When you've woken to your umpteenth single digit celsius morning in a row on the country's southern fringes, it's kind of reassuring to know that, even on the Sunshine Coast, brewers are feeling the chill enough to release an imperial stout. To know that, while we don't in any way all suffer winter the same, there's some pretence that we're all in it together.
Brouhaha have even gone so far to eschew their typically sunny pastel shades for labels that are rather more austere for their 2023 Imperial Stout. Crack the can and similar colours pour forth: an instant crema forms in the opening, although it turns out this isn't another espresso-dominated entry into this year's canon of imperial stouts – well, unless your preference is for mochas than go heavy on the chocolate. On the nose, this is more akin to a cacao-dusted petit four brought to your table as the evening out draws to a close.
That said, it appears Brouhaha don't want you to end your night with a nod to the wait staff and a: "Compliments to the chef!" Oh no, this might open up as an expression of high couverture cacao, but it's got fire in its belly. There's a reason the label notes begin with "bitter-sweet symphony" as it packs a punch on the palate courtesy of a bitterness that's smooth yet burrows deep. Its impact is primed to jolt you from your post-dinner stupor enough to decide that, yes, perhaps you do have a cocktail or one more glass of red at a late night bar left in you. Maybe even one where dancing is encouraged too.
James Smith
Published July 28, 2023 2023-07-28 00:00:00
