The Roasty, Sweet Symphony of Terra Nocturne - Imperial Stout
The Roasty, Sweet Symphony of Terra Nocturne - Imperial Stout
Welcome to the unveiling of Our Brewery's very first imperial stout. This extraordinary creation has aged in bourbon barrels for an impressive 20 months, resulting in a decadent and complex brew that will tantalize your taste buds. Handcrafted with precision and passion, our Terra Nocturne - Imperial Stout is a true masterpiece that combines rich flavours and aromas for a truly unforgettable experience.
The Birth of a Giant: Crafting Our Imperial Stout
Embarking on the creation of our inaugural imperial stout was a journey fueled by relentless passion and a drive to shatter the ordinary. Our vision was crystal clear at the outset: to forge a beer of monumental scale and complexity, a testament to our dedication and craft. To lay the foundation for this colossal endeavour, we handpicked the heirloom Maris Otter malt, renowned for its rich flavour profile, setting the stage for a malt symphony. We didn't stop there. Our quest for depth led us to the doors of French & Jupps, masters of the malted grain, from whom we procured an exquisite selection of Crystal, Black, and Brown malts. These ingredients, chosen carefully, were poised to imbue our brew with an unrivalled richness.The hop selection process was equally meticulous. Aurora, Columbus, and Styrian Goldings hops were not merely ingredients; they were integral characters in our story, each bringing unique notes to the ensemble. Sourced from a local farm, these hops underscored our commitment to community and quality, adding layers of aroma and bitterness that perfectly complemented our malt base.
Our partnership with Fermentis introduced a clean ale yeast into the mix, ensuring a fermentation process that would honour the integrity of our carefully selected ingredients. Each step, from the primary fermentation in stainless steel to the deliberate transfer to ex-bourbon barrels, was a chapter in the epic we were composing. This was more than brewing; it was an act of creation, a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets precision. As we ventured into uncharted territories of flavour and complexity, we were not just crafting a beer—we were birthing a giant.
Embracing the Barrel: The Art of Aging
The journey of Terra Nocturne - Imperial Stout through the art of ageing is not just a phase—it's a pivotal transformation. Nestled within the sanctity of carefully selected ex-bourbon barrels, our stout embarked on a 20-month odyssey. In this period, time itself weaves complexity and depth into the very essence of our brew. This sacred ageing process is where magic unfolds, where the stout's bold character gracefully dances with the whispers of bourbon left behind in the wood. Each barrel, with its own story and soul, imparts a unique symphony of flavours, marrying our stout's robust, roasted notes with the rich, resonant tones of the bourbon. In this hallowed space, our stout is imbued with an unparalleled layer of flavour—subtle yet profound notes of vanilla, oak, and a hint of caramel that seamlessly blend with its roasty foundation.This embrace between stout and barrel does more than just flavour; it's a testament to patience, to the belief that greatness comes to those who wait. Once vessels of a spirited past, the barrels now serve as crucibles of transformation, endowing our stout with a soul-stirring complexity that could only be achieved over time. As each month passed, the line between beer and bourbon blurred, crafting a beverage that was a beacon of our dedication to the craft. This stage of the journey, this embrace of the barrel, epitomizes our relentless pursuit of perfection, pushing the boundaries of what an imperial stout can be.
A Double Mash Dance: Achieving Perfection
In our relentless pursuit of brewing excellence, we took a bold step with our imperial stout by embracing a double mash technique—a meticulous dance of grains and wort that would lay the groundwork for an unparalleled brew. This wasn't just brewing; it was a performance, and each step was measured and executed with the utmost precision on our Brewiks brewing system. The challenge was formidable: to achieve the desired high ABV synonymous with an imperial stout while also ensuring a body and flavour profile that could only be described as extraordinary.Our solution? We ingeniously utilized the wort from our first batch as the liquid base to mash in the second batch of grains. This innovative approach wasn't merely about achieving the technical aspects of brewing but was a testament to our commitment to craft, complexity, and mouthfeel. Through this process, we wove together a tapestry of flavours and textures, achieving a silky smooth body that serves as a foundation for the roast, sweet symphony that is our imperial stout.
The result of this double mash dance? It is a beer that stands as a pillar of brewing artistry, offering deep, complex flavours that resonate with sweetness and toastiness while whispers of the bourbon barrels gently echo in the background. This process epitomizes our dedication to pushing the boundaries, not only in pursuit of a higher ABV but also in creating a sensory experience that is rich, layered, and utterly unforgettable. This is where science meets art, and patience meets passion, culminating in a beer embodying the essence of what it means to strive for perfection in brewing.
A Symphony in a Bottle: The Final Masterpiece
This isn't just any imperial stout; it's a crescendo of craft, a magnum opus lovingly encased in a 375ml champagne bottle that is a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence. Every bottle, meticulously hand-corked, capped, and adorned with Ally Simpson's captivating artwork, is not merely packaged but presented with the gravitas it deserves. This vessel holds not just beer but a symphony of complex flavours and aromas, painstakingly composed over 20 months of bourbon barrel ageing and perfected through the art of bottle conditioning.The elegance of this presentation parallels the sophistication of its contents, ensuring that from the moment you hold this bottle in your hands, you are aware that you're about to embark on an unparalleled sensory journey. This bottle, this liquid masterpiece, is our bold declaration that we accept no boundaries in the art of brewing. It is a beacon of our commitment to blending tradition with innovation, to merging the craftsman's touch with the artist's vision.
As you break the seal and release the contents into your glass, know that what flows is not just an imperial stout but a narrative of passion, a chronicle of dedication, and a celebration of the journey from grain to glass. This is where passion is poured, where every sip tells the story of our relentless quest to craft not just a beer but a legacy.
Tasting Notes: A Journey for the Senses
Immerse yourself in the sensory expedition that is our imperial stout, a brew that whispers tales of dedication and audacity with each sip. On approach, allow the bouquet of dark, rich chocolate and robust coffee to envelop you, intertwined with the alluring essence of bourbon that promises a journey like no other. The experience deepens as the stout greets your palate; a luxurious, velvety, smooth texture paves the way for a complex interplay of roasted malt, sweet caramel, and oak's subtle yet unmistakable undertones. This harmonious blend crescendo into a satisfyingly long finish, a warm embrace that leaves a trail of sweet resonance, urging you to linger at the moment. Each taste is not merely a sip but a step further into the profound depths of our craft, a voyage that beckons the bold and the curious. This imperial stout is not just a beverage. It’s a narrative of passion and precision, a sensory saga that unfolds with each pour.Join Us on This Flavourful Voyage
Dive headfirst into a world where every sip declares our unyielding dedication to craft and complexity. We extend an open invitation for you to set sail on this robust journey, our inaugural imperial stout leading the way as your guide. This isn't merely an invitation to taste a beer; it's beckoning to witness the culmination of 20 months of passion, precision, and persistence transformed into liquid art. Whether you're well-versed in the nuances of craft brews or just beginning to explore the vast ocean of craft beer flavours, this imperial stout stands as a beacon, illuminating the path toward a deeper appreciation of what beer can be. Embrace this opportunity to challenge your palate, discover layers of flavour you never imagined possible, and join a community where the pursuit of exceptional beer is not just a goal but a journey we embark on together. Let's raise a glass to what's inside it and the relentless spirit of innovation and excellence that fills every drop. Here's to the bold, the explorers, the dreamers. Here's to you.CHECK OUT