Jurassian Imperial Stout (Cuvée Alex Le Rouge) - BFM Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes

mrmiles

California

2.65/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Saw this in the store today and am intrigued. Label says it's a Jurassian Imperial Stout with Black Pepper, Bourbon Vanilla and Tea. Batch 2009. Poured into my St. Bernardus Goblet.

A: Pour is a dark amber brown. Not at all what I would have expected in an imperial stout. No real head. Some foam at the edges.

S: Alcohol hits hard during the pour along with some strong vanilla. A swirl and sniff reveals more of the same. The strong odor of alcohol combined with the vanilla really make this smell like a glass of bourbon. A hint of malt is about the only thing that sets this apart as a beer. Some sour/funk notes present as well.

T: While the alcohol is not nearly as overpowering in the taste as it is in the smell, this beer would still definitely benefit from some aging. Just too hot. It does not taste much like a stout. It reminds me more of a brown ale with a very high abv. The tea adds some uniqueness providing some funk and the black pepper is very faint.

M: Definitely has that pepper tickle at the back of the throat, something I'm not the biggest fan of, but expected in any beer with peppers. Very watery for a stout. Not the usual heavyness. Almost uncarbonated.

D: Still way too hot. Even once mellowed I doubt I'd drink more than one. Way too much going on with it. Not very well integrated.

Overall, I like what they tried here. I really feel like it's more of a brown ale than an Imp Stout, but that's just splitting hairs. I will definitely pick up another and see how it ages as it has a lot of potential to mellow quite nicely. I actually like the use of tea. Not such a big fan of the pepper.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 05:38:45 | More by mrmiles

cyrushire

Florida

2.25/5  rDev -37.3%

05-15-2013 04:55:41 | More by cyrushire

magictacosinus

California

4.08/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured as part of the "We Want the Funk" flight at Trappist Provisions from a 22oz bottle into a 6oz wine glass. Consumed "05/08/13." Review is from my notes.

Pours a blackened, nearly opaque color with a greyish head that immediately gives this the appearance of cold mocha brew. There's a surprising amount of bubbles that glide to the top and that remind me that this is indeed a beer, in spite of the viscous, nearly fortified wine looking appearance. Alcohol legs are huge on this one. In a way, almost looks like a puréed plum drink, if it were not for the alcohol and carbonation. Just like other beers from BFM, looks great.

The aroma is chock filled with many flavors that gives this an odd yet surprisingly fascinating profile overall. There's an immediate tinge of plums and raisins that is followed by a soured, woody, vinous profile, and then immediately melds into roasted cocoa, vanilla, light floral notes, tea, and dried leaves. The soured flavor lingers on, and with the wood resembles tobacco or a slightly leathery flavor. Very earthy overall, yet filled with a combo of ripe and faded tannins from the malts, wood, and delicate yet highly mineral-like hop profile. Very refreshing, not too explosive, and integrated to the point of holding interest in the long run.

The flavor is immediately soured plums combined with an earthy, slightly smoky flavor imparted from the wood. Then, these flavors become slightly more tarty and meld with leather, cherries, Port wine-like fortified flavors, and a crisp yet juicy dark malty bready finish. Alcohol is well hidden, but the sweetness is undeniably there. The soured juiciness of the fruits, as well as the light chocolate, black tea, and leafy flavors are all very well integrated, and allow each other space in the long run. Carbonation is good, as indicated from the very beginning. The finish is very long lasting, and while tarty, it does not induce salivation by any means. Not a chore to drink at all - very complex but well assembled.

BFM really shows here how a barrel aged soured stout should be made. Dark fruit forward, slightly roasted, tart and crisp, filled with tannins that slowly open up in a long aftertaste, and ultimately, balance that makes this drinkable for pretty much any occasion. I think this beer deserves more love than it's been getting here. This is not a style that is common by any means, but it's one that I'm starting to enjoy more as they turn out this way.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 21:12:23 | More by magictacosinus

ADTaber

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.4%

05-13-2013 23:17:20 | More by ADTaber

andant

New York

4.75/5  rDev +32.3%

05-06-2013 18:15:38 | More by andant

GiantCogs

Massachusetts

3.06/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Weird beer. The bottle says it's a 2009 batch. This means the beer could possibly be four years old at this point. I don't have much experience with aging beers so I can't really comment how this really effects the beer. It mostly makes me second guess everything.

