Beer Valley Black Flag Imperial Stout

Coolest label ever perhaps. Purchased this bomber from Whole Foods in Portland, OR. Poured a massive thick oily jet black with a big dark dark head. Not as exciting on the nose as I was hoping, but some good woodsy, roasted aromas getting out. Flavour was big and bold, lots of coffee, some bitter chocolate, and very hoppy. Alcohol was practically invisible...no small feat at 11.5%. The finish pulled no punches and stuck with me into the following morning. I like an Imperial Stout that leaves an impression and I loved this.

#500. Bottle. Pours with a super huge foamy tan head and nice lacing. Opaque dark brown body. Aroma is rich sweet malt and dark fruit. Strong bitter roast flavors, dry wtih noticeable but mild alcohol bite. A little thin and foamy in the mouth.

Bottle 66cl @ [ Tasting by Maria ].
Clear dark black color with a large, creamy, excellent lancing, fully lasting, beige head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, roasted, chocolate, moderate hoppy, grass, smoke notes, alcohol. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and moderate bitter with a long duration. Body is medium to full, texture is oily - syrupy, carbonation is soft, finish feel is light alcoholic and smooth. ;o) (060608)

In short: A brutal black thing with too much alcohol
How: Bottle 22oz, about 1 year old
The look: Black body topped by a medium tan head
In long: Burnt wood and alcohol on the nose. Taste is very simplistic. Body is very sticky. Sweet black liquorice, old coffee filter and burnt wood. Fruity notes reminiscent of apple concentrate (!?). Alcohol is very apparent. Medium roastiness level. After tastes leaves an alcohol and ashes flavour. Strong alcohol burning sensation kills any complexity the beer may have had. Rather sweet but not more than expected from an 11% beer. This is a really simplistic brutal beer, not my thing. Basically it is just a slap in the face, and if I want a slap in the face I can save $10 and use my left hand (the right one being usually busy because I’m a beer-geek and therefore not very attractive).

A bit too hoppy for the style, with some understated roastiness coming through after the resiny hop bite on the first sip, immediately followed by some graham cracker maltiness. Pours a deep oily black color with a tall froth tan off white head, that recedes into some heavy lacing on the sides of the glass. This beer really tries to be balanced, but the hops really fight with the roasted milk chocolate flavors, hops first and chocolate 2nd, racing for a tie on your palate. This could almost be classified as a dark IPA, but still very enjoyable to drink, even if it is a tad hoppy for the style.