Brewery: | Excel Brewing Company |
Location | Breese, IL |
Style | Imperial Stout |
ABV | 12.0% |
IBUs | 35 |
Best Quote During Tasting
Daisy Fuentes actually used to host that. I used to pause it when I was a young teen. *wink*
Justin:
Aroma - It truly smells of spiced liquor. It's a bit boozy but I'm also getting some nice hints of dark chocolate, roasted malts and a little vanilla. |
Score: 10/12 |
Appearance - The beer pours deep, deep brown and has a thin, tan head made up of small bubbles. |
Score: 3/3 |
Flavor - A massive rush of dark fruits hit the tongue (raisins and plums), followed by dark chocolate, booziness and some intense malty sweetness. |
Score: 18/20 |
Mouthfeel - Medium+ carbonation, medium body and finishes semi-dry. Creamy but not overly thick. |
Score: 4/5 |
Overall Impression - This is one of those beers that you know nothing about but take a chance on because of ingredients, style, and brewery reputation. The balance of good beers to bad coming out of Excel is balanced heavily toward the good side. A 12% barrel aged stout from a brewery with a good reputation is something I'm going to take a $14 chance on all day long. Looks like it worked out in my favor. |
Score: 9/10 |
Blake:
Aroma - Lots of chocolate, some roasted malts, and vanilla. Plenty of booze in the aroma, but not overwhelming for a 12% barrel-aged beer. |
Score: 10/12 |
Appearance - If you are going to name your beer Black Death, it better pour dark, and this one does. A mocha head sits on top. It's a great looking imperial stout. |
Score: 3/3 |
Flavor - Chocolate and booze are predominant characteristics here. There is a nice spiced character from the rum that adds vanilla and black licorice. There is a pleasant roastiness that come through on the backend. |
Score: 18/20 |
Mouthfeel - Medium, verging on full-bodied. Medium carbonation, and a creamy, sweet, boozy finish. |
Score: 4/5 |
Overall Impression - I've had this beer half a dozen times now, and I absolutely love it. It's a beer you want to sip on and enjoy seeing how the flavors open up as the beer slightly warms up. At 12% it's a bottle you'll likely want to share with a friend, but I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to keep it all to yourself. |
Score: 9/10 |

Justin Phelps
Co-Founder at Saint Brewis
Justin Phelps is a Certified Cicerone® who was born and raised in St. Louis. His passion for beer goes beyond just drinking it as he is also an award-winning home brewer. While he may be a marketing professional by day, he's a blogger, brewery hopper, and beer enthusiast by night.

Latest posts by Justin Phelps (see all)
- It’s Manny’s Turn - June 11, 2018
- Cans are for Shuckers at Schafly’s Stout and Oyster Festival - March 15, 2018
- First Draught – Six Mile Bridge: The Marauder - March 13, 2018
Leave a Reply