Dark Horse Plead the 5th Imperial Stout

Bottle. Pour is a spectacular dark, dark brown with a head that hesistates at first and then slowly forms into a thin, tan cover. Aromas are huge and interesting: coffee, chocolate, burnt aromas, charcoal, prunes or other dark fruit, Flavor is a great mix of the aromas mentioned above… but comes off as a little less full than some of my all time favorites (think Expedition). In spite of this, the alcohol is wonderfully held in check by all that is going on, so it doesn’t go down like a shot of whisky or anything like that. Just a pleasant warmth. I should also point out that there is a very silky vanilla backbone to all of this that I didn’t see coming… it is a little different and gives the beer some uniqueness. I should also add that this one got better as it warmed and I will definitely drink the second bottle at cellar temperature.

Carolina Crew Gathering Greenville, NC. Thanks to Sprinkle for this!. Thin black pour with a tan head and slight lace. Very big roasty aroma, almost smokey. Thin Mouth-feel Chocolate, coffee, and rum (probably molasses) Alcohol is well masked.

Bottle courtesy tpd975. Pours black with a one finger tan head that leaves good lacing. Aroma of roasted malt, a hint of smoke, molasses, chocolate, and coffee. Taste is the same as aroma but more prominent. Medium full mouthfeel with a moderate amount of bitterness and very smooth alcohol. Very good.

Bottle courtesy of tpd975. Pours thick black, with a brownish head. Aroma is lightly smokey and of dark fruits. Taste is roasty, and very sweet, malty with slight note of smoke, some chocolate / coffee and candy sugar to make it a great Imperial Stout.

This dark beer poured out like motor oil on a cold day. There was a small dark brown head that shrank to an oily slick. Burnt sugar, molassess, chocolate and some roast coffee in the nose. Thick, oily mouthfeel. Lots of chocolate, coffee, molassess, burnt toast, toffee, and a long coffee finish. Really a nice beer.