Number Nine Imperial Stout, also known as Number Nine 3?!, is a 9% imperial stout from Number Nine Brewery, based in Yokohama, in Kanagawa, Japan. It’s part of their draught and canned lineup and was first released in November 2022 as part of their third year anniversary so it’s unknown whether this is a one-off beer or if we will see it again.
Number Nine Imperial Stout : At A Glance
- Alcohol: 9%
- Style: Imperial stout
- Hops: –
- Adjuncts: –
- IBU: –
Sale Information
- Availability: Limited
- On Sale: From November 2022
- Size: 350 ml
- Price: From ¥700
Aroma & Taste
- Notable Aroma: Roasted black malt with light coffee and chocolate nose. Acrid black malt aroma when warm, medium alcohol heat.
- Notable Taste: Light body with roasted black malt with light coffee and chocolate. Grainy texture with alcohol heat as it warms up.
Number Nine Imperial Stout : Aroma & Taste
In 2021, Number Nine Brewery made a 9% imperial golden ale to celebrate their second anniversary, so it came as a surprise with Number Nine Imperial Stout being their third anniversary beer – it seems rather “normal” in comparison to be honest. But I’m not one to turn down an imperial stout.
Number Nine Imperial Stout poured out a deep brownish black colour but in a rather limp manner – there was no head and the only bubbles that existed came out because I shook the can towards the end, in the faint hope of bringing some life to the beer. The aroma was a pretty bog-standard imperial stout light aroma – some roasted black malts with a light coffee and chocolate but it wasn’t that bold or big of a beer – a shame really for an anniversary beer. As Number Nine Imperial Stout warmed up, there was an acrid black malt aroma to the beer as well as a medium alcohol heat that detracted from the nicer aromas on show.
With a relatively light nose, I wasn’t holding out much hope for the body of Number Nine Imperial Stout – and I was right not to. It was rather a light bodied beer with a black malt forward body, that had some hints of coffee and chocolate but seemed rather limp than what I like in my imperial stouts. There was a grainy texture present to the body, which was more noticeable as it warmed up.
Number Nine Imperial Stout : The Bottom Line
I was left wanting after drinking Number Nine Imperial Stout – it just lacks the power and punch that I’ve come to expect from a well-made imperial stout.
Number Nine Imperial Stout : Where to Buy
Number Nine Imperial Stout can be bought online from the following places:
