Sound Brewery Mortal Kombat X Scorpion American Double / Imperial Stout at 8% ABV (C$10.06 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 18-Aug-2016, reviewed 12-Nov-2016)
Appearance: nearly opaque brown with the merest hints of ruby at the margins, three fingers of rocky beige head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: liquorice, milk chocolate, vanilla, hint of chilli. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, moderate-high peppery spice. (8/10) Medium-full body tending slightly thin, soft carbonation, building warming bitter and spicy finish. (4/5)
Woof – that’s a big, hot beast, in more ways than one. Upon uncapping liquorice immediately leads the way, quite similar to Howe Sound’s Megadestroyer (and how bizarre is that similarity, huh? – beers by “Howe Sound Brewery” and “Sound Brewery” having so much in common?) but after the liquorice fades, and following a brief flirtation with the Madagascar Vanilla, the chillies crash the party and set the mouth on fire. After that, it’s all about damage control: drinking faster initially cools the heat, but then the chilli oils just build and really get entrenched – but slowing down just means dragging out the punishment. (Speaking of punishment, it makes me wonder to what degree it’s inspired by Stone’s Crime and Punishment – which I have yet had the opportunity to try.) I actually like this a lot – draw your own conclusions as to exactly what kind of vague self-loathing and guilt that implies. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
