When I heard that Mikkeller and Alesmith formed a new, super brewery down in San Diego, I thought I’d crossed over into a heaven-like dimension just for beer geeks.

I mean, the world-renowned Mikkeller, with some of the highest-ranked beers ever on BeerAdvocate and stacks of awards, teaming up with a national powerhouse for a brewing spot on the West Coast? That’s just too good to be true!  

My wife tells me I’m still here living regular ol’ Earth reality, but I have my doubts — especially now that I’ve gotten a stash of one of Mikkeller San Diego’s coveted beers for Tavour!

It’s Beer Geek Brunch too — a thick ‘n chewy 10.9% ABV Imperial Oatmeal Stout brewed with coffee. Whoever’s running this dimension seems to know exactly the kind of mocha-rich tastiness dark beer geeks like me crave.

Each sip of this Mikkeller behemoth plunges the palate into opulent layers of just-ground espresso and freshly-made fudge. Notes of sweet bread and vanilla come through on the finish, right before a final whisper of dark chocolate ganache. Yum! 

Maybe I am still in the real world, but every sip of this boozy Stout is a step into a whole realm of dark beer nirvana. Can you hear the Beer Geek within calling?   

Rated 92/100 on BeerAdvocate

*Mikkeller launched in Denmark in 2006 and won “Danish Brewery of the Year” that same year. They have collaborated with breweries all over the world, and Mikkeller San Diego is their first location in the U.S.