The Moersleutel Confronting Suitors, officially 9 Years Celebration IX: Confronting Suitors, is a barrel-aged Imperial Stout with 14% ABV and around 40 IBU from the Moersleutel Craft Brewery in Alkmaar. It represents the highlight and grand finale of the anniversary series celebrating the brewery's ninth anniversary and is a pure barrel-aged stout without additives. The name refers to Odysseus, who returned home to confront the suitors, just as this beer marks the conclusion of nine years of brewing history. It is brewed with barley malt, rye, spelt, wheat, and oats, then aged in two exceptional barrels: one originally used not for spirits but for high-quality maple syrup, imparting a deep, salty sweetness to the beer, while the spicy, slightly smoky Sazerac rye bourbon barrels add additional depth. In the glass, the stout appears deep black, with aromas of salty maple, spicy rye whiskey, and smoky oak, and on the palate, it is full, soft, and dense, with hints of chocolate and honey. Bottled in a 44 cl can, the beer is served at about 12 °C and contains gluten-containing grains.
