Maman
Perennial Artisan Ales
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #13 - ABV:
- 11.5%
- Score:
- 100
Ranked #45 - Avg:
- 4.66 | pDev: 7.51%
- Reviews:
- 52
- Ratings:
- From:
- Perennial Artisan Ales
- Missouri, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 276
- Gots
- 46
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
Notes:
Aged for 18 to 20 months in Rittenhouse Rye barrels before blending.
Reviews: 52
| Ratings: 412
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Reviews by Stevedore:
Stevedore from Oregon
4.72/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
On tap at Brasserie V in Madison, Wisconsin. Full pour served in a snifter glass. Also another pour from the 2015 bottle at a later tasting.
Dark black body, ominous and oily. Has a fair amount of legs. Minimal carbonation as expected, a small wispy collar remains after a while. No lacing. Smells of rich deep dark chocolate, oak, whiskey, milk chocolate, cocoa. No char or much roast to it; just very clean chocolate and whiskey-forward aromas. No heat. Flavour is similar; rich chocolate fudge, whiskey without any heat whatsoever, oak, minimal nutty flavours, milk chocolate. Again, very fudge-forward with a fair amount of whiskey flavour without any hint of heat or char. This reminds me a lot of yellow wax Assassin in many ways; an extremely clean and well-executed top shelf barrel aged stout. Mouthfeel is almost perfect; thick, creamy and coats the entire tongue in whiskey fudge goodness. I think this is the strongest aspect of the beer. Overall, the closest comparison I can make is yellow wax Assassin, and this may or may not be better than that. Anyway, this is an excellent barrel-aged stout, and easily one of the best I've had.
Aug 08, 2015
4.72/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
On tap at Brasserie V in Madison, Wisconsin. Full pour served in a snifter glass. Also another pour from the 2015 bottle at a later tasting.
Dark black body, ominous and oily. Has a fair amount of legs. Minimal carbonation as expected, a small wispy collar remains after a while. No lacing. Smells of rich deep dark chocolate, oak, whiskey, milk chocolate, cocoa. No char or much roast to it; just very clean chocolate and whiskey-forward aromas. No heat. Flavour is similar; rich chocolate fudge, whiskey without any heat whatsoever, oak, minimal nutty flavours, milk chocolate. Again, very fudge-forward with a fair amount of whiskey flavour without any hint of heat or char. This reminds me a lot of yellow wax Assassin in many ways; an extremely clean and well-executed top shelf barrel aged stout. Mouthfeel is almost perfect; thick, creamy and coats the entire tongue in whiskey fudge goodness. I think this is the strongest aspect of the beer. Overall, the closest comparison I can make is yellow wax Assassin, and this may or may not be better than that. Anyway, this is an excellent barrel-aged stout, and easily one of the best I've had.
Aug 08, 2015
More User Reviews:
gibgink from Missouri
5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I was so looking forward to trying this beer. Over the past year, I've driven to Perennial many times for different events, and I've always talked to the locals about what their favorite Perennial beer is, and many of them have said Maman. So understand the excitement when I learned that bottles of this highly touted beer were actually going to be sold to go.
This beer pours the blackest I've ever seen. Even before filling the glass, I thought to myself how dark it was coming out of the bottle. No real head to speak of. An initial smell fills the nostrils with a strong bourbon impression. As it warms, the chocolate scent blends well with the bourbon characteristics. The tasting was very similar. The first sip gives a strong bourbon presence that gently flows into a dark chocolate aftertaste that lingers on the palate for quite some time. Throughout the drink, the flavor profiles would ebb and flow. Some sips would be chocolate forward, while others would have the initial bourbon profile.
Overall this is a masterpiece of a beer. There are plenty of barrel aged stouts, and many more that have other flavors on top of the barrel aging, with varying degrees of improvement over the base. This is just a "base" barrel aged stout, and the flavors are outstanding.
Aug 17, 2015
5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I was so looking forward to trying this beer. Over the past year, I've driven to Perennial many times for different events, and I've always talked to the locals about what their favorite Perennial beer is, and many of them have said Maman. So understand the excitement when I learned that bottles of this highly touted beer were actually going to be sold to go.
This beer pours the blackest I've ever seen. Even before filling the glass, I thought to myself how dark it was coming out of the bottle. No real head to speak of. An initial smell fills the nostrils with a strong bourbon impression. As it warms, the chocolate scent blends well with the bourbon characteristics. The tasting was very similar. The first sip gives a strong bourbon presence that gently flows into a dark chocolate aftertaste that lingers on the palate for quite some time. Throughout the drink, the flavor profiles would ebb and flow. Some sips would be chocolate forward, while others would have the initial bourbon profile.
Overall this is a masterpiece of a beer. There are plenty of barrel aged stouts, and many more that have other flavors on top of the barrel aging, with varying degrees of improvement over the base. This is just a "base" barrel aged stout, and the flavors are outstanding.
Aug 17, 2015
eppie82 from Illinois
4.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2017, into chalice.
Pitch black, with no foam head upon pour or even any around edge of glass. Just a dark liquid. Extreme amount of barrel oakiness present. You can smell the complexity of this before even tasting it. The flavors have oak and barrel flavor that imparts chocolate, raisin and even vanilla. Feel is quite sticky and thick.
Among the very best straight up BA imperial stouts. It is in a class with Bourbon BA Dark Lord, Assassin and Black Magick batch 2 (Buffalo Trace). Worth trading for.
Dec 31, 2017
4.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2017, into chalice.
Pitch black, with no foam head upon pour or even any around edge of glass. Just a dark liquid. Extreme amount of barrel oakiness present. You can smell the complexity of this before even tasting it. The flavors have oak and barrel flavor that imparts chocolate, raisin and even vanilla. Feel is quite sticky and thick.
Among the very best straight up BA imperial stouts. It is in a class with Bourbon BA Dark Lord, Assassin and Black Magick batch 2 (Buffalo Trace). Worth trading for.
Dec 31, 2017
rabbott2 from Illinois
4.78/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
2017 vintage drank on 11/1/2017
L-near-black, deep dark brown, very thin tan head but its lingering and lasting awhile, thick and lingering lacing
S-Sweet dark chocolate, molasses, heavy oak, boozy whiskey
T-molasses, bourbon, boozy, sweet dark chocolate, toffee, burnt sugar. The taste opens up a ton of complexity.
F-elite thickness, TG level, no heat, abv is on point
Overall-not overrated by any means. Amazing. This would age well for sure! So glad I was able to try this
Nov 02, 2017
4.78/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
2017 vintage drank on 11/1/2017
L-near-black, deep dark brown, very thin tan head but its lingering and lasting awhile, thick and lingering lacing
S-Sweet dark chocolate, molasses, heavy oak, boozy whiskey
T-molasses, bourbon, boozy, sweet dark chocolate, toffee, burnt sugar. The taste opens up a ton of complexity.
F-elite thickness, TG level, no heat, abv is on point
Overall-not overrated by any means. Amazing. This would age well for sure! So glad I was able to try this
Nov 02, 2017
bennyman12 from Missouri
4.44/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had a few on draft tonight, which was nice. If you're waiting for the bcbs comparison, wait no longer. This is much more approachable because it finishes drier and meanders through more dark fruits en route. Think a lighter, more carbonated d3, etc. omg. mfd(oom). gimb.
Update dec 2017 drinking 2016. Keith says: “reminds me of a mushroom chocolate I had back in the day.” Which does not help our effort to decide if it’s infected. It is umami. Do not judge. You are umami. In the middle is this beautiful eye of the storm where all I’m getting is brownie and barrel. Finishes super dry. Like major parching dry. Like may be your mouth is infected. With dry. Looking forward to trying 2015 again soon...
Aug 25, 2017
4.44/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had a few on draft tonight, which was nice. If you're waiting for the bcbs comparison, wait no longer. This is much more approachable because it finishes drier and meanders through more dark fruits en route. Think a lighter, more carbonated d3, etc. omg. mfd(oom). gimb.
