Saint Brewis

A St. Louis Craft Beer Blog

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Excel Brewing Company – Black Breath

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

 

Black Breath Final Score
  • Aroma
  • Appearance
  • Flavor
  • Mouthfeel
  • Overall
4.4
User Rating: 0.0 (2 votes)
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Justin Phelps

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.

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