We’re reviewing the entire Northern Powerhouse Brew Series – this is the fourth beer we tried, after 008, 006 and 007.
I’m glad this didn’t appear right at the end of the night. Too many people consign their impy stouts to that stage of an evening, but I want to experience this style in the middle of some paler beers. The contrast enhances the experience!
Dark chocolate and coffee dominate the aroma from this dark and oily pouring imperial stout. It’s reminiscent of Buxton’s ice cream series stouts like Rocky Road without being quite as sweet as I remember that being.
The flavour is surprisingly soft – there are stewed raisins and figs with smooth milk chocolate, with a lingering boozy finish. There’s hints of barrel ageing in here even though it hasn’t been through that process, but I’m getting no vanilla which is a let down for me as I love that finish to a stout.
Buxton Brewery are up there with the best in the UK for me – check out their Cromarty collab Cranachan, it’s dessert heaven in a glass.
