Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit
Mikerphone Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
Ranked #137 - ABV:
- 10.75%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #654 - Avg:
- 4.42 | pDev: 6.11%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- From:
- Mikerphone Brewing
- Illinois, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 41
- Gots
- 28
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class
Notes:
Imperial breakfast stout with Vermont maple syrup and Tugboat Coffee Roasters' Super Sumatra Mandheling blend.
Reviews: 30
| Ratings: 163
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4.17/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a rich, chocolatey color that’s very close to black with two fingers of dark mocha foam head. Solid retention for the ABV, but minimal lacing.
Big maple in the aroma with clear chocolate and coffee as well. Hints of chicory, gentian root and cherry cola if you really study it, as well as a whiff of alcohol.
The taste follows fairly closely with chocolate, maple, coffee, slightly-ashy / charred wood, and some hidden depth from root-like flavors. It has a very nice sweet maple finish with just a little coffee bitterness for balance.
Relatively full bodied and creamy, without going over the top, coupled with some fizzy carbonation just cutting through.
This is one of the more maple-forward beers I’ve had, but the slight char, as well as the coffee, provide a great balance that keep it enjoyable throughout.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a rich, chocolatey color that’s very close to black with two fingers of dark mocha foam head. Solid retention for the ABV, but minimal lacing.
Big maple in the aroma with clear chocolate and coffee as well. Hints of chicory, gentian root and cherry cola if you really study it, as well as a whiff of alcohol.
The taste follows fairly closely with chocolate, maple, coffee, slightly-ashy / charred wood, and some hidden depth from root-like flavors. It has a very nice sweet maple finish with just a little coffee bitterness for balance.
Relatively full bodied and creamy, without going over the top, coupled with some fizzy carbonation just cutting through.
This is one of the more maple-forward beers I’ve had, but the slight char, as well as the coffee, provide a great balance that keep it enjoyable throughout.
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4.7/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is the first Mikerphone beer that’s shown up on the MN/WI border that I’ve seen. Jazzed to take up this 12 oz. can & knock another brew off my wants list.
Black & sweaty, with a head that’s shy & doesn’t last long. Nose is a short cup of coffee with a liberal addition of maple syrup & brown sugar. Not bad.
Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit tastes like breakfast in Mac’s Café in Bagley, MN. Prominent roast is mixed evenly with rich, sweet maple syrup to create an experience that whispers “breakfast” silkily into one’s ear. In addition there’s an exquisite creaminess that leaks lactose & vanilla, with a depth to the rich malt that’s hard to fathom (hahaha!). So drinkyble.
This is, if I may double up on a word used previously, exquisite. The maple is masterfully woven into the roast & malt. The bottom line is that now I want to try every variant of this. Magnificent beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is the first Mikerphone beer that’s shown up on the MN/WI border that I’ve seen. Jazzed to take up this 12 oz. can & knock another brew off my wants list.
Black & sweaty, with a head that’s shy & doesn’t last long. Nose is a short cup of coffee with a liberal addition of maple syrup & brown sugar. Not bad.
Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit tastes like breakfast in Mac’s Café in Bagley, MN. Prominent roast is mixed evenly with rich, sweet maple syrup to create an experience that whispers “breakfast” silkily into one’s ear. In addition there’s an exquisite creaminess that leaks lactose & vanilla, with a depth to the rich malt that’s hard to fathom (hahaha!). So drinkyble.
This is, if I may double up on a word used previously, exquisite. The maple is masterfully woven into the roast & malt. The bottom line is that now I want to try every variant of this. Magnificent beer.
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4.45/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep brown with a plentiful dark tan, rocky head that slowly fades.
Aroma is roast coffee, maple syrup and chocolate.
Roast coffee leads this flavor parade, nicely balanced by the maple syrup. Chocolate and a touch of vanilla follow.
Creamy and thick. A few specks of congealed something (syrup?) in the bottom of the can. Excellent!
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep brown with a plentiful dark tan, rocky head that slowly fades.
Aroma is roast coffee, maple syrup and chocolate.
Roast coffee leads this flavor parade, nicely balanced by the maple syrup. Chocolate and a touch of vanilla follow.
