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

CheezyBlaster

Massachusetts

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

I was reviewing this beer, and my fracking window closed. :(

Condensed bc I'm not typing all that again:

Great beer. Amazing even!

Creamy, so chocolate and coffee forward in the nose. Dark, no, very dark roasted grains. Some slight char in the nose. Excellent. Creamy smell? Yes, makes creamy taste and mouthfeel. Nice tang -from acidity perhaps? More chewy, delicious choc-coffee, hint of booze.

Do you like FBS and/or Southern Tier Choklat? This is somewhere in between those. However, it is more articulately crafted and balanced than ST's Choklat.

I want more, and in 4 packs. Now.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 23:58:53 | More by CheezyBlaster

skotster13

California

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

Got on sale at Bobby's liquors in Santa Clara, CA in 12oz bottle.
Served in a Lucifer goblet.

A - Beautiful espresso color with a thin but beautiful copper head. As I drink it bright amber bubbles hug the walls of the glass.

S - Smells of espresso laced with a malty sweetness hidden somewhere inside.

T - Taste is also of fresh espresso. Nice bitter cacáo notes as well. Classic blend of sweet and bitter.

M - soft and round on the fore-palate leading to a bitterness on the way down that does not overpower.

O - well worth its spot in the BA top 50. Very drinkable and the 9.5% ABV is well masked and feels just right.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 20:51:58 | More by skotster13

tarheels86

California

4.05/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355mL. Pours almost opaque black with a thick, tan head that has good retention and magnificent lacing. Aromas of cocoa powder, dark unsweetened chocolate, roasted coffee, and vanilla. Taste is well balanced and not too sweet or bitter. Lots of roasted malt and coffee with a background of dry hops. Burnt sugar and roasty finish with some spicy alcohol. This is the least artificial smelling and tasting coffee stout I have tried. Very natural in every way. Alcohol is beautifully masked. Excellent! 1/22/2009 8/5/8/4/16=4.1

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 15:05:15 | More by tarheels86

BobZ

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz. bottle poured into my Duvel Tulip.

Appearance: Dark brown (almost black) with a small ¼” dark tan head that actually hangs around. Lots of sticky lacing.

Smell: Dark chocolate and/or baker’s chocolate with a hint of coffee.

Taste: Rich, dark, chocolate with a nice hint of coffee which pushes the flavor toward mocha. Much more chocolatety sweetness than roasted malt bitterness; however, there is still enough bitterness to provide balance. A delicious flavor which is unique among “coffee” stouts and instantly making itself one of my favorites. The baker’s chocolate tends to linger on the palate at the finish, not in a sticky or cloying way, but more like a pleasant aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Both smooth and well carbonated.

Overall: Very impressive stout, deep, rich, and bold flavors. A beer that deserves its reputation.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 21:08:04 | More by BobZ

vonnegut21

New York

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

A: Pours a deep black, with a finger of tan head. No light passing through this one.

S: Big dark roast coffee notes up front. Some roasted malt and chocolate follow. Some light vanilla notes are present as well, but dark roast coffee dominates.

T: The first sip is a punch of toasted malt, coffee and bitter baker's chocolate. The following sips allow the malt to fade and the coffee and chocolate to shine through. There's a bit of residual sweetness that cuts through the roasted coffee nicely.

M: Nicely carbonated, but each sip coats the palate. Not too thick, but also not too thin. A nice sipper for the ABV.

O: This is an excellent beer. Probably the best non barrel aged coffee stout I've ever had. I'd take this over FBS or any of the other standards given the choice. Pick this one up.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 23:46:15 | More by vonnegut21

eriktoyra

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

Trying a bottle stored away since December 2009. Best before 30 September 2012.

A: Pours a pitch black liquid into the glass. The one finger high head is colored light brown with some nice curtains on the glass. The head dissolves rather quickly leaving lacings on the glass.

S: The smell is dominated by a fresh grinded coffee and dark roasted malts. There are also a very pleasant smell of dry and dark chocolate. I can also find some dark fruits, vanilla, smoked ham, oatmeal and oak flavors.

