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Black Albert
De Struise Brouwers
- From:
- De Struise Brouwers
- Belgium
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #122 - ABV:
- 13%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,784 - Avg:
- 4.26 | pDev: 9.15%
- Reviews:
- 887
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 26, 2024
- Added:
- Aug 23, 2007
- Wants:
- 335
- Gots:
- 401
This is not as much a beer as it is an experience. Originally brewed for Ebenezer’s Pub in Lovell, Maine (USA), this beer is a tribute to Albert II, sixth king of the Belgians. Nicknamed ‘laughing king’, it is only fitting that the beer named after him should put a big smile on your face. And we can safely say it does. This big mother of a Russian Imperial Stout is often considered one of our true classics.
Despite the 13% ABV, you’ll find Black Albert to be dangerously drinkable. With its thick, tar-like body, it’s definitely a sipper, but the alcohol is very well-hidden. It pours pitch black and retains a strong caramel-colored head, despite the ABV. Every sip bombards you with roasty bitterness and the unique sweetness of real Belgian candy sugar. Black Albert: get tattoo’ed from the inside.
Despite the 13% ABV, you’ll find Black Albert to be dangerously drinkable. With its thick, tar-like body, it’s definitely a sipper, but the alcohol is very well-hidden. It pours pitch black and retains a strong caramel-colored head, despite the ABV. Every sip bombards you with roasty bitterness and the unique sweetness of real Belgian candy sugar. Black Albert: get tattoo’ed from the inside.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Stevedore:
Reviewed by Stevedore from Oregon
4.02/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Additional rating: 11.2oz bottle, bottled in 2008, consumed in 2015. Served in a snifter glass. Essentially, the licorice and dark fruit has died out a fair amount, leaving a very clean, chocolate and cocoa presence, a mild bit of oxidation, spices. Its definitely held up well over 7 years.
11.2oz bottle bought to our tasting by Regen. Thanks for this one, Regen. Poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass today, 11/2/2013.
Pours a silky black body, viscous and thick. Small bit of mocha head comes out, but dissipates quickly. Not a ton of lacing left behind. Basically a standard imperial stout.
Smells like straight up licorice. Its complemented by a nice roasty maltiness and even a bit of spice which I assume is from the belgian yeasts used here. The licorice is very strong here and if thats what you like, this is the way to go.
Tastes interesting, still quite a bit of licorice but the chocolate, coffee and spice comes out more here than in the nose. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the licorice and anise in the flavour profile but again, if that's your jam, then this is what you want.
Medium to full bodied, good carbonation, slick and smooth. Interesting and quite sweet; not super drinkable and its a sipper on a nice cold night.
Interesting, I don't like licorice that much but as an overall beer, it's done quite well and if you like licorice at all, you'll enjoy this one. I'm not going back to this one, but won't fault the brewers here- this is what they wanted to make here.
Dec 03, 201311.2oz bottle bought to our tasting by Regen. Thanks for this one, Regen. Poured into a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass today, 11/2/2013.
Pours a silky black body, viscous and thick. Small bit of mocha head comes out, but dissipates quickly. Not a ton of lacing left behind. Basically a standard imperial stout.
Smells like straight up licorice. Its complemented by a nice roasty maltiness and even a bit of spice which I assume is from the belgian yeasts used here. The licorice is very strong here and if thats what you like, this is the way to go.
Tastes interesting, still quite a bit of licorice but the chocolate, coffee and spice comes out more here than in the nose. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the licorice and anise in the flavour profile but again, if that's your jam, then this is what you want.
Medium to full bodied, good carbonation, slick and smooth. Interesting and quite sweet; not super drinkable and its a sipper on a nice cold night.
Interesting, I don't like licorice that much but as an overall beer, it's done quite well and if you like licorice at all, you'll enjoy this one. I'm not going back to this one, but won't fault the brewers here- this is what they wanted to make here.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky
4.35/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Super dark, possibly dark brown or lighter black. Head was somewhat tan. Nose made me think of a barleywine, not an imperial stout, buy I am not complaining. Nice nutty flavor with a boozy warmth on back end. Very good Imperial Stout or Barleywine, whichever you choose to call it.
Feb 26, 2024Reviewed by Dethark from England
4.27/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle poured into a stemless tumbler style glass.
Look: Pours black as night and next to no head. A tiny tan head that soon buggered off.
Smell: Roasty, toasty malts and dark fruits.
Taste: Dark chocolate, dark fruits, figs, coffee and maybe some licorice.
Feel: Smooth and silky, a more lively carbonation than i'm used to for the style but it does not hurt it at all.
Overall: A very decadent and luxurious beer than you need to take your time with. The high ABV is there but well hidden.
Jan 21, 2024Look: Pours black as night and next to no head. A tiny tan head that soon buggered off.
Smell: Roasty, toasty malts and dark fruits.
Taste: Dark chocolate, dark fruits, figs, coffee and maybe some licorice.
Feel: Smooth and silky, a more lively carbonation than i'm used to for the style but it does not hurt it at all.
Overall: A very decadent and luxurious beer than you need to take your time with. The high ABV is there but well hidden.
Reviewed by 1BrewBacca from Georgia
4.08/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.08/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I starting to think that beers with a higher ABV never have any head tp speak off. Like this one. Even an aggressive pour did not make one materialize. Then I checked the brew date, over a year and a half ago. Smell and taste of dates and raisins. Quite sweet with a slightly pungent aftertaste. Somewhat flat on the carbonation scale but the 13% ABV is killer. I would like to try another, fresher brew.
