Score: 100/100 – World-Class
From a 500ml bottle served warm at 15 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. No date information on the packaging.
I picked up this beer a few weeks back, only to pass it off to a friend. Since I was excited to try this, I went ahead and picked up another bottle from a local specialty store. Both times the clerk asked me if I’ve had this beer. Obviously I haven’t… but I’m trying.
Here we are; with high expectations and excitement at hand. It’s been long due I write about a hefty stout such as this.
Appearance 6/6
The beer pours a clear black with 4.5cm of dense, creamy, beige head which dissipates into a craggy cap within 4+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with great head retention – especially for a 10% ABV beer. Gorgeous!
Aroma 24/24
Strong intensity with great balance. The aroma is robust and clean expressing wonderful dark malt characteristics.
Rich roastiness and nostalgic campfire is rounded out by dark caramel and fruit (prunes). Deep dark chocolate tones along with mild nuttiness claim quite a bit of space while intriguing spicy notes of licorice and cola add layers. Heck, the spice seems to have a pinch of black pepper in it too. So much complexity, I’m also noting coffee, burnt toast, and a low meaty character.
The dry nose is characterful with notes of chocolate, burnt toast, caramel, mild earthy nuttiness, and a touch of roasted grain. Sublime.
Flavour 40/40
Follows the aroma with strong intensity, great balance, and very assertive perceived bitterness.
The marvellous palate opens up big and bold with notes of burnt sugar, alcohol-soaked dark fruit, dark caramel, and a mild savoury quality. The center kicks it up a notch with even more intensity, featuring notes of roasted barley, black licorice, charred wood, tobacco, dark chocolate, resinous pine, and eucalyptus.
The long finish is strong and bitter-ish with notes of roasted barley, dark chocolate, burnt sugar, woodsy tones, dark fruit, black licorice, and a wisp of smoke. Perfection.
Mouthfeel 10/10
Medium-full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is surprisingly smooth with some oiliness and slickness as well as noticeable alcohol warming and a sweet finish. No astringency or harshness on the palate.
Overall 20/20
Brasserie Artisanale Albion’s 1848 Imperial Russian Stout is a world-class RIS. I find it truly faultless with enough wow-factor to make it one of the best I remember drinking.
Impeccable appearance from clarity and colour to foam attributes. The aroma is phenomenal both in complexity and balance. On the palate the beer slams you with flavour while taking you on a journey with each of the steps being unique yet united. There’s a lovely smoothness to the mouthfeel even if the bitterness builds and the heat from alcohol is noticeable. While sweet, the beer doesn’t even touch being cloying.
Every now and then I’ll come by a beer that is perfect as is – delivering flavour, balance, drinkability, and intrigue. Albion’s 1848 is all of that. Yet, I consider this a humble brew. Far from pretentious, the beer simply presents itself quietly, stripped of excess while delivering an epic drinking experience.
I don’t know if you can tell, but this poison has made an impression. Absolutely get yourself a bottle if you can find it, I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 