Schele Os Russian Imperial Stout
Maasland Bierbrouwerij

Picked up at De Bierkoning in Amsterdam

Into my snifter

APPEARANCE: Pours a bit thin looking tan head that slowly dissipates into a decent film. Leaves no lacing. Dark brown, almost black, and is quite opaque.

SMELL: Definitely fruity, blackberries perhaps, with a sweet-sour tinge. A bit of roasted malt as well, but not nearly enough. Alcohol is strong in the nose and it reminds me a bit of feet. Not a really pleasant nose.

TASTE: The alcohol is definitely there. That's the first thing noticeable. Other than that, this is definitely better than the nose. Some bitter chocolate is there and a sweet tinge to the taste as well. A nice bitter chocolate aftertaste lingers nicely, which is a welcome surprise.

PALATE: Medium-thin body with higher end carbonation. Goes down a bit rough and definitely has a bite at the end from the alcohol. Finishes rather dry. I'd like it to be a bit thicker and smoother going down.

OVERALL: A decent beer with a nice taste, but the nose certainly holds it back. I kind of had to plug my nose when I went in for a drink, which was too bad. I don't think I'd want to have this one again.

A very dark brown beer with a small creamy head that has the tiniest bubbles.

Smell is roasted with liquorice and blackberries. The typical Maasland yeast adds an oiliness which seems to fit the style. Very little hoppiness.

Taste is roasted with a good maltbitterness. The beer is sweet, a bit too sweet, sugary sweet with dark cane sugar notes. Bitterness is high and there is a blackberry taste supplied by the hops probably. The yeast is oily and is not the perfect yeast for this kind of beer. It reminds me of frying oil, which reminds me of oxidized oil. Not dramatic, but it is still in there and with another yeast it would have been a great beer.