Perennial Abraxas Imperial Stout
Perennial Abraxas Imperial Stout is Perennial Artisan Ales' legendary imperial stout — brewed with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks, pouring deep brown with a thick head and a complex, lingering roastiness. At 10%–11.5% ABV depending on vintage (recent vintages 10.5%) in a 750mL bottle, it is one of the most celebrated American imperial stouts ever made: a perfect 100 on RateBeer and 99 on BeerAdvocate from 3,100+ ratings. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 10%–11.5% depending on vintage (recent vintages 10.5%)
- Size: 750mL
- Adjuncts: Ancho chiles, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks
- IBU: 80
- Brewery: Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, Missouri
The Stout That Challenges the Palate
Perennial Artisan Ales was founded in 2011 in St. Louis by husband-and-wife team Kelsea and Perry C. Beier, and quickly earned a reputation for pushing beer-style boundaries while keeping balance and drinkability. Abraxas is their statement beer — "brewed with unique ingredients intended to challenge and excite the palate," per the brewery — and it serves as the base beer for the brewery's celebrated variants (Coffee Abraxas, Vanilla Abraxas, Barrel-Aged Abraxas). It is a limited annual release that has drawn ticketed release events for over a decade. Browse the Perennial collection, explore more craft beer, and shop fine spirits at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Cinnamon and chili lead on the nose, giving way to dark cocoa and vanilla. The palate shows chocolate and pepper in tandem with roasted malt, cinnamon building mid-palate — full-bodied, syrupy, low carbonation — with a gentle ancho warmth lingering into the finish.
How to Enjoy
Serve at cellar temperature (55°F) in a snifter or tulip to let the adjuncts open. Perennial explicitly encourages cellaring — Abraxas may be enjoyed right away or aged in the bottle, and vertical tastings are a tradition among fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in Perennial Abraxas?
An imperial stout base with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks.
How strong is Abraxas?
10%–11.5% ABV depending on vintage; recent vintages are 10.5%.
Can you age Abraxas?
Yes — Perennial explicitly encourages cellaring and vertical tastings.
Order Perennial Abraxas Imperial Stout online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a perfect-100 stout worth cellaring.
