Life Is Relentless
Bellwoods Brewery
- From:
- Bellwoods Brewery
- Ontario, Canada
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 11.2%
- Score:
- +5 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.21 | pDev: 5.46%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 21, 2024
- Added:
- Aug 18, 2022
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Life is Relentless is an irrefutably true statement, a catch-all response to anything going awry, and the name of our new Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout w/ Coffee.
This is the first stout we’ve aged exclusively in bourbon barrels and, to continue this thread of exclusivity, we paired it with a single origin, natural process Ethiopian bean from Stereo Coffee: Agaro Yukro #5, which is known for having fruitier characteristics over roasty notes. In an instance of things going to plan in a seamless, synergistic fashion, these extremely fresh beans were added to the beer within hours of roasting. That said, Rocky got a flat tire when we went to pick them up, because, well, life is f*#&ing relentless.
Mercifully, significant toil and effort on earth can yield absolutely delicious results — therein lies the upshot of relentlessness. Unabating deliciousness? Unending enjoyment? Sign me up! This decadent and full-bodied Imperial Stout ticks both of these boxes and imparts intense flavours of cocoa and coffee, complemented by a solid backbone of anise and molasses. It drinks smooth while still incorporating a warming, boozy finish. Think bourbon-inoculated Coffee Crisp, sprinkled with crème brûlée crust. It’s the perfect accompaniment (and antidote!) to drudgery, oppressive constants, and death by a thousand cuts. Would equally suit curling up with your cat/dog/book/snake and taking a moment to yourself to sip on something nice made with unrelenting care. Everything is fine!
This is the first stout we’ve aged exclusively in bourbon barrels and, to continue this thread of exclusivity, we paired it with a single origin, natural process Ethiopian bean from Stereo Coffee: Agaro Yukro #5, which is known for having fruitier characteristics over roasty notes. In an instance of things going to plan in a seamless, synergistic fashion, these extremely fresh beans were added to the beer within hours of roasting. That said, Rocky got a flat tire when we went to pick them up, because, well, life is f*#&ing relentless.
Mercifully, significant toil and effort on earth can yield absolutely delicious results — therein lies the upshot of relentlessness. Unabating deliciousness? Unending enjoyment? Sign me up! This decadent and full-bodied Imperial Stout ticks both of these boxes and imparts intense flavours of cocoa and coffee, complemented by a solid backbone of anise and molasses. It drinks smooth while still incorporating a warming, boozy finish. Think bourbon-inoculated Coffee Crisp, sprinkled with crème brûlée crust. It’s the perfect accompaniment (and antidote!) to drudgery, oppressive constants, and death by a thousand cuts. Would equally suit curling up with your cat/dog/book/snake and taking a moment to yourself to sip on something nice made with unrelenting care. Everything is fine!
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)
3.89/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.89/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle from the source. Decent modern IS. would like some hops and get coffee and chocolate. Don't worry you own nothing will be happy. Average creation.
Sep 21, 2023
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)
4.41/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased from the brewery. Served cold into a chalice. No bottling date. Listed at 10.5% ABV.
Appearance - Black and slick in appearance and eventually a half finger of deep tan foam forms on top.
Smell - Dark chocolate, molasses, dark fruit like figs and raisins, suggestions of coffee. Kind of like a raisin glosette with coffee powder sprinkled on. Tiny spicy aromas too presumable from the rye barrel aging.
Taste - More dark chocolate and molasses, the taste can actually be described as chewy with is usually reserved for mouthfeel. Some raisins / plums and then a subtle smooth coffee push. Sweet but not too sweet. The rye seems to add to the chewy character with little accents of spice. A touch of wood if you search even deeper.
Mouthfeel - Thick, dense, low carbonated, chewy which works in combination with the flavors. The booze is there but held nicely in check. Just greta stuff.
Overall - Life is Relentless has to be one of my favorite beers of 2023, thick and complex with great aromas flavor and feel. Writing the review for the second bottle I ordered, on Father's Day, a pretty damn fine present to myself.
Jun 17, 2023Appearance - Black and slick in appearance and eventually a half finger of deep tan foam forms on top.
Smell - Dark chocolate, molasses, dark fruit like figs and raisins, suggestions of coffee. Kind of like a raisin glosette with coffee powder sprinkled on. Tiny spicy aromas too presumable from the rye barrel aging.
Taste - More dark chocolate and molasses, the taste can actually be described as chewy with is usually reserved for mouthfeel. Some raisins / plums and then a subtle smooth coffee push. Sweet but not too sweet. The rye seems to add to the chewy character with little accents of spice. A touch of wood if you search even deeper.
Mouthfeel - Thick, dense, low carbonated, chewy which works in combination with the flavors. The booze is there but held nicely in check. Just greta stuff.
Overall - Life is Relentless has to be one of my favorite beers of 2023, thick and complex with great aromas flavor and feel. Writing the review for the second bottle I ordered, on Father's Day, a pretty damn fine present to myself.
Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)
4.46/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Can: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of roasted malt and chocolate notes with huge bourbon and vanilla notes and light warming alcohol notes. Taste is also a nice mix of chocolate malt with some huge bourbon notes with some vanilla and some floral coffee notes. Body is full with a nice creamy feel with good carbonation and some perceptible alcohol notes. Well brewed stout with huge barrel-aging notes.
Jan 04, 2023
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