Péché Mortel (Imperial Stout Au Cafe) - Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel

Todd

Massachusetts

4.97/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Consumed at Le Mondial de la bière 2004 de Montrèal (several times).

A mysterious opaque black brew, topped with a coffee colored head which keeps throughout the experience. Aroma can be summed up in one word: espresso. And I'm not just talking about hints of espresso. I'm talking the intensity, roastiness and richness found in ground espresso bean aromas. Hints of chocolate and warm toffee are muted beneath the thick blanket of espresso.

Taste? Absolutely loaded with more intense espresso flavors, and a smoothed in creaminess likened to sweetened milk coffee that lightens / fluffs up the beer's thickness. Roasty / bitter edge. Hints of burnt raisin and dark chocolate. Touch of smoke. Espresso flavors linger for quite some time, requiring a palate cleanser, which I couldn't bring myself to do. I wanted its bliss to linger forever, so I got another sample of it.

The beer's 9% ABV is well-hidden, in a very dark and evil way, the beer's name, which translates to "Mortal sin." And although Dieu du Ciel tags this as an "Imperial Stout" it should really be tagged as an "Espresso Assault," as this is very much a "coffee infused" beer. Man, this beer nailed the essence of espresso and crammed it into a beer. It's amazing that up until this beer, I've yet to taste a beer that has accomplished this at such level of complexity and intensity.

And not only is this the best coffee infused beer that I've ever had, but this is my pick for the best beer at Le Mondial de la bière 2004 de Montrèal. Although I sampled many great beers over the five days, no other beer even came close to standing out as this beer did.

Jean-François Gravel and Dieu du Ciel should be proud of this magnificent creation and example of how infinitely diverse beer can beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2004 15:37:32 | More by Todd

haknort

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-19-2013 03:33:56 | More by haknort

robwestcott

Indiana

4/5  rDev -9.5%

05-18-2013 02:45:17 | More by robwestcott

carlosega

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-16-2013 20:12:51 | More by carlosega

deekyn

California

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%

05-16-2013 04:02:53 | More by deekyn

phooky

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-16-2013 00:02:35 | More by phooky

SDStoneEnthusiast

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-15-2013 03:58:18 | More by SDStoneEnthusiast

Gunson

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%

05-14-2013 19:04:47 | More by Gunson

FrancisT

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-14-2013 02:46:49 | More by FrancisT

juliendesrochers

Quebec (Canada)

5/5  rDev +13.1%

05-13-2013 17:10:17 | More by juliendesrochers

hatfulofhollow

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.5%

05-13-2013 16:04:41 | More by hatfulofhollow

rgilbert

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-13-2013 01:29:27 | More by rgilbert

akukucka

New York

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%

05-12-2013 18:31:36 | More by akukucka

Hopbully

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-12-2013 16:34:08 | More by Hopbully

Dirt

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%

05-12-2013 00:43:19 | More by Dirt

Cris4545

Indiana

5/5  rDev +13.1%

05-12-2013 00:23:38 | More by Cris4545

deNerval

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-11-2013 19:33:00 | More by deNerval

buzzy

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-11-2013 17:43:07 | More by buzzy

Caudalie

Quebec (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -26.5%

05-10-2013 16:55:10 | More by Caudalie

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%

05-10-2013 15:28:00 | More by twenty5

BRoss242

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%

05-10-2013 09:41:32 | More by BRoss242

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.66/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into tulip.

Inky, oily, black pour. Half finger creamy tan head. Lacing is excellent.

Obviously coffee right up front, with some chocolate and vanilla with a touch of brown sugar and licorice. Some molasses with burnt toast and some figs.

Massive amounts of coffee, bittersweet chocolate with a touch of smoke and vanilla. Molasses with some licorice.

Creamy medium body, low carbonation, Slightly syrupy. Sticky on the lips.

This beer is truly part of the top echelon of beers for a reason. I've had this many times and it never ceases to amaze.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 22:57:16 | More by korguy123

Boilerfood

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%

05-07-2013 22:19:50 | More by Boilerfood

ahermsen

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -9.5%

05-07-2013 13:56:14 | More by ahermsen

deadliest

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%

05-07-2013 01:11:32 | More by deadliest