De Molen Tsarina Esra Imperial Porter

Brewed by Brouwerij de Molen
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Bodegraven, Netherlands

Small bottle, thanks to John for the bottle! - Large bottle at LCRBM 2008, ’s Hertogenbosch, Netherlands -- Same rating.
Black body. Deep brown, very small head. Like the cream on an espresso that floats around on top of it and wonders what it’s doing there. Aroma of molasses, coffee, roasted malts, pear, port, alcohol, fruit ... Very complex and well balanded but not extreme (in a good way). Moderately bitter, moderately sweet flavour of strong malts. Fully bodied. Softly carbonated (more carbonation in the large bottle). Not that complex but very well balanced.

A tremendous beer, bottle number 75. Challenger hops, and saaz for aroma. Sent from Bierkonig Holland, fresh. Left it for about 24 hours, yet it kept foaming over, foam eventually almost disappeared,still tasted carbonated. Jet black.Aroma of cocoa and licorice. First maltiness, then the hop bitterness comes at you and builds up over (several) glasses. 92 IBU, an outstanding effort for its class-I would take this over many great imperial stouts.

Bier Koning. One of the greats. Dark body with slight tan head. Malty, sweet nose with chocolate noticeable. Rich and sweet taste of coffee, chocolate and bitterness. Great mouthfeel. Warming and wondeful finish.

75cl bought at the brewery, from august 2007. Deep dark brown to black colour, creamy beige head. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malts, raisin, sweet alcohol, liquorice, some caramel, hops. Flavour is very sweet and sticky, soft roasted malts, liquorice, a bit of chocolate, some coffee, with a slightly bitter finish. Soft and smooth mouthfeel, thick and syrupy, fullbodied. Highly enjoyable, but could do with a whole lot less sugar.

November 1, 2007 bottling, #467. Poured rich, lifeless deep brown with some sediment in there and no head whatsoever (or pop when opened). The aroma picked up soy sauce, burnt darker chocolate, and pumpernickel bread with a greener, perfectly complementary raw coffee bean and grassy hop presence.. came together nicely. The flavor had more of the soy, rich cocoa, and coffee at the core with moderate-to-heavy roast to it.. coffee and light herbal bitterness surrounded, joining sherry-like oxidation notes.. finished rich and warm. Syrupy, thicker feel on the palate with no carbonation to get it moving.. roast and char paired well with the brighter hop presence.. long finish with just some warmth provided by the alcohol. Good one.

Tasted from bottle, with William, and friends on 22.11.08. Darkbrown color, almost no creamy beige head. Aroma some liquorice, strong roasted malts. Medium body. Taste caramel, sweet, alc. touch, strong roasted malts, very bitter.

Bottle 75 cl. Courtesy of fonefan. Bottle # 195. Opaque dark brown with a discreet orangey hue and a light brown head. Intense aroma of roasted malt, licorice and overripe fruit. Quite full-bodied with plenty of sweet licorice, hard roasted malt and dried fruit. Very soft and smooth mouthfeel. Has a light malt bitterness in the finish. Very pleasant. 291108

Bottle LCRBM08. Very fruity nose with tobacco,roasted malt and alcohol in the background. Moderate to solid sweet-bitter flavour, full bodied. Drier malty bitterness in the fruity and molassy and warming finish. Fine stuff.........