 Gurst (328), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Mar 17, 2005
Poured this one into a goblet. Probably not the best choice of drinking ware, but damn did it feel special. Aroma wafted of alcohol, a light date and spice scent, and very faint tinges of coffee, malt, and grapefruit. A very dark brown color, tall mocha lacing, and a medium head that thins quickly, but is stubborn to completely leave. The taste is amazing. I was skeptical it could live up to the hype for an 18% abv bottle...but damn. The alcohol is tasteable...but in a great way. It mingles, somehow, with the sweet and creamy coffee flavor into something wonderful. The middle is a light bitterness, but still very smooth. Finishes with a deep, roasted grain taste. Somewhere in the finish is a split-second blast of intense sweet chocolate, but it instantly fades. The light yet sticky texture isn’t pleasing to me, and the finish texture is somewhat lacking. This beer is kind of lack crack cocaine: gives you a quick punch of intensity, but it quickly fades and then leaves you begging for another sip. At $8+ a bottle...it’s an expensive addiction...
Schultsc (434), Henderson, Nevada, USA
Nov 30, 2008 2007 Bottling. Thick opaque black with a dark caramel-colored rim. A thin, fine, quickly-dissipating dark tan head. Very viscous--leaves a thick coating on the sides of the glass when swirled. Sweet aroma of dark caramel, molasses, and bittersweet chocolate with syrupy alcohol draped around everything. Candied dark berry fruits follow with a burnt sugar and roasted grain edge along with a hint of the Indonesian sweet soy sauce kecap manis in the background. Finally, French roast coffee wafts through with alcohol aspects that are somewhat mediated by a subtle creaminess. Flavorwise, this beer is sweet. That’s its thing. This is definitely a dessert beer--as the port wine comparison in the description alludes to. The sweetness is balanced out by a significant alcohol characteristic that onlya beer with this substantial structure could keep in check. Lots of smooth bitterness in play here as well from both hops and roasted malt. This drinks like a brown sugar cordial. The body is giant with thick, mouth-coating sweetness that is superbly cut by the suberbly balanced (for its strength) alcohol along with the bitterness. This is rich, decadent, immensely flavorful--the quitessential dessert in a glass.
taalhiker (172), Dayton, Ohio, USA
Nov 28, 2008 Draft @ GABF. Pours pitch black with thin dark tan head. Aroma of sweet dark fruits and faint coffee. Very complex flavors with molasses, coffee, soy and chocolate. One of the best Imp Stouts I’ve had.
Benjiehorn (9), Chicago, Illinois, USA
does not count  Nov 27, 2008 Wow! This brew is always a phenomenal offering from Dogfish’s catalogue, and this year is no different. Very heavy on the molasses, dark fruits, and quite a bit of chocolate, with just a subtle hint of coffee. I will have to disagree about the ABV though. i think the 18% pops out quite a bit, and the alcohol really hits you on the finish. I think this beer could use about a year of cellaring or so before it’s peak. Very nice!
Sandman2222 (42), Florida, USA
Oct 29, 2008 Carmel, barley, coffee, ’’mahogany sweet’’, chocolatey, dark monster. Altoghether a very wonderful beer, quite balanced, and with the HUGE abv of 18, they happen to hide it quite well.
Beardface (257), Eugene, Oregon, USA
Oct 26, 2008 How are they burying 18% alcohol in here? It’s amazing! Maybe it’s the extra sweetness that permeates throughout, very fruity with some nice dark maltiness throughout. I want one of these things to put me to sleep every single night.
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