Cerebral Brewing Double Barrel Here Be Monsters EH Taylor 2023 Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Cerebral Brewing’s Double Barrel Here Be Monsters – EH Taylor / BLiS Maple Syrup pours an impenetrable jet-black with an oily, viscous body that leaves thin legs of dark mahogany clinging to the glass. The head is minimal — a whisper of mocha-tinted foam that fades quickly, characteristic of an imperial stout of this density and barrel depth. On the nose, the EH Taylor bourbon character leads with a sophisticated wave of charred American oak, butterscotch, and dark toffee, underpinned by BLiS maple syrup sweetness that is earthy and forest-fresh rather than cloying. A fifth aroma note of roasted cocoa powder adds structure and complexity.

On the palate, the mouthfeel is extraordinarily full-bodied and satin-smooth, coating every surface without becoming syrupy. Sweetness is measured — the maple syrup finishing barrel contributes warmth and a gentle amber sweetness, while the EH Taylor foundation delivers vanilla, toasted wood, and a slow bourbon heat on the back of the throat. Roasted malt bitterness provides welcome counterbalance. The finish is long, warming, and elegantly boozy, with maple and charred oak lingering. A beer built for the cellar: best enjoyed now or aged 2–4 years to allow the barrel integration to reach its full potential. Discover full community tasting notes at the Untappd listing.

Food Pairing

The Cerebral Brewing Double Barrel Here Be Monsters EH Taylor pairs superbly with a dark chocolate lava cake — the intense cocoa and molten center mirror the stout’s roasted malt core and maple sweetness. For a savoury match, an aged Comté or 24-month Gruyère offers nutty, crystalline richness that holds its own against the beer’s formidable bourbon barrel depth and warming finish.

Double Barrel Here Be Monsters – EH Taylor / BLiS Maple Syrup (2023)