Nov 09, 2023Reviewed by janubio from Spain
4.02/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from Las Buenas Pulgas, served at home in a snifter glass.
Black colour, small head with short retention, just a line of lacing.
Aroma of wood, varnish, rubber,raisins, red fruits, chocolate, licorice, anise.
Medium to full body, creamy texture, flat carbonation. Sweet finish.
Taste follows the aroma, with the additon of a spicy notes.
Very good.
Sep 28, 2023Black colour, small head with short retention, just a line of lacing.
Aroma of wood, varnish, rubber,raisins, red fruits, chocolate, licorice, anise.
Medium to full body, creamy texture, flat carbonation. Sweet finish.
Taste follows the aroma, with the additon of a spicy notes.
Very good.
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana
4.02/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
If you are looking for a stout with a complex fruit profile this is for you. Lots of chocolate and roasted malt, but also dark fruit, cherry and tobacco create a nuanced experience.
Jul 11, 2023Rated by Ushouldbeworkinh from England
4.29/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Batch 0 vintage 2020
Jun 17, 2023Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire
4.62/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.62/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
From a 330 ml bottle with a vintage of 3/22/22 and a BB date of 7/22/26 + 5 years. Sampled June 15, 2023.
Deep dark brown to basically a jet black appearance with a small, quickly fading tan head. Limited lacing.
Many aroma sensations of dark roasted bread crust, dark roasted malts, dark fruit, bkack cherry, plum, cranberry, Graham crackers, cream, licorice, but little to no alcohol for 13%.
Full mouthfeel. Creamy smooth.
Sweet roasted malt taste with more dark fruit and little to no booziness. A lingering warming finish. This is really good.
Jun 15, 2023Deep dark brown to basically a jet black appearance with a small, quickly fading tan head. Limited lacing.
Many aroma sensations of dark roasted bread crust, dark roasted malts, dark fruit, bkack cherry, plum, cranberry, Graham crackers, cream, licorice, but little to no alcohol for 13%.
Full mouthfeel. Creamy smooth.
Sweet roasted malt taste with more dark fruit and little to no booziness. A lingering warming finish. This is really good.
Reviewed by Nass from Florida
4.5/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2016 Vintage. The pour is jet black with a small head of foam. The taste is Belgian candy sugar, bakers dark chocolate, roasted malts, black cherry, & molasses. The 13% abv is drinking more like a 9% abv beer. Cheers! A (World Class)
Nov 24, 2022Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts
4.16/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.16/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into the test glass, from 11.2 oz bottle with "BA No. 14 BRS Brew" on the label.
A - Chalkboard black, with a thin off white ring of assembled bubbles, a slow moving archipelago in the center of the ring.
S - Burnt brown sugar, cigar wrap tobacco drying in the barn, dark cocoa, hint of soy, and anise.
T - Black pepper corn, bakers chocolate, again a hint of tobacco, with dark fruits being the center, fig, dried plum, with again hint of anise.
M - Medium bordering to to heavy in body, full palate coating while avoiding the "syruppy" trap, Start is semi sweet, with lingering bitterness acting as the clean up agent, Finish is just dry enough to invite another sip.
O - A lovely sipper, excellent RIS characteristics, with rich complex flavors, well hidden alcohol, and luxurious texture.
Sep 04, 2022A - Chalkboard black, with a thin off white ring of assembled bubbles, a slow moving archipelago in the center of the ring.
S - Burnt brown sugar, cigar wrap tobacco drying in the barn, dark cocoa, hint of soy, and anise.
T - Black pepper corn, bakers chocolate, again a hint of tobacco, with dark fruits being the center, fig, dried plum, with again hint of anise.
M - Medium bordering to to heavy in body, full palate coating while avoiding the "syruppy" trap, Start is semi sweet, with lingering bitterness acting as the clean up agent, Finish is just dry enough to invite another sip.
O - A lovely sipper, excellent RIS characteristics, with rich complex flavors, well hidden alcohol, and luxurious texture.
Reviewed by andypeters1971 from Georgia
4.7/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.7/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
From a bottle 08/2022 at Brick Store, Decatur, Ga. Wonderful aroma, could've just taken in the aroma and not even drank any of it and wouldv'e been great. But the powerful complex array of flavors combined with unbeatable mouthfeel for an imperial stoudt put it over the top
Aug 13, 2022Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina
4.5/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2015 Vintage
A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer which is topped by a dense and rocky finger of dark tan head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of dark roasted malts, bitter dark chocolate, anise, raisins, and espresso
T: Taste is dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, hints of oxidation, some slight smoke and charred wood with a hint of burnt sugars. On the swallow there's some sweetness along with more coffee, chocolate, charred wood and burnt sugar
M: This beer is thick and velvety on the palate. Carbonation is low, but adequate for the style while the beer has a drying finish from the high ABV.
O: Overall this is a really well done Russian Imperial Stout. It has good flavors and a nice amount of complexity. It may have lost a step at this age but it's still drinking very well.
Jun 09, 2022A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer which is topped by a dense and rocky finger of dark tan head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of dark roasted malts, bitter dark chocolate, anise, raisins, and espresso
T: Taste is dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, hints of oxidation, some slight smoke and charred wood with a hint of burnt sugars. On the swallow there's some sweetness along with more coffee, chocolate, charred wood and burnt sugar
M: This beer is thick and velvety on the palate. Carbonation is low, but adequate for the style while the beer has a drying finish from the high ABV.
O: Overall this is a really well done Russian Imperial Stout. It has good flavors and a nice amount of complexity. It may have lost a step at this age but it's still drinking very well.
Black Albert from De Struise Brouwers
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
1853 ratings
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