Hornbeer Black Magic Woman Imperial Stout at 10% ABV | 113 IBU (C$9.20 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, best before 17-Mar-2026, acquired 13-Oct-2016, reviewed 14-Nov-2016)
Appearance: solid black without even a hint of relief around the margins, one fat finger of rocky beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: smoky peaty malt, bitter dark chocolate, liquorice, boozy dark fruit. (8/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter, high alcohol. (8/10) Full slick body, moderate carbonation, smoky warming sticky and bitter finish. (4/5)
Pours a viscous tarry black completely unrelieved by any transmission of light, topped by a rocky beige head that retains well. I initially thought it wasn’t as bitter as the IBU rating implied, but gradually it became apparent that there actually was a significant hoppy bitterness underlying the smoky malt and liquorice. Everything’s turned up to 11 on this: it’s not subtle, but it’s well-balanced and emphatic. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
