Permutation 7.06: Imperial Stout Blend
Trillium Brewing Company

 

 

Pours motor oil black color with a 1-2 finger thick of tan colored head that faded on the faster side, leaving little to no lacing.

Smells of smoked grains, caramel, charred wood, faint bourbon, vanilla, piney notes, dark chocolate, burnt coffee grinds, cocoa powder, toasted coconut, roasted nuts, soy sauce, cinnamon and chocolate milk. It’s not too sweet and not overly chocolatey, it strikes a nice complex balance that allows the guest ingredients to all come through. It comes off as barrel aged, even though I don’t think it was based on the bottle info.

Tastes like it smells with cinnamon, dark chocolate, smoked grains, caramel, dark fruit, charred wood, faint bourbon, vanilla, piney notes, burnt coffee grinds, tea leaf, cocoa powder, toasted coconut, roasted nuts, soy sauce, brown sugar as well as some other spices and then chocolate milk. I did not tastes any fig, banana, raspberry nor honey that was listed on the bottle, but this was so complex that those flavors may have been hidden behind the stronger malty flavors. It comes off just as spicy as it does malty.

It feels thin and slides down on the watery side, but at times it came off as almost chewy with some viscosity. No sign of the ABV, this was a slow sipper in order to appreciate the mix of flavors. A really nice experimental brew that I’d definitely recommend.

 

 

 

Pours a motor oil dark brown/black. A finger of dark khaki head. Not very much retention, the bubbles fade quick.

Nose is very different than anything I've ever had. Peanuts, brown sugar/molasses, mild notes of coffee and dark fruit. It reminds of Dutch style desserts and sweets. Like Peanut Butter Schmier and Shoo-Fly Pie. Candy and pastry like. Dark fruits mixed with sweetness like molasses and honey. Booze and strong notes of chocolate appear as it warms and sits in the glass for some time.

Taste is similar in some aspects, but not in others. I get that peanut and coffee from before, but also cinnamon and dark fruits. Like Fig Newtons, Banana Bread, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and coffee all in one breakfast presentation. This is crazy. The flavors are subtle and delicate though. Not overpowering or one flavor vying for control over another. Everything just merges together so well. Booze creates a dry finish despite the level of sweetness present.


Mouthfeel is full-bodied and smooth. Fits the brew perfectly to be honest.

Overall I don't what to say. A fantastic stout. Different, a treat. Outside of the borders but also respectful. You still feel like you are drinking a brew and a stout. Not quite like a smoothie or a milkshake. It reminds me a little of Rusty Nail by Fremont. An interesting venture.

Drank from a 750 ml bottle purchased at Trillium Brewing Company, Boston, MA
Served in a Permutation Series glass

Medium bodied, dark cola brown appearance. Somewhat thinner looking than I anticipated. The liquid was topped by a tightly beaded, inch-tall, caramel colored head that slowly dropped to a fine collar. Streaks and dots of lacing stuck along the glass. The resulting beer was surprisingly dark and oily.

The aroma was interesting. Nutty notes came through big time. Freshly roasted peanuts perhaps. Roasted malts were also apparent. Good dose of brown sugar sweetness as well. Hint of raw cacao. Touch of vanilla too. A metallic note initially dominated on the second pour, but luckily this subsided pretty quickly.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose. Roasted and caramel malts led things off. Nutty notes were apparent again but not to the extent as in the aroma. Brown sugar came through in the center. Touch of vanilla and espresso too. More roastiness on the back end. Subtle tart, fruity (raspberry?) notes were also detectable. There was a slight metallic quality as well. Roasted malts and booze rounded things out in the finish.

Medium-full bodied mouthfeel. Creamy and fluffy on the palate. Somewhat oily and slick. The liquid contained a fine, fairly zippy effervescence that felt a bit excessive initially but settled to a more appropriate level with time. After a few sips, the sugars in the beer left a slightly sticky film on my lips. Later in the session, the liquid seemed to turn more viscous.

With so many flavor additions, I was afraid this beer might come across as somewhat disjointed and messy, and that unfortunately turned out to be true. A few of the adjuncts definitely stood out more than others, and some were complete undetectable. Regardless, while I might be able to criticize this beer on a technical level, it was still pretty tasty and enjoyable.

 

 

Pours dark maroon brown near black with a receding light brown tan foam head. Smells like robust coffee, vanilla, peanut butter, roasty nuts, raspberry, fig, banana, cinnamon, dark baking chocolate, roasted malts, baked goods, almond, fudge, creamy lactose, some dark fruit, caramel, molasses, dark toffee, honey, with some earthy piney hops. Tastes like chocolate covered pb&j, peanut butter, raspberry, bananas, cinnamon, vanilla, toasted almonds, nuts, coffee, figs, chocolate, some honey, lactose cream, caramel, dark toffee, molasses, toasted bready roasted malts, graham cracker, brown sugar, hazelnut marzipan, with mild earthy piney hops. Every sip brings new flavor, so many waves and layers it's incredible. Feels medium plus bodied, rather full, creamy with smooth moderate carbonation. Overall a real nice and interesting imperial stout blend.

 

Purchased today at Trillium Canton. 750mL bottle poured into Tulip glass.

Pours a brown body with a light brown head that reduces to leave spotty lacing.

Definitely let this warm up before trying to pick out aromas and flavors. As it warms, vanilla, banana, raspberry and caramel aromas are apparent. Coffee and chocolate too.

On the tongue it’s mocha forward, coffee-chocolate with raspberry undertones, sweet milk chocolate on the follow through, almond, vanilla, lightly bitter coffee on the finish. Moderately sweet. Medium body low carbonation.

An interesting beer for sure. Easy to drink and fun to try picking out the individual flavors. Good balance i must say.