The PastryArchy Edition #14: Candy Cane Imperial Stout
DuClaw Brewing Company

The PastryArchy Edition #14: Candy Cane Imperial StoutThe PastryArchy Edition #14: Candy Cane Imperial Stout
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From:
DuClaw Brewing Company
 
Maryland, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.97 | pDev: 9.32%
Reviews:
23
Ratings:
52
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 21, 2023
Added:
Nov 08, 2020
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
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Photo of Kanonier_Vierbein
Rated by Kanonier_Vierbein

3.99/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Picked up at a local store here in Indiana - I enjoyed the taste, I thought it was a strong peppermint flavor, definitely a good holiday stout.
Sep 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.98 by buzzedup from Pennsylvania

Jun 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4.51 by vickersspitfire from Texas

Mar 25, 2023
Photo of HoppingMadMonk
Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Solid black appearance.
Above average body width light carbonation
Aroma is mint, roasted malt,coffee,dark chocolate and some molasses with none of the elements dominating.
Taste for the most part follows the aroma with the taste of candy cane being noticeable.
Overall it makes for a very good holiday dessert beer
Jan 04, 2023
Photo of Darkmagus82
Reviewed by Darkmagus82 from Texas

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a can into a snifter
Appearance – The beer pours a deep brown color with a small head of light brown colored foam. The head has a moderate level of retention, fading over time and leaving a bit of streaky lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma is very strong of a roasted and toasted malt smell mixed with a big showing of cocoa and coffee. At The same time there is also a rather pervasive peppermint smell mixed with a rather large showing of molasses and brown sugar. Notes of crème and sweet cake are there as well, giving an almost candy cane brownie like aroma. Quite nice.
Taste – The taste begins with a dark roasted malt, some cocoa, and a smooth coffee like flavor that has a modest level of caramel and brown sugar sweetness. Right from the start the peppermint is heavy in presence, with it gaining even more strength as the flavor transitions forward. Other flavors of milk and vanilla crème offer light backdrop flavors, lasting throughout and combining nicely with the coffee. A bit of vanilla char joins in toward the end, and with the increase in the peppermint, one is left with a dark and roasty, semi-sweet, peppermint coffee flavor to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is heavy and thick with a carbonation level that is more subtle. For the big roasty flavors mixed with the coffee nature the feel was pretty good, although I think I may have liked a bit more effervescence to go with the cooling peppermint tastes.
Overall – A rather peppermint forward desert stout with a moderate level of sweetness and a whole lot of nice roasty toastiness. A fun one to try for sure.
Dec 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.5 by Cuervo_PCB from Florida

Dec 06, 2021
 
Rated: 5 by Dalkri from Massachusetts

Oct 14, 2021
Photo of DrDemento456
Reviewed by DrDemento456 from Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Wow almost a year later can't believe I picked this up so late! This beer is quite exceptional the aroma is straight up candy cane the flavor mild mint I could see now settling for quite some time but it really Blended with the Base beer giving me some chocolate coffee and roast but again not really exciting as expected.

STILL it's a well balanced Imperial Stout with candy cane aspects so I give it praise. Could use more sweetness though...
Aug 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.19 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Jul 26, 2021
Photo of Parmesan
Reviewed by Parmesan from Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L:. Pours a thick dark black color with a foamy medium white head and no lacing on the glass.

S:. Fresh peppermint and candy cane are forefront in this beer, followed by notes of chocolate and sweetness.

T:. Sweet peppermint and candy cane is very strong followed by a sweet milky chocolate, if you like candy canes you will like this, for me I feel like it might be missing something to truly make it pop.

F:. Smooth thick mouthfeel

O:. This beer is solid but feels like it's missing something to make it truly great.
Jun 21, 2021
 
Rated: 3.23 by QuentinDishaw from Massachusetts

Jun 03, 2021
Photo of aBosslyElephant
Reviewed by aBosslyElephant from Florida

3.8/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
L- Rich mocha coffee body, a cinnamon colored head
S- Strong notes of coffee with a small dose of candy shop
T- Strong coffee, vanilla bean and candy
M- Thicc like oil
O- A decent beer, very unique, idk how they got that candy taste into the beer. Wouldn't have again but I'm glad I did!
Apr 19, 2021
 
Rated: 4.05 by dubnation from Kansas

Apr 17, 2021
Photo of nick_perry
Reviewed by nick_perry from North Carolina

4.89/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Color is very dark brown with a thick foamy tan head. Aromas and flavors reminiscent of a candy cane, but fortunately without the intense sweetness, as the strongly dry Irish stout malt bill provides a smart counterbalance. Well carbonated, but still gives a creamy feeling. Notes of vanilla, chocolate, and coffee also appear. Great flavor, everything is perfectly balanced, who cares if I’m having this beer a little while after its intended season, a beer of this caliber will last for months.
Mar 26, 2021
Photo of Scotchboy
Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho

3.72/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
16oz can poured into a nonic. Pretty dark brown with the pour yields a black liquid in the glass with a large khaki/mocha head. Lots of spiced peppermint comes through on the nose, with a big dose of vanilla and chocolate. Fairly roasty as well, with a mild impression of espresso and mocha. The peppermint is very strong; not a minor impression of mint, but a strong icy-hot peppermint sensation leading to that candy cane character. Creamy mouthfeel, medium bodied, with a twang of lactose character that seems to fit with the sugary chocolate and vanilla notes behind the peppermint/spearmint. Pretty decent.
Mar 25, 2021
 
Rated: 4.18 by KT3418 from Colorado

Mar 23, 2021
Photo of QuintusHorace
Reviewed by QuintusHorace from California

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Very dark brown pour with khaki colored head. Slight smell of peppermint on the nose. Pretty smooth with full body flavor of malt and vanilla. Overall solid seasonal stout.
Mar 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Mar 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by heysuz from Indiana

Mar 21, 2021
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

3.1/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
From a 16 oz. can dated 100220. Sampled Mar 20, 2021.

It is a decent looking beer with its dark brown to black colored pour and tan head. But after that I lose interest.

The aroma is chocolate and peppermint or spearmint but the mint almost seems like an additive.

Light body.

The taste is like a Peppermint Patty in liquid form and I've never been a fan of Peppermint Patties. Just too minty for my tastes. Style wise it is probably right on but as for my pleasure...I did not finish it.
Mar 20, 2021
The PastryArchy Edition #14: Candy Cane Imperial Stout from DuClaw Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 52 ratings