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

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap a Pizzeria Paradiso maybe nearly a month ago now.

A: Awesome Reverse cascading head to a beautiful tan ring. Nice black hue of course.

S: Amazing smell with fudge soaked espresso beans and dark charred malts wafting effortlessly from the glass. Some other brighter sweet notes and just a touch of hop resin. Excellent, doesn't get much better than that for coffee stouts.

T: Outstanding in the taste as well, big notes of fudge, high quality fresh espresso, and then more chocolate and fine coffee. Hops are slightly there but take a backseat though leave a bittering finish with the chocolate and coffee beans.

M: This is exceptional. Totally creamy and coating, just magnificent to drink.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-27-2011 02:07:32 | More by Dreadnaught33

coryking

Missouri

4.78/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sipping on this now, from a nitro tapped version of Peche...

Wow, is this a great beer. I have always loved Peche, but on nitro, it becomes dangerous. The drinkability is scary...

A: Jet black, creamy finger of head thats the color of a cinnamon roll that has retained for at least 20 minutes now.

S: Its an imperial coffee stout, so if I didnt get a bunch of coffee, chocolates, toasted caramel, roastiness, and a bunch of sweet bourbon, I would be disappointed, but Im getting everything in a really nice harmony.

T: So creamy with a big coffee bite. It really is scary how easy this monster is to drink. Its like frothed coffee with a bourbon hint. Dry roasted malt, caramel, coffee, dark chocolate and cocoa, more coffee, some creamy hint of frothed coffee and more coffee.

M/D: Way to easy and pleasing on nitro. A big medium body begging you to have another sip, so drinkable. As about as good as it gets! Great beer on nitro, a must have!!

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-15-2010 07:54:01 | More by coryking

divineaudio

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

from notes taken on vacation in montreal 5.16.2010.

served in a tulip glass. color is an opaque dark brown with a thick, creamy, light brown head that lasts till the beer is gone. leaves some nice sticky, webby lace all down the sides of the glass.

smell is coffee, milk chocolate, some hops and a little fruit.

taste is absolutely amazing; following the nose with roasted, coffee and chocolate malts. has a nice sweetness to it without being cloying. a pleasing, slightly puckery hop bitterness and a long, bittersweet finish make this very well balanced. alcohol content is extremely well hidden.

full bodied but incredibly smooth and creamy.

dangerously drinkable considering that it's almost 10%! this is fantastic beer - rich, decadent and certainly worth seeking out.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-19-2010 21:18:36 | More by divineaudio

plaid75

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a deep black hue with a one and a half finger creamy light tan head. There was very good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a pronounced coffee and roasted grain aroma.

The taste consisted of a robust roasted coffee with a growing bitterness. No alcohol detected.

The mouthfeel was smooth and creamy with some chewiness.

Overall a superior coffee stout.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-12-2008 18:24:50 | More by plaid75

egajdzis

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle 11/04... Explosive, poured opaque black color with a medium sized tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Great aroma of coffee, chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla, bourbon, and anise. More of the same in the taste, lots of coffee and light alcohol. High quality beer, I actually am excited to try this on nitro, because as others have said, the extra carbonation is the only drawback.
Nitro Draft 7/05... Creamy mouthfeel with a great balance of chocolate and roasted coffee malts. Faint alcohol in the background. Now I see what the big deal is.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-05-2005 18:12:31 | More by egajdzis

francisweizen

Australia

5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2004 Edition sampled several times at Montreals Mondial De La Biere 2004.

2002 First batch sampled several times at the Dieu Du Ciel brewpub in Montreal, PQ

Appearance: As dark as a starless night. This brew is a deeply opaque black colour with a huge tan head that lasts until the bottom of the glass.

Smell: Todd summed this one up nicely. The aroma of this brew screams Espresso. Fresh espresso beans, fresh espresso coffee, FRESH ESPRESSO! There are also some nice chocolate (milk), caramel, and roasted malt notes hidden beneath the mound of espresso beans.

Taste: This brew tastes like a dream. First the fresh espresso notes hit hard, followed by a nice dark chocolate flavor. Than the roasted malts and the subdued but caramel-like sweetness come into play in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth as silk and as creamy as a milkshake. This is the best beer that I have EVER had off of the nitro-tap. Somehow the flavors are not muted by the nitro-tap. In fact I think that this beers flavors blend wonderfully on nitro (although i've yet to have this aged in the bottle)

Drinkability: How can a 9%abv espresso assault be this easy to drink. This is easily the easiest drinking coffee beer that I have ever consumed. In fact this is one of the easiest drinking strong stouts that I have ever had as well.