Update dec 2017 drinking 2016. Keith says: “reminds me of a mushroom chocolate I had back in the day.” Which does not help our effort to decide if it’s infected. It is umami. Do not judge. You are umami. In the middle is this beautiful eye of the storm where all I’m getting is brownie and barrel. Finishes super dry. Like major parching dry. Like may be your mouth is infected. With dry. Looking forward to trying 2015 again soon...
Aug 25, 2017
Sabtos from Ohio
4.09/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Used motor oil black with an intensely dark rolled mocha collar.
Smell is all the dark fruit. It's really intense of date, prune, raisin, and more--all cocoa dusted, dried and well aged. Enhancing this effect is a potently dark charred oak that has a maple character.
Taste brings tons of wood to the palate, while dark fruit still plays a major role with a sort of rum raisin character. The oak again is maple-esque before it melds into hot vanilla extract and toasted coconut.
While this beer is very complex and layered, it's also numbingly boozy. The thin to medium body is assisted by a super thick, firm fizz and a very dry finish.
I'm very happy I got to try this on draft instead of trade a pirate's booty for a stout that's overall very comparable to some of our solid, more accessible barrel aged bottles from this area.
Nov 12, 2018
4.09/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Used motor oil black with an intensely dark rolled mocha collar.
Smell is all the dark fruit. It's really intense of date, prune, raisin, and more--all cocoa dusted, dried and well aged. Enhancing this effect is a potently dark charred oak that has a maple character.
Taste brings tons of wood to the palate, while dark fruit still plays a major role with a sort of rum raisin character. The oak again is maple-esque before it melds into hot vanilla extract and toasted coconut.
While this beer is very complex and layered, it's also numbingly boozy. The thin to medium body is assisted by a super thick, firm fizz and a very dry finish.
I'm very happy I got to try this on draft instead of trade a pirate's booty for a stout that's overall very comparable to some of our solid, more accessible barrel aged bottles from this area.
Nov 12, 2018
Roze from New York
3.75/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jul 11, 2017
3.75/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jul 11, 2017
ha-sheem from North Carolina
4.54/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Jul 16, 2017
4.54/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Jul 16, 2017
brewtus from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 04, 2017
4.5/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 04, 2017
jno from Missouri
5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Batches vary from year to year. Served on draft at the brewery for 2020. It's chewy, fishy, barrel heavy and really enjoyable in small quantities. My only complaint is that it's served so cold off the draft line.
Jan 10, 2021
5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Batches vary from year to year. Served on draft at the brewery for 2020. It's chewy, fishy, barrel heavy and really enjoyable in small quantities. My only complaint is that it's served so cold off the draft line.
Jan 10, 2021
StoutSnob40 from California
4.65/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Apr 22, 2017
4.65/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Apr 22, 2017
absoluthamm from Illinois
4.6/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 12, 2017
4.6/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jul 12, 2017
scotv from New York
4.32/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Aug 01, 2015
4.32/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Aug 01, 2015
AndrewPalmer from Minnesota
5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jun 12, 2018
5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jun 12, 2018
Hopsiam14 from Minnesota
4.8/5 rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Jan 03, 2019
4.8/5 rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Jan 03, 2019
OleDixie from Pennsylvania
4.81/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Dec 25, 2017
4.81/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Dec 25, 2017
Arsenal0328 from Missouri
4.67/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Jun 21, 2019
4.67/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Jun 21, 2019
Uconnelmo from Connecticut
4.44/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 14, 2020
4.44/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 14, 2020
whitenads from Michigan
4.84/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Dec 31, 2018
4.84/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Dec 31, 2018
Eziel from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 22, 2017
4.5/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 22, 2017
Jimmeekrek from Wisconsin
4.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Feb 05, 2018
4.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Feb 05, 2018
Maman from Perennial Artisan Ales
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
412 ratings
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