Boaks Monster Mash Imperial Stout

Got this bootle from Oak Tree Buy Rite...wasn’t expecting it to be this good, but it is a big beer with a complex flavor. Bitter and metallic like most stouts, but alot of other flavors, fruit smoke, coffee. Small head which mostly diminishes but leaves some lacing on the glass. Color is very dark but not straight up black, you can almost see a reddish brown tint. Super.

Poors a thick black with a mocha head. flavor is full bodied with lots of chocolate and well balanced with the hops. An excellent example of the style.

From one of the most knowledgable and friendly brewers in the area, this stout surely did not disappoint. Pours a dirty used engine oil black, complete with brown bubbly foam at the top. If you’ve ever changed your own engine oil, you’ll know what I’m talking about. No real lacing to speak of. "Mocha coffee with cream" would be my best attempt at describing the aroma. Flavor and drinkability is just out of this world, though. It isn’t that syrupy thick flavor you’d expect from the coloring and alcohol percentage. More of a nutty coffee flavor with a slight tinge of dark chocolate. Although, the extremely low carbonation would let you gulp it down if you braved, the 10% alcohol makes this something to sip slowly. What I liked best about this was the lack of the typical "dark fruit" flavors typically found in the style. That and the fact that it wasn’t as thick as the afforementioned used motor oil. Great stuff from NJ’s newest brewer.

Enjoyed on tap at the release at Andy’s Corner Bar in Bogota, NJ. Initial nose is very fruity and stout flavor is reserved, the 100 IBUs are hidden as is the alcohol. But don’t be fooled, this is a monster of a brew. After several sips, roastiness and coffee is released, anise, caramel and the full body begin to become more prominent. This is not an overpowering IRS but don’t be fooled by it’s drinkabilty. The 10% alcohol will sneak up on you quickly. This is the type of beer to have a growler of in front of crackling fire in a Vermont during a howling winter storm.

As previous raters mentioned,got this 12 oz bottle from Oaktree.Poured out a dark brown color,with a thin tan head.Aromas of malt,coffee and chocoloate.Medium body,with all the tastes listed above as well as some cherry and light hops.Pretty good.