 frankenkitty (1789), Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA
Sep 16, 2006
This seems a popular brew to rate as a milestone, so I’ll go ahead and use it for my #1200. <img src=http://www.ratebeer.com/images/smilies/14.gif>
Served deep black with a mahogany veneer, the initial head is short and settles as an oily brown film. (There’s nothing not to like about the appearance except the small snifter it was served in!) I drank a mug-clubber’s "pint" of Black Wolf while waiting for this to warm and I’m certainly glad I did. We find a coffee-lover’s dream aroma of deep and bitter espresso which, while incredible, doesn’t leave room for much else. First sip shows this is a real powerhouse (OK... I understand the small glass). A thick, creamy-yet-slick palate carries an awesome meld of dark, bittersweet chocolate and bitter, rich espresso. Creaminess makes this dangerously drinkable and the whole experience makes me reminisce over the days when I was a real freak about coffee. Simply terrific.
I must add that this beer made for a memorable start to a great evening under the stars with my wife and some friends at the World... er, Tweeter... um , whatever it’s called listening to Rob Zombie turn a quick yet tight set of supersexy swingin’ hits.
<font size=-4>On tap at <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=292>Flossmoor Station, Flossmoor, IL 60422</font>
drewbeerme (1716), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Feb 28, 2007 On tap at the brewpub, rating from memory, pours black with tan head. really intense coffee nose. a very nice and rich dark coffee flavor dominate the flavor and causes this to be delicious and way off balanced. very tasty.
TAR (1995), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
Dec 7, 2006 Draft: Deep black. Burnt orange foam. Charcoal, burnt toffee, vibrant espresso, seared oak, and hints of campfire smoke fill the nostrils. Soft, fuzzy pricks of carbonation. Delightfully viscous, however. Decadent layers of bitter chocolate and espresso blanket the substantial hoppiness, initially. Espresso continues at full throttle, and expresses a vibrant yet meaty quality which pulls the palate downward with a tug of suppleness. Immense complexity here. Alcohol overexerts itself at the center, as does a subtle vegetal characteristic, but the alcohol is short lived. Dried plums provide a dab of acidity and complement the seemingly endless depth of richness. Molasses and port wine notes contribute more chewiness. Notes of char remain prominent, deepening the fruitiness with a burnt custard and ashen malt overlay. Finishes slightly chewy with yeast, but remarkably flavorsome and multilayered with burnt cookies and charred malts drizzled with melted fudge, dense espresso, and beefy molasses. Overall, the alcohol detracts from some of the more-polished elements of the flavor, and the fuzzy carbonation is the body’s only culprit, as the texture is slightly less than flawless. Still lots to love about this. Another commendable effort.
The_Beer_God (2804), Newport News, Virginia, USA
Nov 19, 2006 GABF 2006. Black body. Nose is pure coffee. Dark roasted malts and oily coffee beans. Taste is coffee - dark coffee with oily beans like a French Roast or Espresso. Dark roasted malts and hint of dark, bittersweet chocolate. Body is medium-full and vibrant. Ends with more coffee, roasted malts and a lingering bitterness.
SubstanceT (1087), Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Nov 7, 2006 Rating #900!!!!
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On tap at the brewery on 10/21/2006 at the 2nd monthly meeting of the Chicago Ratebeer group.
Tan brown head, body is totally black. Nose is super huge and strong can be easily felt and smelled when you walk by someone with this beer. Full of coffee with just a hint of cream. Taste is full of coffee grounds then with more coffee beans. Very strong full malty backbone and the alcohol. Oh my friend, there is pleanty of that all over the place. Awesome.
BBB63 (3681), La Porte, Indiana, USA
Oct 27, 2006 Enjoyed at the monthly Chicagoland gathering and served in a snifter: Completely opaque with a small frothy tan head and shows excellent lace. The nose displays espresso, bittersweet chocolate, burnt and roasted malts, plum and earthy yeast esters.
The taste comes forth with a big espresso characteristic that is very bitter and roasted with a minor background of acidic fruit twang and a sweeter chocolate finish. The finish is moderately smoky and ashy with some alcoholic bite. The mouth feel is oily and creamy as well with a smoothness that comforts and has a cleansing light alcohol nature, the aftertaste is ashy and has that espresso overtone lingering about.
This is one solid Impy but could a hint of more body then it would truly rock. It once again it appears the coffee makes the body seem thinner. I can not wait to try this on wood next weekend at FoBAB!
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