“Who said innovation can’t take you back to the basics? A wise Bruer once said, “spice is life,” and this imperial stout certainly takes that to heart. Brewed with pumpkin, dulce de leche, coffee, milk sugar, and vanilla, this seasonably fashionable imperial stout was inspired by the familiarly decadent flavors of a pumpkin spiced latte.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: As black as the ace of spades with a short dark brown head which quickly fades. It struggles to produce much lace as it ebbs.

Aroma: There’s certainly a big impression of mixed spice i.e clove, nutmeg, aniseed, star anise and cinnamon but they’re finely balanced by strong and nutty coffee, creamy vanilla and milk sugars, treacle and red peppers. It’s funny we were expecting to get a big hit of pumpkin but it’s surprisingly timid.. we can pick up a very faint earthy/vegetal quality but it’s very subdued. Alas, it’s still a lovely aroma.

Flavour: Holy testicle Tuesday this is packing some serious punch. The slightly dominant spice on the nose has fallen into line and the pumpkin has been given a boost. Then there’s everything else…coffee, vanilla, licorice, treacle, toffee, lactose/milk sugars, molasses, leather, charred malts and gentle smoky notes. Oopht!

Mouthfeel: Dense, oily and slick. Really coats the whole palate. Full bodied, low Co2. 11.2% ABV is fairly well behaved for its size.

Overall: Jeez it’s good to have them back! We keep harping on about how average Churriosity was (seriously it was) so it really is good to have them back to their brilliant best. Keep em comin lads!