Hercule!

Swing tops. Why don't all beers have them? The Ellezelloise brewery certainly agree with me. All of their beers are capped with a lovely, swingy lid that goes "phopp!" which, translated to English, shouts "Yeeahh!". What other noise could possibly prepare you more for a tasty beverage? "Pfst"? Not on your nelly. Plus, there's always that giddy feeling after it makes you jump a little, like a five-year-old when a balloon pops.


Not content with having fancy lids, Ellezelloise furnish you with a handsome bottle and some smart Art Nouveau labels. What's that you say, "who's that there on the label?". It's only ruddy well Hercule Poirot, curly 'tache and all. The coffee shades on the label prepare us all well for the rich drink inside and are effortlessly cool. They haven't tried too hard, they've just got it spot on.


Ok, on to what's inside and the theme of effortless excellence is continued here. Hercule Stout's colour is rich brown and the head stays at a centimetre for at least halfway down the glass. These guys aren't messing around. My first sniff gave rich, fruity, hoppiness and it gives the impression of a beefy Dubbel, which is surprising as when you pop in your mouth there's one thing and one thing only: smoke. Smoke and more smoke; the dying embers of a fireplace in a stately home. But then you get the rich maltiness and sweet caramel that you'd find in a quality stout, with a modest helping of Belgian flavour. As you carry on, and particularly if drank with food, the smoke fades gently away to just a suggestion.


On drinking this glass I happened to come back to the last few fingers in the bottom after short interlude. When sniffing again I found that the smoke was more present in the smell than the taste this time. There's not much better than a beer which gives you different things on different visits (provided they're good things, mind).


If it came down to quantitative praise, you've guessed it, I'd give it ten out of ten. The only downside is its price; at £3.69 from a reasonably priced online retailer it's very dear, but worth it in my book. Saying that, if you don't like your beer tasting like someone's left a spent cigar in it, you might want to think twice, but I'd advise you take a risk.

Ellezelloise Hercule Stout - 10
http://www.brasserie-ellezelloise.be/bieres-uk.shtml#L'Hercule