The Blood of Cthulhu

The Blood of Cthulhu is a fractious imperial stout brewed with cherries, raspberries, and cranberries. It’s a 9.5%, 50 IBU bruiser from Gravenhurst, Ontario’s Sawdust City Brewing Co. Sold in 473mL cans that amateurs ought to consider sharing, the beer is a nearly opaque black grog that pours with a tan foam. As the can reads, Cthulhu is “as black as the blood of a malevolent demigod.”

Cthulhu has a powerfully malty nose enhanced with tart fruit and dark chocolate. The flavour has those same elements, but their prominence is staggered, with the richness of sweet raspberries and the blast of tangy cherries leading the way. Chocolate notes are well represented, too, supplementing a thick, syrupy mouthfeel.

Cthulhu is a serious imperial stout, but it’s more than boozy bombast. There are layers upon layers of flavour, making it a complex sipping ale.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.