The mighty Aphrodite: a mythical queen of beauty. Tantalizing, fabled, seductive, ill-tempered, vain. It is for her that Canadian brewers Dieu du Ciel named their incredible cocoa and vanilla bean stout, Aphrodite (named Aphrodisiaque in Canada).
Here is a stout (black ale) that made me stop and stare. Maybe that’s a quality it draws from its namesake. It pours a deep, dark, thick black color, and leaves a rich chocolate-tan head, though mine was barely half a finger, and dwindled to nothing in seconds. This beer smells phenomenal. Toted as a “black ale with aromas and flavours of vanilla, dark chocolate, bourbon and roasted malt,” I was absolutely stunned by the richness and depth of the nose: without question full of smooth vanilla, lightly bitter dark chocolate, and sweet, roasted malts. No hops on the nose.
The Aphrodite of myth was known not only as a stunning beauty but also as an epic tease. The sight of her set grown men (and gods) to madness. She lured and coaxed, and left you wanting more. Dieu du Ciel’s incarnation of Aphrodite, however, is much more gracious: she lulls with her aroma, and then delivers with her taste. This beer blew my proverbial mind. At a mere 6.5% ABV, it packs less of a punch, making it much more drinkable than other stouts. The chocolate and roasted malts here are enough to dazzle your palate, but I wouldn’t say that this beer is very coffee-like. It remains true to the faint cocoa bitterness, but has such a silky vanilla character to it, a nudge of sweet chocolate malts, and a hop bitterness that is barely detectable, that as I drank it I dreamed of thick chocolate milk and rich vanilla bean ice cream.
I have positively nothing bad — or even average — to say about this beer. It is an absolute winner. Wonderfully conceived, expertly crafted, brilliantly delivered.
One final note: be sure to savor: let Aphrodite warm as you enjoy her. She will satisfy your palate, blow your mind, and leave you wanting more. If I could find this on cask or nitro, I would die and go to heaven.
I give this beer an A+ as well! Hard to find anything wrong with it.
Saw it at Binny’s tonight…wanted to grab one…and should have. Dang.
Saw it at Binny’s…wanted to grab one…and did. Dang.
Tried at Amesbury, MA Ale House. Tremendous.
You can find this amazing craft in bottle form periodically at Vintage Estate in Boardman, Ohio, USA. They DID have a keg on tap that blew everyone away…
The establishment itself is worth the trip if not for the Aphrodite; fantastic selection (beer, wine & mead), friendly and knowledgeable staff and a menu that compliments tasting and the festive social atmosphere. You’ve got to try this place…and grab and Aphrodite if you can!!
I am a wine and beer Manager for a large grocery store in San Antonio, TX. I have had a customer ask for this beer. Any ideas how I can get it in for them? He thought it was from New Orleans?
Thanks for any help!