Brouwerij de Molen Heaven & Hell Russian Imperial Stout at 12% ABV | 95 EBU (C$10.50 at Zyn, 330 ml, packaged on 10-Sep-2014, best before 10-Sep-2039, acquired 27-Mar-2015, reviewed 2-Jun-2018)
Appearance: black with one fat finger of rocky beige head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: liquorice, chocolate, leather, dark berries, smoke, nuts. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (9/10) Palate: full slick body, soft carbonation, off-dry lingering and building bitter warming finish. (4/5)
Black. No, not “black”, black. Utterly, mercilessly, without the merest hint of relief. You know how you need a special license to buy VantaBlack? Buy this instead. (Oh, and how about that BB date, huh? “Enjoy within 25 years.” So, if I had this on the ninth of September, 2039, and it sucked, should I expect a refund? Not that it matters, mind you, because I only had the one and now it’s done.) Full kitchen sink of aromas, with pretty much the whole gamut of rich dark malts and fruits. A big boozy bastard, done right. (18/20)
9/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
