Forager Brewery Maple Holt | Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Maple Holt is a barrel-aged imperial stout from Forager Brewing Company, the celebrated craft brewery nestled in Rochester, Minnesota, known for its meticulous approach to extended barrel maturation and locally foraged ingredients. In the glass, it pours a near-opaque deep mahogany-black with a thin, mocha-tinted head that leaves delicate wisps of lacing along the glass. The nose is immediately arresting: rich waves of buttery maple syrup lead the charge, followed by dark chocolate fudge, roasted espresso, toasted oak, and a subtle undercurrent of vanilla. On the palate, the mouthfeel is luxuriously full-bodied and viscous, coating every surface with layers of sweetness tempered by a restrained bitterness from dark malts.

Key flavor notes include candied pecan, caramel toffee, bittersweet cocoa, and the signature maple warmth that gives this beer its name. The barrel character lends gentle bourbon-like spice and warming alcohol throughout. The finish is long and contemplative, with a sweet, smoky resonance that lingers well past the last sip. Maple Holt rewards patience and is ideally suited for slow, deliberate enjoyment from a snifter — equally compelling fresh or with additional cellaring.

Food Pairing

Forager Brewery Maple Holt pairs beautifully with a rich pecan and brown butter tart, where the dessert’s caramelised nuttiness echoes the beer’s signature maple sweetness. Equally compelling alongside an aged clothbound cheddar or a robust cave-aged Gruyère, whose crystalline, savoury depth creates a magnificent contrast with the stout’s roasted complexity.

Forager Brewery Maple Holt