Mikkeller, the renowned brewery from Denmark, amongst their slue of intriguing beer has one that specifically caught my eye. The Rauch Geek Breakfast, also known as Beer Geek Bacon, is a “smoked” version of their regular Beer Geek Breakfast stout. Both of these beers have the base of an oatmeal stout with coffee added. The Rauch version adds a smoked element to the same beer, something I’m hoping goes over well.
Ever since I developed a deep appreciation for Imperial Stouts, there have been a few that have eluded me. One I’ve been trying to track down was Péché Mortel from Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel in Quebec, Canada. This “Imperial Stout Au Cafe” has been rated an A+ (World Class) beer by the well-known and respected Alström Brothers of Beer Advocate. And finally, I had my chance to try it.
The Southern Tier Oat, an Imperial Oatmeal Stout, is another part of their Blackwater Series. Other beers in the series include the Choklat, Javh*va, Mokah, and the Creme Brulee. Each of these beers obviously meant to highlight a different area of the Imperial Stout world. The Oat, quite obviously, is meant to highlight the oatmeal stout section.
As I have stated many times before, anything involving stouts and coffee is something that I have to try. Seeing the Cappuccino Stout from Lagunitas on tap was one of those moments. While coffee and espresso beers are common, I had yet to see one that pulls in a cappuccino flavor. I knew that the beer would follow one of two paths, they either pulled off a cappuccino flavor or it’s another regular coffee stout but the brewer wanted a name other than coffee or espresso. Hopefully it’s the first option.
For those who are unaware of Clipper City Brewing Company, the brewers of Heavy Seas beer, their beer is divided into three fleets: The Pyrate Fleet, The Mutiny Fleet, and The Clipper Fleet. Each fleet contains beers of different styles, be it large and robust or classic and low in alcohol. I’m sampling the Siren Noire, an Imperial Chocolate Stout that is part of the Mutiny Fleet.
