Approach Charon and pay the price to be taken to the land of emptiness and silence. Stare deeply into The Ferryman and be transfixed by the blackness of this Imperial Stout. The enticing, rich aroma will pull you in, soothing you to stillness.-From the label of The Ferryman Imperial Stout with Hazelnuts and Vanilla Beans by Atlanta’s Orpheus Brewing Company.

The Ferryman, in case you were not aware, is the winter seasonal from Orpheus. A beer such as this is wonderful in the depths of winter. But how about July? I saved a bottle of the 2015 edition for Christmas in July imbibing, ran it through my Fizzics draft pour system and the results were spectacular.  

This is my first stout from Orpheus. I have had several saisons, an IPA and a double IPA from them and loved them all. The Ferryman garnered no less fondness, it’s very well done and a perfect seasonal beer, well suited to aging. Always a plus for me.

Ingredients, from the label:

Hops-Apollo

Grain-Golden Promise, Munich, Simpsons DRC, Honey Malt, Simpsons Brown, Chocolate, Chocolate Wheat, Roast Barley, Black, Flaked Barley

Other-Hazelnuts, Vanilla Beans, Dark Candy Syrup

Fermentation-Belgian Abbey Yeast

Orpheus The Ferryman Imperial Stout with Hazelnuts and Vanilla Beans has a hefty alcohol content of 10.5% by volume and I paid $10.99 for a 22-ounce bottle.

Orpheus The Ferryman Imperial Stout with Hazelnuts and Vanilla Beans pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a luscious Nutella chocolate and hazelnut nose. Taking a sip, the beer is thinner in body than I expected but packed with flavor: rich roasty chocolate, dark brown sugar, toasty hazelnut, a hint of vanilla, soft cherry fruit, roasty coffee, all leading up to a warming alcohol finish. Yeasty funk? There’s a hint of that, too.

This is delicious and complex and perfect for Christmas-in December or July. For 2017, Orpheus is releasing this beer in 6-packs of cans.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 

 



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