Notes: This stuff is awesome! Why-oh-why can we not get this in the states. I really wish that Montreal would change it's laws so Jean-Francois Gravel can start filling growlers of this stuff to go, or better yet bottling it for export. This is really one of the best beers out there!

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-23-2004 18:40:07 | More by francisweizen

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.64/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to tom10101 for this bottle...

A: Pours a deep dark black with one full finger of dark khaki colored head. The foam fades fairly rapidly, leaving a thin clingy layer of bubbles across the top of the beer. Excellent lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is roasted malt, toasted chestnuts, milk chocolate, coffee, and a touch of sweet vanilla. Smells excellent.

T: This beer starts out sweet and creamy with milk chocolate, vanilla, and marshmallow. The coffee notes of this beer dominate in the middle, but the beer remains creamy. As it moves to the back end, I get a lot of roast and toast. It tightens up with big dark chocolate bitters, and burnt toast. It's wonderful.

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet and creamy to start, silky smooth in the middle, and gets almost bitterly dry in the finish.

O: Excellent beer. One of my favorites. I can't believe it took me this long to finally review it. I need more of this as soon as possible.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 19:04:36 | More by trxxpaxxs

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

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4.34/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Taken from notes from a recent trip to Montreal and Vermont.

On tap at Dieu Du Ciel! Pours a pitch black color with an inch of frothy khaki head. Lots of lacing. The aroma is boozey with some nice coffee, roasted malts and smoke. Hints of chocolate but the main focus is the roasted coffee. The taste is no surprise, coffee, along with some sweet chocolate, roasted malts and earth. Maybe even hints of licorice. Not a huge alcohol presence. Silky and creamy. This one is almost like a delicious coffee milkshake. Good mix of roasted coffee and earthiness. Overall, outstanding brew I'm glad I got to have on tap. I look forward to drinking the bottles I grabbed as well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2013 01:03:54 | More by PicoPapa

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

11.5 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger mocha head that reduced to a thin layer and left some lacing on the glass. It is a pitch black color with no clarity, but bubbles can be seen towards the top of the glass. Super nice lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: nice roasted coffee, chocolate, molasses, smoke, and the booze is hidden really well.

Taste: Coffee is upfront like the label says. Nice and roasty with some chocolate, sweetness, and warm booze in there.

Mouthfeel: Silky smooth, full bodied, low to medium carbonation, very drinkable, and nice warming booze.

Overall: A nice find when I was up in Portland, ME. I have always wanted to try this beer out and happy to finally have had a bottle. Now I need to get more.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 04:03:00 | More by Flounder57

FloppyDog

North Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours black as night. No light shines through the edges of this viscous brew. Head does not stick around very long, but it could be due to the glass I am pouring it into.

Aroma is dominated by espresso and hints of chocolate.

Taste is again espresso in its fullest, with bittersweet chocolate intermingled.

Mouthfeel is viscous and smooth.

Overall, a world class coffee imperial stout. Very fortunate to try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 22:29:55 | More by FloppyDog

dar482

New York

4.7/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Pours in a pitch black color with a khaki hint of a head. Almost non existant one.

The aroma has coffee, bitter chocolate, a malted and roasted sweetness, possibly a hint of vanilla.

The flavor upfront is great. There starts off with this creamy, yet bitter espresso and chocolate. Then there’s a hint of alcohol at the end of the mouth and top of the throat. The finish has a huge amount of hop and roasted espresso bitterness for a Russian Imperial. This is not a sweet beer nor does the malt linger and stick. There also is this smokiness that I pick up because I’ve recently had KBS. The dark tobacco character lingers around with both flavor and aroma.

The mouthfeel is not as velvety and thick and round as some other Russian Imperials, but that’s fine. It is quite drinkable because of the clean tongue finish.

Be sure to let this warm up from refrigerator temperature. It opens up to be creamier. The flavors roll around the mouth. The bitter espresso just melds into this smokey finish. It is just wonderful.

This is unmatched in complexity for a non-barrel aged beer and even beats some barrel aged beers. Ten Fidy and this are different, so I can’t decide which is better, but this is Top 2 for Russian Imperials.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 04:42:53 | More by dar482

craft_shannie

Indiana

4.23/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

pours black, four finger frothy coffee head with nice lacing. nose is a bit restrained: espresso, burnt sugar, w. a bit of booze. taste is big and refined: espresso, robust malts. extremely smooth, rounded with just the right amount of sweet creaminess.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 02:05:59 | More by craft_shannie

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

11.5 oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- Pours very black with a half finger of an off white head.

S- A massive roasted malt. A slight bit of a dark chocolate with an underlying coffee note.