T: The taste has a lot of coffee in it. Espresso. Particularly at the end. There are also a lot of dark chocolate, dark fruits, red fruits (cherries, raspberries), oak staves, vanilla and finally some bitter sweet nutty flavor. The aftertaste is bitter with a hint of sour. The alcohol is well hidden for a 9.5 % ABV beer.

M: It has a medium to full body with medium carbonation. The texture is a bit oily and it feels smooth and very well balanced to drink.

O: All in all a fantastic beer! I A must try.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 19:28:41 | More by eriktoyra

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, allowed to warm a bit before being poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

Peche Mortel pours jet black. Two fingers of mocha foam quickly fill the glass and threaten to spill out. Head retention is decent, and foam is left in a thick ring at the top of the glass, and fairly spotty below. The nose has a wonderful, potent fresh coffee aroma. It's offset by a subtle, perfectly complementary dark chocolate note. The flavor has that same great coffee presence, but it's a little bit more domineering here. There's still some chocolate, and a light earthy hop note, but the coffee is far and away the center of attention. It's to the point where the beer becomes a little bit one note. The carbonation is nice and subdued, but the body could stand to be just a little bit more rich and full. I find Peche Mortel to be consistently very good, but a step shy of outstanding in most aspects. That considered, it's definitely one of the best coffee stouts available year round.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 06:11:39 | More by axeman9182

chanokokoro

Illinois

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

11.5 oz. bottle fairly aggressively poured into a snifter

Pours a dark opaque black with a light brown two finger head. Excellent head retention and significant splotchy lacing. Strong espresso, dark fruit and roasted malt on the nose. Opens with espresso, rich roasted date, baked black cherry, and charred raisin joined by rich dark chocolate and finishes slightly bitter with strong coffee and slightly bitter earthy hops. The mouthfeel is incredible. Thick, silky, smooth and creamy with a perfect level of carbonation. This is one of the most complex beers and definitely one of the most complex imperial coffee stouts I've had. The coffee is very evident, yet doesn't overwhelm the other rich flavor aspects of this brew. Truly a masterpiece.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 04:50:59 | More by chanokokoro

BasterdInABasket

Wisconsin

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

"Mortal Sin"- 11.5 oz screw cap bottle, two notches on label at 4 and either 5 or 6, not sure what this means, poured into Duvel Tulip
A- Total blackness in color, totally opaque, no seeing through this one, Nice two fingers-thick creamy tan-colored head
S- Dark fruits (not my personal favorite), coffee, some chocolate maybe
T- Mmmm. Coffee, roasty, rich bittersweet chocolate, some dark fruit in the background
M- Huge creamy and smooth body, barely any carbonation, superb mouthfeel brings out the great flavor really well
O- The mouthfeel is fantastic, just big smooth and delicious. I know this wasn't a super fresh bottle but I'd love to get a new one to see if the coffee takes over.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 05:25:12 | More by BasterdInABasket

franklinn

Vermont

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours thick with a two finger, light mocha head that bubbles down to a thin film. Looks like I hope for an imperial stout to look

S - Roast malts, dark fruit, a touch of booze and plenty of coffee. Promising.

T - Bitter roast flavors from the malt and coffee mingle in the front, giving way to come nice caramel notes. Some fruity notes in the back, but not as strong as the nose. No alcohol bite. Very pleasant, very drinkable, VERY tasty.

M - Nice and thick, carbonation is on point. No complaints in this department

O - Great coffee stout, and a good benchmark for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 03:59:10 | More by franklinn

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

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

Finally get around to reviewing this. Thanks to Seany for this particular bottle.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, bottled 04/12.

Appearance: A thick and dark brown body is poured. A (not too) huge light brown head forms and the bottom cascades and reminds me of someone shaking out a sheet for some reason. Spidery lacing merges seamlessly with the head.

Smell: Just popping the cap unleashes the aroma. Freshly grinded coffee mixed with raw coffee beans, a type of buttery chocolate and some nuts.

