Ye Who Enter Here
Orpheus Brewing

- From:
- Orpheus Brewing
- Georgia, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 14%
- Score:
- 89
- Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 15.14%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 10
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 23, 2023
- Added:
- Jun 11, 2018
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 0
Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with coffee, chilies, and vanilla beans.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Tilley4 from Tennessee
3.94/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Exceptionally thick and rich and decadent, this beer hits all the marks of a big Double Stout...and then some... some big stouts are rich without being too sweet....not this one. ..at times I felt like I was drinking maple syrup... the chili's save it although it isn't overly spicy... I wish I had shared the bottle as the entire pour was a little hard to get through at the end..
All that being said.
Still a recommended beer and my score reflects that. The 14% is absolutely non existent so kudos on that.. I get vanilla, coffee and chili as promised...
Worth the $20 price tag? Nope...but glad I tried it
Aug 23, 2023All that being said.
Still a recommended beer and my score reflects that. The 14% is absolutely non existent so kudos on that.. I get vanilla, coffee and chili as promised...
Worth the $20 price tag? Nope...but glad I tried it
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina
4.31/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.31/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
375 ml bottle ($4.99) served in a Belgian snifter.
Mouthfeel. Exceptionally viscous, with mild+ chili heat and very low carbonation.
Appearance. Near black body with a minimal head. Relatively high viscosity is visible in the pour.
The aroma is complex and appealing if a bit less harmonious than one might hope. It fails to foreshadow the highly complex, well balanced, rich flavor. Bourbon, chocolate and guajilla peppers are joined by less obvious notes of vanilla, bourbon barrels and coffee.
Overall. An exceptionally rich, complex and full-bodied stout. Easily the best beer I've had from this brewery. Recommend serving at 48F or a bit higher.
Jun 15, 2023Mouthfeel. Exceptionally viscous, with mild+ chili heat and very low carbonation.
Appearance. Near black body with a minimal head. Relatively high viscosity is visible in the pour.
The aroma is complex and appealing if a bit less harmonious than one might hope. It fails to foreshadow the highly complex, well balanced, rich flavor. Bourbon, chocolate and guajilla peppers are joined by less obvious notes of vanilla, bourbon barrels and coffee.
Overall. An exceptionally rich, complex and full-bodied stout. Easily the best beer I've had from this brewery. Recommend serving at 48F or a bit higher.
Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee
3.55/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.55/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a deep black no carbonation to speak of and no head.
Aroma is nice smooth chocolate, smooth bourbon, vanilla, light coffee and peppers.
Taste follows the nose mostly, a little astringent, lightly dry peppers not as bad as some are saying. Not as rich and complex as a 20 dollar bottle of beer should be.
Mouthfeel is big full could use a little more carbonation and this is coming from someone who likes smooth brews.
Overall ok beer, just not worth they priced of a premium stout.
Mar 22, 2023Aroma is nice smooth chocolate, smooth bourbon, vanilla, light coffee and peppers.
Taste follows the nose mostly, a little astringent, lightly dry peppers not as bad as some are saying. Not as rich and complex as a 20 dollar bottle of beer should be.
Mouthfeel is big full could use a little more carbonation and this is coming from someone who likes smooth brews.
Overall ok beer, just not worth they priced of a premium stout.
Reviewed by TerryMills from Tennessee
3.78/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.78/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I hate to judge it low since it clearly has everything that world class stouts have but this one is just a little off when fresh , I believe its the peppers even tho I love deep rich peppers (could be the barrels ).
I am drinking a super fresh Nov 2022 bottle and I believe this one has to be aged to judge it , about 3-4 years would probably smooth everything out .
Jan 11, 2023I am drinking a super fresh Nov 2022 bottle and I believe this one has to be aged to judge it , about 3-4 years would probably smooth everything out .
Reviewed by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois
4.03/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
The spicy heat was a little over where I think you'd consider this ideal. That said, there was a ton of chocolate and that helped, plus nice barrel character. I think a version dialed back on the peppers would be really good.
