Cherry Bänger
Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room

L: Very dark brown with a half finger head that dissipated quickly.

S: Strong 'chocolate covered cherry' aroma with everything else pushed to the background.

T: Sweet . . . syrupy, with an aftertaste that I do not find pleasant. I am a sucker for buying stouts flavored with cherries or (blueberries) and my string of disappointments continues unabated.

F: Thick, but more syrupy than oily or creamy.

O: Not something I will drink again. Reminds me somewhat of a cherry version of Founder's Lizard of Koz . . . so if you liked that you might like this.

330 ml bottle, ad hoc for a tasting at Cardinal, from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 12.5%. Pitch black colour, large brown head. Aroma of roast malts, chocolate, cherries and vanilla. Very sweet flavour, with the same elements as the aroma. Smooth, but too sweet for me.

 

11.2oz bottle into snifter

L- good dark pour, poured hard but still had little head with minimal lacing
S- I didn't pick up anything identifiable but it is pleasing and semi sweet
T- Surprisingly good, wouldn't know it's 12.5% ABV. A bit sweet with not alcohol taste at all
F- Primarily light with a slight creamy feel, not very heavy but coats the mouth well
O- I like these, probably going to go back and buy the rest

11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter; jet black pour, very dark and viscous, with a finger of head that fizzles instantly away; vanilla highlights spearhead the nose with a big dose of cocoa and cherry; more of the same on the palate...chocolate-covered cherries, vanilla, char/roasted malt, caramel; slick and viscous body with an underlying dose of booze. A pretty interesting and tasty brew that highlights some desserty adjuncts; the cherry and vanilla are natural and not artificial tasting.

 

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle, with best by date of 27/11/21, into the test glass.
A - Steady pour produced 3/4" mocha cap. the color is black. With time the cap devolves into a thin ring.
S - Burnt sugar, dark chocolate, dark cherry, all ride on a beam of roast malt. There is a bit of char, and a big vanilla presence.
T - Flavors are a wonderful mix of the adjuncts, very little tension between the chocolate, vanilla and the cherries. The roast in the base beer is the maestro here.
M - Slick an the palate, the sweet start only nods toward bitter, never really going there. Big overall texture and body. The 12.5% is displayed in the final phase of the experience, linger has that boozy exhale.
O - A very big and bold stout, with excellent structure. The flavors add up well, the balance is superb.

 

 

 

11.2 oz bottle poured to a snifter. Inky black and fairly viscous, with a thin rim of cocoa-colored head around the edge of the glass. Vinous tannins, anise, and a light meatiness that is common to other Pohjala stouts I've had. Boozy, very modest cherry cordial accents that show up as the beer warms over time. Also some subtle botanicals that add some bitterness on top of the dark chocolate notes.

Pours a deep dark-brown color with a small top off beige head that dissolves quickly.
Aroma is roasted malts, sour cherries, dark chocolate, licorice and vanilla.
The taste is sweet and malty from the start with some tartness from the cherries. Strong roasted malt notes with notes of dark chocolate that goes hand in hand with the sweet vanilla tones. The finish has some slight bitterness and leaves a long and strong aftertaste. Gives a warming feel. Mouthfeel is silky and creamy with a medium carbonation and a full body.
This was a delicious imperial stout.

 

 

Bottle from the Beermongers.

Black with a dark brown head with good retention and lacing this looks good. The nose is a decadent blend of dark, bitter chocolate, sour cherries, a moderate vanilla touch and dark brown sugar. Alcohol adds a mild spice note to the nose, with some licorice and orange peel. The palate opens with a blend of bitterness and sweetness with the firming bite of alcohol. Dark brown sugar, bitter chocolate, sour cherry juice with acidity that complements the sweetness are present. Citrus, anise, dark malt, licorice, a little earth, dark honey, soy sauce ....the layers are plenty here. Sweet yet bitter on the finish with a lingering chocolate covered sour cherry note present. Excellent.

A: Blackstrap molasses. Head gives the vibe of chicory and cream.

S: Spiced fruitcake. Summer fruit cobbler.

M: Spice and earth provides warmth. There's also an undeniable heat from the ABV. Smooth, rich feel. Med-heavy body.

T: Cherry garcia, mocha fudge brownie, brown bread, anise seed, vanilla swisher. Cherry runs the gamut from Pop-Tart sweet to Bing tart while the chocolate really drives the confection. Grown up hot chocolate with a dash of cointreau and ginger peel for the rim.

Got this one from neighbor for my 40th. Cheers!