Overall I liked it. Smell is pretty sour (vinegar-ish). And the sourness comes over in taste as well, but it's clearly not a intended to be marketed like a sour. I attribute it to the tea adjuncts. Malts are strong in the after taste. The alcohol is noticeable but tasteful.

Carbonation is off. It poured odd, like water. Mouthfeel is where it's lacking. Too sticky.

Not going to buy this again, but I liked trying it. I'm a sucker for pop-top bottles.

I like to compare beer to metal bands. If this beer was a heavy metal band it would be Furze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aMz5F3qJec

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 01:18:29 | More by GiantCogs

ngeunit1

California

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown-black with a thin finger of frothy off-white head. Fades quickly.

S - Chocolate and dark caramel malts, cherries and other dark fruits, coffee, vanilla, black pepper, tea, black licorice, and some booze.

T - Chocolate and dark caramel malts, cherries and other dark fruits, coffee, vanilla, tea, a bit of sourness, black licorice, molasses, and some booze.

M - Medium-minus bodied, mild carbonation. Smooth with a sweet, warming finish.

D - Interesting Imperial Stout. Flavors well balanced, but body and carbonation off.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 05:01:34 | More by ngeunit1

JDavidRice

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

02-08-2013 15:43:30 | More by JDavidRice

sweemzander

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz pop top bottle poured into a snifter.

(A)- Pours a near pitch black color. Some good tan bubbles formed.

(S)- A very sharp whiff of a vinegar-like tobacco that quickly flows into some rich raisin, vanilla, and cocoa combo. Even hints at a black tea component which I quite like. A subtle smokiness at the end. Ever so slightly odd, but complex and inviting.

(T)- A unique beer here. Bits of bitter black tea, raisin, molasses, leather, and a subtle tart; almost acidic kick at the end. Very similar to the smell really.

(M)- A mellow carbonation level. A really different balance to it that is definitely not the norm for the style with its subtle sharp twang and almost earthy qualities, but at the same time its not necessarily as sweet as expected either. Very unique.

(O)- Definitely kind of an odd ball of a beer for the style, but somehow it just works for me as slightly weird as it is. Its not sour in the sense of the word, but there are hints behind some of its dry, earthy qualities. Had lots of enjoyment out of this nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 15:16:22 | More by sweemzander

circus_cat

Virginia

2.5/5  rDev -30.4%

10-25-2012 21:17:10 | More by circus_cat

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 11.2 oz bottle poured into a Duvel Tulip style glass. During the pour, the liquid comes out root beer brown (minus the carbonation). Once everything settles it looks dark brown, almost black, when it's sitting at the bottom of the glass. Small tan colored cap that dissipates quite a bit, but leaves a ring around the glass for the whole session.

Very interesting in the nose on this one. Big but not huge malt backbone here. Classic stout tones, more chocolate than coffee. Hints of vanilla and what seems like bourbon, but I don't think this was barrel aged, so maybe it's just the vanilla. Call me crazy but I think I can smell the tea it says its brewed with. Earthy pepper tone and some slight tartness, like a dry red wine.

Taste is a slight step above the smell. Plenty of roasted malt and more sweet than bitter chocolate. Some alcohol.bourbon notes, vanilla and leads into a black tea flavor. There are also some tones of some dark fruits as well. Dark and complex, not the Belgian yeast flavors I was expecting, which was nice.

Mouthfeel is good, lighter than I anticipated. Good carbonation level, well balanced and pretty smooth. The age held up very nicely. Good beer, glad I finally cracked it open. Thanks John for the recommendation.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 03:51:11 | More by AndyAvalanche

brystmar

New York

2.5/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Notched date is Jan 2014.

Huge POP from the swingtop cap as bubbles spew forth from this gusher. Dark brown body, TONS of off-white head.

Smells like an Oude Bruin, wtf? Intense, soured brown ale yeast. Weird, not good.