Jul 06, 2021Reviewed by robitis from Georgia
1.6/5 rDev -60.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
1.6/5 rDev -60.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Shame on Orpheus for even bottling this trash, undrinkable. Ended up pouring $15 worth down the drain, and I love my dark strong beers. Don't understand the hype on this one...
May 07, 2021Rated by Jp2244 from Ohio
3.65/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.65/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Mouthfeel is good but soooooo much pepper. Too spicy and I love spice
Jan 20, 2021Reviewed by StraightNoChaser from Georgia
4.55/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Look: very dark brown. Scant ruby highlights when held to light. Very little head.
Smell: all the flavors advertised, vanilla leading the way.
Taste:none of the flavors stand out, but melded into near perfect richness. Well done.
Sep 13, 2020Smell: all the flavors advertised, vanilla leading the way.
Taste:none of the flavors stand out, but melded into near perfect richness. Well done.
Rated by OompaMentor from Georgia
4.25/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3/23/2019 - Tinypalooza 4.5; Vanilla Bomb!
Feb 05, 2020Reviewed by Dragginballs76 from South Carolina
4.43/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - Pours jet black with a thin mocha colored head that settles quickly to a thin ring. No lacing.
Aroma - Nice bourbon aroma, coffee comes through well, chiles and vanilla are well balanced. Roasted malts, mild chocolate.
Taste - Excellent combination of bourbon, oak, rich chocolate, sweet vanilla, burnt coffee, dark fruit. Super smooth for the ABV.
Fell - Really creamy smooth nice warming from the alcohol slightly dry finish.
Overall - Really well done BBA stout, has held up super well.
Jun 14, 2019Aroma - Nice bourbon aroma, coffee comes through well, chiles and vanilla are well balanced. Roasted malts, mild chocolate.
Taste - Excellent combination of bourbon, oak, rich chocolate, sweet vanilla, burnt coffee, dark fruit. Super smooth for the ABV.
Fell - Really creamy smooth nice warming from the alcohol slightly dry finish.
Overall - Really well done BBA stout, has held up super well.
Reviewed by larryi86 from Delaware
4.36/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.36/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Thank you JBowenGeorgia for this
375 ml bottle poured into a tulip
A- Black with a small dark brown head
S- Bourbon, chiles, vanilla, coffee, some toffee, some chocolate
T- Chocolate, roasted coffee, nice heat from the peppers, bourbon, vanilla, some dark fruits, oak.
M- Smooth, full body.
O- A really nice stout with peppers, there is a nice kick from the peppers but nothing crazy, good balance.
Dec 17, 2018375 ml bottle poured into a tulip
A- Black with a small dark brown head
S- Bourbon, chiles, vanilla, coffee, some toffee, some chocolate
T- Chocolate, roasted coffee, nice heat from the peppers, bourbon, vanilla, some dark fruits, oak.
M- Smooth, full body.
O- A really nice stout with peppers, there is a nice kick from the peppers but nothing crazy, good balance.
Reviewed by JBowenGeorgia from Georgia
4.29/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a thick black with a thin brown head.
Smells of dark roast malts, coffee, dark fruits, and bourbon. As it warmed it began to get some toffee notes as well.
Taste follows, dark roast coffee and malts, dark fruits, oaky barrel. A bit sweet in the finish, the peppers leave a mild heat.
Full bodied, a swirl in the glass shows that this one has legs, I thought I emptied the glass several times to find there was one more sip to be had.
Overall a tasty stout with a thick feel. The 14% is pretty well hidden.
Jul 31, 2018Smells of dark roast malts, coffee, dark fruits, and bourbon. As it warmed it began to get some toffee notes as well.
Taste follows, dark roast coffee and malts, dark fruits, oaky barrel. A bit sweet in the finish, the peppers leave a mild heat.
Full bodied, a swirl in the glass shows that this one has legs, I thought I emptied the glass several times to find there was one more sip to be had.
Overall a tasty stout with a thick feel. The 14% is pretty well hidden.
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