Morticia | Barrier Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Barrier Brewing Company
New York, United States
barrierbrewing.com
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.10%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Russin Imperial Stout w/coffee 10.1% ABV notes of charred roast, chocolate, subtle oak.
Added by BColton1 on 06-09-2013
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 106 | Reviews: 22
4.29/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.57/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A- Motor oil black draft pour into a tulip glass. Deep mocha head rises with a foamy texture to two fingers. Small ring and tons of sporty lace.
S- Dark-chocolate all the way. Deep like 75-80% range with roasted barley and toasted nuts behind it. Licorice, burnt, hints at sweetness.
T- Dark chocolate bars with some licorice dominate the profile; is this Iceland? Rather dry with heavy toast, toffee, molasses tobacco, cocoa nibs, espresso beans coated in dark chocolate, tiny raisin and nuts. Earthy hops.
MF- Slick and oily medium body with low carbonation. Bitter cocoa burnt finish. A bit warm. Somewhat thin to be honest.
Mostly dark chocolate with a thin, dry feel on the palate. Too much dark chocolate without any support flavor or body wise.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A- Motor oil black draft pour into a tulip glass. Deep mocha head rises with a foamy texture to two fingers. Small ring and tons of sporty lace.
S- Dark-chocolate all the way. Deep like 75-80% range with roasted barley and toasted nuts behind it. Licorice, burnt, hints at sweetness.
T- Dark chocolate bars with some licorice dominate the profile; is this Iceland? Rather dry with heavy toast, toffee, molasses tobacco, cocoa nibs, espresso beans coated in dark chocolate, tiny raisin and nuts. Earthy hops.
MF- Slick and oily medium body with low carbonation. Bitter cocoa burnt finish. A bit warm. Somewhat thin to be honest.
Mostly dark chocolate with a thin, dry feel on the palate. Too much dark chocolate without any support flavor or body wise.
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3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.29/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Mid sized bottle, I cant find any bottling date/vintage kinda info.
Pour all very dark and imperial stout like, leaves loads of nice looking busted up fields of lacing all the way up on the glass.
Chocolate/mocha and cafe au lait all ove rthe sniff.
Super gooey chocolate, rich and motor oil like on the palate...If you like large, smooth and overloaded with milk chocolate and coffee kinda impy stouts, this will not dissappoint...quality and over the top kinda brew...would be awesome with a decadent "death by chocolate" kinda dessert...stout lovers rejoice and go get some...
583 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Mid sized bottle, I cant find any bottling date/vintage kinda info.
Pour all very dark and imperial stout like, leaves loads of nice looking busted up fields of lacing all the way up on the glass.
Chocolate/mocha and cafe au lait all ove rthe sniff.
Super gooey chocolate, rich and motor oil like on the palate...If you like large, smooth and overloaded with milk chocolate and coffee kinda impy stouts, this will not dissappoint...quality and over the top kinda brew...would be awesome with a decadent "death by chocolate" kinda dessert...stout lovers rejoice and go get some...
583 characters
4.28/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is an excellent brew. Oddly, strong as it is, I find the aroma rather mild. However, the taste was extremely robust with hints of chocolate, coffee, and licorice. The texture is exquisite with a deep, dark, almost black color with a beautiful, lingering head. The only thing better than the look is the taste. I bought this beer on a whim at CostCo of all places. How lucky I was. Try it!
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look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is an excellent brew. Oddly, strong as it is, I find the aroma rather mild. However, the taste was extremely robust with hints of chocolate, coffee, and licorice. The texture is exquisite with a deep, dark, almost black color with a beautiful, lingering head. The only thing better than the look is the taste. I bought this beer on a whim at CostCo of all places. How lucky I was. Try it!
393 characters
4.35/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours black. Thick, medium, light brown head lasts a long time.
Smells cocoa, chocolate, roasted malts, light char, coffee and light alcohol.
Tastes roasted malt, dark chocolate, coffee and earthy bitterness. Followed by hints of dark fruits and char. Dry finish and a light bitter linger. Medium body and smooth medium carbonation.
Lighter in taste than smell. Lighter body than expected.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours black. Thick, medium, light brown head lasts a long time.
Smells cocoa, chocolate, roasted malts, light char, coffee and light alcohol.
