Double Stout Backstory

Our second installment of the ChuckAlek Archives series is a 7.5% Double Stout brewed a la 1890.

Why the Double in DS? London Porter breweries of the 19th century had a range of Stouts that were increasing in gravity (sugar content prior to fermentation) from Single Stout, Double Stout, sometimes a Triple Stout, up to Imperial Stout.

In the current day beer world, Imperial and Double are thrown around interchangeably to describe a beer that is stronger in alcohol content and perhaps flavor (e.g. hops) than the standard strength version of the same general style. But, for 19th century stouts they were distinctly different descriptors. Imperial was named as such because it was the top of the line… the highest starting gravity, typically resulting in more alcohol after fermentation. Imperial was a term coined because these were the most valued beers sent to elite and often preferred by royalty. There were both export Double Stouts and export Imperial Stouts, among other export products. Double, then, was simply something in between the standard Single Stout and fine quality Imperial Stout of a given brewery.

Brewing Archives 1890 DS

Our recipe was modeled after the 1890 Truman Double Stout dug up by beer historian Ronald Pattinson, and published in his “Porter!” collection. As with the Archives 1850 Runner we released last month, we achieve a complex set of malt flavors with a simple blend of Pale, Brown, and Black malt.

The Truman Double Stout recipe notes two varieties of British hops from the Kent region and one German variety of Bavarian hops. Hopping also includes a dry hop addition, something you don’t find shining through most modern stouts. In fact, many present day brewers shy away from much hopping at all in stouts in favor of malt focused beers.

In our Archives 1890 DS, we chose to dry hop with a variety from the Spalt region in Bavaria. Dry hops are those added into the storage tank after fermentation is mostly complete, as opposed hops added by a brewer during the boil and prior to fermentation. The flavor and aroma contributions of dry hops are potentially high, and the bitterness contributions quite low (because they aren’t boiled for any length of time).

Drinking Archives 1890 DS

It all boils down to the final product.

Aroma of fennel, soft floral hop, and a hint of blood orange.

Bready, heirloom, British pale malt is layered with rich brown and black malt flavor exhibiting notes of milk chocolate and toffee.

Spalt Select dry hops combine with light raisin and roast of the malt to form a licorice note to the finish. This is a nice full-bodied stout with a moderate viscosity and smooth carbonation.

Bottles are available, while supplies last, only at the ChuckAlek Independent Brewers tasting room in Ramona!

Archives 1890 DS can also be found on tap at Urge Gastropub, Monkey Paw Pub and Brewery, and Plan 9 Alehouse. For current availability, check out TapHunter!

Cheers,

Grant

Thanks to Ron Pattinson for his documentation of the 1890 Truman Double Stout recipe from 7/7/1890 and also the endless wealth of his writings on Porter history that we drew on for this release.

Brewers, check out Ron Pattinson’s new book on brewing Vintage Beer!

Keep an eye out for more news on ChuckAlek Archives via West Coaster.