The Lost Abbey - Serpent’s Stout

Serpent’s Stout from Lost Abbey is available solely in California, Philly, Boston, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado. This imperial stout pours quite dark, approaching pitch black, with a creamy, mocha-colored head. Solid lacing despite the high ABV. Aromatics of roasted malts, dark chocolates, and French-roast coffee lead. Bittering elements of baker’s chocolate beside a modestly herbaceous hop character. (We occasionally caught a mint-chocolate-chip vibe.)

Pretty solid carbonation underpinning this beer, much like from a Belgian-style stout. This is very full bodied, but smooth and round on the tongue. Huge initial impact of rich chocolate, subtle caramelization, and smooth roast. Cocoa, coffee, and a touch of vanilla balance nicely against a subtle alcoholic warmth. While not having the bells and whistles of some of these other included Lost Abbey beers, we think Serpent’s Stout stands all its own as a world-class imperial stout. For a great side-by-side comparison, try it alongside the 2019 Sinner’s Blend.

Serpent’s Stout is impressively drinkable fresh, but certainly fit for some cellar time. For food pairings: we’d try this alongside pepper-crusted steak, or salted-caramel ice cream.