Beer Geek Brunch
Mikkeller ApS

 

A quarter inch of dark walnut head is comprised of fine foam with flecks of gold. This sets off the shiny jet black beer below. The head quickly drops to a thin ring, while a dense, viscous film produces no legs. The collar of lace slowly settles back to a ring after each sip. When backlit, one can tell that this has a clear, red glow at the edges.

A Swiftwater snifter concentrates the strong, sweet malt, revealing chocolate syrup and a light, smoked peat. Warmth brings out espresso and light licorice.

The flavor opens with chocolate and espresso that work exceptionally well together. It is neither sweet nor bitter, although both can be perceived. The roasted malt is mild and brings out a light roasted coffee flavor as well. The progression is quite complex as it warms, adding prunes and plum pudding. The finish is long, with mild roasted malt.

It has a full body with a soft, syrupy smooth texture. Residual sugar builds on the lips. While the alcohol is very much present, it is still below expectations and lacks heat. The carbonation is soft.

After seeing this on a shelf (and not picking it up) about a decade ago, it was a very happy surprise to finally find it again. While I can't say that I can tell what type of coffee was used, it is obvious that it is higher quality than one typically finds as an adjunct. Sipping is the best way to enjoy this one. I added a soft, creamy Blue cheese and a book on a cool, late Autumn evening.

I realized after drinking this that it had been in my cellar for a few years. So it likely drank sweeter than when it was fresh. The head probably lasted longer too.
The short of it is that it’s a good coffee oatmeal stout, but it’s not as good a coffee stout as Speedway and it’s not as good an oatmeal stout as Breakfast Stout (Founder’s) but I imagine it hits many people just right.
I could easily (and happily) drink it again, but I’d prefer the Breakfast Stout or Speedway.

16oz can from Tavour. Pours out a thick black, flat. Aroma features a blend of roast, coffee and chocolate. Taste moves the chocolate up front, with sweetness and roasty bitterness behind. Smooth. Thick. Nice!

 

Pours like dark brown and settles black with light brown rim, there was no head that formed after an aggressive pour. Smells heavily of roasted cocoa, black malt and roasted coffee. That's what dominates the flavor as well. Big on coffee with a cocoa finish. Not sweet at all here. The finish on the palate is dark roast and dark chocolate . Can't detect a hint of the 10.5% ABV. I used to drink Beer Geek Breakfast a lot a few years ago, haven't had any Mikeller since. This isn't bad, but i would take Speedway over this anyday.

Opened for Cellaruary. Canned 9/16/2020. Poured into tulip glass.

L: Very dark brown, with a scant tan head that lingers for a little while. No lacing.
S: When it's cold, it's just booze. As it warms, chocolate maltiness comes to the fore, along with some emergent coffee bitterness.
T: Plenty of sweetness, definitely an oatmeal stout. The coffee follows, but not as much as I would like.
F: Very soft and smooth, especially for 10.9% (although I'm sure by now it's a little less than that).
O: Not exceptionally great, especially for what it sets out to be, but it's very good.

 

16 oz. can. Black body. Smells of deep earthy coffee, chocolate, some sweetness. Tastes of sweet chocolate with permeating coffee. Deep roasted malts. Then coffee is the predominant flavor. Finishes with some sweet, then earthy, then bitter coffee. Medium heavy. Big and fairly sweet. It's pretty tasty, though.

 

 

 

 

 

imperial stout brewed with coffee- slightly sweet with coffee overtones - malty taste - great beer to drink