Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – KEREL Stout by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery

Foreign Extra Stout | Year-Round | Belgium

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 17

KEREL Stout by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery is a Belgian Stout and is being evaluated as a Foreign Extra Stout (category 16D in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Foreign Extra Stouts are moderately strong stouts with the typical black, opaque appearance and dark roasted malt profile as with the other members of the stout family.
KEREL Stout pours black in color, is opaque, and sports a small off-white head. The aroma is moderate roasted and chocolate malt. The flavor is similarly roasted malt-focused with notes of chocolate and smoke. The finish is moderately bitter with prominent roasted malt complemented by lighter chocolate, smoke and molasses notes that linger long into a dry finish.
KEREL Stout is an excellent stout showcasing a wealth of dark malt flavors including roast, chocolate, smoke and molasses. Typical to Belgian beers, this stout is fairly dry but the bitterness is restrained as to keep the finish from being harsh. I always enjoy a Belgian take on the stout style and this example does not disappoint.