
The Brewery
The Beer
Special Extra Export Stout, as the name rather obviously reveals, was created for the export market. This request came from the brewery’s US distributor.
We don’t know if it’s coincidence, but the name as well as the design of the beer’s label are very atypical in comparison to what the Dolle Brouwers normally come up with…
Being an old and typical English beer, stout is far from a traditional Belgian beer style. Still this export would not have been accused of being Belgian if it would have been drunk in England or Ireland two centuries ago…
It’s only brewed up a couple of times a year and is the least well known of all the Dolle Brouwers creations, at least in Belgium.
The malts used in this beer define the bitterness as well as the colour of this stout. This beer is a real tip for true and curious stout lovers.
Alcohol
9.0% ABV
Fermentation
Same fermentation is used as with the brewer’s Oerbier.
Ingredients
Water, yeast, pale-, roasted- and caramel malt, Nugget hops.
Colour & Transparency
No need to say more… jet black
Serving Temperature
12.50 - 15.50 C / 55 - 60 F - as with a lot of beers this strongly depends on personal taste.
Serving Glass
Dolle Brouwers - or Oerbier glass, stout glass.
Character, Tastes & Aromas
Silky smooth, pronounced character, a rather bitter, tart beer, which one would expect from an export stout.
Heavy bodied and flavoured, roasted feeling and hints of coffee, chocolate, licorice…sometimes a light nutty aroma is noticeable.
Culinary
As with a lot of beers, and certainly when it comes to stout, this is classically used in stews. The possibilities though are endless as one will even find recipes for cupcakes made with stout.
Keeping and Storage
Can be kept in a cellar or another dry, dark and cool place to mature for a year or two, or even longer…
Opinions here differ enormously and will also again depend strongly on the personal taste of the person drinking the beer.
Availability
Bottle ✔ On Tap ✔
Due to the export nature of the beer it’s almost found easier abroad in the U.S. and online then in Belgium itself. Specialized shops will sometimes carry it, as will some beer cafés offer it too.
You can get it through the brewery as well, but as it’s only brewed a couple times a year one better checks its availability with them first.
Better safe than sorry, certainly when it comes down to getting your beer…