Arcadia Imperial Stout

Very dark when poured but absolutely no head formed. Aroma has a very sweet and sugary smell mixed with a little bit of a fruity prune, smells delicious. The initial flavor is a bit sugary prune mixed with smoke. Flavor afterwords is moderately roasted, very dry finish and a coffee hint lingers after the beer has disappeared from your mouth. Almost zero carbonation in this beer and very poor mouth feel. I was not too impressed with this imperial by any means and think the rating is generous for this very very mediocre imperial stout (at best).

Bottle, 2007. Remarkably little head. Aroma of prunes, roasted malt, roasted coffee, and sweet alcohol. Flavor quite boozy with those dark fruits. Not too much of that roasted malt. Dry, coffee finish. Alcohol taste builds more and more. Too much of it, but ok otherwise.

Ok, Hop Rocket impressed me, so I picked up one of these at Binny’s. Pours (surprise) black with a tan head. Looks like a thin pour though. Coats the glass briefly with a tan cascade. Aroma has some chocolate, but is dominated by prunes and sea salt. Tastes kind of burnt and kind of pruney. Mouthfeel is very thin and the finish tastes like orange juice after you brush your teeth. Off flavors are almost overbearing at the end of the bottle, inviting a drain pour.

Bottle. Pours black as night with a slight copper color head. Very sweet nose. Sweet malt flavor with a salty entry. A medium creamy body. Finishes with a touch of hop bitterness. Slight black currant flavors build part way through. A bit thin at times, perhaps even better aged a little while. Solid IRS!

Bottle from Vintage Cellar. Black color with a frothy dark tan head. Aromas of dark fruits and toasted/burnt malt. Full bodied with frothy/creamy carbonation. Flavors of sweetish dark fruits, chocolate, burnt malt, and maybe coffee. Finish is surprisingly dry and marvelously bitter. Drinks incredibly well.