Creamy and thick. A few specks of congealed something (syrup?) in the bottom of the can. Excellent!
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3.75/5 rDev -15.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Batch #2. Bottled 7/5/16; drank 7/8/16 @ the Yarchives.
Black/brown appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small, noisy dark khaki head; almost no lace.
Maple syrup, dark roast coffee bean & milk chocolate notes in the nose. Bold!
Medium thick, creamy mouthfeel.
Bitter black coffee & milk chocolate flavors up front; maple syrup & faint booze heat notes on the finish.
Dark yet sweet; a touch boozy. A bit over-the-top this fresh but still enjoyable.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Batch #2. Bottled 7/5/16; drank 7/8/16 @ the Yarchives.
Black/brown appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small, noisy dark khaki head; almost no lace.
Maple syrup, dark roast coffee bean & milk chocolate notes in the nose. Bold!
Medium thick, creamy mouthfeel.
Bitter black coffee & milk chocolate flavors up front; maple syrup & faint booze heat notes on the finish.
Dark yet sweet; a touch boozy. A bit over-the-top this fresh but still enjoyable.
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4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Pitch black oil colored pour with soapy caramel colored lacing.
S - Pungent coffee bean, dark roast chocolate char, and maple.
T - Light coffee bean, dark chocolate char, light smoke, roasted caramel on the backside.
M - Big medium body to light heavy body. Sticky on the lips. Nice lingering chocolate char.
O - Very nice beer!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Pitch black oil colored pour with soapy caramel colored lacing.
S - Pungent coffee bean, dark roast chocolate char, and maple.
T - Light coffee bean, dark chocolate char, light smoke, roasted caramel on the backside.
M - Big medium body to light heavy body. Sticky on the lips. Nice lingering chocolate char.
O - Very nice beer!
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4.52/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours pitch black with motor oil-like viscosity. Small tan ring formation around perimeter of glass. Minimal lacing. The ring is maintain though, which looks satisfying with the contrast of the black content.
S: Perhaps the most maple forward beer I've smelled yet. So much maple. Apart from maple, coffee comes in second which is also in abundance. Molasses and malts present as well.
T: Coffee and chocolate forward. Maple isn't as strong in flavor as it is in smell, but it is present on the finish and in after taste. A lot of chocolate and coffee character. As it warms, the maple comes through even more, making its presence throughout entirety of flavor. Very nice.
F: Heavy in body and feel with moderate carbonation. I am drinking a bottle that has been opened for a bit, but I am liking where its sitting right now. Not quite syrupy slick feel but does have mouthcoating properties.
O: An amazing stout that is worthy of a try. The amount of maple is awesome. I am very grateful to have tried and would gladly drink again (or recommend). Cheers!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours pitch black with motor oil-like viscosity. Small tan ring formation around perimeter of glass. Minimal lacing. The ring is maintain though, which looks satisfying with the contrast of the black content.
S: Perhaps the most maple forward beer I've smelled yet. So much maple. Apart from maple, coffee comes in second which is also in abundance. Molasses and malts present as well.
T: Coffee and chocolate forward. Maple isn't as strong in flavor as it is in smell, but it is present on the finish and in after taste. A lot of chocolate and coffee character. As it warms, the maple comes through even more, making its presence throughout entirety of flavor. Very nice.
F: Heavy in body and feel with moderate carbonation. I am drinking a bottle that has been opened for a bit, but I am liking where its sitting right now. Not quite syrupy slick feel but does have mouthcoating properties.
O: An amazing stout that is worthy of a try. The amount of maple is awesome. I am very grateful to have tried and would gladly drink again (or recommend). Cheers!
