Style: Stout (Dry)

ABV: 4.2 IBU: 37.0

98/100
Aroma: 12
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 19
Mouthfeel: 5

Pax Verum Brewing Secret Meeting

What the brewers say

“Notes of roast and coffee give the perception of a full-bodied stout, while being only a ‘half’ stout.”

What our panel thought

“Comes out of the gate strong with a hard-hitting bitter chocolate with hints of slightly burnt coffee. Very inviting roasty malt character. Finishes dry with a slight creamy topping and tastes like a brittle, crumbly, raisiny cookie. Love the intense flavors with none of the intensity in the mouthfeel or finish. A black-coffee lover’s dream that includes a mocha note. Bitter, bold, and very drinkable.”

What our editors thought

“Beautiful amaretto and cacao-nib note in the aroma with a woody background and the faintest berry esters. Direct and uncomplicated in the flavor, with light chocolate and roast malt bitterness that cantilevers out from a light body in an impressive feat of engineering.”

Review printed in: The Expanding Maltiverse (Spring 2025) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Pax Verum Brewing Syllabus For Dreams to Come

“Classic British malt body. Caramel, toffee, banana bread, golden raisin blend with earthy pine, dried fruit, hints of sherry in the nose. Caramel notes in the flavor counter a pine-like bitterness. Balanced finish with pleasant warming heat.”

Pax Verum Brewing Expand Your View

“Light cherry and herbal hops come through on the nose, playing well with sweet bourbon-corn, dark roast, and chocolate. Finishes pleasantly and quickly. As it warms, some dark chocolate and coffee come out in the flavor.”

Trillium Secret Stairs

**Aroma:** “Notes of milk chocolate with some lactose sweetness hit up front and carry throughout the aroma. Some roast sits behind the sweetness. Also some bittersweet chocolate and caramel, with some roastiness and light coffee spiciness. Some hints of raisin and prunes peek through, along with some earthy hops and a touch of pine.” **Flavor:** “The taste begins with a cream-like sweetness that carries with it some malt. There is also some aggressive chocolate, coffee, and burnt roastiness, which transitions into some chocolate and coffee notes and is supported by the malt sweetness. Some plum, raisin, and dark fruit esters become more apparent as it warms, along with some oatmeal. Finishes dry, with mild coffee astringency and hops bitterness.” **Overall:** “This is a good stout with some moderately strong hops bitterness and a bit of sweet malt and caramel to balance. The aroma is a bit on the simple side, but this is rather drinkable. There was a nice balance among the sweetness, roast, and body. The flavor lacks the smooth, silky lacto that was in the aroma. Overall, the beer is like a winter evening by the fireplace.”

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