Hopkins Imperial Stout
Boquébière

 

 

A big, whipped and billowing tan head wastes no time taking up most of the space in the glass. Its fluffy texture makes for great retention. Dense, sticky patches of lace coat the glass as the head gradually recedes. The body itself is pitch black, protecting even the edges of the glass from light shining through. This is a handsome looking stout.

Dark chocolate and fudge have a smoked backing to them. Alcohol soaked raisins and plums create a chewy center. The booze gives them an almost juicy quality. Hints of anise shoot up along the sides while a soft roastiness acts as a baseline.

The alcohol is intense and lively. Sweet dark fruits paint the palate and dark chocolate and brownie are layered over top. The booze really brings out a fresh coffee bean quality in the finish but it plays an integral role throughout. A bitter roastiness pokes through from underneath. As it shifts and turns, I notice more how its sweet raisin note becomes a focal point, getting pulled to the back of the palate and meshing with all of its chocolaty qualities.

The body is full, creamy, and slick with a lively level of carbonation. As big and bold as this is, it's very drinkable with next to nothing weighing it down.

This is the most enjoyable stout I've had in a long time. There's so much depth in flavor and boldness in its intensity but it remains so easy to drink. Its alcohol content and character are perfectly rendered; only intensifying its surrounding flavours and never being obtrusive. Boquebiere has left me with a great first impression.

 

 

Opaque black body with a thin cover of beige head.

Bready nose with roast malt, lots of minerals, dark fruit, light chocolate, estery yeast and earthy hops. Not a standout but decent.

Flavour is pretty big and almost comes of as a cross of an imperial stout and trappist ale. Malt body is substantial but doesn't present as much roast or chocolate as expected from the style. Bitter cocoa and (subtle) cinnamon powders with soily hops, dark fruit and thick, bready malt. Alcohol bite toward the finish.

I can't decide what to think of the feel; I'd say it's a good mouthfeel but maybe not too appropriate for the style. It's more like that of a trappist ale than a typical imperial stout (possibly because it's bottle conditioned): full, creamy body with an active, mouth-filling carbonation.

This is a strange imperial stout to me, I suspect that it's the bottle conditioning I'm not totally enjoying here. I feel like I might have enjoyed it more if it had been labelled as some kind of Belgian style/cross but can't seem to wrap my head around it as an imperial stout.