Tastes roasted malt, dark chocolate, coffee and earthy bitterness. Followed by hints of dark fruits and char. Dry finish and a light bitter linger. Medium body and smooth medium carbonation.
Lighter in taste than smell. Lighter body than expected.
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4.69/5 rDev +13%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.43/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nearly black color with a lovely trace of ruby red, especially coming out of the bottle. A billowing and large foam mocha head retains very well. An attractive looking brew for sure.
In the nose there is a mild to moderate roasty quality. There is a creamy sweetness that reminds me of cocoa, vanilla and roasted nuts.
The taste is really something else. Whereas the aroma seems to have these bold yet understated qualities, the flavor and mouthfeel start off as that and gradually become more dynamic and intense. At first it starts off as a gentle, smooth and creamy texture of sweet chocolate and dark fruit. Absolutely velvety, fluffy, rich and decadadent. The body is big and robust. Slowly, but surely, I detect how the sweetness, never cloying, is balanced with the slightest kiss of pine hops. The transformation then continues as the finish becomes increasingly dry, the espresso roast increasingly bitter, and the roasted malt feeling almost charred. It begins to linger in the aftertaste. Amazingly enough, the alcohol flavor is practically non existent, despite the fact that there is a huge alcohol warming that creeps up on you.
This was truly a find and I'd certainly like to get to know this brewery more. For such a high ABV, it was scarily drinkable. I feel like this is right up there with other Russian Imperial Stouts.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nearly black color with a lovely trace of ruby red, especially coming out of the bottle. A billowing and large foam mocha head retains very well. An attractive looking brew for sure.
In the nose there is a mild to moderate roasty quality. There is a creamy sweetness that reminds me of cocoa, vanilla and roasted nuts.
The taste is really something else. Whereas the aroma seems to have these bold yet understated qualities, the flavor and mouthfeel start off as that and gradually become more dynamic and intense. At first it starts off as a gentle, smooth and creamy texture of sweet chocolate and dark fruit. Absolutely velvety, fluffy, rich and decadadent. The body is big and robust. Slowly, but surely, I detect how the sweetness, never cloying, is balanced with the slightest kiss of pine hops. The transformation then continues as the finish becomes increasingly dry, the espresso roast increasingly bitter, and the roasted malt feeling almost charred. It begins to linger in the aftertaste. Amazingly enough, the alcohol flavor is practically non existent, despite the fact that there is a huge alcohol warming that creeps up on you.
This was truly a find and I'd certainly like to get to know this brewery more. For such a high ABV, it was scarily drinkable. I feel like this is right up there with other Russian Imperial Stouts.
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3.86/5 rDev -7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours jet black with a thin dark tan head that dissipated quickly and left no lacing. Smells and tastes of dark chocolate, slightly burnt coffee, smoke and roasted malt. Finishes moderately bitter. Thick and sticky mouth feel with light carbonation. A good beer but not even close to the best in it's style IMO.
315 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours jet black with a thin dark tan head that dissipated quickly and left no lacing. Smells and tastes of dark chocolate, slightly burnt coffee, smoke and roasted malt. Finishes moderately bitter. Thick and sticky mouth feel with light carbonation. A good beer but not even close to the best in it's style IMO.
315 characters
4.5/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
3.98/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 16.9 oz. bottle into stout glass. It pours nearly jet black with dark walnut hues, and an amazing fluffy, mocha-colored head that resembles coffee gelato. It smells roasty with dark coffee, chocolate, and tobacco smoke. The first taste sensation is char, followed by burnt coffee grounds, baker's chocolate, nuts, and a hit of caramel. What is noticeably missing for a RIS is the dark fruit I like so much. It finishes surprisingly bitter. That said, it's rather one-dimensional; there's little sweetness or fruit to juxtapose to the char and bitterness. It's creamy but not particularly viscous. The body is more like a porter than, say, Ten Fidy, FIS or Parabola. The 10.1% ABV is well hidden. Overall, while I can understand some reviewers really liking Morticia, I don't think it measures up to its more famous brethren of the style.
