Style: Imperial Stout
Brewery: Bellwoods Brewery
Country: Canada
ABV: 12.2%
Skeleton Key is an imperial stout aged for a year in rum barrels with vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, star anise, cardamom, and allspice. The result is an intense showcase of dark chocolate, caramelized malts, spirit barrel, and lively spices. This 2021 variant is conditioned on extra ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
What it smells and tastes like: The heat in this variant is evident and obvious, but it's the supporting elements -- the smooth lactose, the sweet dulce de leche, and lively spices -- that create balance and drinkability.