Hardywood Gingerbread Stout . Imperial Milk Stout with fresh local ginger and honey.
9.2 % ABV. 55 IBU.
Hardwood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond, VA.
Thorough blackness, outright opacity, rich, roasted brown head. Looking mighty fine.
In the nose: Sweetness and spice, mixed with dark malts. Ginger is way ahead. It's definitely a ginger snap cookie beer. Honey's on point, too. Nice.
In the mouth: Spice and honey are right on top of this one, other flavors far below. Holds it's command for a very long time. Rich and full bodied, fully flavored, with alcohol not hidden in the least. Buzzes with heat and spice. Doesn't calm down for quite a while.
Needless to say, I enjoyed this big, bad boy. Thanks, Julie!
Brewed with baby ginger from Casselmonte Farm and wildflower honey from Bearer Farms, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout captures the terroir of central Virginia in a rich, creamy libation with a velvety mouthfeel and an intriguing evolution of flavors from milk chocolate and vanilla to honeycomb and cinnamon to a snap of ginger in the finish.
Deep, dark chocolate in color with a mahogany tint and a frothy, caramel colored head, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout offers aromatics of holiday spice originating from the ginger, and balanced with a generous dose of whole Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and Vietnamese cinnamon. Milk sugar (lactose) contributes to the full body of this stout and tames its roasty character, while oats lend a silky quality. Enjoy fresh, or cellar for a special occasion. We hope Hardywood Gingerbread Stout contributes to your merriment this season.
