Forager Brewery Nillerzzzzz Blend 9 | Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Forager Brewery’s Nillerzzzzz series has, across eight celebrated blends, defined what a world-class barrel-aged vanilla imperial stout can be — and Blend #9 carries that legacy forward with characteristic depth and precision. In the glass it pours jet-black and near-opaque, with a dense, viscous body that coats the sides of the tulip and leaves the faintest tan collar at the rim, a hallmark of the series’ low-carbonation, luscious texture. On the nose, waves of freshly scraped vanilla caviar lead the charge, layered with roasted dark chocolate, warm bourbon oak, a whisper of rye spice, and a background note of toasted marshmallow drawn from the multi-origin bean conditioning programme that has defined this lineup since 2018.

The palate is full-bodied and plush — nearly still in the glass — delivering rich fudge, oaky vanillin sweetness, dark cocoa powder, and a gentle rye barrel bite that cuts through the sweetness with elegant restraint. The finish is long, warming, and resinous, lingering with dried fruit, bittersweet espresso, and a slick bourbon warmth. A beer built equally for immediate pleasure or extended cellar development.

Food Pairing

Forager Nillerzzzzz Blend 9 pairs magnificently with a classic flourless dark chocolate torte finished with a vanilla bean crème anglaise — the beer’s multi-origin vanilla and bourbon oak amplify every cocoa nuance on the plate. For a savoury contrast, serve alongside an aged farmhouse cheddar or a wedge of Comté, where the rye barrel spice and residual sweetness of this Forager Nillerzzzzz Blend 9 find perfect equilibrium against the cheese’s crystalline, nutty character.

Forager Brewery Nillerzzzzz Blend #9 (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout)