Beelzebub | The Alchemist Brewery and Visitors Center
Brewed by:
The Alchemist Brewery and Visitors Center
Vermont, United States
alchemistbeer.com
Style: American Double / Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Beelzebub is an American Imperial Stout. The intensely smooth and rich roasted flavor is complemented by the unmistakable presence of hops. The bitterness is held in check, preserving the flavors of dark chocolate. This ale is aggressively dry hopped with Citra to cut through it all. Hail Santa.
Added by NEhophead on 03-01-2008
HISTOGRAM
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Ratings: 641 | Reviews: 111
4.29/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.94/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.71/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A dark tan head builds to a finger atop the pitch black liquid; nice retention and plenty of lacing
Smell: Charred malt, dark chocolate, brewer's licorice and pine
Taste: The pine flavors clash, at the outset, with the charred malt flavors and while some of the bitter dark chocolate and brewer's licorice tones manage to break through, from the tip of the tongue to the aftertaste this beer is a storm on the taste buds
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation
Overall: As others have noted, more like a ABA than a stout; I have had mixed experiences with the style but this beer is at the bottom end of the scale
Thanks, marcrgrenier, for the opportunity
686 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A dark tan head builds to a finger atop the pitch black liquid; nice retention and plenty of lacing
Smell: Charred malt, dark chocolate, brewer's licorice and pine
Taste: The pine flavors clash, at the outset, with the charred malt flavors and while some of the bitter dark chocolate and brewer's licorice tones manage to break through, from the tip of the tongue to the aftertaste this beer is a storm on the taste buds
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation
Overall: As others have noted, more like a ABA than a stout; I have had mixed experiences with the style but this beer is at the bottom end of the scale
Thanks, marcrgrenier, for the opportunity
686 characters
3.79/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.25/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Tall silver can, w/o freshness indication/canning date, that I can find.
The pour is black, no adjectives, just black. Very, very dark khaki head, thick, large and lasting. Fine scattered sheeting, all the way up the glass. Serious looking brew.
On the sniff, it's roasted malts, coffee, toffee, and some dry, dusty chocolate.
On the palate, its more and more of the same.. roasted malts,dense notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha, nuts, bag of hops shake, and general delicious Imperial stout goodness....go get some if you find yourself in the limited Alchemist distribution zone...mighty fine stuff
605 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Tall silver can, w/o freshness indication/canning date, that I can find.
The pour is black, no adjectives, just black. Very, very dark khaki head, thick, large and lasting. Fine scattered sheeting, all the way up the glass. Serious looking brew.
On the sniff, it's roasted malts, coffee, toffee, and some dry, dusty chocolate.
On the palate, its more and more of the same.. roasted malts,dense notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha, nuts, bag of hops shake, and general delicious Imperial stout goodness....go get some if you find yourself in the limited Alchemist distribution zone...mighty fine stuff
605 characters
3/5 rDev -27.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
4.59/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 16oz can into a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a very deep dark brown color, with a large dark brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains chocolate, roasted malts, strong floral hops and some coffee. If I were going by just the smell, I would think this was an American Black Ale and not a stout.
T: The taste starts out with a strong burst of floral hops bitterness that is quickly followed by sweet flavors of chocolate, coffee and some citrus. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.
M: Very crisp and very smooth and a bit viscous, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, slightly filling, good kick, very good variation of style, this is definitely the hoppiest stout I’ve ever had and overall it’s an excellent beer to drink for a long time.
975 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 16oz can into a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a very deep dark brown color, with a large dark brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains chocolate, roasted malts, strong floral hops and some coffee. If I were going by just the smell, I would think this was an American Black Ale and not a stout.
T: The taste starts out with a strong burst of floral hops bitterness that is quickly followed by sweet flavors of chocolate, coffee and some citrus. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.
M: Very crisp and very smooth and a bit viscous, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, slightly filling, good kick, very good variation of style, this is definitely the hoppiest stout I’ve ever had and overall it’s an excellent beer to drink for a long time.
975 characters
3.61/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.75/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.19/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours completely black with plenty of brown (almost purple) head. Full and roasty up front, them bitterness lingers. 8% not bad.
128 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours completely black with plenty of brown (almost purple) head. Full and roasty up front, them bitterness lingers. 8% not bad.
128 characters
4.5/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.38/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.04/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A serious mix of roasted malt and juicy hop scents in the nose, with the result that it smells much more like a black IPA than an imperial stout. This mix lives on in the flavour as well. Quite bitter (particularly for the style), with dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, pine and bright citrus and tropical fruits all present. A bit bizarre! Personally, I think the hopping is significant enough that it is really better considered a black IPA, as the hops are really a focus of the beer. Also, quite carbonated and tingly, moreso than I expect from imperial stouts. I am not the biggest black IPA fan in the world, but this is quite good.
642 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A serious mix of roasted malt and juicy hop scents in the nose, with the result that it smells much more like a black IPA than an imperial stout. This mix lives on in the flavour as well. Quite bitter (particularly for the style), with dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, pine and bright citrus and tropical fruits all present. A bit bizarre! Personally, I think the hopping is significant enough that it is really better considered a black IPA, as the hops are really a focus of the beer. Also, quite carbonated and tingly, moreso than I expect from imperial stouts. I am not the biggest black IPA fan in the world, but this is quite good.
642 characters
4.25/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black, black, black beer. Small tan head, a bit of lace.
Chocolate and coffee aroma. Earthy hops.
Dark chocolate, espresso. Late hop bitterness that lingered.
Medium-bodied. On the dry side.
190 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black, black, black beer. Small tan head, a bit of lace.
Chocolate and coffee aroma. Earthy hops.
Dark chocolate, espresso. Late hop bitterness that lingered.
Medium-bodied. On the dry side.
190 characters
3.25/5 rDev -21.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Beelzebub from The Alchemist Brewery and Visitors Center
Beer rating:
4.16 out of
5 with
641 ratings
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25