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

fbc24

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

First review:

On the hand pump served in a tulip at Teresa's

A: deeeep black, with a pinky finger's worth of dark tan head

S: not getting as much coffee as the taste would suggest

T: overwhelmingly bitter coffee with little else

M: mmm...velvety

O: lack of sweetness to balance the coffee killed this for me. Would love to try it on nitro

Serving type: cask

02-02-2013 17:38:30 | More by fbc24

endovelico

Portugal

4.08/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Now this was a different IRS... From the first pour, I felt this luscious milky brew was going to bring something different to the table. The nose was disappointing to me at first, showing little horse power and not being completely agreeable to me even if it did showcase a fare good amount of complexity with grainy, woody, smoky, gamy notes at the front and chocolate and coffee setting the backdrop.

At the tongue this beer manifested boldness, with a velvety smooth texture coating my mouth and a taste profile that felt like what I can only describe as a mix of tobacco, wood and cocoa.

The masters at Dieu Du Ciel definitely achieved something of distinction and quality with this beer proving that this style doesn't have to be an hegemony of bitter coffee/cocoa alcoholic bombs. It's a beer I'm happy i came across but it's just not completely to my taste, unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 22:07:44 | More by endovelico

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.29/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at birch.

A - Pitch black, but small head.

S - Amazing aroma, including roasted coffee.

T - Sham f***ing wow. Bitter coffee and chocolate. Lots of sweet cherries. Gotta bite to it. Very yummy.

M - Perfect mouth for the abv.

O - Freaking good and very substantial. A superb beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 03:33:42 | More by Beer-A-Lot

patre_tim

China

4.74/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark opaque brown with a slight reddish tinge when held to the light. Reddish brown beige foam, not quite a head.

S: Coffee, alcohol, licorice, smoke, a sweet fruity background, floral- almost red licorice.

T: Smooth, sweet but not overly, hides alcohol well, slight licorice in the back, little toasted bitter aftertaste. Toasted malt, some burnt toast. Not a lot of coffee in my opinion. Very drinkable and very balanced. No wonder its so highly acclaimed.

M: Thick, medium low to low carbonation.

O: This is really a great example of this style. Drinkable, balanced, hides the alcohol, not cloyningly sweet as some imperial stouts. Would go well with creamy cheeses, cheese cake, etc.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 22:33:35 | More by patre_tim

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.5oz bottle from Halftime.com. I can't decipher the notched bottling info (4 and 2?). Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Pours black with a bare quarter finger of pale tan head. Small streaks of lace.

Aromas of expresso mocha latte, caramel and a little cocoa.

Taste is, as expected, a coffee bomb. Strong doses of bitter medium roast coffee with charred malt, dark cocoa, burnt caramel, molasses and a little vanilla. The booze pops up in the finish but is hidden well behind a wall of coffee.

Medium full creamy body with moderate carbonation. Bitter coffee plants it's self on the tongue for a long lating aftertaste.

One of the best available imperial coffee stouts. Great balance of coffee flavors. Too bad this one isn't sold in GA or I'd get this on a regular basis while waiting for Wake n Bake's winter release.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 06:35:31 | More by ThickNStout

abenf

3.89/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Black as night, no head, at least by the time it was brought to me (the bar was packed).

S - Like somebody else said, muted aroma. Nonexistent once you taste it.

T - The best part. Coffee and chocolate. I mean, there's not much else to say. Not that it isn't complex--it is--but everything else is just accenting the two.

M - Silky smooth with light carbonation.

O - I'm glad to have tried it but also glad my friend was the one paying the $9 for it. Not really my favorite or something I'd seek out again but I definitely enjoyed this one!

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2013 06:32:05 | More by abenf

ksimons

New York

4.55/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A-pours almost black with just a thin layer of tan head that quickly disappears and just leaves a bit of lace around the top

S-roasted malt, black coffee, molasses, dark chocolate, and a little bit of smoke

T-getting lots of big roasted malt and dark coffee, light dark chocolate and molasses. Tastes exactly like a coffee stout should.

M-full body, very smooth, dry roasted, good carbonation, excellent mouthfeel

Overall this is a really great imperial stout. Tons of coffee flavors coming out, really roasty

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 00:50:50 | More by ksimons

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.56/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2007 vintage

Bought this from one of my local bottle shop's vintage offering. Older than I would have liked, will update at some point with a fresh review. Given its a coffee stout, I'd prefer it to be fresh. That being said:

A: Pours a black/brown thick coffee color. A bit of tan head forms on top, slight lacing left on the sides

S - Muted, as to be expected from the age. Roasty malt whiffs, a good amount of chocolate, some coffee still hanging around.

