Brew Gentlemen | Double Mex Imperial Stout
- Jen Bril
- On December 23, 2021
Double Mex by Brew Gentlemen is a fondly awaited staple in the Pittsburgh beer community. Although the pandemic altered distribution, the 2021 release of this beer continued to uphold its reputation.
Before the pandemic, Pittsburghers huddled in winter coats would circle the block of Braddock Avenue for a chance to snag a coveted blue waxed bottle. This year patrons huddled around cell phones and lap tops to quickly click and select their order. They frantically refreshed their screens until the liquid was sitting safely in their online cart. Brew Gentlemen offered three waves of releases over two days in November. This method allowed multiple opportunities to snatch the artfully crafted creation.
A Style All Its Own
The style is described by the brewery as “an imperial oatmeal stout with coffee, cinnamon and vanilla, aged in bourbon barrels.” It is a bigger version of their beloved Mexican Coffee Stout. This year, the Stout was created on a newer, larger system for the brewery. This change not only eased the brewing process, but led to some modifications to the beer as well. This is the sixth release of Double Mex for Brew Gentlemen. The aging vessels of this brew were combinations of Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve and Heaven Hill barrels.
Brewing Big Flavor
The Stout carries some big flavor despite an ABV of only 9.9%. On the nose you smell cinnamon and dark chocolate. The taste of the beer is reminiscent of cinnamon sticks, silky artisan coffee and creamy vanilla. The oak barrels allow the vanilla to linger in a blend of well-integrated flavors. The beer has a fullness that is not overwhelming and lends itself to a smooth finish.
Brew Gentlemen preaches that they “aim to create soft, balanced and elegant beers and meaningful experiences while helping revitalize the historic steel town of Braddock, Pennsylvania.” This annual release is no different. As patrons enjoy this perfect holiday pint, others will mark their calendars and anxiously scour social media for next year’s release.
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