Hopulist issue 5

WITH AN ABV OF 12% THIS IS NOT A
DRINK FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED AND
IT TASTES AS BOOZY AS IT SOUNDS.
differences though, or maybe because of
them, the Bjergsø twins have given us not
one, but two of the finest beer companies in
the world.
Today Mikkel Borg Bjergsø exports his
micro brewed beer to 40 different countries
and is internationally acclaimed as one of the
most innovative and cutting-edge brewers in
the world. His brother Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso
distributes an equally impressive selection of
beers to over 35 countries around the world.
Evil Twin are what’s is known as a gypsy
brewer, and as such their beers are brewed
in ten different breweries around the world.
Although that is about to change as Jeppe
has recently purchased space for a brewery
in Ridgewood, New York. By coincidence
(at least we think it is?) Mikkeller have also
recently opened a brewery in New York’s Citi
Field, home of the New York Mets baseball
team. Whatever the motives for this the one
thing we can say is the real beneficiaries of
this boozy feud are the drinkers of New York
City – makes us want to visit.
But enough of the soap opera, we are here
to talk about what we think is one of the
finest products Evil Twin have produced
in recent years. Even More Jesus, a limited
edition Imperial stout brewed at Westbrook
Brewing Company in South Carolina. With
an ABV of 12% this is not a drink for the
faint-hearted and it tastes as boozy as it
sounds.
The beer itself is opaque black with a
frothy tan head. The aroma is of dark cocoa,
burned coffee, roasted malts with a hint of
prunes and some mild toffee notes, it would
be fair to call it complex. The big flavours
are overwhelmingly dark malts, molasses
and dark chocolate with a hint of coffee and
smokiness. The feel is thick but silky smooth
with a fair bit of booziness, depending on
your sensibilities you could argue it doesn’t
hide its 12% ABV as well as other Imperial
stouts.
The thing that really grabs you is the aroma
and complexity of flavours. For lovers of
dark beers this is an absolute must-have.
Since announcing itself to the world in
2010, Evil Twin has established itself as a
beacon of hope to the small, independent
brewers of this world. It has long delivered
on its philosophy to disturb, disorder and
enlighten you with unforgettable beer
after beer. With Even More Jesus they have
certainly created a decadent, over-the-top
Imperial stout that is well worth investing
your time in.