Mikkeller 黑 / Black

Mikkeller
Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Imperial Stout
Copenhagen V, Denmark

Bottle, pours black with no head, I see a few carbonation bubbles in the brew at the edges of the glass but no head, leaves a thin film on the sides of the glass when swirled and looks to have some legs, some bubbles appear when swirled, aroma of alcohol that sort of reminds me of a burnt Port Wine, dark roasted malt fragrances, dark chocolate, some earth worm dirt aromas? If you are a fisherman, this is the smell of the dish of worms when you get ready to set the hook, the earth worm dirt is faint but that is what I get from this brew, interesting but not really a good thing, has a faint burnt berry fragrance, alcohol tingles my nostril a bit with some sniffs, a touch of smokiness, flavor of dark roasted malt, Port Wine sweetness, some chocolate, some strong (almost burnt) raspberry and blue berry in the background, alcohol is big on the palate but not as much as I thought there would when experiencing the nose of this brew, the alcohol is sweet tasting that has hints of dark fruit and berry, also, alcohol is strong but not as pungent as the Dogfish Head WWS, some burnt malt flavors, mouth feel is around medium maybe a bit less, alcohol seems to contribute to a medium and/or watery feel and dries the palate, I bought another bottle to age for a few years.

Bottle. Well it sure is black but it does have a brownish tinge to it and virtually no head to speak of, just a thin layer of brown bubbles that dissipate quickly. Aroma is very spirity with notes of raisins, sweetish coffee, a little bit of dark chocolate. Again the alcohol is quite noticable in the flavour as well as liquorice, toffee, tobacco and roasted malt. Definitely the extreme end of the spectrum of stout, not for a summer afternoon, but if you’re in the right mood a great sipper for a chilly evening.

12.7 oz bottle. Not quite black with some oily tan bubbles and lacy swirls. Nose is chocolate, soy, molasses and brandied raisin. Medium body with a tingle. Taste is chocolate syrup, dates, Kahlua and licorice; quite sweet. Finishes with tobacco, tar and bitter burnt sugar. Could be exceptional with five more years in the cellar.

Bottled. Pitch black coloured. Small almost non existing brown fluffy head. Sweetness, roast, chocolate, light liqourice, light fruits and a touch of alcohol in the aroma. Flavour is strong. Dusty soy souce, sweetness, liqourice, roast, espresso, light cocoa and heavy, heavy alcohol. Quite smooth though. Medium to full bodied. Dry. Roasty, almost cloyingly sweet and alcoholdense end. Very special beer. Hadn’t I known the ABV, I would never have guessed the 17.5 %. Hides the hight abv extremely well.

Bouteille verte de 375 ml, avec bouchon de caoutchouc, obtenue via Importations Privées Bièropholie. Arôme: Odeur de café et de chocolat avec une pointe de petits fruits et d’alcool. Apparence: La couleur est noire opaque. Présence d’un mince col beige mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de café avec une pointe de chocolat au caramel et d’alcool. Longue durée de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement crémeuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Présence d’amertume du café en arrière goût. (Rating #2606)

Pours pitch black with a foamy chocolate colored head that settles into a lasting lacing. Roasted malty aroma with chocolate, oatmeal, toffee, dark fruit, spice, alcohol, hops and candi sugar notes. Very complex with a nice roasted coffe maltiness, sweet dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, and alcohol warmth. The ABV is noticeable but pretty well masked considering it’s strength.

Bottle. Completely black with small brown head. Aroma roasted malts and licorice. Taste roasted malts and licorice, very sweet, too sweet. I got it at a tasting, 10 cl was too much.

Black in body with tan coloured head and alcoholic legs. Huge aroma of alcohol then dried fruit then loads of sugar. Taste was a touch hot at first, dried fruit again and sugar, not too complex, drank ok - slowly.