From a bottle into a snifter
Best before 18 December 2021
Imperial stout with cherries, chocolate and vanilla pods

APPEARANCE: Black pour yields a two finger, medium looking, foamier and fizzy tan head with excellent retention. Black body with lots of carbonation evident. Head slowly recedes to a full, creamy cap with lots of carbonation making its way to the top. Splotchy wisp and ring remains leaving touches of lacing on the glass as it empties. Decent looking though a bit too much carbonation.

SMELL: Definite chocolate and vanilla aromas, quite roasted as well, with roasted coffee and some leather as well. A minor cherry character but that is in the background. Decent dose of tobacco as well. Bold and interesting.

TASTE: A good amount of chocolate and vanilla flavors up front with some butterscotch, tobacco and definite cherry character at the swallow. Bold, somewhat boozy finish of tart cherries, chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch sweetness, some tobacco and bitter coffee flavors linger on the palate. Roasted, sweet, with a good dose of tart cherries at the finish.

PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Creamy on the palate, a little light perhaps, goes down fine with a bit of a burn and finishes somewhat mouth-coating. Some decent heat lingers.

OVERALL: Solid stuff. The nose showcases more of the malt and chocolate additions while the cherry character comes out more after the swallow. Enough going on and enough to make it more than enjoyable. The feel could be a little heftier for the style but that is a minor complaint here. Well put together and worth checking out if you’re into imperial fruit stouts. Thanks again, man!

 

L: Black as pitch, viscous, with a long maintained one-third finger tan head with decent lacing.

S: Cherries blended with a sweet booze, along with cocoa and a hints of soy sauce and leather

T: Phenomenal. I don't like booziness. This had a just noticeable heat that was not an issue. Complex with flavors including cherries, hot cocoa, toasted sugar, cream, and vanilla. As it warmed more the hot chocolate flavor dominated more.

F: Medium-heavy weight, with a touch of boozy heat, and a sufficient carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel.

O: Superbly balance and currently far underrated. This was one of the tastiest and most well-rounded stouts I've had and I've had quite a few. In the end I wished I'd bought a couple more! Hats off to you Põhjala!

 

 

 

Poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a beautiful looking dark brown close to black color topped with a tan foamy head. This took it's time to fade off and provide some lingering concave lace.
The aroma started with some dark chocolate nibs and milk chocolate. Then layered themselves into some sweet and roasty coffee beans with some vanilla. Carefully, the cherry sweetness rolled in underneath, sweetly.
The flavor moderately leaned into the sweetness but brought a mild roastiness with some dark toast and coffee bean sweetness. Vanilla comes back slightly and once again the cherry. Mild aftertaste of nuts, dark toast, milk chocolate, vanilla and barely any cherry.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Good carbonation and ABV. Really nice roasty dark and milk chocolates in the finish, fair grip/quite mobile along my tongue.
Overall, such a spectacular imperial stout. I can see how some may say the cherry was too low but I liked the level where it was at.

 

 

Coal black body with a thin yet lasting light brown head. Very nice roasted grain aroma with a slight infusion of cherry fruit. Intense cocoa and milk chocolate flavor; cherry sweetness; dark grain char with some low-key bitterness. Heavy body; soft and velvety; chewy; heavy sweetness in the mouthfeel.

A very fine imperial stout with a fine note of cherry sweetness and tartness to add a touch of difference and uniqueness. Excellent balance and complexity.

On tap at Tap and Mallet in Rochester, NY.

This one pours a fairly dark black color, with a small head, and not much lacing.

This smells like moderately sweet cherry juice, fudge, creamy vanilla, and roasty spice.

This one works quite well for me- this brewery has their stout game figured out for the most part, it seems. The cherry is done well, adding a jammy sweetness that melds very well with the vanilla and creamy chocolate. It's quite decadent.

This is creamy and thick, with a great level of drinkability, and no real hint of the booziness.

This is really well done - fruited stouts aren't always easy to pull off.

Bottle from Andover Liquors.
Solid black in color with a thin off white head that quickly recedes. Licorice roast chocolate and light smoke with a bit of sweet cherry. Light earthy hops and alcohol to counter. Its a tasty sipper.

Pours jet black with fine, brown head.

Smell is sweet and rich with notes of licorice, vanilla, chocolate, fudge and some coffee.

Taste is powerful and sweet, but not overly so. Notes of vanilla, chocolatem oak, chocolate fudge and a hint of cherries. Complex, gets a bit less sweet and more fruity with warmth.

Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, well carbonated.

Overall, a great stout different with great moutfeel.

 

Black color with mocha head. Aroma has chocolate fudge with a light fruit note. Taste is quite roasty with lots of bitterness and dark chocolate notes and umami. Medium plus body with low carbonation. Not much cherry but overall it's a good imperial stout.

Black color, tan head, aroma of cherries, chocolate, and dried fruits, taste is medium sweet/ lightly bitter, heavy body, soft carbonation, very good.