Full Grown Man - Tupps Brewery Review
There’s little better (at least to an avid beer drinker) than sitting in the dark corner of a dark bar on a dark winter day drinking a dark beer. And the richer the malt and higher ABV the better. That’s where we’re hoping Full Grown Man Imperial Stout from Tupps Brewery out of McKinney, Texas, will become like a second sweater as a winter favorite.
And high ABV it has. Full Grown Man does not hold back, coming in at 12.1% ABV and 50 IBU. That’s no joke, but it gives us pause. High alcohol beers can be extremely difficult to pull off, leaving the drinker with a scrunched face and far less money than they started with. But let’s leave those bad memories behind and forge ahead with hope!
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Dark as a chunk of coal in a tulip glass. Full Grown Man is topped with a milk-chocolate head that requires a heavy pour to achieve.
On the Nose--Sweet and dense with a definite high alcohol aroma and a touch of cocoa and molasses, both of which Tupps uses to brew this stout.
On the Palate--As expected, this stout is complex, which is what reviewers say when they don’t know what to say; a little less expected, this stout is shockingly approachable. It starts with that molasses sweetness, and blends to a semi-sweet chocolate bitterness, then finishes full and rich and dry, with a mildly lingering roasted malt. But for such a robust beer, it doesn’t linger long, and in a way, the full and smooth mouthfeel begs to be chugged, a dangerous endeavor for a beer designed to be sipped. And after a few sips a consistent raisin or date flavor melds into the sweetness, adding more depth.
Food Pairings: With a beer like this, always consider a chocolate or coffee dessert to bring out the rich flavors, or something savory and hearty like beef stew or shepherd’s pie. Think robust and decadent and you’re right on track.
Final Thoughts:
Maybe my palate is already acclimated to deep and roasted winter stouts, but this beer is head-scratchingly approachable. Luckily, the high ABV slows you down pretty quick and that gentle burn in the chest helps you relax and sip away, which is one of the great benefits of a high alcohol beer … when done correctly, as I believe Full Grown Man is.
Aromatically, the ABV is unmistakable, but the balance of sweet, chocolate, and roasted flavors keep it from dominating, making it easy to drink on that rich, full body, and then those fruity notes bring more complexity that calms the beer into a place of sippability.
Overall, while malt forward, this stout is balanced quite well, being not too sweet, appropriately roasty, and not lingering too long on the palate. If you’re looking to step up your stout game, or are curious about high alcohol beers that aren’t too dessert-y, give Full Grown Man Imperial Stout a try. It’s worth the $12 a four-pack, where many beers are not.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Looking for more stouts to befriend this winter?
Check out Independence Brewing’s Convict Hill and Lakewood Brewing’s The Temptress.