Eel River Ravens Eye Imperial Stout

Brewed by Eel River Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Fortuna, California USA

Serve in Snifter

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Bottle. Poured dark brown, almost black, with small light brown head. Aroma is full of berries, lots of roasted chocolate malt, a little espresso. Flavor again begins with berries-blueberries, raspberries, mocha, with a nice chocolate fudge creme brulet finish. The flavors in the finish were very prominent and enjoyable. Very drinkable, yet full of complex flavors. Sure to be a crowd pleaser once more people get a hold of this.

UPDATED: FEB 14, 2011 Now this is a pleasant surprise. 22oz bottle purchased at Whole Foods, Durham. Super inky body with almost no head, this one has a viscous, resiny body with a really intense flavor profile. Big, big chocolate notes with a trace of espresso, a rich malty impy stout with a nice hop finish too. The only real knock is that, with a character like this, I’d have appreciated a thicker mouthfeel. I’m going to look into getting several more bottles of this though. Nice!

UPDATED: MAR 2, 2007 Both on draft at the brewpub, and from a 22 oz bottle. This first review is from the draft. Poured jet black with a medium tan head that left heavy lacing. Nose is very powerful, and is of chocolate and coffee with a llittle vanilla. Mouthfeel very rich and creamy. In fact almost oily. Rich flavor of dark malts, chocolate, coffee, and fruits. Finish is nicely bitter. Hides the alcohol very well. This is an outstanding Imperial Stout both on draft and in the bottle but the bottle was a little better. Read on. This rating is from a 22 oz bottle purchased directly from the brewpub. Poured in Duvel glass at 55 degrees it was jet black with a huge tan head that left heavy lacing. Nose is very powerful, and is of chocolate and coffee with a llittle vanilla. Mouthfeel very rich and creamy. In fact almost oily. Rich flavor of dark malts, chocolate, coffee, and fruits. Finish is nicely bitter. Hides the alcohol very well. This is an outstanding Imperial Stout. What is interesting is that the bottle was better than the draft. Two reasons. First they serve their draft too cold for this type of beer. Second, it seems brewpubs always try to give you your money’s worth and so fill the glass to the brim leaving little head, and that diminishes the appearance. Guess I had better post this on trades as Eel River has limited distribution and others are going to want to get their hands on this one.

UPDATED: APR 23, 2007 Bomber from Liquid Solutions. The aroma is a medium intensity combo of chocolate/coffee with some fudge brownie and vanilla accents and the faintest hint of dark fruit. The body is mauve (just seeing if anyone was reading, it’s really black) with a thumb thick tan head that looks like an under-burnt creme brulee. It’s quite lasting. Fore is all rich chocolate and esspresso with the chocolate side being more intense and having more range....dipping into that fudge side of things again. Hints of sweet cream, vanilla and cocoa play through the middle ranges. Again some minor dark fruit notes that lean toward cherry and blueberry. The alcohol is only noticed in the finish as a warming flush. The bitterness is also relegated to the finish and is equal parts burnt/hop based. This is a very malty, chocolatey Imperial that may be more approachable than most, but is still damn tasty and enjoyable to drink for die-hard Impy fans.

22 oz bottle. Pours a dark black with a creamy small tan head. Nice roasted malt flavor, with subtle coffee, vanilla and chocolate notes. Rich and creamy mouthfeel and a balanced bitter aftertaste. You will not be able to notice the high alcohol content. This is a great Imperial Stout.

UPDATED: MAR 14, 2007 22 oz bottle via LS. Pours almost black with mahogany highlights. Average size dense tan head. Nose is roasty/smokey with mocha notes. Taste starts with some vanilla, some roasted malts, some chocolate, some coffee, and finishes with a nice complex mocha that lingers into the aftertaste. A tiny bit of smokiness in there as well..There are some citrus hops as well but they are fairly subdued. Moderate carbonation. medium body. Alcohol very well-hidden for 9.5% abv...This is a very nice drinkable complex Imp Stout. Not over the top like most are..this is easy to drink but extremely tasty. Medium body, silky mouthfeel like a nice oatmeal stout...Think Alesmith Speedway Stout with less coffee and more roastiness....Pretty close to perfect. P.S. The bottle says ’Nitrogen conditioned’..not sure what that means since there is no widget....but it does seem to have a vry nice mouthfeel, so maybe they are onto something?

Bottle. Deep black colored. Nice sized and persistant light brown head with nice lacing left behind. Aroma is very chocolatey, moderate bits of coffee. Full bodied and coating. Very malty in taste, rich chocolate lightly bitter coffee notes and just a hint of acidity. Bitterness from hops balances nicely without a huge hop presence in flavor. Damn well done, will be seeking out more of this beer.

Pours a two finger light head that fades to a ring leaving no lace. Black color. Light carbonation and heavy bodied. Slight bitter chocolate nose. Starts almost sweet nice balance with the hops gives it a bitter chocolate flavor. Smooth, easy to drink, the high ABV is hidden. $4.50 for a 22oz bottle from Liquid Solutions Tigard, Or.

UPDATED: FEB 23, 2007 22 oz bottle - This beer has got it going on! Dense motor oil black with a thick lasting tan creamy head. Initial rich nose of espresso and heavy creamy, chocolate, toasted brown sugar, and creme brulee. As this warmed even further, it became apparent that someone threw s’mores into my snifter. The freakin marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate and all. Very complex and ever changing nose throughout. Flavor was just as nice with soft burnt espresso tones, toasted caramel, and dark chocolate that fade into citric hop tone that plays out the balance. You think it’s going to be sweet, but it just never gets that far. This is almost perfect in my book. Medium to full bodied and a touch oily, light prickly carbonation, bittersweet finish. Stout lovers have to find this one ASAP. Excellent brew! Special thanks to my brother-in-law for busing it around Portland to get to Belmont Station for me. You’re the best....

UPDATED: JUL 31, 2006 22 Oz Bomber, red eyed raven on the label "product of Northern California" Fantastic looking beer as it sits in my Imperial pint glass. Mostly black with hints of mahogany..great huge light brown frothy head. Aroma is somewhat subdued for style but its all there and fresh too Great complex whirl of flavours here: coffee,blackberries,esspresso, dark cocoa laden chocolate, dark brown sugar, some hop in the after taste, good stuff. Very nice on the palate , great mouthfee, A very very good Strong stout from Eel River. I really did not think they had it in em tp produce this beauty