THE EMPIRE
8 Wired are an amazing brewery, based in Warkworth, not long ago they celebrated the 18th batch from their new brewery.
They did so in the finest way possible, with this Oak Aged Imperial Stout. Aftering being brewed with lots of goodies it was fermented in open oak vats with dates, jaggery and vanilla beans. Jaffery if you’re wondering is: “a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in Asia and Africa. It is a concentrated product of date, cane juice, or palm sap without separation of the molasses and crystals, and can vary from golden brown to dark brown in colour.”
So this is a beer with lots of sweet goodness added, tempered by the Oak and vanilla.
The first thing to note is it’s 11%ABV, that makes it a pretty massive beer. It’s also very dark, it pours like used engine oil, very smooth and silky. The head is almost non-existent, but you’re greeted with great chocolate and whiskey odours.
And it is not sweet. Despite all those dates and that dark rich jaggery, this is a spicy and bitter ale, dark and rich and very strong.
The dates are present with the malts, and I suspect the jaggery adds some of the toffee and caramel notes. Lovely vanilla flavours and some great bitterness with some spice on top. There is a some alcohol taste as well, but not unpleasantly so, just enough to remind you it’s an 11%beer.
Best served at room temperature to get biggest range of flavours, and not something for the feint of heart, or anyone who is not prepared for a big, strong beer. This is one to enjoy slowly.
-Moppie
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