Mateo
Alma Mader Brewing
- From:
- Alma Mader Brewing
- Missouri, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 15.5%
- Score:
- +9 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.99 | pDev: 0%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 01, 2026
- Added:
- Jan 29, 2026
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
A beer dedicated to our son’s entrance into the world, which was racked into barrels just three days after his birth. This beer is a celebration of a very special moment and person in our lives.
This small and special blend at its core is a rye-focused imperial stout that was aged for 26 months in Russell’s Reserve (10-year) bourbon barrels. We selected these barrels because of the quality of the bourbon behind them, and also because of the relationship between a father and son who set this reserve blend for decades.
Layers upon layers of rich dark chocolate, marzipan, and creme brûlée. The barrel character cuts through the sweetness giving it a tannic backbone with notes of caraway seed, vanilla pods, and Medjool dates.
This small and special blend at its core is a rye-focused imperial stout that was aged for 26 months in Russell’s Reserve (10-year) bourbon barrels. We selected these barrels because of the quality of the bourbon behind them, and also because of the relationship between a father and son who set this reserve blend for decades.
Layers upon layers of rich dark chocolate, marzipan, and creme brûlée. The barrel character cuts through the sweetness giving it a tannic backbone with notes of caraway seed, vanilla pods, and Medjool dates.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri
4.99/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.99/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Pour is black with a near complete stillness, having no foam bubble up upon a ~6oz pour directly into the glass. Only after a vigorous swirl does any mocha colored foam bubble up around the edges, nearly immediately swallowed by heavy dark oily legs that cling to the glass like some motor oil used for 10,000 miles.
Aroma is rich & potent. Dates, dark chocolate, toffee, and molasses interlay and weave alongside fudge & brownie batter. Oak and barrel note is forward, especially at temperatures closer to fridge temperature. As the beer warms, barrel develops a looming shadow throughout the nose, never masking or obscuring the rich chocolatey notes out front, instead offering a firm backdrop.
Flavor profile is softly spoken, but firm. Chocolate and cocoa nibs work alongside molasses and brownie batter. Oak and barrel are again heavily present, though a shade or two less than the nose. After the initial splash of chocolate, dark fruits, dates, and soft vanilla sweep through. As the beer warms, dark chocolate notes crescendo with a furiosity of a well coordinated finale.
Mouth feel is thick - bringing with it a little silty texture that adds some grittiness to the otherwise soft and light effervescence.
Overall, this is not something I say lightly - but this is one of the best BA imperial stouts I've had to date. The depth on this one is absolutely incredible, allowing the imperial stout underneath to sing loudly while retaining the burden of a dark shadow of barrel. It features lovely notes of dark chocolate, dates, and molasses that work together splendidly well.
Served in a 15.5oz Speigealu tulip from a 500mL bottle on January 31st, 2025. Served as a toast to CaveDave.
Feb 01, 2026Aroma is rich & potent. Dates, dark chocolate, toffee, and molasses interlay and weave alongside fudge & brownie batter. Oak and barrel note is forward, especially at temperatures closer to fridge temperature. As the beer warms, barrel develops a looming shadow throughout the nose, never masking or obscuring the rich chocolatey notes out front, instead offering a firm backdrop.
Flavor profile is softly spoken, but firm. Chocolate and cocoa nibs work alongside molasses and brownie batter. Oak and barrel are again heavily present, though a shade or two less than the nose. After the initial splash of chocolate, dark fruits, dates, and soft vanilla sweep through. As the beer warms, dark chocolate notes crescendo with a furiosity of a well coordinated finale.
Mouth feel is thick - bringing with it a little silty texture that adds some grittiness to the otherwise soft and light effervescence.
Overall, this is not something I say lightly - but this is one of the best BA imperial stouts I've had to date. The depth on this one is absolutely incredible, allowing the imperial stout underneath to sing loudly while retaining the burden of a dark shadow of barrel. It features lovely notes of dark chocolate, dates, and molasses that work together splendidly well.
Served in a 15.5oz Speigealu tulip from a 500mL bottle on January 31st, 2025. Served as a toast to CaveDave.
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!