T - smooth chocolate vanilla and coffee, in that order. Really nice blend of flavors. Ultra tasty, the age may have taken out some of the coffee, but the blending of the flavors is excellent.

M - top notch. Medium thickness, low carbonation.

O - really tasty. Would be worth getting a vertical going.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 21:15:23 | More by Beerandboards

ThinkAgain

Ontario (Canada)

4.95/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Was super excited to find this at my local LCBO!!! been looking for it for a while

A - pretty much black with a finger or so of mocha head

S - A ton of roast and coffee, chocolate.

T - Coffee, chocolate, roast, some bitterness, hint of alcohol.

M - Medium to heavy body, a good amount of carbonation. Smooth.

O - An amazing coffee imperial stout! one of my favorite of the style and overall!

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 03:16:30 | More by ThinkAgain

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-deep black color with a dark tan head and good lacing

S-espresso, chocolate, roasted malt, hints of molasses

T-rich espresso, dark chocolate, molasses, pine, roasted malt, slightly bitter finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, very smooth and creamy, rich

O-the coffee flavor in this stout is superb. It has great flavor and balance. A truly enjoyable sipping beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 20:17:36 | More by MDDMD

Amalak

New York

4.68/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had at Muggs Alehouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
A. It has a black color with a reddish hue, no head and no lacing.
S. very strong alcohol and black cherry scent.
T. It has a very strong alcohol malt taste. There a nice mild hop bitterness to it. It has a dark fruit flavor underneath.
M. Smooth and full bodied.
O. So smooth and complex with a long finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 04:54:46 | More by Amalak

Daktyls

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a 12oz bottle into a SA Perfect Pint glass. Poured a dark black color with a light hint of brown around the edges with a one finger mocha colored head that recedes into the beer leaving a thick lacing around the outside of the glass.

S: Definitely a lot of complexity going on here, the dominant aroma being that of espresso beans and some light vanilla notes. A hint of alcohol is present in the aroma as well.

T: The taste is again dominated by the coffee taste, followed by some creaminess and light malt notes. Not a whole lot else going on here, courtesy of the coffee.

M: Very light and almost silky smooth, different for a heavy stout but goes well with the flavors.

O: Overall, this is one dang tasty beer. Mostly dominated by the aroma and tastes of coffee with little else. Very tasty, I would get this again (fortunately I've got another in the fridge).

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 20:23:03 | More by Daktyls

vfgccp

New York

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Great looking stout. Creamy cap of milk chocolate colored head. Great retention and lace. Trace halo of brown highlights around the rim.

S - Dark roast coffee. Touch of toffee, cream, and vanilla.

T - Rich dark roast coffee, cream, dark chocolate, burnt caramel, Nutella, and just a kiss of booze.

M - Unbelievably smooth. Creamy, medium frame.

O - Great flavor with incredible integration and balance. Definitely worth the hype. Be sure to grab one if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 19:45:44 | More by vfgccp

magictacosinus

California

4.85/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Fun story: I've bought this beer a total of 4 times in my life (and luckily it IS getting easier to find), yet every time I get it I never seem to have the chance to review it! Partially because it's yummy, and also partially because I've had it at disadvantageous times for proper reviewing. Suffice to say, my fourth bottle was found today half consumed and left aerating in my fridge! Yikes! There is some element of sin attached with this after all. The first bottle I ever bought mysteriously disappeared from my dorm room fridge - and my roommate had no idea what happened with it! Ok, enough banter! Onto the beer - poured into a chalice from a 12oz bottle.

Pours an extremely dark, brownish tinged color. No light will pass through this thing. The thickened, roasted texture gives me the impression that coffee grounds are floating throughout this thing. Looks charred and hearty overall, in ways that no other coffee stout I know of ever looks. Carbonation rises to the glass in ridiculous ways at first, combined with a 1 finger sized brownish chocolate head, but it dies down into a ring that still adds an element of elegance to the beer, and giving it the impression of being a genuine cross between a stout and a coffee beverage.

The aroma is rather intense, but in one of the best ways possible. There's an initial alcoholic scent, but it's quickly replaced by an utterly mindblowing combo of fresh espresso beans coated with hop zest, chocolate malts, vanilla beans, herbs, and other spices that are too faint to be individually hand picked. Those coffee beans really linger on the nostrils in the best way possible, and everything smells really fresh and splendid overall, especially the roasted malt aromas combined with the slight hoppiness.

The flavor is where everything really hits home, however. There's no way anyone can make a coffee stout quite like Dieu du Ciel does. The malts and near floral hops hit the palate at first, only to be replaced with tons of espresso beans and a roasted dark chocolate finish. The coffee flavors appear to explode on the tongue, often remaining and not even daring to leave anytime after each sip. Imagine having a premier imperial stout, filled with dark, rich malts, flavorful hops, and strong alcoholic properties. Then, imagine chewing on flavorful, fruity espresso beans. Then... Imagine getting those two factors and making a beer out of them. That is THIS beer! Everything goes down smoothly and easily, in a bold, clear finish. There is no astringency to speak of, no alcoholic burn, and especially no bitter notes other than the espresso texture that remains on the tongue rather than at the throat.

