What would make a beer reviewer look like this?
If you follow the craft beer scene, you know that bold claims get thrown around a lot. But when a veteran reviewer like Simon Martin from the legendary Real Ale Craft Beer YouTube channel drops a video asking if a new brew is “The World’s Best Imperial Stout?”, it demands your immediate attention.
The beer in question? The Night Watch BA Imperial Stout by Dog’s Window Brewery.
Whether you are a die-hard pastry stout fan or a purist who loves traditional barrel-aged dark beers, this release is making serious waves. Here is a breakdown of what makes this stout so highly regarded—and why it might just live up to that massive title.
Meet the Contender: The Night Watch
Clocking in at a warming 11.0% ABV, this isn’t a stout for the faint of heart. Dog’s Window Brewery started with a rich, Muscovado-infused Imperial Stout base, built on dark chocolate malts and a velvety oat body.
But an incredible base beer is only half the story. The real magic of The Night Watch happens in the wood.
The Barrel-Aging Magic
To elevate this stout into world-class territory, Dog’s Window split the batch and laid it to rest in two very distinct types of casks: Brandy and Oloroso Sherry.
When these two barrel profiles are blended back together, they create a masterclass in complexity:
The Brandy Casks impart a subtle spirit sweetness, alongside warming notes of steeped dark fruits and toasted oak.
The Oloroso Sherry Casks bring deep, sophisticated, and slightly drier layers to the table—think roasted walnuts, dried figs, and just a touch of leather.
Tasting Notes: What to Expect in the Glass
When you crack open a 440ml can of The Night Watch, you are pouring an incredibly decadent, slow-sipping experience.
The Pour: Pitch black and viscous, pouring like motor oil with a dark, mocha-colored head.
The Aroma: Massive wafts of sherry, rich molasses, and dark chocolate hit the nose immediately.
The Palate: The mouthfeel is incredibly thick thanks to the oat-heavy malt bill. Upfront, you get sticky molasses and bitter dark chocolate, which gives way to the complex dark fruits (figs and raisins) from the barrel aging.
The Finish: A long, lingering, warming finish where the brandy sweetness and the leathery, nutty sherry notes finally take a bow.
The Final Verdict
Is it the best Imperial Stout in the world? (Not our words) “Best” is always subjective, but Dog’s Window has undeniably crafted a masterpiece that holds its own against the heavyweights of the stout world. It is luxurious, warming, and profoundly layered.
If you manage to track down a can of The Night Watch, treat it with respect. Let it warm up slightly in the glass to allow those incredible barrel characteristics to open up, and set aside some time to truly savor it.