Beer Hop Breakfast - Mikkeller ApS

RussBecker1

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Poured a deep inky black, almost opaque with very very faint touches of brown. the head is absolutely massive. Close to 4 fingers of burnt caramel that possesses a good deal of thickness. The amount of head inherently produces some nice lacing as well, but not an overwhelming amount.

S-Much fainter than I would have expected given the body of the brew. It is interestingly complex however with a balanced blend of hop bitterness and smooth oatmeal and coffee. Maybe a hint of caramel as well, but only in occasional hits.

M-Precisely how a breakfast stout should taste. It has enough viscosity to coat the palate and enhance many of the flavors, but it is much smoother and lighter bodied than a regular stout which lends itself to the breakfast concept. It is under carbonated however which did not sit perfectly with me.

T- A subtle breakfast stout in comparison to say a founders. The coffee is an undertone and a slight one at that which does differentiate this from other breakfast stouts, but honestly the flavor palate does not lend itself to breakfast. The hops are the main component and they are delicious, but their is not enough oatmeal or cutting sweetness to complicate the palate. Very enjoyable though, just potentially not as advertised.

O-My introduction to mikkeller and I will certainly be trying the remaining brews I can get my hands on.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 15:06:48 | More by RussBecker1

Krakpoff

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-13-2013 15:00:33 | More by Krakpoff

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-12-2013 17:16:08 | More by mikeburd1128

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-12-2013 17:06:10 | More by Whiskeydeez

Howlader

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +16.1%

05-09-2013 22:07:59 | More by Howlader

KillaB

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-07-2013 00:42:51 | More by KillaB

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.09/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Visually really really appealing, pitch black body flowing huge tan head frothing above the sides of my chalice, fine even lacing as it slowly fades. Aroma has dark chocolate bitterness and hint of pine and citrus tone hops in the background with a somewhat creamed coffee in the middle. Bitterness unwavering bitterness green hops assault the palate with a pelletized hop concentration black malts (mainly black patent bring out the charcoal and roasted malt bitterness) so there's a bit of a tag team combo hitting me hard right now. I really couldn't tell you they used oatmeal, but dark bitter coffee, dark malts, and hops are screaming hello!!! Mouthfeel never gets past any one of the waves of bitterness it coats all dimensions of the palate, medium bodied even solid carbonation no issues there just the lacquer known has beer hop breakfast is left behind coating the entire palate with a lingering unbalanced bitterness. Overall I wish the gypsy brewer had a stroke of finesse in his paint brush, maybe due to the country where the brewing scene is breaking out like a punk rock movement do most of these guys feel the need to brew this way. Believe me I like extreme beer I just like well balanced big beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 22:58:12 | More by WVbeergeek

Googs

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-30-2013 07:15:20 | More by Googs

AdamP

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10%

04-25-2013 15:19:04 | More by AdamP

SDG1070

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-25-2013 14:19:31 | More by SDG1070

larryi86

Delaware

4.09/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

16.9 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- Black with a two finger tan head.

S- Roasted coffee, piney hops, roasted malts, some dark chocolate, citrus hops.

T- Hoppy, piney, touch of burnt hops, some citrus, roasted coffee, touch of smoke, dark chocolate.

M- Smooth, medium body, dry.

O- I enjoy Beer Geek Breakfast more, but this is still a solid beer. Hoppiness makes it almost taste like a black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:30:44 | More by larryi86

PatGreer

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +16.1%

04-14-2013 21:56:53 | More by PatGreer

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-14-2013 01:44:39 | More by CaptDavyJones

joshbrink

Alabama

4.75/5  rDev +16.1%

04-12-2013 17:59:43 | More by joshbrink

Kendo

New York

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: First, a note on the bottle. I cracked it open and there was sediment on the neck and the lip of the bottle. It's been in my fridge, standing upright, for at least 2 weeks. I wonder how it was stored before then - and how old this bottle might be. . . . Anyway, on to the review. . . .

Poured into a Sam Smith's nonic-style pint glass. Body is black with a 1+ finger light-brown head that leaves behind some Yoo-Hoo colored lacing.

