Tag Archives: molasses

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’?

Stupid Stout 2015 – Coronado Brewing Company

by Mike

From Coronado, California’s Coronado Brewing Company comes their “Stupid Stout 2015″.  The Imperial Stout pours an opaque black with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, toffee, ash and chocolate.  The flavour is of roasted malts, ash, chocolate, toffee, molasses, anise, earth and mild bitterness.  Even with the alcohol coming in at 9% you do not taste it.  I really liked this one but then an Imperial stout without and alcohol burn is amazing in my books.

Burton Ale – Vancouver Island Brewing (Gladstone Brewing)

by Mike

From Vancouver Island Brewing in Victoria in collaboration with Gladstone Brewing out of Courtenay comes their “Burton Ale”.  The beer pours a deep red / amber colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of caramel, molasses, mild roast and dark fruit.  The flavour is of caramel, molasses, orange zest, herbal, resin and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 7.5% with an IBU of 75.  This is an interesting ale.  I don’t know much about the Burton Ale style so I can not say if it is to style though.

Commercial Description:  Originating from Burton-On-Trent, England, the Burton Ale inspired the IPA beer style we know today. Almost 200 years later, Gladstone and Vancouver Island Brewing have come together to recreate this strong amber ale that inspired the IPA beer style. English born, Island proud.

Bell Cow Milk Chocolate Porter – Jdub’s Brewing Company

by Mike

From Jdub’s Brewing Company in Sarasota Florida comes their “Bell Cow Milk Chocolate Porter”.  The beer pours a deep brown colour with a brown head that dissipates quickly.  The aroma consists of sweet milk chocolate, roasted malts, lactose, malt and some sweetness.  The flavour is of roasted malts, milk chocolate, molasses, lactose, some earth and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 5.6%.  This is definitely a dessert beer but you can never go wrong with a good dessert beer!

Commercial Description:   Think of a sweet milk chocolate candy bar, dessert.

Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout 2017 – Cigar City Brewing

by Mike

From Cigar City Brewing in Tampa Bay Florida comes their “Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout” 2017 Vingate.  The beer pours a jet black colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, molasses, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, chocolate and some alcohol.  The flavour is of roasted malts, burnt coffee, ash, molasses, caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, anise, dark fruit, maybe some umami, alcohol and a bitterness in the finish. The alcohol content comes in at 11.2% with an IBU of 70.  This is a seriously big beer and right up my alley.  I wish I could have brought more of this beer back or visited the brewery while in Florida but there is only so much room in your luggage and we had to leave Florida in a hurry to avoid Hurricane Irma.

Commercial Description:  This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Opaque black in color, with notes of espresso, chocolate, dark toffee and hints of blackstrap molasses. The English hop varietals provide a subtle herbal dryness, and the beer finishes with a hearty slap of roasty espresso. Pair Marshal Zhukov’s with mushroom solyanka, dark chocolate, cherries and ground wars in Russia.