Acorn Gorlovka Imperial Stout (6% ABV)

Acorn is a brewery that’s beer is available on cask quite regularly round these parts as they are based just down the road in Barnsley, having said that we don’t see them in bottles very much, if at all, mainly because we are lacking any sort of decent bottle shop.

Acorn Gorlova Imperial Stout

I came across Gorlovka, or should I say my dad did, he was collecting some beers form Hambleton Brewery for me and called to say they had a 6% Imperial Russian Stout in and it was only available in cases of 8, instantly I asked him to get one as I do love an Imperial Stout.

I am sat here drinking the last bottle of the 8, 2 went to my dad and one went to a friend, leaving me to work my way though the rest. I am drinking it from an All Beer snifter glass, which I acquired at Twissup.

Gorlovka pours a really dark brown with a large milky coffee coloured head, It has been pretty consistent during all of the bottles but I think the snifter glass enhances the head slightly, it really lets you get your nose into the glass and get the most out of the aromas.

Speaking of aromas Gorlovka smells delicious, deep and roasted malts with a hint of chocolate and slightly boozy undertones, great stuff, indeed.

The body was slightly disappointing, as it wasn’t as full bodied as the label had made out, but that said it was very drinkable for a dark 6% stout. The predominant flavours are rich, roasted malts, little bits of dried fruits and vanilla chocolate. The finish was dry and malty with a lovely smoky bitterness that lingered for a little while.

Acorn Gorlova is really a cracking stout, it’s not quite as complex (or as tasty) as Thornbridge Bracia but none the less it’s dark malty roasted flavours really do make it stand out. It’s even just won a couple of awards at the CAMRA winter ales festival in Manchester.

For more info check out the Acorn website here.