Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 10.5

97/100
Aroma: 12
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 19
Mouthfeel: 4

Hoppin' Frog Brewery D.O.R.I.S. The Destroyer

What the brewers say

“This extreme Double Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout will overwhelm, satisfy, and destroy your taste buds like no other! D.O.R.I.S. is even darker, hoppier, and stronger than our gold medal–winning B.OR.I.S. The Crusher Stout. Dry-hopped and first wort−hopped with the finest American hops for a great imperial stout experience! Enjoy the darkness!!”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “A rich roast malt, with licorice and coffee, and a hoppy backbone. Cherry esters with dark sweet cherry, and perhaps some date and prune notes are present as well. Woody, earthy hops aroma, with tobacco and leather. A hint of sweetness makes this smell like a Tootsie Roll.”

Flavor: “Big and sweet, like a malted milk ball. Moderate mocha flavor, with a good balance of chocolate and coffee, with a bit of char present. Some dark stone fruit sweetness of dried cherry and chocolate peek through to bring some balance. The hops bitterness is medium and balanced, perhaps a bit stronger than I’d expect. The body is a little thin, with strong alcohol warmth, which lingers on the back of your throat. A bit harsh on the finish.”

Overall: “Assign your favorite synonym for massive—this is a big, viscous (or vicious?) stout that’s just for sipping. Still, it’s fairly smooth. Starts with a nice complex aroma and flavor, but shifts to being a bit over-roasted, to the point of being burnt. A very tasty beer.”

What our editors thought


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Hoppin' Frog Brewery T.O.R.I.S. The Tyrant

**Aroma:** “Heavy roast up front, with a touch of ash and smoke. Some chocolate, toffee, and coffee notes are present, as well as a really nice earthy, woodsy flavor that emerges as it warms. Some fruity yeast esters of banana, dark cherry, stone fruit, and pear. Some rich malt and bread crust, with black licorice and molasses.” **Flavor:** “Similar to the aroma with its heavy roast, but that’s kept in check with some nice dark malt sweetness. Dark chocolate and light vanilla, with some dark cherry, raisin, earthy, and herbal notes, add complexity. The body is smooth and velvety, and it’s rich and chewy throughout. There’s a nice huskiness from the roasted malt that offsets the conspicuous heat from the alcohol, but it’s the chocolate flavor that pulls everything together. Finishes with light bitterness, medium smoke, and big chocolate.” **Overall:** “This is a delicious beer that slightly tweaks convention and creates a unique and awesome beer. It’s a pretty solid imperial stout—not offensive for the high alcohol, and all the dark roasty components come together fairly well. It will hold up to the richest of desserts or the boldest of cigars. Definitely a sipper!”

Surly Brewing Company 2021 Barrel-Aged Darkness

“Compelling aroma of vanilla, dark fudge, smoke, boysenberry, anise, dried cherry, caramel, coffee. Flavor reveals sweeter hints of sherry, vanilla, caramel, turbinado. Beautifully orchestrated.”

Hoppin' Frog B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher

__Aroma:__ “Coffee and chocolate, with lots of roast. Rich and slightly sweet, with a touch of molasses, cherry, raisin, dark plum, blackberry, and fruity esters. Light smoke, with some rich Munich-type malt in the background, and maybe a hint of herbal hops.” __Flavor:__ “Moderately sweet, with the dark fruity esters dominating up front and transitioning into a dark-chocolate character, for a cherry-cordial note. Notes of roast, smoke, coffee, and malt bitterness are balanced by the sweetness. The smooth mouthfeel mellows out the alcohol heat. Finishes with light smoke, chocolate, light cherries, and a touch of alcohol.” __Overall:__ “Ideal sweetness is balanced by a mix of acrid malt, hops, and alcohol. It’s an obviously big imperial stout with all the right stuff—an intensely complicated beer that continues to reveal new and fascinating flavors with every sip.”

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