Crann Beatha
Brehon Brewhouse

 

 

L: Pours a dark cola, forming a moderate khaki head that is quick to fade. A robust of swirl of retention remains on the surface, and a thick ring of lacing forms around the edge of the snifter. This beer has an opaque, near-black hue.

S: Heavy notes of Irish whiskey, spice, and roasted malt. Some light oak, char, and caramel. Vanilla.

T: Notes of roasted malts, whiskey barrel, charred malts, oak, and light roast. Dark chocolate, toffee, light wood in the finish. Complex and decadent.

F: Medium- to full-bodied. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Light carbonation.

O: The whiskey barrel really augments this beer, elevating the flavor and aromatic profile. This is a great beer.

 

 

Pours a very dark color with slight head and lacing
Aroma has Irish whiskey, chocolate and roasted malt hints
Taste has an Irish whiskey, chocolate and roasted mat flavor
A light bodied decently carbonated beer
A good American Imperial Stout

500ml wax sealed bottle served in a snifter glass. Batch number B537. Best before 14.08.2028.

Appearance: Black letting no light through, thin tan ring of foam with some small islands of foam that slid slowly back down the glass.

Smell: Nice Irish whiskey note, roasted malt, dark fruits.

Taste: Dark chocolate, bitter roasted malt, and again a bit of the Irish whiskey. Some bitter herbal notes as a lingering finish.

Mouthfeel: Little to no carbonation, smooth, good thickness, a bit sticky on the teeth.

Overall / Drinkability: An interesting take on the imperial stout. The bitter herbal notes do wear a bit on the pallate for this beer by the end of the glass, with some of the roasted malt coming across a bit ashy when mixed with the herbal hops. Still, glad I tried it. May be a good dessert stout with the right meal.

Extremely dark yet clear dark brown pour, beer appears black and opaque in the glass; thick, sudsy, light tan head, lasting, settles into a thinner yet creamy textured presence. Fine nose comprised of roasted grains, sweet toffee, caramel, and dry white oak; a very fine, wispy sense of coffee and smoke. Beautifully incredible flavors; milk chocolate, faint mint, dry white oak, light peat, and whiskey; fruity esters ala cherry and cranberry. Heavy, silky body; smooth and slippery on the palate with a delicately sweet stickiness.

Wow! I love this imperial stout. There are some amazing flavors and scents to tickle the senses. The surprise (to me) cherry and berry fruitiness really does suggest an old-fashioned holiday sensation. I wouldn't necessarily consider the base beer and barrel aging aspects as afterthoughts, yet the enhanced depth and character that the esters provide really take this beer to another level. A holiday barrel-aged imperial stout...???...oh, I don't know, yet this is one fine cold weather beverage and, methinks, one I would enjoy (periodically) throughout the year.

ABV: 10.0%; pouring temperature: 53.0 °F; bottling info: BEST BEFORE 02-2029 BATCH NO: B641
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits

 

 

 

I had this on draft 5/1/24 @ Sleeping Village.

Black appearance.

Almost no dark tan head; minimal lacing remained.

Burnt caramel, cream & mild wood notes in the nose.

Thick, creamy mouthfeel.

Burnt caramel, cream & wood flavors up front; mild peat notes on the finish.

Interesting & unique! I'd have another...

 

 

500ml bottle from EuroSpar, Fermanagh (£4.99):
Black, opaque bodied with a half cm, foamy tan head that has a few bubbles on the surface & holds great for the abv. Roasted malts, oak & faint vanilla open the nose, there's hints of whiskey & peat then chocolate & espresso notes to finish. Its a strong taste with roasted malts, coffee bitterness & oak flavours. There's a little chocolate sweetness, a solid alcohol kick & some nice vanilla & toffee towards the end. It's full bodied, thick & lightly carbonated with a warming alcohol kick but a relatively good balanced throughout; a slow burner but a decent imperial stout.