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Hercule Stout
Brasserie Ellezelloise
- From:
- Brasserie Ellezelloise
- Belgium
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #363 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #9,207 - Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 12.16%
- Reviews:
- 273
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 02, 2023
- Added:
- Oct 12, 2001
- Wants:
- 29
- Gots:
- 42
The only self-proclaimed ‘Belgian stout’ – 9% by volume – named after famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirrot and considered a World Classic.
Made in small batches, then lagered for ten days in German oak casks.
The Hercule is considered by many to be a classic – very malty, but dry, with a hint of sweetness in the finish, and perfectly hopped. It has a very distinctive and intoxicating spicy aroma of fresh spruce that suddenly, irresistibly, fills the room when the swing-top is released. This unique house character probably derives from the strains of yeast used by the brewery – and possibly from the fermentation in oak – because the beers are made entirely of malt and hops, without any spices or sugar.
Made in small batches, then lagered for ten days in German oak casks.
The Hercule is considered by many to be a classic – very malty, but dry, with a hint of sweetness in the finish, and perfectly hopped. It has a very distinctive and intoxicating spicy aroma of fresh spruce that suddenly, irresistibly, fills the room when the swing-top is released. This unique house character probably derives from the strains of yeast used by the brewery – and possibly from the fermentation in oak – because the beers are made entirely of malt and hops, without any spices or sugar.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by hunteraw:
Reviewed by hunteraw from China
4.08/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed at The Elm Tree pub in Cambridge.
Appearance: Very dark, thin head, little lacing.
Smell: very "cold" and "dark" smelling if that makes any sense at all. Hints of anise and alcohol.
Taste: Rich malt and roast, with a very crisp finish. Dark fruit, and a little nuttiness. Alcohol is well-concealed.
Mouthfeel: foamy somehow, despite not appearing to be highly carbonated. Medium body.
Drinkability: Nice one! More please.
Aug 28, 2008Appearance: Very dark, thin head, little lacing.
Smell: very "cold" and "dark" smelling if that makes any sense at all. Hints of anise and alcohol.
Taste: Rich malt and roast, with a very crisp finish. Dark fruit, and a little nuttiness. Alcohol is well-concealed.
Mouthfeel: foamy somehow, despite not appearing to be highly carbonated. Medium body.
Drinkability: Nice one! More please.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
3.58/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Very dark brown, with lighter brown edging, no head after initial salvo. Smells of tons of date with supporting plum, raisin, molasses, and brown sugar, with a roasted malt backing. Taste is so short lived, dark fruit and chocolately malts zip by the palate, like what I got but it turn watery quickly. Which brings us to the feel, watery, thin, yet malty. Like so watery I'm not convinced it isn't flavored water. Give me more body!
Dec 22, 2020Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England
3.83/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.83/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The bottle had rested for weeks and been well chilled and handled with care, but man did it want to foam when gently releasing the cap. Tip #1 be prepared to progressively release some gas from the cap but be ready to lock it shut again if it foams, then wait and repeat.
L- In natural light it's black. To a halogen it's ultra dark chestnut/ruby. Sediment in it is just visible and pours with a 2mm pale tan head.
S- Prominent coffee, front and centre.
T- Deep roasted, very toasty charred plus pungent coffee. How they get that from just barley/malt/hops+yeast I've no idea.
F- It's solid meaty has depth and a pungent feel - glad to say it never strays anywhere in the direction of having a sweet note. This is primo winter-warmer stuff. Slow-sippin' in front of the log fire.
O- It's lovely, great balance, nothing out of place to note. I'd happily buy and drink this again.
Bought from BelgiumInABox Antwerp/BE for delivery to me in London/UK. 330ml bottle BBE: 04/21
May 24, 2020L- In natural light it's black. To a halogen it's ultra dark chestnut/ruby. Sediment in it is just visible and pours with a 2mm pale tan head.
S- Prominent coffee, front and centre.
T- Deep roasted, very toasty charred plus pungent coffee. How they get that from just barley/malt/hops+yeast I've no idea.
F- It's solid meaty has depth and a pungent feel - glad to say it never strays anywhere in the direction of having a sweet note. This is primo winter-warmer stuff. Slow-sippin' in front of the log fire.
O- It's lovely, great balance, nothing out of place to note. I'd happily buy and drink this again.
Bought from BelgiumInABox Antwerp/BE for delivery to me in London/UK. 330ml bottle BBE: 04/21
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black liquid; a dull orange rust appears at the edges when held to the light.
Nice khaki head; a curtain of lace.
Dark fruits & bread in the nose; definitely a Belgian stout.
Medium thick mouthfeel; creamy like a nitro tap.
Cherry, licorice, slight wax & slight chocolate conspire to make a singular, delicious beer.
Truly unique, I've never had a flavor quite like this. More importantly, it's delicious.
More than worth the $7 I paid for 11.2oz. Just...wow.
Apr 04, 2019Nice khaki head; a curtain of lace.
Dark fruits & bread in the nose; definitely a Belgian stout.
Medium thick mouthfeel; creamy like a nitro tap.
Cherry, licorice, slight wax & slight chocolate conspire to make a singular, delicious beer.
Truly unique, I've never had a flavor quite like this. More importantly, it's delicious.
More than worth the $7 I paid for 11.2oz. Just...wow.
Rated by IPA1978 from Missouri
3.49/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.49/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Not a typical stout, has some fruity flavors and mild cocoa and roasted malt. Comes across to me like a dark saison, maybe even some brett.
Apr 19, 2017
Hercule Stout from Brasserie Ellezelloise
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
469 ratings
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