Vleteren Imperial Stout 330ml

Description supplied by The International Beer Collector.

Now before everyone gets too excited, this isn’t the famous beer from the Monks of Westvleteren.  This beer is brewed by one of Belgium’s most criminally unrecognised breweries from the nearby town of Woesten-Vleteren.  

Deca Services is responsible for making many of Belgium’s beers, but the brewery rarely released any of its own beer.  Though that thought might have to start changing as the Vleteren beers are gaining a popularity and are becoming a little easier to source in recent times.

An odd style for a Belgian brewery, this imperial stout pours thick and dark with a tan foam that dissipates pretty quickly.  It has a big aroma, and my first thought was rum!

This beer isn’t barrel aged, nor is it infused with rum (so I’m off the mark), but it does use bastard sugar (made in The Netherlands from sugar beets, it contains invert sugars).  There is also lots of chocolate, caramel, dark dried fruits and some licorice.  And it smells boozy.

There is all of the above in the flavour as well.  There is a sweetness, without being too rich.  And a fullness without being too thick.  The sharper flavours of dark chocolate and roasted malts are there, along with lots of dried dark stone fruit flavours and a hint of tartness at the back.  The finish is balanced, dry and slightly spicy with a hint of coffee at the end.