7 Deadly Stouts by Monday Night Brewing is a flavored, barrel-aged Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a harmonious blend between the barrel characters (typically vanilla and toasted oak) and the barrel spirits. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beers should have a harmonious balance between the spices, herbs or vegetables and the base beer style. Imperial Stouts are noted for strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors, black color with opaque clarity, as well as a full body and smooth mouthfeel. 7 Deadly Stouts was aged in multiple casks and was brewed with vanilla beans, toasted coconut bark, toasted hazelnuts, coffee, milk chocolate wafers and cinnamon bark. 7 Deadly Stouts measures in at 13.7% ABV.

7 Deadly Stouts pours opaque black in color with a small brown head. The aroma is of strong dark and milk chocolate, roasted and coffee malts and a wealth of barrel flavors such as spirits, toasted oak and vanilla; a hint of cinnamon adds balance and complexity. The flavor is of strong chocolate and roasted malts (and actual chocolate), which are complemented by moderate toasted oak, spirits and vanilla with a light sweetness. A hint of cinnamon balances the light sweetness and rich malt flavors with a light spiciness. The mouthfeel is moderately full in body with a moderate warmth (but never hot) and a smoothness balanced by a slightly sharp spicy cinnamon element. The beer finishes lightly bittered with a rich, complex balance of dark malts and chocolates along with barrel notes and added vanilla and cinnamon.

This is an exceptionally rich and complex flavored barrel-aged imperial stout. The added spices are perfect – the vanilla complements, while the cinnamon contrasts. The vanilla blends well with the toasted oak flavors from the barrels. The cinnamon provides a light contrast to the semi-sweet flavor and dark malts without ever becoming too spicy, hot or astringent. Unfortunately, the toasted hazelnuts are lost behind the dark malt (but we won’t hold that against this exceptional beer). Definitely seek this one out and do NOT be afraid of the long ingredient list as this stout is definitely well made. Cheers!