856 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 16.9 oz. bottle into stout glass. It pours nearly jet black with dark walnut hues, and an amazing fluffy, mocha-colored head that resembles coffee gelato. It smells roasty with dark coffee, chocolate, and tobacco smoke. The first taste sensation is char, followed by burnt coffee grounds, baker's chocolate, nuts, and a hit of caramel. What is noticeably missing for a RIS is the dark fruit I like so much. It finishes surprisingly bitter. That said, it's rather one-dimensional; there's little sweetness or fruit to juxtapose to the char and bitterness. It's creamy but not particularly viscous. The body is more like a porter than, say, Ten Fidy, FIS or Parabola. The 10.1% ABV is well hidden. Overall, while I can understand some reviewers really liking Morticia, I don't think it measures up to its more famous brethren of the style.
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4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.11/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours pitch black color with a 2 finger foamy tan/light brown colored head that was packed with bubbles of all sizes, the biggest bubbles popping as the head slowly dissipated very slowly and leaves minimal spotty lacing.
Smells of cocoa powder, burnt coffee grinds, dark chocolate, roasted malt, cocoa, smoke, charred wood, yeast or earthy aromas, and then more chocolate. Pretty basic in covering all the imperial stout components, with each element pungent and well represented. The 10.1% ABV is completely hidden by the rich chocolate malt aroma.
Like the nose, the flavor is very roasty with a mostly malt lineup hitting at all times mixed with some light piney hop accents and herbal notes. The roasted malts bring the dark chocolate, cocoa powder, burnt coffee grinds, ash or charred wood, roasted malts, campfire smoke, black licorice, mild vanilla or espresso beans, dry yeast, earthy flavors like peat moss or burning leaves, and then like the nose it ends with more chocolate. It's bitter in a good way like a bold Starbucks coffee and it hides the ABV quite well.
It's listed as a Russian Imperial Stout here on BA, but the bottle states Imperial Stout; splitting hairs I guess, as the stout has a nice level of bitterness, a mouthfeel that is on the thin side and yet very smooth with a medium, chewy body and an ashy, semi-dry smoky finish. A really nice beer overall, I'll definitely buy it again.
1,415 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours pitch black color with a 2 finger foamy tan/light brown colored head that was packed with bubbles of all sizes, the biggest bubbles popping as the head slowly dissipated very slowly and leaves minimal spotty lacing.
Smells of cocoa powder, burnt coffee grinds, dark chocolate, roasted malt, cocoa, smoke, charred wood, yeast or earthy aromas, and then more chocolate. Pretty basic in covering all the imperial stout components, with each element pungent and well represented. The 10.1% ABV is completely hidden by the rich chocolate malt aroma.
Like the nose, the flavor is very roasty with a mostly malt lineup hitting at all times mixed with some light piney hop accents and herbal notes. The roasted malts bring the dark chocolate, cocoa powder, burnt coffee grinds, ash or charred wood, roasted malts, campfire smoke, black licorice, mild vanilla or espresso beans, dry yeast, earthy flavors like peat moss or burning leaves, and then like the nose it ends with more chocolate. It's bitter in a good way like a bold Starbucks coffee and it hides the ABV quite well.
It's listed as a Russian Imperial Stout here on BA, but the bottle states Imperial Stout; splitting hairs I guess, as the stout has a nice level of bitterness, a mouthfeel that is on the thin side and yet very smooth with a medium, chewy body and an ashy, semi-dry smoky finish. A really nice beer overall, I'll definitely buy it again.
1,415 characters
4.39/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
3.94/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Served in a snifter glass from the bottle.
Appearance: Deep dark brown with medium bubbles, tan head rising roughly one finger's length off the body. Drops with super sticky lacing.
Smell: heavy malts and molasses.
Taste: Bitter and Bitter with a splash of sour. Has a malty feel with solid dark chocolate.
Mouth: Medium to heavy carbonation and sticky feel which comes off a bit dry.
Overall: Good brew and home grown. Worth buying if you see it. Salud.
464 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Served in a snifter glass from the bottle.
Appearance: Deep dark brown with medium bubbles, tan head rising roughly one finger's length off the body. Drops with super sticky lacing.
Smell: heavy malts and molasses.
Taste: Bitter and Bitter with a splash of sour. Has a malty feel with solid dark chocolate.
Mouth: Medium to heavy carbonation and sticky feel which comes off a bit dry.
Overall: Good brew and home grown. Worth buying if you see it. Salud.
464 characters
Morticia from Barrier Brewing Company
4.15
out of 5
based on 106 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5