FiftyFifty Imperial Eclipse Stout - Hiram Walker / Christian Bros. Brandy Barrel

Formerly brewed at FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Truckee, California USA

Serve in Snifter

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22oz bottle, 2011 vintage. Pours a thick black with some tan head that faded quickly. Nose has coffee, toast, malt, molasses, some light grape jelly, a little caramelized apple. I though the flavor actually had some nice brandy character to it. Obviously the flavors are dominated by milk chocolate, coffee, molasses, caramel, but there was a little bit of berry too, honey, touches of a sweeter liquor. Full, sticky finish. Haven’t had too many in the series yet, but I thought this had some distinct brandy character. I think this would have ultimately stood out as being a little different than all the rest.

Pours jet black with no head. Aroma of oak, brandy and vanilla. Taste is brandy, oak and chocolate. Very tasty, middle of the road mouthfeel. Solid.

2011 bottle (#1955) - Pours ruby with a ring of tan head. Nose is boozy and sharp with lots of brandy, sugary sweetness, and dark breadiness. Taste is chocolate, boozy brandy, a little coffee and big dark malt. Not much roast. Thin and slick with a touch of carbonation. I think I just don’t like the Eclipse series too much.

Pours clear and black with a thin brown head. The nose is molasses, vanilla, caramel, booze and chocolate. The taste is heavy sweet and medium bitter with bitter coming through on the end. The texture is smooth and creamy with some alcohol warming in the back of the throat, the body is heavy and the finish is very long. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

A - Dark black with a touch of brown and a finger of frothy khaki-chocolate head. Fades normal. S - Chocolate and dark caramel malts, molasses, dark fruits, vanilla, oak, Brandy, black licorice, dark cocoa, coffee, booze. T - Sweet chocolate and caramel malts, Brandy, vanilla, oak, molasses, coffee, black licorice, bitter dark cocoa, raisin, figs, dates and other dark fruits, and some booze. M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth and a bit syrupy with a warming, sweet finish. D - Great barrel aged stout. The brandy barrel is a nice touch and the dark fruits come through a bit more.

Taken from notes - 660 ml bottle shared by Jeffo and Erik at Sloshfest 2012 - 6 in a row... This one is a tad fruitier and more on the vanilla side than all others. 2nd favourite

Sampled at Dice’s going away party. As smooth a pour as I have seen and it feels just as nice. No head. This beer is a "wow". Vanilla, bourbon, and some truly delicious biig stout flavors take this to some amazing places.

Bottle. Can’t remember who traded this to me but thanks anyway! Pours black with a dirty tan head which quickly diminishes Nose is bitter espresso beans, massive honey, vanilla, sweet and salty dark chocolate and a touch of molasses. Taste is very honey forward with hints of creamy white chocolate and bitter dark chocolate behind it. Bourbon notes comes through and sweet, slick brandy seems to be there too. Unsure on the barrel notes but they work well and for the sweetness it’s really quite balanced. Mouth feel is a little thin. Overrall a very good beer

2011 Bottle. Pours near black with a small khaki head. Aroma is mild cocoa, bourbon, vanilla oak. Taste follow suit wih plenty of bourbon in the flavor. Smooth and rich. Nice beer.

Burgundy wax, #478, vintage 2011 bottle shared by badnewsbeers. Deep opaque brown/black body, thick light brown head. Cocoa in nose, also oak and vinous notes; a tad sweet. Inky, roasty body with cocoa and lots of brandy that leaves a lingering vinous aftertaste. Tannic, slick, and muddled, but still very good.