Hello, and welcome back to the Eternal Hoptimists,
John bought me a bottle of this during the summer and what a thoughtful gift it was. I certainly enjoyed it.
This is an imperial stout brewed to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the creation of the brewery. They have pulled out the stops to make it a bit special by making it a small batch and then aging it in bourbon barrels for over nine months. Their aim is to produce a beer like a dark chocolate after dinner mint. I think I might know which one they have in mind!
- Name : Mint Chocolate Stout
- Brewery: Vocation Brewery Ltd, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
- Hops : Not specified
- Grain : Malted Barley, wheat and oats
- Aroma : Some chocolate with hints of confectionery mint (like an after eight) but also a heavy fortified wine kick
- Appearance : Black with a reddish-brown head that quickly disappeared. Poured clear but label states that it may contain sediment
- Body : Full bodied, low carbonated but with no head retention
- Taste : initial sweetness and a subtle mint fondant flavour. This makes way for dark chocolate and a dry bitter finish. Strong, warming, slightly bitter aftertaste
- Dietary restrictions : Allergens listed
WowWee what a beer, something fitting of the celebration. Its an imperial stout and so of course it has potency that is unmistaken. It still manages to showcase a complex flavour profile. My concern was that mint, rather like ginger, is such a strong flavour that can simply overpower a drink. Here the mint addition is subtle, but clearly detectable against a robust stout.
Its intense on the palate but not cloying and leaves the palate quite clean a few minutes after drinking. It certainly has a moreish quality about it, though at 12.2% you are not likely to have many. Simply Outstanding.
Peter’s overall rating: 4.3/ 5.0
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