T- A big roastyness at first. A bit of a BBQ smokiness made it into this beer. A dominant coffee flavor in this beer. A very dry aftertaste. A big roasty malt takes up most of the beer but seems to branch off to cocoa and dark chocolate. This beer is much smokier then I imagined but it works quite well.

M- Thick and very dry. This syrupy stout is a flavorful sipper and to be appreciated.

O- A solid stout to say the least. A wee bit pricey (7$) but definitely worth trying once. I would love to try the bourbon barrel version.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 23:53:35 | More by TwelveOunces

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

4.36/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: black as night, even under the light; milk chocolate head fades after a minute or two to a film

Aroma: lot's of black licorice ju jubes, some coffee and chocolate round out the roast; on the sweet side; a bit of dried herb

Taste & Mouthfeel: beautiful flavour and texture, great medium roast coffee with a light and airy body - like you're just drinking the crema - but not watery; has an acidic and fairly well hopped finish with good length, carrying the coffee and anise flavour with it for perfect balance, kind of like it's burning the flavour into your palate - it's a great way to cap it off; bitter dark cocoa powder gains more of a presence as you get through the beer

Overall: amazingly luxurious mouthfeel, and a robust flavour that grows more complex with every sip; pair it with some berries for dessert

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 02:51:05 | More by BGDrock

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.44/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer gave an angry hiss as the cap was pried off and the contents poured into a Lost Abbey Teku was extremely dark brown, but not quite black. There were 2 fingers of khaki brown head that slowly dissipated down to some nice Belgian lacing. The nose is pretty dreamy, but not as intense as I anticipated. Rich, deep espresso notes with just a hint of sweetness behind it.

Full body and a deep, coffee-infused flavor. Lots and lots of coffee assaults your palate, but the beer is not overly bitter. The feel is creamy enough to enhance the flavor, but not so thick it compromises the drinkability. Besides the coffee, there is a slight oaky flavor in the back of the palate. The finish is well-sustained and, obviously, full of coffee. The taste of freshly roasted espresso beans and a hint of baker's chocolate just lingers on and on.

I had heard a lot about this beer and was really excited to finally get a chance to try it. The best part is that I have two more bottles of it to look forward to. If you don't like coffee or coffee stouts, avoid this beer like crazy. If you like coffee-focused beers, seek this one out. It can be a bit pricey, but worth trying once (or three times).

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 02:13:08 | More by deadonhisfeet

Beersquad

Ontario (Canada)

4.9/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've enjoyed this beer many times in the past in a bottle. It's a great imperial stout, I'd rate 4.25 out 5. On tap however, it's a 5 out of 5. Completely different pour and taste. In a bottle, the head is dark and has big bubbles, disappears quickly. On tap, I had it in a tulip glass and the head was over 3/4 glass until it finally settled to about 1\2. And it was not the same head at all, it was thick and creamy. I was wondering if the bar tender gave me the wrong beer but if you google it online, and look at images, you can tell the difference.

On tap, the taste in far better as well. In a bottle, this is a complex and well done imperial stout, one of my favourites. On tap it blew me away. It got better as I got to the bottom and it warmed up a little bit more.

Buy this beer in a bottle for sure but go out of your way to try this on tap. You will not regret it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 02:01:57 | More by Beersquad

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.81/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

2011 vintage poured into GI goblet

Pour: Hard pour created about a finger of creamy brown looking head. The beer itself is as dark as a big stout and does not allow any light through. Lacing is minimal at best but there is a bit of spotting.

Smell: Even though this bottle has some age on it the coffee is still huge in this but in a genuinely good way. A wonderful aroma of roast, coffee, some vanilla, chocolate and a touch of wood. The coffee aroma is spot on in that it is not over powering yet you know you are getting into a big coffee stout.

Taste: Similar to the nose and again the coffee balance is absolutely perfect with the dark chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla and wood notes. This is one well balanced coffee stout as there is an initial sweetness at the front of the tongue that is quickly pushed aside by the coffee bitterness. The bitterness that follows to the finish is perfect. Not too bitter but yet just right.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied beer with just an unbelievable creamy texture and softness even though it is quite bitter. Carbonation is low.

Overall: A gem of a beer. This is one well crafted gem in all aspects, especially if you enjoy coffee stouts. This one is hard to beat in the non barrel aged category. Delicious!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 01:37:18 | More by sleuthdog

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

341ml bottle served in a tulip glass.

A: First of all, the most beautiful bottle art ever. Dieu du Ciel trademark. The beer pours a deep black Imperial Stout color forming a one to two fingers brown moka-style head. Thin bubbled and creamy. Retention is low but many spotty molasses lacings are left in the glass as it goes...

