La Brasserie McAuslan Inc.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(Partnered with Les Brasseurs RJ, Partly Owned by Moosehead Breweries Limited)
Russian Imperial Stout 9.2% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 341 ml.
$6.00 (Canadian) At LCBO.
In operation since 1989 McAuslan brews some of Quebec's top rated beers. The awards and distinctions are literally too numerous to mention, for a comprehensive list check their website. The name St. Ambroise comes from the name of the street the brewery was on when it first opened: Rue St. Ambroise in the St. Henri district of Montreal. The first beer they brewed in 1989, St. Ambroise Pale Ale, is still the top rated beer in Quebec today. They have grown steadily over the years increasing in barrel capacity and staff (from 5 in 1989, to 40 today) and their beer is found in a number of different provinces and is becoming more available in the States.
Onto the tasting:
it pours oily black with a milk chocolate coloured head made up of fine bubbles. No cascade, and head lasts a short time. Deep dark rich licorice and molasses on the nose. First sip is an explosion of flavours. Heavy chocolate malt starts off the cascade which gives into a heady bourbon oak, a smack of vanilla and then a nice lingering wood smoke. The 9.2% alcohol is not lost, warming the cheeks and belly right away. Very heavy but still satisfying. Spent grain lingers on the tongue as does charred hardwood, and smoke (feels like exhaling a cigar)
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 4/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 4/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
A pricey little brew, but rather rare and worth it. quite a nice complex character, certainly could only drink one of these a night, but would definitely go back for seconds another day.
Cheers
CJT
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