Oat Chi Minh

The portrait

This bold Dry Stout was brewed with Vietnamese coffee, which, thanks to its butter roast, imparted characteristic chocolate notes. The addition of black beans to the malt base (2%) ensured a smooth, rounded mouthfeel and a silky balance.

Fermented with Vietnamese coffee, this Stout transported tasters to the streets of Hanoi with aromas of chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut. A smooth, rounded start on the palate, followed by a dry and slightly bitter finish, leaving a truly unique memory.

Vietnamese coffee, traditionally butter-roasted, brought a chocolatey dimension and aromatic boldness that blended perfectly with the malty structure of this stout. The tasters' comments spoke for themselves: "Coffee coffee coffee" aptly summarized the intensity of this creation.

The story

An Oatmeal Stout created in collaboration with La Brasserie de l'Être in Paris. The name is a nod to Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese culture, the central theme of this brew.

The use of black beans in brewing is an unusual technique rooted in certain brewing traditions of Asia and Latin America. These legumes contribute protein and a velvety texture that wonderfully complements the roasting of coffee and malts.

This beer represented a bold exploration of coffee stouts, a category that was then experiencing a real surge in popularity in the craft beer world.

Food and beer pairings

A coffee stout of this intensity called for rich and powerful pairings : tiramisu, dark chocolate brownies, Vietnamese coffee ice cream (cà phê sữa đá), or even a cocoa and hazelnut dessert.

The roasted notes and roundness brought by the black beans also made it a candidate to accompany a robust savory dish such as coffee-braised beef, caramelized spare ribs, or even a strong blue cheese.

The final word

There Oat Chi Minh remains a memorable and audacious exploration of the boundaries between brewing and coffee. This ephemeral 2018 creation testifies to La Nébuleuse's spirit of experimentation and its ability to draw inspiration from culinary traditions around the world. For those fortunate enough to have tasted this liquid journey to Hanoi, the memory remains unique – as promised.

Cheers! 🍻

The recipe