On tap: Excellent aroma of chocolate, fruit cake, black licorice, expresso, and faint vanilla. It’s a dark brown, virtually black, with a small brown head. The beer really coats the glass when swirled. The flavor starts wtih lots of chocolate with faint black licorice and plum in the background. The finish has mild roasted coffee with some pine and light citrus hops as well as a touch of alcohol. Full bodied with an slick oily mouthfeel. This gets my vote for best beer at the MI Brewers Guild Summer Festival ’07.

MiBGF 07: Opaque with a excellent oily film on the sample cup. The aroma abounds with liquorice, molasses, smoke, bittersweet bakers chocolate, and a hint of bourbon and vanilla beans. <br /><br /> The taste is a tour de force with a huge fruity character (mostly fig) supported by anise in the forefront followed by heavy notes of chocolate and vanilla finishing with a dash of smoke and coffee. Oh wait a minute and you will even find a brief moment of piney hops and acidity. YUMMY!<br /><br /> The mouth feel is lush, oily and oh so dangerously drinkable for a big Impy. It goes big without making you gasp for air. It is a wonderful work of art I wish I could have a growler of. Almost all you would ever want for an Imperial Stout.

Draft sample at MBGF07. Poured black color with an average frothy brown head that was mostly lasting with good lacing. Heavy roasted coffee and dark chocolate malty aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture. Heavy roasted balanced flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of long duration. This is a standout beer.

GABF 2008. Oily black pour, thick brown head. Densley malty, rich roast, burnt toast, vegemite, long & strong bitter finish.

On tap at the 2007 GABF: Pours an oily opaque with a wispy-lacing dark tan head. Aroma of sweet molasses, licorice and some citrusy hops with dark chocolate. Body starts sticky and earthy with some dark malty and plum complexity with a sticky, doughy finish. Oatmeal palate has good sweetness and balance.