Emelisse Espresso Stout
I’ve been coming across more and more bottles from this Netherlands-based brewery. From their decent enough Imperial Russian Stout to an equally impressive DIPA, the beers I’ve encountered thus far from the company were more than enough to sway me to pick up a bottle of this 10% ABV Imperial Stout made with ground espresso bean from Italy.
While this beer is rich and full-flavored, it also brings to the tabe a decent bit of hop character and dark fruits — both of which add to the beer’s already dynamic and layered presentation. And as big as the beer is, alcohol-wise, it’s deceptively smooth and drinkable.
Appearance
A mocha brown head falls slowly and gently over the oil-black stout.
Aroma
The nose fills immediately with loads of ground coffee, dark malt, a solid roast, hints of cocoa and a touch of alcohol. There’s also a hint of plum or raisin in the mix that comes and goes with each sniff.
Taste
This beer is darn tasty. It’s full-bodied, viscous and warming as tons of smooth, roast espresso slides over the tongue without any astringency usually associated with dark roast coffees. The finish, in addition to warming the soul, is also quite clean and lasting as hints of a hop character arrive in the form of a subtle bitterness. Due to the smoothness of this brew and despite the level of warmth in the finish, the beer is still dangerously drinkable.
Overall
Emelisse have themselves one heck of a tasty brew here. It’s full bodied, layered with flavors and too smooth for its own good. I’m glad I’ve been seeing more and more from this company on local shelves — I’m going to need another bottle or two of this stout before the weather warms too much.
Rating: 4/5
