Howe Sound Brewing Co. – Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout

Howe Sound Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout Review

Rating

3.8 out of 5
Aroma
4.2 out of 5
Appearance
3.6 out of 5
Taste
4 out of 5
Palate

Total

3.9
3.9 out of 5

Overview

  • Brewery: Howe Sound Brewing Co.
  • Beer Style: Imperial Stout
  • Pros:

    Big, bold and slightly abusive stout

  • Cons:

    The flavour punch may leave you with a black eye.

  • Conclusion:

    Not for the faint of flavour. This is a huge beer with a ton of licorice content.

Howe Sound Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout Review

Howe Sound Brewing Co. – Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout Review

Howe Sound isn’t your typical micro-brewery and the Megadestroyer is not your typical beer. Presented by the Alibi Room and Ken Diamond the Megadestroyer is a beer that takes a different approach to flavour. When you pour this beer it looks fairly typical for an imperial stout. Pitch black in colour and topped with three fingers of  coffee brown head this is where the typicality ends. The smell is reminiscent of an Irish Car Bomb but with Sambuca. The imperial stout depth and richness is apparent in the aroma but overpowering that is the strong scent of black licorice. When tasting this potent brew it starts off like a reasonably traditional Imperial stout with flavours of toasted malts, light chocolate and caramel. Soon there-after the licorice notes build and take over the flavour of the beer. The mid section through to the finish is all licorice with an alcohol flavour that creeps into the mix. In the denouement, along side the licorice and warming alcohol comes a slight hop bitterness as well.

The best way to describe this beer is quite inappropriate but it is none-the-less true. This beer is like an abusive spouse. When you taste the Megadestroyer it is like a firm bludgeon to the head. As the intense licorice flavour hits your mouth you step back stunned with the surprise and startle of what just happened. As you continue to drink the beer will slowly beat you down emotionally and physically until you barely resemble your former self. When all is said and done though, you will return to the Megadestroyer with fond memories and the thought that things will be different in the future.

Despite the harshness of the Megadesroyer and its slightly abusive tendencies it is very unique and actually quite delicious. If you are a fan of big stouts and licorice this is a beer to try. Do not attempt to drink the full 1000ml bottle to yourself though as that is a bit much for anyone. Share the bottle with some friends and you are in for a treat with the Howe Sound Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout.

Alcohol – 10%
IBU – 75
Size – 1000ml
Price – $10.50 per bottle (Craft Beer Retailer)
howesound.com

Howe Sound Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout Review
Howe Sound Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout Review

About Author

Dustan Sept

Dustan Sept is the founder of Beer Me BC. His passion for craft beer drove the creation of beermebc.com in 2012. To learn more about the beermebc.com editorial team visit beermebc.com/the-beer-me-bc-team/.

Comments

  1. mikescraftbeer
    mikescraftbeer 25 February, 2014, 20:59

    Blog line of the century “This beer is like an abusive spouse. When you taste the Megadestroyer it is like a firm bludgeon to the head. As the intense licorice flavour hits your mouth you step back stunned with the surprise and startle of what just happened.”

    This is probably my all time favorite stout. It is probably more like S&M than abuse though. It may hurt but you love every second of it! But I digress. I can finish a 1L of this in one sitting no problem! Crack the bottle and I am game.

    Reply this comment
  2. mikescraftbeer
    mikescraftbeer 25 February, 2014, 21:00

    Oh ya. The more licorice the better!

    Reply this comment
  3. Beer Me BC
    Beer Me BC 25 February, 2014, 21:07

    Glad you liked that one Mike. I do like this beer but it hurt the senses a bit at the same time. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

    Reply this comment

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