Taste: First sip is all about the creamy yet robust coffee (think espresso), some nutty chocolate, roasted beans, milky and macadamia nuts.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation could be a tad lower but that's just a quibble. Starts velvety and smooth but the coffee bitterness creeps up midway and asserts itself right through the finish.

Overall: This one never disappoints. One of my all-time favorite beers (if not THE favorite).

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 01:20:37 | More by papat444

Googs

New York

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

11.5oz Bottle poured into a goblet

A: Slightly opaque black body. Barley any head, caramel color that dissipates very quickly. Decent amount of lacing sticking to the glass on this one

S: Sweet toasty malt goodness with intense coffee burst following. Bits of dark chocolate and vanilla in there. Reminds me of Kahlua, very coffee heavy.

T: Similar to it's smell. A nice balance of bittering hops and bitter-sweet coffee notes all the way down. Semi-sweet chocolate and vanilla caramel roasted malts.

M: Not as thick or syrupy as I expected. Good amount of carbonation and smooth which makes for a very drinkable imperial coffee stout. Notes of bitter coffee linger on the palate for a while and makes you look forward to that next complex sip. It's a sipper for sure.

O: A successful coffee stout from Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel. I'll be seeking out more of their brews. This has a wonderful coffee aroma and taste and I really enjoyed the mouthfeel on this beer. Really drinkable despite the ABV. I'm putting it up on my list with the Speedway Stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 21:48:07 | More by Googs

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a snifter, aged for over a year

A: Pours pitch black with a finger of dense tan foam. Great retention.

S: Roast is most dominant with a bit of bitter coffee in the background. I get a bit of toffee behind that.

T: Smooth roast and coffee paired with dark chocolate and a bit of caramel. Bitterness is quite strong in this beer - the taste lingers in your mouth well after the swallow. As the beer warms, more caramel sweetness comes out. Straight forward, but nice.

M: Medium mouthfeel for the style with creamy carbonation.

O: This beer reminds me a lot of Speedway Stout (but not quite as good). It has a nice roast and caramel flavor with a bit of dark chocolate. I really enjoyed this - my glass was empty in less than 20 minutes.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 03:44:26 | More by coreyfmcdonald

mmapes

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Got a bottle in trade. Notches indicate may 2011. Drank in September 2012.

Pours dark black. Decent lumpy tan head lingers for a long time and sticks to the sides of the glass. Smells of coffee. Almost coffee liqueur.

Tastes smoky, and of coffee. Long coffee finish. Nice thick mouthfeel coats the tongue. Almost oily - pleasantly so. Really nice balance of coffee and beer. The usual notes in a good stout as well -- chocolate, malt, molasses... Well done.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 22:02:29 | More by mmapes

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

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

Thanks to Rutager for this one.

A: 1/8" brown head that dissipated quickly over black liquid.

S: Dark roasted coffee beans, caramel, chocolate, roasted malts.

T: Bitter pine and grassy hops, roasted malts, bakers chocolate, with clean yeast and caramel in the finish.

M:Creamy medium level of viscosity and a high level of fine carbonation.

O: An excellent creamy imperial stout in many ways, more bitter and dry than sweet.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 03:30:11 | More by DaftCaskBC

Braseltonage

Missouri

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz. Bottle poured into a Maudite goblet.

Pours pitch black with a dense caramel head with reasonable lacing.
Big coffee aroma. Roasted malt, burnt sugar/toffee smells as well. Really sets the tone.
Full bodied, espresso laden flavor upfront. Coffee dominates initially, fading to a robust roasted malt complexity. Excellent creaminess, but not cloying. Finishes is that of super dark cocoa and rich coffee with cream.
Mouthfeel is perfectly balanced for a beer of this ABV. Not over carbonated, small bubbles. Rich and dense without going too far. Easier to drink than you initially think.
I've been up and down on the du Ciel beers I've had, but this is genuinely fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 03:20:54 | More by Braseltonage

barczar

Kentucky

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

Pours an opaque black color with a solid one inch milk chocolate head that is frothy and dense, lingering a while, and leaving sheets of lacing when it dissipates.

