Fish Tale Poseidons Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged)

Formerly brewed at Fish Brewing Company/Leavenworth Beers
Style: Imperial Stout
Olympia, Washington USA

Serve in Snifter

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I am trying not to let others’ high ratings cloud my judgement...this is very anticipated and very good. This pours extremely dark with a large head similar in color. Smell is very bittersweet: hints of dried fruit, citrus, and alchohol. Taste is very complex as well: initial alchohol shock (that doesn’t really go away) followed by a fruity bitterness and wine-like saltiness, finishes a bit smokey. Very bittersweet - mix of flavors and emotions: tangy and sour, salty and sugary. Different, but that’s good right? The high alchohol levels kind of brought down my palate rating, as I think it could have been better incorporated. I give Fish Tale props for venturing outside their native waterways.

Quite a different (and good) stout. Overpowering and great smell matches the large frothy head. Alcohol floats up through your nose, but still very smooth. Lots of elements of wine, and dare I say cider ( I swear there were apples in this). Great stout.

UPDATED: MAY 1, 2003 Batch #4 -- I was pretty far gone when we compared the 3 to the 4, and I can't articulate all that well why, but the 3 was so much better. Maybe Batch 4 will grow into it. 7-28-02 Batch #3 -- This is a great beer. The smell alone can hold your interest with its hints of wine, sherry and the complex malts to come. This beer is so smooth it is almost creamy. There is a buttery, carmelly sensation that leads this beer as you drink it. The flavors dance around in perfect step with green raisons, dark cherries in brandy, molasses, vanilla bean, caremel, wine, and tons of other notes that combine to create a great beer. The alcohol is evident in the nose and it sneaks up on you while you drink it. This beer is worth seeking out. I don't know how much of it was created, but I'd get some now. Right now.

UPDATED: OCT 1, 2009 Batch 3.2001. Appearence black as night and a dark,dense,creamy head.Gets my vote for most unique aroma.Imperial shrouded by merlot.Complex aromas.At first it catches you off guard and you think you are drinking a wine. Chocolate,coffee,oak,maple,caramel,grapes.As it breathes the stout flavors begin to show themselves a bit more.Gets thicker by the second.IMO no alcohol taste yet.Too much else going on.A finish that is to die for.Quite hoppy in the finish but still sweet. This is truely a treat and a challenge.I WILL hunt for more of this UNIQUE stout in the future.

Malt Advocate’s 2001 Beer of the Year. Very complex flavors of chocolate, rum, caramel, oak, vanilla and bourbon. Only big beer fans need apply for this puppy. Wow. Rerate: my pick as champion beer of the 2002 Portland International Beerfest. Even better than I remembered it. Tremendous!!

UPDATED: MAY 26, 2003 The head is extremely dense and creamy. The vinous aroma hits you where it hurts, boasting corkiness (but where is the cork?), slightly spoiled oranges, dry chocolate, and vaporous alcoholic whiffs. Some of the many complex flavors include a solid smokines and a blanket of chocolate malt. Back and forth with plums, blackberry goodness and silky smooth chocolate malt bliss. Charcoal bitterness; alcoholic bite; musty wood; bourbon; oranges; vanilla; cream. Finishes very dry with yeast notes. (and bready at room temperature) Started at about 60 degrees but it became most delicious at room temp. The Merlot-Imperial Stout interplay here is a delcious concept. This, to me, is still rather young. It will be a perfect companion with the cellar for many years to come.