Mammoet
Kaapse Brouwers

On-draught @ Kaapse for just over 4 euro. BF bourbon barrel aged imperial stout.

A: Opaque black body. Gorgeous creamy tan head. 4 minute retention. No lacing.

Sm: Doesn't shy away from committing to the bourbon - I love that. Charred oak, no coconut or vanilla. Burnt sugars, chocolate malt, cream, dark malts, buried roasted barley, coffee-like harsh bitterness. No overt hop or yeast character.

Aromatic intensity is average.

TASTE & TEXTURE: The charred oak barrel is lovely, but the bourbon character is a bit rudimentary, lacking any nuanced notes of vanilla, spice, peat, smoke, coconut, toastiness, etc. Base is spot-on for the style - roasted barley, burnt sugars, chocolate malt, cream. Never too sweet. Has a nice balance between bitter and sweet elements which is mirrored harmoniously by the mouthfeel's push-pull between coarseness/dryness and smoothness/wetness. Okay, a creamier softer mouthfeel would make it more approachable, but it's nice as-is.

Not the most intricate or subtlety-filled imperial stout build out there, but it's got some really nice elements.

Well-carbonated.

OVERALL: She's a sipper. It's my first Kaapse beer and I'm pretty impressed, even if it isn't as dazzling as, say, De Molen's offerings. I can see the influence though, and I can't wait to try more Kaapse beers. It's expensive for its quality, but I'm glad I got to try it.

B- (3.37) WORTHY

On tap at Kaapse. Dark brown pour with a thin beige head. Roasted malts, cocoa and chocolate aroma, and the taste follows the same notes. Sweet and moderately viscous, with medium carbonation and a chocolate bitter aftertaste.