The Imperial Stout is unquestionably one of my top three styles of beer. The first one I ever grew to love was the North Coast Old Rasputin. It’s still a favorite and one I drink on a fairly regular basis. Now, the word “imperial” in this style comes from the notion that breweries used to brew these beers with very high alcohol content. This process would ensure the beer’s endurance on the long ship rides from England to Russia, preserving the beer for the awaiting Russian Tsars. Brasserie Dieu du Ciel are masters at creating this style of stout, and the Péché Mortel (aka mortal sin) is their unequivocal masterpiece. This lovely bottle of heaven just EXPLODES with coffee aroma and roasted malt bitterness. You don’t even have to pour it out of the bottle before your room begins to smell like a coffee house. From the second you bust the cap it comes seeping out into the air. And once you start to pour it out you’ll really begin to see just how insane it is. At 9.5% ABV it is definitely imperial!!! Mortel pours engine oil black – and I mean B-L-A-C-K! So imagine not changing the oil in your car for a year and that’ll give you an idea of what it looks like in the glass. If only our old engine oil would taste this good… In all honesty, though, I am a fanatic for this beer. It’s rather expensive, yet I stand behind the fact that it is worth every bit of currency you’ll spend. There are others I have reviewed that are comparable (Founders Breakfast Stout, Bells Java Stout, etc), but for my money and my palate, the Péché Mortel is the best imperial stout on the market. If you ever find yourself wanting to create a mortal sin anytime soon, then I suggest you get yourself on board with this 12 ounce bottle of beer.
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This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Girls
Brewery: Dieu du Ciel!
Beer: Péché Mortel
Style: Imperial Stout
Location: Montreal, Canada
ABV: 9.5%
Rating: 99/100
Posted by Mike on January 4, 2010 at 4:22 PM
I’m stoked. I just called my beer store and they have both the Dark Hops from Beer Here, and Peche Mortel in stock. I’ll have to take a ride over tonight. Hopefully i’m not missing an arm and a leg when i get home.
Cheers!
Mike
Posted by thehopry on January 4, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Well if you come home without an arm or leg, you’ll definitely hobble around a happy man after drinking these bad boys. Both of them are amazing. Definitely let the Dark Hops warm up a touch so you pull out more of the hops. And with the Peche, well… that one will speak for itself no matter what. Hope you like strong dark coffee.
Posted by Mike on January 4, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Hey Mark,
i just got back from my beer store and i grabbed a bottle of Peche Mortel and the Dark Hops. I’m curious what you paid for them if you don’t mind my asking. The Peche was $8 and the Dark Hops was $11. They also had 3 other beers there from Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel. Aphrodite, Rigor Mortis ABT (Quad), and the Solstice D’hiver (Barleywine). All were $8. I also grabbed a Bell’s Java Stout which looked good in your review.
Prost!
Mike
Posted by thehopry on January 4, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Hi Mike -
The Dark Hops was probably around $10-11 for me as well, but I think I only paid around $6 for the Peche Mortel. $8 seems pretty steep if you ask me. I mean it’s a very good beer, but ouch… Maybe that store is really selling a lot (or knows what they have) and are charging that price knowing people will pay it. Sorry that happened. At the end of the day, though, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the beer. The Aphrodite (pro-nounced Afro-deet-ee – since I’ve heard some say afro-dyte) is a lighter stout brewed with chocolate and vanilla. It’s only okay to me. Certainly not worth $8 if that’s what they are charging. The Solstice D’hiver is good too, but not worth $8. As for the Bells Java Stout, it’s a nice coffee stout. Very approachable if you like coffee stouts. But I would definitely drink it first and then the next night try the Peche Mortel. You’ll laugh at how stinkin’ good it is.
Thanks,
Mark Starr
Posted by Mike on January 7, 2010 at 8:25 PM
I just finished one of these. Man, what a freakin tasty beer. The best part was the mouthfeel. Talk about soft and pillow like. Awesome! Iwouldn’t pay $8 again, but i’m glad i got to try it.
Posted by What are you drinking right now? on September 15, 2010 at 8:46 PM
[...] best friend & beer guru suggested it, the brewery was mentioned elsehwere on this thread & The Hopry reviewed it & rated it at 99/100 which is above most of the beers i covet… for $6/bottle you [...]
Posted by Gabriel M on October 17, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Fantastic review, Mark! This beer is one of my favorites and it’s my fiance’s all-time favorite! We both sat here watching it, laughing and wishing we had more. We bought up the few bottles in town recently and are now jonesing! I guess I’ll have to include it in my ISO threads from now on.
Cheers!
-Gabe
Posted by thehopry on October 19, 2010 at 11:22 AM
It is definitely one of the best beers I’ve ever had. Makes me want to get one ready tonight since it’s cooler outside now.