Introduction

Dann and Martha Holley-Paquette started Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project in 2008 on a shoestring budget. Their sole motivation was for Dann to have total creative control over the beers that he brewed. Over the course of seven years, they produced incredibly well respected beers and were vocal against pay-to-play practices happening in Boston, where bars were allegedly accepting money from distributors to place certain beers on draft. In November of 2015, they shocked the craft beer world when they closed up shop. In June of this year, they made a small return brewing Seasoned Traveller at Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh, Scotland (to be sold exclusively in the UK) and only time will tell when and if they might pop back onto the scene. CCC is very excited to bring you this vintage Barbapapa that has only continued to improve since being bottled. A gorgeous Russian Imperial Stout that has been cellared long enough to be perfect right now or that will comfortably continue to develop beautifully for another year or two to come.

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How it looks

Pours pitch-black with a rocky tan head that dissipates with great lacing.

How it smells

Smells of dark fruit, dark chocolate, molasses and a good dose of anise, and coffee.

How it tastes

Lot’s of roasted malt and coffee, dark chocolate, sweet molasses, with dark fruit and anise. Very thick and full with a slightly drying finish with a bit of warming booze. Big and balanced, with a spectacular mouthfeel, Barbapapa is one of the best imperial stouts we have ever tasted and a perfect cold weather feast of a beer.

Recommended food pairing

Barbapapa pairs well with any cream-based dessert (think tiramisu or cheesecake) but for us, the perfect, easy dessert is simply this stellar RIS paired with a wedge of really great blue cheese.