Aroma is intensely coffee dominated, with roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, and an almost caramel sweetness adding complexity. Hints of dark fruits lurk in the background.

Flavor follows suit, with intense roasted coffee carrying throughout. Chocolate, dark cherries, and rich malt flavors balance fairly well. The coffee flavor is not at all acrid, as I've become accustomed to in inferior coffee stouts. There's a slight nuttiness that emerges as it warms.

Body is fairly thick, smooth, with minimal carbonation. There's a touch of dryness at the finish.

Overall, probably the best straight coffee stout I've experienced. Put this beer in a bourbon barrel, and it would rival bourbon county stout or kbs.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 22:14:17 | More by barczar

sennin

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

A- The beer pours a very soothing hazelnut brown, which is very nice for this type of beer. Makes me feel as if I am sitting down and about to enjoy a nice cup of warm coffee. Resembles a very foamy Americano. Very effective look.

S- First whiff that I get is of the alcohol, the scent is very strong and the alcohol does overpower the other smells a good amount. Once I get past the alcohol though, I get some scents of warm chestnuts and hazelnuts. Coffee bean is the next scent, not all that subtle, but the alcohol does really overpower everything.

T- First taste is something like burnt chestnut and hazelnut, the darker grittier taste must be brought out by the coffee bean. Dark chocolate is the next taste I get and very strongly. Later, towards the very end of the tasting, I get a strong mocha coffee flavor. Alcohol is present strongly throughout the whole thing, but it works so well with everything else that it almost resembles an irish creme coffee. Highly evolving flavors. I still think that the Aphrodisiaque stout is the better beer. But this is a quality brew regardless.

M- Silky smooth and very syrupy but not in a bad way. The texture of the beer is thick, almost making it somewhat chewable. Very effective, makes you feel like you are eating a chocolate covered coffee bean.

Overall, very good brew and probably one of the best Dieu Du Ciel has on offer, but the Aphrodisiaque stout is better. Hope I can find this again after I leave Canada.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 07:43:13 | More by sennin

jaasen64

Massachusetts

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

11.5oz bottle poured into Founders snifter.

A- Pours a completely opaque dark black with about a finger of creamy slightly bubbly mocha head that leaves some spotty mocha lacing that coats the side of the glass. Head has decent retention and slowly fades to a thin layer of creamy mocha. Looks very appealing, probably the best looking coffee stout I've encountered.

S- Coffee, some roasted malts, some light hazelnuts, some light cream. Very appealing and aromatic, definitely above average aroma strength, the coffee definitely comes out as the most dominant smell but is also balanced well with the other smells.

T- Strong coffee, a little bit of hazelnuts, a little bit of cream, some roasted malts, a hint of dark fruits in the background, finishes with a slightly bitter, strong hazlenut coffee taste that lingers for awhile.

M- Very creamy, but not overly so and definitely not syrupy, medium bodied, just the right amount of carbonation for a coffee stout, drinks very easily.

O- This was a great coffee stout, definitely one of the best ones I've had- the only one that maybe beats it is BCBCS. The strong coffee taste/aroma was great, the beer was easily drinkable, and had a great feel to it. Although it was a little bit pricey, I definitely recommend seeking this one out.

I tried a '10 Peche Mortel (aged 2 years) at a tasting a week or two ago. Compared to it fresh, it lost most of it's coffee taste but definitely had a little bit more dark fruits that came out which were mostly hidden in the fresh version. I definitely liked the fresh version better, but the aged one wasn't bad. I'd recommend trying it fresh, but if you want to try something a little bit different you can definitely age it.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 22:23:12 | More by jaasen64

BugattiRoo

Australia

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

A:Pours an extremely dark black. Pours a finger head that dissipates. The lacing is pretty nice.
S:The nose is assaulted by fresh coffee followed by roasted malts, dark fruits with caramel and vanilla on the back end.
T:Starts with an intense expresso explosion followed by roasted malts and dark fruits. Finishes with some caramel and vanilla. The alcohol is well hidden.
M:The mouthfeel is thick and creamy. It goes down very easily.
O:I am glad I tried this. Was suprised to find a battle in a local bottleshop in Melbourne Australia.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 09:33:45 | More by BugattiRoo

siege06nd

Virginia

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

Thank you, IrishColonial.

