During the darker, colder months of the year, Fox Hat release a whole family of stouts; in 2022, that family has grown by one. Joining their Phat Mongrel oatmeal stout, Full Mongrel RIS and the 2022 version of the bourbon barrel-aged Bearded Mongrel comes is another spirit-soaked monster. The Rusty Mongrel takes the same Full Mongrel base stout, then left to sit in Beenleigh rum barrels for ten months. These four stouts are a welcome sight, released from hibernation to give beer lovers big, boozy flavours and just a little winter warmth.
Bearded Mongrel 2022 once again spent time in Bearded Lady bourbon barrels, and sitting at 10.8 percent ABV it's a thick, syrupy beast that showcases the bourbon barrel in perfect harmony with the base stout. A complex integration of dark chocolate, bourbon, oak, vanilla, and coffee sees this imperial stout get better every year – opulent in the way it showcases both the base beer and the bourbon to their fullest potential.
As for the Rusty Mongrel, it too tips the scales above 10 percent ABV. The rum takes a backseat initially, with a decent roasted grain aroma dominating and keeping the rum and vanilla as supporting characters. The roast drops away, especially when the stout warms, which allows the rum to ramp up, leaving you with a creamy, silky, full mouthfeel that delivers a coffee-style bitterness late on the palate.
Matt King
Published July 4, 2022 2022-07-04 00:00:00
