Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit
Mikerphone Brewing

Looks like used motor oil being poured, small khaki head fades quickly, no lacing but leaves an oily film on the glass. Lotsa coffee aroma and not much else, flavor has coffee, a bit of maple syrup, burnt sugar and toffee and bitter chocolate. Thick body, smooth, creamy. Very nice beer, just a tad too sweet.

 

 

 

 

Poured a black body with large khaki head and minimal lace around glass. Aroma is mostly maple syrup with roasted coffee notes underneath it. A dry, roasted coffee beer that is thick and slightly sticky with well-hidden booze. The coffee aspects are balanced with a strong maple syrup stickiness that ends overtaking the coffee on finish as beer finishes slightly sweet.

16oz can from Tavour. Black and flat, still. Aroma is coffee, accents of maple, roast malts. Taste is more coffee, sweetness, maple syrup. Finishes with coffee bitterness. Sticky, mouth coating.

 

Pours pitch black with some viscosity. Produces a finger of a creamy dark mocha head that sticks around for a bit and leaves behind a thick ring of lacing.

Aroma hits you with rich maple syrup and dark gourmet coffee. As you dive in deeper, you come across some coffee acidity, dark berry, dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate chip, roasted malt, caramel, slight vanilla, and brown sugar. The roast of the base stout and coffee balances out the maple sweetness nicely.

Taste follows the aroma well. Layers of maple syrup are there throughout, but the Sumatra coffee, which is a bold and dark blend, balances it out wonderfully to where the beer never gets too sweet. Roasted malt, coffee acidity, and dark chocolate also contribute to this balance. The sweetness is not only coming from the maple, but notes of caramel and brown sugar contribute as well. As it warms, layers of fudge brownie and bittersweet chocolate chip emerge. Tastes like chocolate chip pancakes with butter and maple syrup with a side cup of coffee.

High medium body. Coats the palate. Creamy, silky, slick, oily. Carbonation cuts through a bit.

Whenever I come across this beer or it’s variants, I typically pull the trigger. Just an outstanding breakfast stout that has depth, complexity, and balance. It never gets too sweet with the maple, which can be an issue for beers like this. Really well done.

 

The Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit trio starts off with the original. This one is best described as a maple coated espresso bean. You smell waffles and I believe this is the definition of a true breakfast stout. Add some toast and coffee and you are good to go.

IG: @firesidewithphil

 

 

750ml bottle, undated but presumed fresh, poured into a stemless wine glass.

The beer pours out with a thick and viscous texture, jet black with a finger of khaki head that has moderate retention, little lacing but a nice ring appears around the circumference of the glass easily resummoning the aromatic head. The aroma is quite pleasant, lovely coffee roast, rich and decadent with a nice fruity acidity that brings out layers of dark chocolate, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel and stone fruits with a hearty dark grain character as well. The flavors are lovely, massive focus on the adjuncts, excellent rich maple character, tons and tons of coffee, nicely roasted with a smooth and creamy cold brew flavor that accentuates the brownie batter chocolate flavors in the beer while the grains are more toasty and forward while a nice dark fruit and caramel finish lingers. The mouthfeel is great, coating, creamy, super smooth and rich medium body, not too heavy but just enough heft with a lightly dry finish.

Verdict: A very good adjunct forward stout from Mikerphone. Tons of maple, tons of coffee as advertised but it's all resting atop an excellent roasty stout base that is super smooth and drinkable.

25.4oz bottle with no visible date - 10% abv. Opened 5-17-20.
Review #1,000.
Short lived mocha head on a jet black imperial stout.
The head settles in as a thin ring and leaves some wispy, spotty lacing.
Rich maple and chocolate fudge nose.
Coffee is a supporting aroma - smooth, bold bean and maybe a chicory root note.
Some high tone booze under all other aromas.
Chocolate - bitter dark but also fudge and also dry cocoa powder all at the same time! Maple and molasses. Coffee, similar to the aroma, isn't dominant but plays a great supporting role. Chicory root-like bitterness is a good foil for the maple sweetness. Great fudge brownie like flavor that I'm enjoying.
Full body with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. There's heat from the 10% - perceptible but minimal. Rich, semi-sweet long finish. Delicious and very easy to drink even at a high abv.
Outstanding to World Class.

It's incredible, very very tasty. Great coffee with maple syrup, the smell is incredible! One of my favorite beers, similar to KBBS but a different maple spectrum. (imo) it's a must try, great fresh or with a few months of age on it. It's all around great!

 

 

If you like maple syrup this is your jam.
Big maple all over. Nice brown head. Flavor has very little imperial stout character.
Lots of coffee and maple. Easy to drink for what it is.
Split the bottle 3 ways. That’s about all I need