We Helped Build the Craft Brewery
If you’ve been in the craft beer world for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the term imperial stout. It means a strong, dark, sweet, and flavorful beer with a high alcohol content. In most cases, this style of beer is aged to give it a rich, velvety mouthfeel. These beers can be very complex and can take years to mature. The complexity of the roasted malts and hops can create a bitterness that is characteristic of the imperial stout style.
Many breweries have embraced the Imperial Stout style with enthusiasm. But you don’t need to be a Craft brewery builds to enjoy this stout. Often, it’s a dark beer with a complex aroma and a sultry, roasty flavor. When you see the word “imperial” on a bottle label, it means that the beer has been brewed with a large grain bill, which includes rye, wheat, malted barley, and oats.
One brewery in particular, Weathered Souls in San Antonio, is brewing some very characterful imperial stouts. Head brewer Marcus Baskerville explains how the top-to-bottom approach to brewing these beers works.
We Helped Build the Craft Brewery With This Imperial Stout
Traditionally, these beers were brewed to withstand the long sea voyage to Russia. They were then shipped to professional bottling facilities. However, the popularity of these beers has been growing in the United States. Now you can find them at a local bottle shop.
Today, many of these beers are infused with flavors like chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, and even cacao nibs. Many craft brewers have started making imperial stouts as their winter specialty. Even more interesting is that they are becoming increasingly popular in culinary settings. A few of these beers go well with desserts such as black forest cake and cinnamon rolls. Others pair very nicely with s’mores.
Imperial Stouts are also a great choice for pairing with cheeses. Since these beers contain very high levels of alcohol, they can be enjoyed in the evenings and at the end of the day. This is a great option for those who don’t want to overindulge.
You can find a variety of styles of imperial stout in your local bottle store. Most modern versions of the style are rich and dark, with a chocolatey, roasted aroma and a sharp, bitter finish. Some imperial stouts have licorice and herbal notes. Although they are known for their rich, velvety body, they can be very clean. That’s why the best way to enjoy an imperial stout is to sip it at the end of a meal.
You can also find many craft breweries that have been donating some of their profits from Imperial Stouts to help support law enforcement reform in the United States. As of now, there are over forty breweries participating in this mission-driven initiative. We’re honored to be one of them.
While you’re at the beer store looking for an imperial stout to enjoy, be sure to check out the new Black Is Beautiful initiative. It raises awareness of racial justice issues. Every purchase made from the beer will be matched with a donation to the World Central Kitchen.