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4.41/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Arrives fudge colored with a tan head that leaves a few strands
Smell: Dark chocolate, coffee and maple tones
Taste: Dark chocolate and maple forward with robust coffee tones emerging and adding balance, to the middle; a hint of molasses arrives in the finish
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation
Overall: A well-crafted breakfast stout with a great coffee burst
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Arrives fudge colored with a tan head that leaves a few strands
Smell: Dark chocolate, coffee and maple tones
Taste: Dark chocolate and maple forward with robust coffee tones emerging and adding balance, to the middle; a hint of molasses arrives in the finish
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation
Overall: A well-crafted breakfast stout with a great coffee burst
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4.48/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
a really incredible imperial stout with coffee and maple syrup, one of the better beers i have had from these guys, but lets be honest, i like pretty much everything they do. i was excited to see this one on the menu when i visited, a really robustly flavored stout even without the additives, rich and creamy, full bodied and roasty, with a ton of depth and roast character and the right amount of booze, enormous feeling and intimidating too without being sweet. the coffee and maple of course set it off, a really prominent and natural maple syrup complexion, woodsy and the right amount of sweet still, i can taste it right there with the dark barley, impressively forward in such a strongly flavored beer. the coffee tastes fresh too, probably more so than it would if this spent any kind of time in a barrel, and i like the sort of just brewed nature of it in here. the combination of the two is sensational, silky and dark and sexy, like something that should be poured over ice cream, breakfasty but also midnighty, deep and complex and so smooth. huge body, hints of sweet tobacco and charcoal, teasing molasses and licorice too, there is a lot to unpack in the grain here. bold with the added ingredients, but this base beer is big and sound enough to handle that. this is exquisite and i would love to try the barrel aged version, although i fear it may come at the expense of the coffee...
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
a really incredible imperial stout with coffee and maple syrup, one of the better beers i have had from these guys, but lets be honest, i like pretty much everything they do. i was excited to see this one on the menu when i visited, a really robustly flavored stout even without the additives, rich and creamy, full bodied and roasty, with a ton of depth and roast character and the right amount of booze, enormous feeling and intimidating too without being sweet. the coffee and maple of course set it off, a really prominent and natural maple syrup complexion, woodsy and the right amount of sweet still, i can taste it right there with the dark barley, impressively forward in such a strongly flavored beer. the coffee tastes fresh too, probably more so than it would if this spent any kind of time in a barrel, and i like the sort of just brewed nature of it in here. the combination of the two is sensational, silky and dark and sexy, like something that should be poured over ice cream, breakfasty but also midnighty, deep and complex and so smooth. huge body, hints of sweet tobacco and charcoal, teasing molasses and licorice too, there is a lot to unpack in the grain here. bold with the added ingredients, but this base beer is big and sound enough to handle that. this is exquisite and i would love to try the barrel aged version, although i fear it may come at the expense of the coffee...
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4.31/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. Had 3/16/18.
Pours a very dark brown, opaque and thick looking, with a one inch head of darker foam and some darker soapy lacing. Smells great. Aromas of maple, dark roast coffee, malt, some caramel and vanilla, cocoa, light chocolate. The taste pretty much follows along- coffee, malt, maple- less than the nose, caramel, vanilla, some chocolate, light molasses. Smooth, creamy, a solid full body, well carbonated.
The add- ins are really expressive, especially in the aroma, and the flavors mesh very well. Great coffee, too. Well worth a purchase.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. Had 3/16/18.
Pours a very dark brown, opaque and thick looking, with a one inch head of darker foam and some darker soapy lacing. Smells great. Aromas of maple, dark roast coffee, malt, some caramel and vanilla, cocoa, light chocolate. The taste pretty much follows along- coffee, malt, maple- less than the nose, caramel, vanilla, some chocolate, light molasses. Smooth, creamy, a solid full body, well carbonated.
The add- ins are really expressive, especially in the aroma, and the flavors mesh very well. Great coffee, too. Well worth a purchase.
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4.02/5 rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Batch 4. The maple has faded from this one - the coffee is the predominant adjunct now, and it has some bitterness and acidity to it (I got a bit of green pepper). Time for Tums. There is a slight dryness to the beer that I don't remember when it was fresh.
I wouldn't sit on these bottles - they don't seem destined to age all that well.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Batch 4. The maple has faded from this one - the coffee is the predominant adjunct now, and it has some bitterness and acidity to it (I got a bit of green pepper). Time for Tums. There is a slight dryness to the beer that I don't remember when it was fresh.
