bourbon barrels., This Imperial Stout pours near black with a thick tan head.  It’s a powerful beer perfect for immediate enjoyment or further maturing.

Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels 2017- Twin Sails Brewing

by Mike

From Twin Sails Brewing in Port Moody comes their “Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels” a beer aged for one year in Bourbon Barrels for their second anniversary.  This was bottle 309 of 468.  The beer poured an opaque black with a brown head.  The aroma consists of vanilla, bourbon, roasted malts, toffee, brown sugar, chocolate, anise with a sweet finish.  The flavour was of vanilla, bourbon, oak, anise, chocolate, toffee, espresso, roasted malts, brown sugar, coconut and very little bitterness.  The alcohol content is a cool 11.6% that is partially masked by the flavour of this beer.

Commercial Description:  Aged in select bourbon barrels since September 2016, this dense, inky imperial stout has big aromas of fudge, vanilla and espresso.  The palate brings an intense mix of chocolate, char, and coconut and a thick luscious mouth feel that leads into a warming, rich finish.  An intentionally low carbonation brings an exceptional spirit-like character to the beer.