This is pure perfection here in terms of coffee-infused beers. Never had anything like this to date, and while not my to-go style of imperial stouts (I prefer chocolate over coffee), this is still one of the best beers I've ever had, and definitely complex and ambitious as well. Incredible stuff - don't ever pass by the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 08:03:37 | More by magictacosinus

HATS4BATS

Ontario (Canada)

4.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Rich, deep and balanced. Opaque body with swirling beige marbled carbonation, surrendering a richly smooth sugared nose that evolves dark chocolate into into freshly roasted coffee that clings with the palate and imagination long after consumption with power and size.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 02:43:56 | More by HATS4BATS

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had this bottle for about two years now. After having two disappointing beers in a row; I decided to switch to a known quantity. If I went three in a row, then I would have to crack open the KBS.

I poured this beer into a tulip style glass with a snifter style base. I figured that would be great to hold in the aroma of this stout.

One sniff and I knew I was right about this beer. It smells great. You get a ton of rich coffee smell. I love the way that this espresso smells.

This is a great sipper. I love the richness from this beer. It coats the mouth with the great flavor.

I know that this beer is a little more expensive (in my store sold by the bottle at around $5). I recommend this beer thoroughly. This is an amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 18:47:24 | More by ummswimmin

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a Victory tulip. Bottled in March 2010

A- pours as black as night with a one finger brown head that quickly fades, leaving a nice trail of lacing along the glass and some nice wisps of the head on top of the beer

S- tons of dark fruits smash me in the aroma, with a solid backbone of coffee coming through too

T- the coffee taste is very different from most coffee style beers I've had. It tastes freshly ground (despite being a nearly three year old bottle) and is loaded with bitterness. The finish gives me some sweet chocolate that lingers as it goes down. Beautifully balanced, no heat at all

M- medium bodied, on the thicker side. I get almost a silky texture from the beer though, something I really enjoy

O- this is really good. The pricetag can be a bit of a turnoff, but it's an exceptional beer

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 23:42:12 | More by bigfnjoe

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours deep brown, almost black. How do you give appearance a 5? Alcohol tears and spots of lace draining down from each sip. The slightest ring of tan foam for head, but it leaves a ring each time.

Coffee, charred malt, burnt bitter chocolate, earth, alcohol in the nose. Smells rich.

Big coffee and charred malt up front. Bitterness, some acid, and a hint of sweetness. Alcohol kicks in, and brings the coffee. Astringent alcohol helps the palate along. Some cassis, vanilla, and charred wood. Boozy bite of bitterness in the finish. Wow.

Full bodied, acidic, and tingly carbonation.

One of the last from this brewer to be tried by me (that I can find). Why did I wait? Amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:36:43 | More by OtherShoe2

fredmugs

Indiana

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

This is an amazing beer that I never would have heard of if not for Beer Advocate. The aroma is amazing and what sets this apart from many other coffee stouts is the mouthfeell and drinkability. Very smooth without the thin aftertaste I find in a lot of other non BA stouts. Definitely in my Top 3 - 5 range for stouts behind FBS and Expedition.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 00:43:12 | More by fredmugs

spikefoot

4.88/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is near perfect. The two things that stand out the most for me is the flavour and mouthfeel. The mouthfeel it is very silky and smooth and has the perfect amount of thickness to it. The flavour is fantastic, it is the perfect balance of bitter and sweet. It really excites my taste buds and is far from a burden to finish the entire bottle. As a matter of fact I tally up the remaining stock in the fridge as I drink it. A nice flavourful beer and easily in my top three. For 9.5% this beer is remarkably balanced. If you like dark beers this one is a clear winner.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:05:04 | More by spikefoot

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 11.5oz bottle label notched on the 4 and then the one... Not exactly sure what this means date wise, seeing as both columns of numbers only go to 9

A: dark black with a dark brown ring around the top when held to the light... Finger and a half of creamy coffe colored head... Nice retention and some decent lacing.

S: I get some roasty malt notes along with a light hint of smoke, but it smells like this brew is old enough that alotnofnthe coffe infusion has fallen off... I also get a lot of chocolaty notes from the aroma, along with Almost an earthy woodyness with some light hints of dark fruit.

T: up front I get chocolate and a hint of smoke and roast followed by chocolate covered espresso beans on the finish... This is very tasty... Very well rounded... Alcohol is also lightly prevelant in the flavor.... As delicious as this is now, it makes me
Want to try a fresh bottle, just so I can compare the contrast in
Flavors... But this is damn delicious.

