Blue Mountain Dark Hollow Artisanal Ale

Brewed by Blue Mountain Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Afton, Virginia USA

Serve in Snifter

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A blank cork so it must be Batch 1; Sample February 2009
The cork pops out with nary a peep. The beer pours into my 25cl tulip glass with a light carbonation that I am able to get to create a half finger thick, darkly browned head. The beer is quite black in color with perhaps a brown tint to it and it is completely opaque in its darkness when held up to the light. Nice, the barrel character has taken on a significant, sweet, toasted coconut note to it in the aroma. Lots of vanillin is the most dominant part of the nose, in fact it is hard to smell anything else except for coconut and vanillin; at least the aroma is incredibly smooth. Perhaps a hint of dark, roasted malt is noticeable towards the end, but it is quite slight.

The beer has a light sweetness to it up front. It picks up a definite tartness in the middle and then the barrel character kicks in, but not aggressively so; a touch of Bourbon spiciness, notes of vanillin and some alcoholic heat that warms the throat as the beer slides down. A touch of roast character adds a bit of bitterness to the finish as well as a charred malt flavor. The mix of flavors and tartness reminds me of burnt, concentrated plums towards the middle. The barrel also brings out a nice, toasted coconut flavor. This is pretty light bodied for an Imperial Stout of this strength; it can be a little thin with the alcohol warming in the finish.

Not a bad beer, I really like that the barrel character is fairly smooth all around and has lots of vanillin and coconut character. The beer is a bit thin though, it could definitely use a bit more viscous heft and richness; the additional body would work perfectly with the slight carbonation that this beer has too and would help to balance the burnt acidity and sharp roast character a bit more.

Brown pour with foamy head and lace. Aroma of brown sugar, chocolate, and coffee. Flavor is sweet chocolate with a nice warmth. Medium bodied with good carbonation.

Bottle, caged/corked. This pours with the look of a dark hollow, indeed. As dark as a beer can possibly be, I surmise. Firm but thin tan head of tight foam. The nose is a bit intimidating -- full of dark fruit and whiskey. It drinks with a bit easier tilt. There’s a decidedly bourbon-laden burn, but despite it is easy to quaff. Scary. Very well done, with subtlety and finesse. (#4544, 3/26/2012)

Gift from SJ. This was a solid Imp. Stout. I liked the earthy, roasted malt, whiskey chocolate and vanilla blend. The caramel malts, bread and even dark fruits appeared at the finish. It was everything I love in a stout.

2/25/12. Bottle shared by DecaturStevo after RBWG 2012. Almost black pour with a huge brown head that sticks and laces a ton. Sweet marshmallow aroma with plenty of alcohol burn on the aroma. Sweet chocolate and sugary flavor with fudeg and marshmallow. Not too bad, but a bit sweet.

750 ml bottle. Pours dark brown color with a huge off white head. The aroma has roasted malt, caramel, slightly acidic, doughy bread and bourbon notes. The flavor has a nice roasted malt base with bourbon, dark fruits and toasted yeasty bread. Medium bodied, pretty tasty.

Bottle #6 shared by alexsdad06. Poured a hazy black color with an average frothy brown head that lasted with fair lacing. Moderate to heavy toasted chocolate mslt, nuts and bourbon alcohol aroma. Medium to heavy bittersweet toasted malt sweet flavor with a medium to heavy sweet and small alcohol bite finish of moderate to long duration. Medium to full body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. This beer exceeded my expectations.

Light sweet chocolate notes on the nose. Pours dark chocolate amber with a nice caramel head. The flavor is similar, roasted chocolate and clean malts, not complex but light and smooth.

750mL c&c thanks to wickedpete at Shenandoah Throwdown. The pour is very deep brown to black with a massive brown coffee head. Huge lacing. Nose is rich, sweet cherry cola, vanilla. Taste is thinner, big cocoa, bitter cocoa powder. Not bad. Fairly dense and dessert like in profile.

Very Very Very good imperial stout! A bit expensive for the bottle. left lingering flavors of whiskey, chocolate, and goodness. could be a bit more bitter

not my favorite style. although, it’s well done for what it proclaims. black with a creamy white head. very strong aroma of bourbon, vanilla, chocolate. a very thick beer. tastes like it smells. a definite sipping beer, not the best for a warm spring day eating brunch at the brewery. better for a cold winter night.