Peaty
Dugges Ale- & Porterbryggeri AB

(review from September 2020) Holy tung-stompin', palate-whompin' inTENsity maltman! POWerfully burnt/charred/peaty/smoky/tarry/tobacco flavored BA imp stout w/scotchy,whisky,roasty malt booziness to spare! Well balanced for it's every-bit-as-advertised 15%(!) Must snag a few more to age!

Pours jet black with a very brief, dark chestnut head. The head momentarily reaches one quarter inch before dissipating in a noisy fizz into eternity. A dark mahogany halo can be seen when put to the light. Chunks of something plop into the glass during the last two ounces of the pour. A thick and messy viscous film leaves no legs, nor was any lacing produced. My Swiftwater snifter is filled with trepidation over what may follow.

Rum announces a strong presence from an arm's distance. Charred brownie crust makes room for light sourness. The peat is abundant and has a sweet edge.

Strong roasted malt leaves room for peat and oak. The malt really is quite powerful. Warmth reveals cocoa nibs. There is absolutely zero sweetness, and surprisingly little roasted bitterness. The progression leads to black coffee and whiskey that is subtle and pleasant. The rum suggested earlier never materializes. The finish is long, roasted, and actually never seems to fade.

While the alcohol is strong, its heat is controlled, especially after a few sips. The texture is similar to smooth, plush fur, while the body is full and almost dense. Carbonation is subdued by the viscosity of this beer.

This one is definitely an experience, and forces one to contemplate its every aspect. I enjoyed it on cold, early autumn afternoon, and think it may be better fireside in the deep of winter. Those off-putting chunks must have dissolved, because there was no hint of them during the session. This one paired nicely with a Muranda Blu cow's milk cheese. The bold cheese stands up to the beer and visa versa, neither impacting the other. Smooth is on deck soon.

11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours a deep brown color with almost no head at all

S- bold but not overwhelming peat smoke on the nose gives aromas of smoked pork, campfire, brine & bandaid. Undertones of chocolate, charred malt, black cherries, figs & oak

T- peaty smoke leads the way on taste, with notes of campfire and smoked pork engulfing the palate, followed by some salty brine. Mid-palate gives notes of malty sweet chocolate, char and an array of dried dark fruits. The finish gives some oaky whisky as well as more peat smoke that sticks around on the linger

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a syrupy mouthfeel that turns into a slightly creamy, warming finish

O- a really well done peaty stout. The peat is the showcase, but not overpowering the beer

Poured room temperature from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A molasses colored beer, opaque in the glass with mahogany highlights at the base in the light. Spotty head retention, with little tiny islands and a ring of head remaining after just a couple minutes. The beer leaves a ring of small bubbles and some syrupy looking trails on the side of the glass. The surface of the beer appears oily.

Whisky aromas come through strong, detectable at a distance. Putting the nose into the glass uncovers chocolate, raisin, and molasses. Slight smoky note, likely the peat from the barrels advertised on the label

First taste is malty, like dark rye bread without the caraway, giving way to wood smoke. No astringency and the bitterness is more like lightly burned toast than hops. After a few sips, the peat comes in sooner.

Mouthfeel is robust, smooth, almost porridge like.

A solid entry for people who like imperial stouts - assertive without being aggressive, interesting without being pretentious.

 

 

 

Dark appearance with slight tan head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is a mild Smokey. Taste is a fairly prominent smoke/peated the is.very smooth. A little thin.

L: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark, almost mahogany brown color and a thick, opaque consistency. There was a quarter inch of foamy, tan-colored, somewhat long-lasting head. No lacing to speak of.

S: A very good aroma of chocolate, malt, smoke, booze, and wood.

T: Tasted of a decent amount of char / smokiness (a surprising ingredient), some whisky (and its accompanying barrel), a bit of chocolate (subtle sweetness, but definitely present), some of the advertised peat, and a fair bit of malt (present throughout). A slightly boozy, earthy, and complex. A focused and easy to like flavor.

F: A below average amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

O: A super solid, well done stout. Worth a look.