Rich, velvety and deliciously complex, Old Heathen is a truly distinctive winter warmer. We use seven types of malt and two varieties of hops to bring forth this big brew. Quite robust and roasty on the palate, Old Heathen imperial stout has a wonderfully fruity nose and a moderately dry finish. The taste is highly complex- perhaps you'll even discern notes of espresso or chocolate.
Old Heathen imperial stout is our interpretation of a beer style that originated in the 18th century. Brewed in England and exported to Germany, Scandinavia and Russia, these beers became fashionable among the members of the Czar's court. In order to survive long voyages they were brewed with high alcohol content to prevent spoilage. And at 8.0% ABV (alcohol by volume) Old Heathen definitely contains a warming belt. You may want to lay down a few bottles for future evaluation- this beer keeps well and will only get better with age.
Like most of our beers, Weyerbacher Old Heathen is a perfect accompaniment to foods. Try it with rich stews, oysters, caviar or roasted meats. Old Heathen is also a perfect companion to chocolate desserts.
Old Heathen is now available year-round.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by staleyiv from Newnan, GA, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/12/2008 4:41:11 AM)
"Yet another Impy stout for yet another cold and drizzly night here in the Southeast and I do look forward to this one given the fact Lagunitas is new to the Peach State. Anyway, here is how my review goes. The aroma is of roasty maltiness, sweetness, chocolately, coffee-like, as well as some mocha coming through with some dry-hopped overtones and maybe some creaminess as well as some vanilla. The appearance is a jet-black but a very dark and murky, rich mahogany in color when held to the light but the light has a hard time shining through and has a medium-sized head on top that is medium-bodied and a light-tan in color and diminishes to a stringy lacing that coats the glass nicely. The mouthfeel is a bit thin but not too terribly bad and offers some decent malty and roasty complexity as well as some moderate balance with some hoppiness with a palate that is a bit thin but not bad at all. The flavor is a bit astringent but only slightly and offers some burnt coffee notes as well as some java or mocha with an aftertaste that is chocolatey to some extent with a finish that is smooth, creamy, and nutty but is lacking that robust kick at the end that comes with this style. Overall, not a bad impy stout here but it is a bit weak for the style and a bit thin and not complex enough nor bold enough; this brew almost is reminiscient of a impy porter but, nonetheless, not a bad offering from these guys as well as for the Fall and Winter season. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $5 Unit Cost: $6.67 per Pint
[2] Review by thomassova4 from MD, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/8/2008 8:17:49 PM)
"This was quite a nice stout. The beer poured black and smelled like a sweeter stout. The head was smaller and was brown and thin. The beer was smooth and balanced in the mouth. The flavor had hints of chocolate, coffee and vanilla - a very nice beer overall."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[3] Review by RJA from Palm Springs, FL, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (8/29/2008 7:00:22 PM)
"The label was a big draw, invoking images of the mystical lands of the ancient celts. And on first pour I am immediately impressed. What a black bodied stout! The head is frothy brown. But things take a turn south here. The head is less than robust and disappears all to quickly. The body is thin and not as creamy as I would expect. Again on the plus, the aroma is roasted coffee bean, toasted chocolate-malt. There is a hint of vanilla in that mix. The taste is chocolate, coffee and chocolate. I’ll do a couple more of these as the night settles in. "
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.67 Unit Cost: $2.23 per Pint
[4] Review by Phishpond417 from Madtown, Wisc, USA who has tried this beer once. (2/10/2008 7:21:57 PM)
"Pours a great colour. Deep black, with hints of dark red hue near the bottom. Head is tan colour, quickly dissipates but comes back something fierce with each sip. Mouthfeel is light, creamy strong, black coffee, toffee and beef jerky. Taste is great, very filling and meaty(?) Smokey is another way to describe it. Overall very tastey. Thanks Alex!"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.7)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.99 Unit Cost: $2.65 per Pint
[5] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (10/5/2007 11:26:03 PM)
"2005 release, Sampled October 2007
Pours with a one finger thick, light brown colored head that sits atop an opaque, black colored brew. The aroma is quite concentrated with notes of roasted, dried figs, cherries, a touch of sherry, light chocolate notes, smooth espresso roast coffee beans, and a touch of alcohol, which adds some fruit-brandy like notes here that is quite distinct. An aged character has thinned out the malt a bit here, but seems to have smoothed things out quite a bit as well.
This has somewhat of a light body, at least for an Imperial Stout, but it does have some heft to it which provides some palate coating character and body to this brew. The taste has a touch of caramelized, slightly roasted sweetness to it and it is actually fairly fruity tasting as well (raisins, figs, perhaps a hint of cherry, and even some notes of prunes; all of which have been roasted / burnt to one degree or other). Chalky chocolate malt notes and roasted grain flavors (reminiscent of smooth espresso) linger in the finish as does a very slight, hop bitterness. A burnt plum character becomes more prominent as the beer warms up a bit. This is quite smooth tasting & feeling, though it could be a touch too thin.
This has clearly aged in the two years since bottling, perhaps a bit more than expected, but it is still a tasty brew and would even age gracefully for at least another couple of years."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure Compared to this brewer's other beers: Not Sure
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(3.6)
