Review: Perennial Abraxas

Perennial Abraxas (2013)
10.0% ABV
Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, MO
25.4 oz btl

Served in Dogfish Head signature glass
Date on bottle: Bottled 11/2013

Reviewed on 12/6/13 

This imperial stout pours a thick dark color with a somewhat reddish tint.  Toasty brown head with decent retention. Nice lacing.

Smell consists of malt, dark chocolate, coffee, cocoa powder, slight hops, chili-pepper-like spice, brown sugar, touch of cinnamon.

Taste has malt, dark chocolate, muted chili pepper spice, earthiness, touch of honey, slight hops, cinnamon, some coffee.

Mouthfeel is quite thick and creamy on the palate with good noticeable texture.  Good rounded bitterness.

Overall, this is a great tasting, complex imperial stout with a varied and distinct profile of flavors.  Dark chocolate, chili pepper, and cinnamon flavors are abundant, with good accents of coffee, honey, and hops in the mix. On the palate, it has a thickness and creaminess quite unlike other stouts.  It's fairly expensive but given its distinctness and taste (and limited availability), it's worth the cost to have as a special treat.

My score: 98