I wouldn't sit on these bottles - they don't seem destined to age all that well.
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4.55/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had on tap. I can see why everyone in Chicagoland is going gaga over the variants, because this as the base beer is mind-blowing. The smell is almost perfect, with warm maple, coffee, malt and molasses leading. The taste is coffee forward, it just dances beautifully on the palate, and very very rich with maple and chocolate malt complementing. Feel like I will get gout after drinking this! The feel is robust and super creamy. Would love to try some other iterations of this one!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had on tap. I can see why everyone in Chicagoland is going gaga over the variants, because this as the base beer is mind-blowing. The smell is almost perfect, with warm maple, coffee, malt and molasses leading. The taste is coffee forward, it just dances beautifully on the palate, and very very rich with maple and chocolate malt complementing. Feel like I will get gout after drinking this! The feel is robust and super creamy. Would love to try some other iterations of this one!
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4.47/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours more brown than black. Loved the aroma. Huge vanilla goodness mixed with a hint of maple background. Muted flavors of vanilla and coffee and just a smidge of maple at the end. I really enjoyed the brew.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours more brown than black. Loved the aroma. Huge vanilla goodness mixed with a hint of maple background. Muted flavors of vanilla and coffee and just a smidge of maple at the end. I really enjoyed the brew.
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4.33/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From bottle into chalice. Pitch black color with no foam head upon pour. Loads of coffee on the nose, which follows into the taste, but with a good bit of maple coming at the end. Nice sticky mouthfeel. A very solid non-BA imperial stout.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From bottle into chalice. Pitch black color with no foam head upon pour. Loads of coffee on the nose, which follows into the taste, but with a good bit of maple coming at the end. Nice sticky mouthfeel. A very solid non-BA imperial stout.
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4.49/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 029, 750ml blue-capped bottle served in a snifter glass.
Pours a dark black body, one finger mocha head, good retention, medium collar, bits of lacing. Smell is maple, coffee and milk chocolate. The coffee is more mellow and imparts more of a dark fruit and cacao more than roast, it’s certainly not acrid or burnt like some coffee beers can be. The maple is all there, and reminds me a lot of old school Mornin’ Delight. Flavour is perfectly balanced rich maple syrup sweetness that is ever present, milk chocolate, coffee being there but not overpowering, light cocoa powder, mild earthy bitterness on the finish probably from the coffee. Mouthfeel is medium-fuller bodied, good carbonation, substantial, with a lingering maple sweetness. An overall excellent maple coffee stout with the body to stand up to the adjuncts. The maple is nicely executed and remains prominent the entire time from the sip to swallow. It reminds me a lot of what Mornin’ Delight has been in the past, and in some ways, equals it.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 029, 750ml blue-capped bottle served in a snifter glass.
Pours a dark black body, one finger mocha head, good retention, medium collar, bits of lacing. Smell is maple, coffee and milk chocolate. The coffee is more mellow and imparts more of a dark fruit and cacao more than roast, it’s certainly not acrid or burnt like some coffee beers can be. The maple is all there, and reminds me a lot of old school Mornin’ Delight. Flavour is perfectly balanced rich maple syrup sweetness that is ever present, milk chocolate, coffee being there but not overpowering, light cocoa powder, mild earthy bitterness on the finish probably from the coffee. Mouthfeel is medium-fuller bodied, good carbonation, substantial, with a lingering maple sweetness. An overall excellent maple coffee stout with the body to stand up to the adjuncts. The maple is nicely executed and remains prominent the entire time from the sip to swallow. It reminds me a lot of what Mornin’ Delight has been in the past, and in some ways, equals it.
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4.47/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at criderfest. Best beer of the fest? Buddy correct to name it best stout, best new beer. Idk. It's pretty good. Buddy notes deliciousness. "Not too syrupy, but a warm buttery pancake feel. Super sweet but that's ok." I agree. Wow. So much better than kbs. A little more yeasty than I like--not so clean an aftertaste. A little more maturation would have helped, but we're nitpicking. And I say that as a guy whose kids may have lice. I'm going to keep drinking now. Buddy: "tastes so good to drink tho."