Taste is along the same lines: mild sourness, minimally roasted, spices galore. So strange, not particularly good. I'd never guess this was a stout base, and I wouldn't buy this myself.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 01:27:50 | More by brystmar

ediaz

Florida

4/5  rDev +11.4%

07-19-2012 02:27:59 | More by ediaz

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a one finger off-white head that vanishes leaving no lace. Deep mahogany almost black color, ton of yeast left in bottle. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Oak & molasses nose and flavor is smokey oak and burnt molasses, tart finish. Not the usual imp stout. Higher ABV is hidden. $7.99 for a flip top 330ml bottle from Beverage Warehouse Winooski, VT.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 22:33:07 | More by jdhilt

bpfrush

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

06-12-2012 19:49:41 | More by bpfrush

Hanzo

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

05-25-2012 12:22:10 | More by Hanzo

pixieskid

France

4.43/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is an excellent beer that while it certainly has some qualities of an imperial stout, is entirely it's own thing.

What I really appreciate about it is the fact that you can clearly taste the adjuncts (tea, peppers) melded together with a clean sourness.

A very strange beer but well balanced and the drink ability is unreal. The 10 ish abv is not apparent at all. The bottle I had was from a recent bactch...

You can't and won't appreciate this if you go into it exclusively looking for the rich dark chocolate, roasty, coffee notes that you find in the typical Impy Stout category; but there in there in addition to the unique sourness.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 11:14:32 | More by pixieskid

jbsteiny

Hawaii

4.15/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Just to be clear, I am not reviewing this as an Imperial Stout because, regardless of what it says on the label, this is a strong dark sour ale, which I think is really cool.

Dark brown and not particularly opaque, decent carbonation at first, but no real head and it was spent relatively quickly, especially as this is meant to be savored.

Smell threw me for a loop - tart cider, musty blackberry. Very interested. Sips are indeed complex: noticeably of the pear that i was surprised to find on the label later - now i want to make a dark sour with pears in the secondary! Thin molasses flavor, the tea comes in and out, not sure if that's a light grassy hop or the vanilla.

Dry, remarkably drinkable for 10+. Interesting and different beer worth trying. But definitely not an imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 01:00:09 | More by jbsteiny

PuFtonLyfe

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +32.3%

04-12-2012 06:20:59 | More by PuFtonLyfe

ohtheguilt

Georgia

4/5  rDev +11.4%

03-02-2012 00:11:17 | More by ohtheguilt

chrispoint

Connecticut

1/5  rDev -72.1%

02-18-2012 08:39:57 | More by chrispoint

illidurit

California

4.22/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a bright mahogany color but settles much darker, with a modest tan head. Aroma has quite a lot of raisins, with some tart red fruit and a load of dark grains. The vanilla also comes through, albeit mildly, almost like a Sees candy when coupled with the more chocolatey notes. Flavor recalls export stout more than imperial stout, with a dark bready malt profile and only a secondary roastiness. The pepper is obvious both up front and in the finish, but it remains a light accent. Surprisingly tart and fruity mid-palate with grapes, raisins and even a little citrus. The tea comes through not in flavor but in mouthfeel; it adds a vanishing dryness bordering on astringency. The vanilla is again mild --if you take a quick gulp you might get a bit of round sweetness but if you’re swishing it around looking for nuances, the other flavors overpower it. Medium body, appropriate for the flavor, with little-to-no alcohol present. Bottom line: This imperial stout is rather atypical, which makes it endearing and challenging to a palate that’s accustomed to coffee/chocolate bombs. The label calls it "Extremely Complex" and I agree. Definitely give this one a shot.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 08:53:04 | More by illidurit

vfgccp

New York

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A – Dark, semi-black body with cola highlights. Fine-bubbled head is thick and creamy with nice retention and good lace.

S – Cranberry, white grape, and a huge note of granny smith apples. Slightly sour twang. Brown sugar and booze as it warms.

T – The opening is bright and acidic, but strangely salty. The center minerally and malty with a mellow fruitiness of tart pear, plum and cranberry. A tart, peppery, lingering finish is dry and loaded with tannin.

M – Over carbonated for the style. Medium body.

O – An interesting brew, but the sourness just didn't work well in this particular flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 02:55:48 | More by vfgccp

deapokid

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.4%

12-04-2011 03:46:34 | More by deapokid

srandycarter

California

2.78/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Pours mocha brown, still can see through it, not much head. Not much lace.

S - Faint bitter cocoa, some sweet malt. Not much in general.

T - Thin, a bit astringent. Medicinal at end. Not going very well so far.

M - Light body, low carb, not very good balance.

D - At 10 bucks for a 12 oz beer, this on kinda is on the sucky side.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 06:27:38 | More by srandycarter