Black Albert
De Struise Brouwers

Black AlbertBlack Albert
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
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:
1,853
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by abfraser:
Photo of abfraser
Reviewed by abfraser from California

4.37/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap at City Beer Store in SF. The announcement was met with quite a few people there. There is certainly a hype around this beer.

A: Black as night. Not much really going on other than that. There was a smallish head but nothing notable.

S: Was super cold when first served, so didn't really get much at first. After 10 minutes or so or wrapping my hands around it the aromas started to come out. They were intense RIS-like. Chocolate, coffee, some spice. I didn't think this smelled too terrible different from the top echelon of American RIS.

T/M: Intensely flavorful. Coffee, dark chocolate, definitely some spice notes on the end. There was a lingering bitterness, which first I thought only hops could create but after getting something with the Abyss too, I'm thinking this comes more from the chocolate/coffee. Mouthfeel is thick and somewhat oily. This is top notch stuff. But I don't find it too terribly different than what's already out there.

D: A sipper for sure. Next time, I plan to spend a bit more time lingering with this one (picked up a couple bottles as well). The lack of availability hurts this score, though.

Overall, top notch Russian Imperial Stout. I don't know if it lives up to the hype (there are really few beers that ever do) but I'd put it on par with the other excellent examples I've had recently, like Surly Darkness and the Abyss.
Dec 14, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of MutuelsMark
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
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, 2024
Photo of Dethark
Reviewed 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
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, 2024
 
Rated: 4.41 by jkermitj from Mississippi

Jan 12, 2024
Photo of 1BrewBacca
Reviewed by 1BrewBacca from Georgia

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, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Fettpopps from Massachusetts

Nov 05, 2023
Photo of janubio
Reviewed by janubio from Spain

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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.01 by not2quick from Missouri

Sep 25, 2023
Photo of NCSapiens
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana

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, 2023
Photo of Ushouldbeworkinh
Rated 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
Batch 0 vintage 2020
Jun 17, 2023
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by FarmerF from Netherlands

Apr 10, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Sweffin from Wisconsin

Mar 19, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by GeorgeAKeim from Oregon

Jan 19, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by Cpmitchno1 from Virginia

Dec 15, 2022
Photo of Nass
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
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, 2022
 
Rated: 4.11 by brandoneast from Texas

Sep 17, 2022
Photo of SABERG
Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

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, 2022
Photo of andypeters1971
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
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, 2022
Photo of SHODriver
Reviewed 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
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, 2022
Black Albert from De Struise Brouwers
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 1853 ratings