Hakim Stout, brewed by Ethiopia-based Harar Beer Factory, provides stout drinkers with a strange proposition. Can a Russian Imperial Stout produced in a country with a large Muslim population and an incredibly warm climate really work?
Judging by the online reviews of the beer, I'm guessing Hakim Stout didn't cut it.
Most of the reviews on Beeradvocate said the stout lacked both the body and the maltiness to qualify as a full-fledged Russian Imperial, or as any sort of stout for that matter. Other reviews noted the lack of head on the poured beer and the clarity of the beer--both are bad signs, since stouts are typically foamy and opaque.
Nearly all online reviewers put heavy emphasis on the sugary sweetness of the brew. Though Russian Imperials should have a dark fruit/molasses taste, it should not be the dominant flavor.
For the experience of saying you consumed a beer from Ethiopia, it's worth picking this rare brew up. However, for the purpose of enjoying beer, look elsewhere to find a strange stout.
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