Black Albert and all the Hype
I‘m sure you’ve heard all the hullabaloo about the De Struisse Black Albert Belgian Imperial Stout from the well-promoted, helftiliy priced beer scene of late. After a trip to the Green Dragon Pub and Bistro, where the brew was sold for an unfathomable $10 per 6oz’er (Granted the beer wholesaled for about $450 per 30L keg…) in about an hour. We figured we’d try our luck and patience at the mighty (and less bustling) Belmont Station, where a 25 cL glass for $8.50 seemed more fitting (you do the conversions and math). Belmont, kicking off an incredible Imperial Stout Week with each night experiencing the tapping of two limited edition Imp Stouts, saw this inaugural occasion provide the De Struisse wonder as well as a vertical of the unflinching Alaskan Smoked Porter.
De Struisse Black Albert: Hot damn! Limited to two 25 cL glasses per person due to supreme rarity, this 13% ABV beast poured a black oily body with a frothy gray-beige head and possessed a ruddy chocolaty, bold boozy nose. A crisp, warming, mellow fruity undertone with a heavy, malty, sweet, chewy , bitter spine that couldn’t help but linger. Totally worth the hype and almost worth the price tag was this gregariously hopped, green, chewy, divine brew.
Belmont Station’s beer menu was rocking at full force on the Chinese New Year (yes January 26 is such the date). Also available and enjoyed was the Fantome de Noel. “Dark malts, melange of spices and wild yeast sour notes” is a dead-on description of this wondrous beer. A glowing yet murky chestnut-amber body with a clasping whitish swirling head unveiled tart candied, fruited, yeast-driven nostril-coddling lovability. Somewhat reminiscent of Warheads candies (yet not quite as puckering), the Noel finished with a soft orange rind and faint lemon zest. A gentle underlying breadiness made this an undeniably inviting brew.
2007 Alaskan Smoked Porter: An abysmal dark black body with a rich and thick beige -tan head. Fat lace and a woody, smoked nose that made this robust beauty an excellent pairing for smoked salmon or sharp cheddar. Yes!
With too much goodness to go around at Belmont Station, we had to pack up and leave with a Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA for the road. Just more reasons to love Belmont Station!
About The Author
Angelo
Angelo grew up in Maine and is proud to call New England his original home. Cascadia is now his home. He fell in love with great beer in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. He has been a correspondent for the Portland Tribune's Guest on Tap column, LivePDX.com, and has been featured in publications such as Beer Northwest and PDX Magazine. Angelo also has a great interest in independent music, and has been a booker and organizer for shows around the Portland under the name Pop Tomorrow! Angelo garnered much knowledge regarding beer from his experiences homebrewing, working at Belmont Station, Pyramid Brewing, Upright Brewing, By the Bottle, Beer Revolution, Olde Depot Public House, Falling Sky Brewing, Cascade Brewing, and from many many knowledgeable, passionate, and loving people along the way. It is Angelo's mission to bring "infotainment" and "edumation" to the readers of this website. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to contribute, please contact me at angelo@brewpublic.com
Hey Angelo: You’ve had de Dolle’s Stout, right? Was the Black Albert similar to that one?
Bill: I remember the De Dolle Imp Stout being a lot more rich and less hoppy. However, my memory is not always the most accurate. I think I did enjoy the De Dolle more, but both were quite good.
Hey Angelo
Good to see you’re reaping the benefits of the Station. Don’t forget that we are tapping a keg of this years Abyss from Deschutes. Mmmm… Beer