Brouwerij de Molen Tsarina Esra – Imperial / Strong Porter at 11% ABV | 93 EBU (C$7.43 at Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits, 330 ml, packaged on 17-Nov-2014, best before 17-Nov-2039, acquired 15-Jan-2016, reviewed 12-Apr-2020)
Appearance: clear ruby brown with a short loose loose beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: smoke, dark chocolate, liquorice, leather, red grape must, vanilla. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, low carbonation, lingering bitter warming slightly astringent finish. (4/5)
The label calls this “Imperial Porter-ish”, and that’s as good a description as any. Definitely tending sweetish, though as the sweetness fades in the finish there’s a slight astringency. Drinks more easily than the double digit ABV might suggest. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