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at criderfest. Best beer of the fest? Buddy correct to name it best stout, best new beer. Idk. It's pretty good. Buddy notes deliciousness. "Not too syrupy, but a warm buttery pancake feel. Super sweet but that's ok." I agree. Wow. So much better than kbs. A little more yeasty than I like--not so clean an aftertaste. A little more maturation would have helped, but we're nitpicking. And I say that as a guy whose kids may have lice. I'm going to keep drinking now. Buddy: "tastes so good to drink tho."
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4.45/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Jet black pour with slight lacing with a very thin tan head.
Smell: Vermont Maple Syrup and coffee dominate.
Taste: Maple syrup sweetness and incredible coffee flavor take over my taste buds. As the beer warms up the coffee becomes even more pronounced.
Feel: I thought the body was a little on the lighter side, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this terrific stout.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Jet black pour with slight lacing with a very thin tan head.
Smell: Vermont Maple Syrup and coffee dominate.
Taste: Maple syrup sweetness and incredible coffee flavor take over my taste buds. As the beer warms up the coffee becomes even more pronounced.
Feel: I thought the body was a little on the lighter side, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this terrific stout.
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4.28/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black with a short tan froth.
Tons of coffee fills the nose with smoky maple, roasty charred malt and wafer.
Taste is chocolate, maple and just tons of coffee, including whole bean, with a thick, chewy but slick feel.
Whoa, watch out Mornin' Delight…this is certainly a close competitor, but I still love MD. Like, a lot.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black with a short tan froth.
Tons of coffee fills the nose with smoky maple, roasty charred malt and wafer.
Taste is chocolate, maple and just tons of coffee, including whole bean, with a thick, chewy but slick feel.
Whoa, watch out Mornin' Delight…this is certainly a close competitor, but I still love MD. Like, a lot.
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4.46/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Batch 1
Look: very dark brown almost black with a light brown head on it
Smell: the maple syrup shines here!! coffee comes in on the back end of the sniff!!
Taste: coffee is the big success here!!! maple brings the sweetness to the bitter coffee that hits this one out of the park for me!!
Feel: Solid... a little lighter than I was hoping for but nothing to truly complain about!!
overall one of my favorite maple and coffee stouts!!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Batch 1
Look: very dark brown almost black with a light brown head on it
Smell: the maple syrup shines here!! coffee comes in on the back end of the sniff!!
Taste: coffee is the big success here!!! maple brings the sweetness to the bitter coffee that hits this one out of the park for me!!
Feel: Solid... a little lighter than I was hoping for but nothing to truly complain about!!
overall one of my favorite maple and coffee stouts!!
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4.22/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a wine glass. An opaque dark brown color with a modest tan head. Yuuge aromas of vanilla beans, coffee, and cocoa. The taste followed closely with a beautiful mix of vanilla, chocolate, and roasted malt. A gentle warming on the finish.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a wine glass. An opaque dark brown color with a modest tan head. Yuuge aromas of vanilla beans, coffee, and cocoa. The taste followed closely with a beautiful mix of vanilla, chocolate, and roasted malt. A gentle warming on the finish.
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4.83/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Taste: Intense, maple, mocha coffee, sweet, complex, chocolate malts, caramel, some alcohol bite. Deep maple, coffee, roasted cocoa aroma. Black and opaque, with very dark tan foamy head with delicate lace. Full bold body. a smooth sipper one of the best I had season. Breakfast Maple Stout, hope to try Canadian KBS next.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Taste: Intense, maple, mocha coffee, sweet, complex, chocolate malts, caramel, some alcohol bite. Deep maple, coffee, roasted cocoa aroma. Black and opaque, with very dark tan foamy head with delicate lace. Full bold body. a smooth sipper one of the best I had season. Breakfast Maple Stout, hope to try Canadian KBS next.
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4.48/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle sealed with blue pressure cap.
batch 4
poured into a pair of HF wine stem.
Appearance: black body with dark brown head.
Smell: Lots of maple with a hint of coffee. Really nice aroma.
