24 Days of B.C. Beer: Imperial Gingerbread Porter by Persephone Brewing (No.8)

Welcome to 24 Days of Beer, in which we guide you through what might be a very dark month. Aren’t you glad we’re here to tell you what to drain your sorrows with?

Whether it’s referring to rolling out of The Imperial on Main Street at midnight, Darth Vader’s collection of baddies or trying to figure out how to convert stuff to the U.K.’s system of measurement, the word imperial just radiates a kind of intimidation. There’s no other way to put it.

The same goes for many Imperial beers: immediately you know your stomach is about to get tested. Because these bad boys don’t tend to come in anything but bombers, and what, you’re going to leave half of it in the fridge? Buck up or shut up, kid.

Imperial beers can come in different kinds, but usually share two qualities: they are typically bold in flavour and carry a high alcohol percentage.

So while you might be forgiven for assuming that a gingerbread beer is going to be a light, sweet treat, Persephone Brewing’s Imperial Gingerbread Porter is… not that.

In fact, it’s really only for the bold. With enough flavour to knock you out on smell alone, this 8.2 ABV beast is an absolutely massive combination of molasses, ginger, vanilla, roasted malt, and cinnamon. To call it rich would be like saying Hiram Lodge is doing well for himself.

It’s no surprise either that Gibsons-based Persephone was able to churn out such a strong (in every sense of the word) beer, given that its Dry Irish Stout is the class of its kind in this province.

And oh, our rule about making sure something tastes like it says it does? Though it’s certainly no walk in the forest, you’ll get your gingerbread fix here (and then some), don’t you worry.

Previous 24 Days of Beer:
Tmavý Pivo 13 by Slowhand Brewing (No.1)
Mint Chocolate Stout by Moody Ales (No.2)
All Season Nitro Dry Stout by Container Brewing (No.3)
Four Year Oatmeal Stout by Strathcona Beer Company (No.4)
Idleback Amber Ale by Slackwater Brewing (No.5)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter by Bad Tattoo Brewing (No.6)
Velour Toboggan Blackberry Dark Ale by Dageraad Brewing (No.7)