M: creamy lush mouthfeel, with lower creamy carbonation, the mouthfeel in this brew is excellent, velvety and delicious... Really makes the flavors in this brew stand out.

O: this is a delicious stout, and deffinatly a sipper, great chocolate and coffe notes, great full bodied creamy mouthfeel, everything I look for in a stout.... Now unjust need to seek out a fresh bottle, to really see the vast character if this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 04:06:42 | More by PeterIngemi

crnipeter

Slovenia

4.03/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Mortal Sin has been sitting around for nearly three years. The label image shows the Garden of Eden serpent who tempts Eve to eat the fruit and just like Eve I succumb to the offer: Peche Mortel cascades dark reddish-brown to give birth to opaque dark brown body capped by a finger thick deep tan bubbly head.

Roasted grain/malt renders dark chocolate and strong espresso enhanced by actual coffee added, while malt sweetness creates heavy cream impression. There are some esters that take on dark cherries. Fortunately aging hasn't taken away much of the coffee aroma and the alcohol - although noticeable - remains restrained enough.

Dark chocolate and strong coffee transfer to the flavor that gets softened by milky/creamy
notes given by malt while background provides minor dark fruit tartness. Finish is rather dry
with endless roastiness.

Body is almost full, perhaps a bit thinned by aging, with mild carbonation.

In short, an espresso type coffee dominated Imperial Stout. Being seduced by the serpent was a nice experience I cannot regret (330 ml, Bottled on 07-2009, into tulip).

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 23:29:57 | More by crnipeter

FondueVoodoo

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A: Black brow opaque with just a quarter inch of light breaking the surface to reveal the chestnut undertones. The lush mocha head held for jsut a short while, but left little islands of delicate lacing across the top.

S: I want to wake up every morning and smell this with my breakfast. The deep rich espresso and dark chocolate mingle - and are better off for the combination. We note some hints of alcohol brandy esters and deeply toasted malts suggesting a molasses. The espresso scent isn't that of brewed espresso, but of the fresh roasted beans, dipped in dark chocolate - heaven!

T: Like an espresso, a strong presence on the tongue, acrid, drying and rich suggest tannins and coco. Sweetness is present - but only just enough to hold the bitter at bay. Some alcohol notes reminiscent of brandy, the alcohol vapours linger, encouraging another sip. Some earthly notes in the flavour, maybe a hint of oak, or peat, but it's rounding out the flavour and smoothing the bright tannins

M: Coating every inch of the palate, and only a minor hint of carbonation upfront. At first sip I find this a like thin, but over time it manages to build on itself to an oily feel. The aftertaste is bold and leaves the mouth with brandy-esque vapours.

O: Peche Mortel is a perfect night cap, warming and rich, uncompromising in it's smell & flavour. The brandy notes suggest a luxury and excellence few brews can match. Well worth a long search to find Peche Mortel.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 06:10:44 | More by FondueVoodoo

kevanb

Illinois

4/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.

The beer pours a very dark brown color, borderline black, light can get through an brighten up the brown color, a thin head appears, half a finger at most, no lacing or any real retention. The aroma is of roasted coffee, toasted malt and bitter dark chocolate, not very explosive or very complex, but the elements are well integrated. The flavors are a bit more enjoyable, but also not very impactful, roasted coffee and dark chocolate lead the way, subtle toasted grains and a touch of dark fruit and a bit of an unpleasant acidity, but again, the flavors are a bit muddled and the balance isn't there, the coffee is the most dominant flavor but kind of gets lost behind the chocolate and dark malt. The body is nice, a bit thin and overly carbonated, but nice and smooth with a good richness.

Verdict: A good solid stout that highlights the coffee element, certainly enjoyable throughout the drinking experience. I think it's lacking a bit of depth and complexity relative to other stouts on the market, but this is still a fine beer and one I would happily drink again and again.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 02:41:23 | More by kevanb

gtermi

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: This beer pours a very nice dark black body with a thin dark tan head that quickly fades. There is also no lacing left on the glass either.

S: Damn this beer smells fantastic. It actually really reminds me of Founders Breakfast Stout. There is a nice amount of coffee, dark and roasted malt and a strong amount of sweetness. I am also picking up a TINY bit of alcohol.

T: Man this beer tastes absolutely amazing. Tons of sweet malt with a tiny bit of roasted coffee and malt. As the beer lingers it really turns into a sweet chocolate.

M: The body of this is very full and has a good amount of carbonation on the back of the throat and all across the tongue.

O: This is one of the best beers I have ever had. There isnt a single part of this beer that isnt amazing and cant wait to grab a few more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 04:21:21 | More by gtermi