Howe Sound Brewing Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout Imperial Stout at 10% ABV | 75 IBU (C$11.35 at NLC Stavanger, 1 l, no bottle date or best before, acquired 6-Oct-2016, reviewed 6-Oct-2016)
Appearance: clear deep brown, two fingers of fluffy beige head, excellent retention and minimal lacing. (4/5) Aroma: liquorice, roasty malt, coffee and chocolate, burnt sugar. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Full slightly oily body, moderate-soft carbonation, drying and warming lingering bitter finish. (3/5)
Surprisingly well behaved for a massive behemoth, like an 800 pound gorilla who could rip your arms off and beat you to death with them, but instead wears a top hat and monocle, and argues philosophy with you. He still gets his way, mind you, because you’re terrified of him. Well, this beer has its way with you, eventually. How could it not? In one bottle, you’ve got the same alcohol content as a six pack of “normal” beer. But then, why be normal, right? And I love black liquorice, so this is definitely my cup of tea. The liquorice does come through loud and clear, and yes, dominates, but again in that understated fashion that allows the roasted malt coffee and chocolate tones to be present without being completely swamped by the liquorice. High sweetness is impressively balanced by the high bitterness so that it never becomes cloying. I like it – and I’m interested to see what will become of the second one, nestled safely in my cellar, in a couple of years. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
