La Rien à Nuit
Trillium Brewing Company

 

Pours as black as a rotten politician’s soul, with a small tan colored creamy head that faded slowly and left good lacing coating the glass as it went down, sliding back into the brew after a while. It smells of dark chocolate, smoked malts, burnt coffee grinds, cocoa powder, bakers chocolate, molasses, campfire roasted s’mores, sheet metal, lactose or chocolate milk, and vanilla as it starts to fade. It’s a complex blend of chocolates, roasted grains, coffee and charred aromas.

Tastes a little boozy and very malty up front, with molasses, vanilla, caramel, burnt coffee grinds, espresso beans, dark chocolate, some dark fruit like chocolate covered cherries, bakers chocolate, smoked malts, brown sugar, piney notes, metallic accents, cocoa powder, charred wood, and a sweetness that resembled brownie batter. Rich is probably the best way to describe the flavor. The body and feel are in the thick side, with mild carbonation, a light bitterness and the chocolatey sweetness covers up the ABV nicely which makes it smoother than expected.

Rich dark brown moist appearance with a generous tan head, good retention, and blotchy lacing. Roasty coffee, cocoa, vanilla, caramel. Medium to thick body, medium carbonation.

Drank from a 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) bottle purchased at Trillium Brewing Company, Boston, MA
02/15/21
Served in a snifter

The beer poured super viscous and pitch black, like used motor oil. A wispy film topped the liquid, but it quickly dissolved. There was no lacing whatsoever.

The aroma was pleasant but a touch nondescript initially. Malty and rich. Nice melding of roasted and caramel malt notes. Brown sugar was also apparent. Good dose of vanilla bean and sweet cream as well. Hint of smoke. Subtle oxidative notes were also detectable. Wet cardboard came to mind. Some dark fruit character too. As the beer sat, the nose became more pronounced. The vanilla notes and the overall sweetness definitely intensified.

The flavor profile was a mixed bag. While the base beer was well crafted, the oxidative notes really detracted from the overall drinking experience. Like the nose, this too was malty and robust. Again, roasted and caramel malts were apparent. Somewhat smoky. Moderately sweet. Burnt sugar was also noticeable. Vanilla appeared in the center. Wet paper notes came through as well and intensified on the back end and the finish. Somewhat boozy. There was a bit of a metallic quality here too.

The mouthfeel was definitely the most impressive aspect of the beer. It was super creamy and completely full bodied, like heavy whipping cream. Fluffy yet also weighty on the palate. The liquid contained an ultra fine, mellow effervescence that worked perfectly for the style.

Although La Rien à Nuit is a nice attempt at a non-adjuncted and non-barrel aged imperial stout by two breweries who are widely know for their over-the-top pastry stouts, this beer was rather lackluster. Perhaps it was better fresh before the oxidation set in.

 

 

Bottle courtesy of yllib.
Black as night. Minimal-moderate dark mocha head.
Smell is vanilla, bitter dark chocolate, barrel.
Taste is same as smell along with some silky caramel.
Very viscous and creamy mouthfeel. Mild carbonation.
Interesting from these 2 breweries that there are no adjuncts added.

 

500ml bottle

Pours dark black with slight maroon red brown edges, and a creamy lasting light brown tan foam head. Smells real dark, roasty, baking chocolate, espresso bean, light smoky roast, blackstrap molasses, dark honey, charred brown sugar, some light fruity notes, almost strawberry banana, dark dried fig, earthy complexity, hint of soy, not sweet or rich really, moderate intensity. Tastes real balanced and interesting, real dark and savory, umami character, touch of soy sauce, charred brown sugar, sweet honey, nutty molasses, baking chocolate, espresso roast, hint of meaty smoke, baked toffee, caramel drizzle, dried dark fig, light fruity notes, mild earthy hop, great balance of sweet and savory, earthy and roasty, richness and drinkability. Aftertaste lingers of high cacao dark chocolate and smoky espresso coffee with a touch of vanilla. Feels medium-full bodied, thick and viscous, creamy smooth with moderate low carbonation. Overall a really great imperial stout with honey, molasses and brown sugar.