Temperance Might Meets Right 4Pk

Temperance Might Meets Right 4Pk is a variety pack of barrel-aged imperial stouts from Temperance Beer Co. in Evanston, Illinois, with ABVs ranging from approximately 11.5% to 13.7% depending on the vintage. Individual variants in the series have earned strong marks on Beer Advocate, including a 92 for the Heaven Hill variant and a 91 for ¡La Sorpresa!, while the Coconut Coffee expression was spotlighted by Food & Wine Magazine as a top barrel-aged contender.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~11.5%–13.7% (varies by variant)  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Temperance Beer Co.

Production & Heritage

Temperance Beer Co. holds the distinction of being Evanston's first brewery, and several Might Meets Right variants are born from a collaboration with FEW Spirits — Evanston's first and only distillery. The base imperial stout is aged in a rotating selection of bourbon and rye whiskey barrels, which impart layers of oak, vanillin, and dark fruit complexity. FEW's bourbon, which contains a significant proportion of rye in its mashbill, lends a distinctive balance of sweetness and spice, while FEW's rye barrels contribute cinnamon and cherry character. Each annual release introduces new variants — past packs have included single-barrel expressions aged in FEW Rye, FEW Bourbon, Basil Hayden Toast, and Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old Rye barrels, alongside flavored editions like Coconut Coffee and Chocolate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted malt and espresso dark chocolate lead, followed by earthy wood and sweet bourbon. Depending on the variant, secondary notes of coconut, chili pepper, or vanilla emerge from the barrel influence.

Taste: The palate opens with rich dark malts and espresso bean bitterness, building into a mid-palate of oak, dark cherry, and luscious dark fruit. Barrel-specific character defines each variant — expect cinnamon spice from the rye-barrel expressions, sweet vanilla from the bourbon variants, and layered complexity from specialty casks. The high ABV provides a warming backbone without overwhelming the stout's core identity.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering dark chocolate, roasted grain, and a subtle vanillin sweetness from the barrel aging. The rye-barrel variants tend to close with a dry, spicy edge, while bourbon-barrel expressions leave a smoother, sweeter impression.

How to Drink Might Meets Right

These barrel-aged stouts are best enjoyed at cellar temperature (50–55°F) in a tulip glass or snifter, which concentrates the complex aromas. Pour slowly and allow each variant a few minutes to open up as it warms slightly. While purists will prefer these neat, the higher-ABV variants like Basil Hayden Toast (13.7%) and Russell's Reserve Rye (13.3%) hold up in a Stout Float with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert serve. The Coconut Coffee variant makes an exceptional base for a Beer Affogato, poured over a scoop of coffee gelato. Any of the bourbon-barrel expressions pair naturally with a Black Velvet-style blend, topped gently with a dry sparkling cider for contrast.

Best For

• Hosting a guided tasting flight of barrel-aged stout variants at home
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates whiskey-barrel complexity
• Cellaring individual bottles to compare across vintages
• Pairing alongside a multi-course dessert spread

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Might Meets Right taste like? The series delivers a rich imperial stout profile dominated by espresso dark chocolate, roasted malt, oak, and vanilla, with each variant introducing distinct barrel-driven flavors ranging from rye spice to bourbon sweetness to chili pepper heat.

How does Might Meets Right compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are Chicago-area barrel-aged imperial stouts, but Might Meets Right distinguishes itself by offering multiple barrel variants in a single pack, including rye whiskey and specialty cask expressions, whereas Bourbon County centers primarily on a single bourbon-barrel base with annual one-off releases sold individually.

Is Might Meets Right good for sipping neat? Absolutely — these are designed to be savored slowly at cellar temperature, where the barrel character and high ABV create a warming, contemplative drinking experience best appreciated without dilution.

Where is Might Meets Right made? Might Meets Right is brewed by Temperance Beer Co. in Evanston, Illinois, a city directly north of Chicago that was historically a stronghold of the prohibition-era temperance movement — a fact the brewery embraces in its name and identity.

What foods pair well with Might Meets Right? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the stout's cocoa character. Smoked brisket stands up to the barrel intensity. Blue cheese creates a sharp counterpoint to the malt sweetness. Bread pudding with caramel sauce mirrors the bourbon-barrel vanilla notes. Mole-spiced dishes complement the ¡La Sorpresa! chili pepper variant especially well.

What sizes does Might Meets Right come in? The standard release is a 4-pack of individually bottled variants, with each bottle representing a different barrel-aged expression from that year's program.

Is Might Meets Right worth the price? Might Meets Right positions in the premium tier for barrel-aged craft stouts, and the variety-pack format — offering four distinct expressions in one purchase — delivers strong value compared to buying limited-release barrel-aged bottles individually.

Why Might Meets Right?

What separates this pack from other barrel-aged stout releases is the built-in diversity: each bottle represents a different barrel or flavor profile, turning a single purchase into a comparative tasting experience. The collaboration with FEW Spirits is genuinely local — Evanston's only brewery and only distillery working together — and the resulting barrel character carries specificity you won't find in stouts aged in generic sourced barrels. With individual variants scoring as high as 92 on Beer Advocate and recognition from Food & Wine, the series has earned critical attention that matches its ambition. For anyone serious about barrel-aged stouts, this pack offers range, quality, and a distinctly Illinois provenance.