Do you like Tiramisu? If you do, then have I got the beer for you. Terrapin Tiramisu-Hoo, between me and you, is an all-around great beer, through and through. Who knew that such a brew could even come true? Why Terrapin Beer Company of Athens Georgia, that’s who. 

All kidding aside, Terrapin Tiramisu-Hoo, a winter 2015-16 release in the company’s Reserve Series line, is a variation on their classic Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout, one of my very favorite Terrapin beers. This is a beer I held out little hope of finding, as last year their similar release of Cinnamon Roll Wake N’Bake Oatmeal Stout was impossible to find. Indeed, I was actually on a quest to find the Burnt Hickory Noggin Knocker (which I never did). Stopping at a small store called Red’s Package Store in Alpharetta, I was surprised to see Terrapin Tiramisu-Hoo and so of course bought a bottle.

Here’s how Terrapin describes the beer on the label:

Soak up the flavor in our newest Reserve Series beer, “Tiramisu-Hoo” Imperial Milk Stout. With all the attributes of a finely executed dessert, we have managed to create a beer that is layered with all the goodness you would expect from a succulent slice of Italian history.

Ingredients from the website:

Hops: Nugget

Malt: 2-row, flaked oats, crystal 85, chocolate, dehusked carafa III, roasted barley

Other: lactose sugar, Olive and Sinclair chocolate, Jittery Joe’s coffee, vanilla, and flavors

Terrapin Tiramisu-Hoo Imperial Milk Stout has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume with 30 IBUs. I paid $10.99 for my bottle at Red’s, a little high but not enough to keep me from drinking this one again.

Terrapin Tiramisu-Hoo Imperial Milk Stout pours to a jet black color with a very light head of creamy tan foam and an amazingly rich nose of espresso and soft vanilla. Taking a sip, the beer is rich and thick up front and laced with espresso-soaked ladyfinger notes, hazelnut, and perhaps cinnamon. It finishes dark and roasty but sweet too, just like a dessert should, with more vanilla chicory grassy hops.

Back in 2010, I reviewed a bottle of Terrapin Midnight Project Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout and suggested it with a slice of tiramisu. Tiramisu-Hoo Imperial Milk Stout is sort of like that beer and the slice of dessert all jammed up inot one delicious bottle.

I really love the way the very roasty espresso notes combine with the dark chocolate, and the vanilla give the impression of the ladyfingers. This really is a glass of Italian dessert, and I’m very glad I found it. It’s not a beer for everyday drinking to be sure, but then that’s why it’s a reserve series beer. With luck, Terrapin will reserve this one for us again next year.

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