The Last Dictator
Yeastie Boys

Yeastie Boys have fast become my favourite brewery with a pun name based on a musical act... OK that isn’t really a huge list, but regardless Yeastie Boys are at the top, and The Last Dictator caught my eye due to the inclusion of Botrytised Viognier Candi-sugar, as you well know dear reader nothing catches my attention more than Botrytised Viognier Candi-sugar... or brightly-coloured box kites. Either way I was in for a penny with this brew... and it’s 10% ABV! This is going to be a big beer, better put on my big beer trousers... there we are, BBT (Big Beer Time).

Poured from 330ml bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Brown-tinged obsidian black body with a nice mocha lace ring... oh boy, here we again, BBT FTW! 9/10.

S: The Botrytised Viognier Candi-sugar really comes through in the nose with a heady sweet red wine character, followed by hints of smoky bacon, Vegemite [or Marmite for our NZ readers ;-) ] and a dark fruit prune finish. I’m getting that tingling sensation that I usually get before I take a sip that tells me I am in for a treat [it’s sort of like my beer geek version of Spiderman’s “spider-sense”]. 8/10.

T: BBT indeed! The Last Dictator starts out with a rich prune and red wine note, flows through to burnt sugar, a hint of smoky bacon, Vegemite brings a touch of salinity as it finishes with a slight fusel burn and mild medicinal bitterness. It’s all very evenly distributed between sweet/salty/bitter/umami - this is a damn good Imperial Porter that brings something unique to the tasting table with the vinous characters. 9/10.

M: Mid to heavy bodied with a tight carbonation... again no complaints here. 8/10.

D: This is one of those brews that needs small sips lest you finish it too quickly and end up with a debilitating condition known as “Sadface” or in medical terminology “:-(“, this is a condition that can affect beer drinkers worldwide - the only treatment for Sadface is to buy more excellent beers like Yeastie Boys The Last Dictator and to drink these beers slowly, savouring every drop and appreciating the beauty and craftsmanship that has gone into creating said mystic libation. God may save the Queen but for God’s sake savour the beer. 8/10. [oh yeah, this beer was a bit on the pricey-side, hence the score relative to my praise]

Food match: Chateaubriand steak served with grilled asparagus, roasted jacket potatoes, and béarnaise sauce.

 

This is definately becoming a new style I find imperial porter and this one was aged in red wine barrels,it pours a very dark brown/black with a chocolate laced three finger creamy head and legging lacing everywhere,the smell is quite musky but in the musk I also get piney hops,dark chocolate and red wine booze,the mouthfeel is medium bodied with slight carbonation and has tastes of milk chocolate,red berries,dark chocolate duds and finished bittersweet with a mix of piney resinous hops and sweet red wine similar to a fine port and overall quite a unique brew that with the red wine barrel ageing and base beer going hand in hand in a beautiful harmony cheers.