A. Black, black, black, as all the stouts are. Half finger of light tan head with some good spotty lacing. Stark contrast between the beer and the head...piercing, even. Good stuff.

S. With damn near a year on it, this one still offers up waves of freshly roasted coffee, lightly singed chocolate crumbles, vanilla, caramel, and some leather.

T. Rich, decadent baking chocolate with lots of residual sugar, but then this roasted, dry whole bean coffee flavor takes hold and keeps the sweetness at bay. It all resolves into a perfect mocha balance. Excellent.

M. A little aggressively carbonated for style. Otherwise it is full bodied and luxurious, smooth and tasty. Integration and balance are very very good.

O. This gives Founders Breakfast Stout a run for its money, and I actually think I prefer the Peche Mortel. Near-perfect from start to finish, make sure you try this beer if you have the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 19:13:24 | More by siege06nd

yamar68

Minnesota

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

Poured from bottle to tulip glass, with many thanks to match1112!

Pours an ominous pitch black with a slight edge of ruby clarity. Creamy half finger of light brown head is produced by a gentle pour.

Fudge brownie, faded coffee presence, chocolate syrup, dry cocoa, various burnt malt in the background. Nice and soft, subdued on the nose.

Delicious. More of that fudge brownie right in the front. Some bitter coffee and faint hops are tied together on the finish. No discernible alcohol presence, a really satisfying drink. A perfect dessert beer I think.

Creamy and smooth. Very grateful to have had the chance to try this one!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 01:49:11 | More by yamar68

Lordquackingstic

New York

3.78/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.5 oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Oily black with half a finger of brown/white head. Lacing is pretty minimal.

S: Chocolate and molasses, slight coffee notes, sweet malts.

T: Bitter coffee and dark chocolate, slight caramel.

M: Low carbonation with a lingering chocolate finish.

O: Pretty solid coffee stout, but I'm not getting the coffee flavors I was hoping for. Was hoping for something more robust. Super easy drinking for a 9.5% beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 00:10:19 | More by Lordquackingstic

BlindProphet

New York

4.55/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had the pleasure of trying this beer at the brewery, straight from the tap, during a recent trip to Montreal. Brewery Dieu du Ciel! is without question a hallowed name there, well known to any beer drinker worth his malt. But its beer is well worth the hype, and Peche Mortel proves it.

An inch of luscious, tan foam sits thick atop this opaque brew served to me in a tulip glass. The scent of coffee and dark, roasted malts comes up at me--that sweet and smoky aroma typical of strong coffee stouts--with just a hint of vanilla and chocolate. The smell alone is enough to perk you up. Sipping this beer, the first thing that stands out to me is its texture: thick, but velvety smooth and remarkably drinkable. Its taste is blissfully complex. Without dominating, the espresso flavor comes on strong, a back-of-the-mouth bitterness balanced nicely by the chocolatey, roasted flavor of the malt, a taste that lingers conspicuously on the palate.

As both a coffee and beer lover, this beer speaks to me in ways others cannot. Dieu du Ciel! isn’t shy about featuring coffee in their brew, and for such a strong one--a whopping 9.5%--they deliver a remarkably drinkable product. Peche Mortel is not a beer for the faint of heart (mortal sin in French), but for dark beer drinkers like myself, this beer’s bold, complex flavor and silky texture set it apart from other stouts. Hot or cold, rain or shine, Peche Mortel will do you right.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 16:10:49 | More by BlindProphet

DarthKostrizer

California

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Look: Black with a 1/2 inch tan head and good retention with some spotty lace

Smell: Roasted coffee beans some chocolate and a hint of licorice

Taste: Coffee right away and it's very nice followed up by some roasted malts with a bit of ash. Some chocolate follows that and the on the after taste that great coffee flavor returns

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body mild to medium carbonation slightly dry and sticky

Overall: Just a great beer

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 06:34:10 | More by DarthKostrizer