Taste: The maple was initially really huge, but the coffee seems to balance the sweetness out as you drink it. Nice roasty coffee. The maple syrup tastes authentic. No artificial flavors here. Really outstanding
Mouthfeel: medium body with low carbonation. Oily and rich body. No booze heat noted.
Overall: Best Mikerphone beer that I have drank yet. Fantastic midwest beer region stout. Definitely something that Chicago can be proud of having on the shelves. Seek it out!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle sealed with blue pressure cap.
batch 4
poured into a pair of HF wine stem.
Appearance: black body with dark brown head.
Smell: Lots of maple with a hint of coffee. Really nice aroma.
Taste: The maple was initially really huge, but the coffee seems to balance the sweetness out as you drink it. Nice roasty coffee. The maple syrup tastes authentic. No artificial flavors here. Really outstanding
Mouthfeel: medium body with low carbonation. Oily and rich body. No booze heat noted.
Overall: Best Mikerphone beer that I have drank yet. Fantastic midwest beer region stout. Definitely something that Chicago can be proud of having on the shelves. Seek it out!
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4.51/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
This was batch 4.
L: A little more brown than a typical stout.
S: A lot of maple.
T: Coffee forward, but well balanced with maple.
F: Excellent, thick and works well with the type of beer.
O: We did this as part of a bottle share that started with Mornin Delight and ended with this. While I give MD a slight nod, this beer holds up to the comparison!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
This was batch 4.
L: A little more brown than a typical stout.
S: A lot of maple.
T: Coffee forward, but well balanced with maple.
F: Excellent, thick and works well with the type of beer.
O: We did this as part of a bottle share that started with Mornin Delight and ended with this. While I give MD a slight nod, this beer holds up to the comparison!
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4.56/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
out of a 12oz tulip
I got a lot of coffee on this one via aroma and taste. It was the main flavor with sweetness through the maple. The maple though didn't come out as much for me as SLBS b2. The mouth feel gave a nice texture with a bit of stickiness.
Overall I really liked it.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
out of a 12oz tulip
I got a lot of coffee on this one via aroma and taste. It was the main flavor with sweetness through the maple. The maple though didn't come out as much for me as SLBS b2. The mouth feel gave a nice texture with a bit of stickiness.
Overall I really liked it.
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4.11/5 rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Appearance- The beer poured a brownish black color with mocha bubbles.
Smell - I detect fresh slightly sweet coffee, perhaps coffee with creamer.
Taste - I detect a strong coffee presence with some sweetness. The maple comes toward the back as it warms. The maple is far from overwhelming. Toward the back, the coffee gets more bitter.
Mouthfeel - For all the extras in this beer, I expected it to be thicker.
Overall - Its a nice beer, but I was not blown away.
472 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Appearance- The beer poured a brownish black color with mocha bubbles.
Smell - I detect fresh slightly sweet coffee, perhaps coffee with creamer.
Taste - I detect a strong coffee presence with some sweetness. The maple comes toward the back as it warms. The maple is far from overwhelming. Toward the back, the coffee gets more bitter.
Mouthfeel - For all the extras in this beer, I expected it to be thicker.
Overall - Its a nice beer, but I was not blown away.
472 characters
4.3/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a rich and viscous motor oil black with a thin layer of light brown foam.
Rich and fresh brewed coffee and heavily roasted malt stands out with milk chocolate and vanilla undertones.
Huge coffee and roasted malt flavor takes front stage, but layers of sweet and creamy vanilla and chocolate notes add balance and complexity.
Full-bodied, medium carbonation, rich, bold, roasty.
Overall, this is a must-try brew for any coffee fan. A smooth and easy drinking sipper that goes down way too easy.
503 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a rich and viscous motor oil black with a thin layer of light brown foam.
Rich and fresh brewed coffee and heavily roasted malt stands out with milk chocolate and vanilla undertones.
Huge coffee and roasted malt flavor takes front stage, but layers of sweet and creamy vanilla and chocolate notes add balance and complexity.
Full-bodied, medium carbonation, rich, bold, roasty.
Overall, this is a must-try brew for any coffee fan. A smooth and easy drinking sipper that goes down way too easy.
503 characters
Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit from Mikerphone Brewing
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
163 ratings
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