S: Strong roasted malts on the nose, followed by notes of coffee and dark chocolate. A bit milky with some notes of wood too

T: Follow the nose. Strong notes of roasted malts. Notes of coffee and dark chocolate. The upfront is slightly sweet becoming deliciously bitter quite quickly. Absolutely delicious roasted bitterness in the end. Again, a bit lactic and woody

M: Creamy, heavy molasses body. Low carbonation. Roasted bitterness aftertaste

O: Delicious Imperial Stout. I was expecting more coffee but, in the end an excellent experience anyway

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 18:01:15 | More by eduardolinhalis

wethorseblanket

California

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A; Pours black with a thin (1/4") mocha head with fades to leave clumpy lace.

N: Coffee and roast with some vanilla and wood, earth and dark fruit.

T: Coffee dominates with an intensity of espresso, roast, dark chocolate/cocoa.

M: Full body and semi-moderate carbonation. Thick and creamy. Roasty finish.

O: Rich and expansive with a mild sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 03:44:52 | More by wethorseblanket

unclejazz

New York

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Finally got around to reviewing this cellar staple.
12oz. bottle poured into small snifter. Fall 2012 vintage

A-jet black with a solid 1 finger mocha head with solid legs and lacing.

S-a bunch of roast coffee and dark malts. A hint of soy that is to be expected from RIS.

T-rich notes of Italian roast coffee and deep earthy notes. Very little hoppiness or sweetness.

M-rich with a great level of carbonation lending itself to a creaminess that evens out the bitterness of the coffee

O-this beer tend to cost between $5-6 and is worth it for the decadence. On the same level at FBS and wake n bake.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 22:56:22 | More by unclejazz

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.23/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle to hfs sniffer

A: it is very dark brown the color of black coffee. It is completely opaque and no light passes through. There is a small mocha colored head that fades quickly and leaves an avg size lacing around the top of the glass.

S:you can definitely smell the coffee a this almost smells like a fresh vup with lots of roasted coffee aroma. There are also some hop aromas and smells that make this smell like a beer As well so there is some balance. Good but not great I expected more perhaps I got a lesser bottle.

T: it's got a straight coffee flavor upfront it has a ceaminess/chocolatiness to it too. The roasted nature of the coffee adds to the dark malts that come out with some sweetness after the upfront coffee flavor. The finish definitely has the coffee bitterness in the finish but it is not overpowering there is good balance

M: it a has a very smooth and creamy texture too it like a coffee milkshake almost because it is also very thick and heavy. All that beig said it is not overwhelming and very drinkable as the abv is completely hidden

O:this is a really high quality beer the taste could have more coffee to it but is balanced. The aroma needs more power but the feel is supburb. I was not blown away by this beer as I kinda expected but it is really good so I highly recommend it

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 00:13:39 | More by Pinknuggets

arfenhouse

California

4.31/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Black with light brown head. Decent retention.

S: Getting a big note of baker's chocolate. A good amount of roasted coffee. Decent amount of vanilla. A bit of licorice.

T: Starts off with a sweet mocha which is cut short by a bitter charred malt.Roasted coffee beans and some prune. Bitter grain and bitter chocolate finish.

M: Medium-full body and carbonation. Fine carbonation. Finishes wet.

O: Overall a solid and enjoyable beer. Was hoping for a stronger coffee aspect. Just about right for the price.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 07:14:06 | More by arfenhouse

CommanderOfAwesome

California

4.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

About a month old bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a rich deep dark brown with a coffee khaki colored 2 finger.

S: Let this one warm up. Initially I was getting a weird off aroma that smelled of burnt plastic. After a couple of minutes this one opened up. Huge coffee aroma, right up there with speedway. Intense coffee aroma with hints of chocolate and toffee.

T: Loaded with coffee, following the nose. The coffee is provided on a creamy smooth wave. Hints of dark chocolate follow, but this is mostly about coffee.

M: Smooth full bodied and creamy. Slight coffee bitterness finish with a decent amount of carbonation. Hides the 9% VERY well.

O: Perfect example of how diverse beer can be. This is a coffee stout and an incredible one at that. Highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 15:55:29 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

weonfire

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A - Black/very dark brown. completely opaque. finger of mocha head. dissipates but leaves a nice ring around rim.

S - Mocha, chocolate, toffee, and coffee

T - initial: dark chocolate, carmel, mocha, and certainly coffee. finish: roasted coffee, touch of booze, bitterness (5/10)

M - Creamy, frothy, very nice carbonation, dense, full body, touch of velvet

O - Really nice. Coffee flavor is excellent, blended really well, mouth is outstanding, do wish it was a bit sweeter- say with carmel/vanilla/bourbon. Nose also could be better. Overall, excellent.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 00:47:00 | More by weonfire