S: I get coffee right away, but it subsides and is replaced by an earthy, tobacco scent and plenty of citrus. Reminds me of an American Black Ale that was brewed with coffee more than a stout.

T: First impression: wow, this is surprisingly hoppy and bitter. Roasty malt underneath, along with plenty of roasted coffee beans and some charcoal. Finishes with citrusy bitterness and roasted grain husks. Reminds me of a cross between a hoppy Imperial Porter (e.g., the roast and char) and an American Black Ale (the citrusy hops). Again, I don't get the overall sense that this is all that stout-like. . . . ABV is noted on the end of the sip, with heat felt on the way down into the belly. Lingering bitterness - grapefruit and burnt grains - on the aftertaste.

M: Medium in heft, maybe a touch heavier. Carbonation is modest, provides a bit of sharp prickliness at the back end of the sip.

O: This is good stuff, just not really what I was expecting given the Stout style description. I suppose the word "Hop" in the name should've been a give away, but still. . . think of this as an American Black Ale and you'll be pleased.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 01:10:11 | More by Kendo

mecmd

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-08-2013 04:25:50 | More by mecmd

Poupae

Thailand

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

03-31-2013 13:56:34 | More by Poupae

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

03-30-2013 21:49:11 | More by t0rin0

stumac

Texas

2.46/5  rDev -39.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Please don't tell me that Mikkeller is pumping out outrageous gross beer and up charging like Saint Arnold does with the Divines. Any hoot, sippin this brew while reading the end of Stephen King's The Mist as my roomies are loud as shit downstairs. No biggy.
Pours up amazing foamy dark tan head. Great lacing. The head made it thru the whole journey. Aroma is very hoppy, some malts creeping thru. Nice aroma. Now the taste. It's too much. You've got big bold malts battling heavy hops. I don't ever eat chocolate with ketchup. It's too crazy in this bottle! It's not bad but it's not good. Full bodied. Heavy crispy carbo. Meh. Just an experiment I suppose

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 04:09:11 | More by stumac

analienacorn

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +10%

03-20-2013 14:15:42 | More by analienacorn

TheFightingMongooses

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

16.9 oz bottle features a dark label with minimal graphics and no freshness info. Poured into a tulip.

Appearance - Nearly pitch black except for the smallest, deep amber highlight at the very bottom of the glass. Caramel colored head forms a thin ring and some froth at the surface, leaving some spotty lacing behind.

Smell - At first the aroma seems pretty straight forward, then it warms revealing different layers. Initially I get a big roasted character from the coffee and the roasted malt which contributes moderate sweetness. There is an herbal tinge, and it is apparent that this brew is hopped up more than your typical coffee/oatmeal stout. As it warms I get wafts of bitter baker's chocolate. The finish is a little briny, making me think of dark chocolate covered pretzels. When the liquid level is low in the glass, solvent alcohol presents itself when I inhale deeply.

Taste - The taste follows the aroma very closely. Hop bitterness and roasted coffee linger on the palate, drying the mouth and leaving it screaming for another sip. There is definitely a briny character to the aftertaste which I'm actually enjoying.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, a little oily and smooth. Good for a stout.

Overall - A nice imperial stout with an extra dimension from the hops. It's not uber complex but there are some nice layers here that make it interesting. I won't go out of my way to search this out but I will pick it up again if I see it for a decent price.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:59:12 | More by TheFightingMongooses

Ciocanelu

Romania

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

03-17-2013 21:07:05 | More by Ciocanelu

SomethingClever

Ohio

3/5  rDev -26.7%

03-17-2013 16:57:36 | More by SomethingClever

Liquoric3

Germany

4.5/5  rDev +10%

03-13-2013 12:51:26 | More by Liquoric3

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-black with a sticky brown head

S-smells like oatmeal, more so than any other beer I've had. A bit milky and grainy as well. Smells good.

T-comes in with a great roasted flavor of oatmeal. It's simple, but clean and crisp. Nice after-taste of roasted grains.

M-medium carbonation. Very smooth though a bit watery.

O-definitely an awesome stout. Has a high quality flavor to it, something you expect from a high profile stout.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 16:28:58 | More by AdamBear