After an agonizing wait, Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 5 is finally out. It was agonizing because I dearly, dearly loved No. 4. If you're not up to speed on the Divine Reserve series from this Houston brewery, every so often Saint Arnold brews up something special, a
nd not for the weak-kneed. In 2005 they made a barleywine, early 2006 the came out with an abbey quadruppel, late 2006 a double IPA, and last year (and this is when I first discovered Divine Reserve), they made a glorious wee heavy. Number 5 is an imperial stout. It's not the best imperial stout I've ever had – I'll give that title to North Coast's Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout – and it's not quite as magnificent as the No. 4, but it's still damn fine. A nice roasted quality with strong notes of chocolate and coffee. It's almost chewy, and at 10% alcohol, one will do you for the evening. If you go out looking for it, I'll give you a little hint: I don't know what the policy is at other stores, but at Grapevine Market it's not just sitting on the shelves — you'll need to go up to the service counter and ask for it by name. And give the secret password and the double-secret handshake. (Just kidding on that last one.)
As heavy as the Divine Reserve is, it almost seems light compared to the 2007 version of North Coast's Old Stock Ale. They call the style "old ale," whatever that means. Whatever it is, me likey. A lot. I wish I could afford to round out every single night for the rest of my life with one of these. If my memory serves, it tastes a lot like that No. 4 wee heavy. The best way I can think to describe it "rich." And I don't just mean the price (something like $14 for a four-pack). This beer is filling, satisfying, and at 11.7%, very mellowing. And speaking of mellowing, they recommend you set aside some to age. I plan to. In fact, I'm going age both the Old Stock and the Divine Reserve in my closet and try them again a year from now.
