Free State Ironman Imperial Stout

Brewed by Free State Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Lawrence, Kansas USA

Serve in Snifter

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Hand-bottled by Csbosox and generously delivered to myself. A 2005 growler of an early 2005 or late 2004 brewing? Consumed 9/7/2005. HUGE head, tan, thick, dense with very fine bubbles rising on the edges. Good and creamy. Great retention and provides tons of lacing as it recedes. This stuff was bottled from a growler, about 3 months ago and then sent to me, held for 3 more weeks and here it is, pouring a huge, well-retained head. That’s just incredible.

Smells of raisins, slight vinousness/grapeskins, rich roasted barley and dark berries. Faint coffee and very modest hops, just lightly floral and fresh. Thick and English-like, with prunes, raisins and dark chocolate galore! And all this while the head is still concealing much of the aroma! Ultra-opaque body, can’t even see red or violet tinges on the edges, though I know they must be there. Smells a lot like a rich Oatmeal stout, moreso than what you would think an American Imperial to be, but then, this is no cookie-cutter American Imperial, as I see from the description.

First sip introduces sweet caramel and toffee, with lightly bitter molasses in the back, to balance. Very English. Prunes, butter toffee, light coffeeish roast. Not as thick as I was expecting and quite dry on the end with some oily vinousness and roast, combining with lightly bitter, tastefully done hops. Almost like an English Barleywine, it’s rich, dark fruits and low hops apparency make it tremendously drinkable. Tiny bubbles have lost some steam, no doubt, but how this must have been fresh, I only dare to dream. The more it warms, the more a pleasing bitterness grows in the back of the mouth. Mouthfeel is silky, not oily or chewy, just luscious and lightly tickling as it goes down. One drawback is that right upon drinking, there is a bit of a gap in the flavor. Complexity dosent explode on the palate. Oh but that finish! The chocolate dipped prunes and green, leafy, juicy hops just come alive and stick in the back of your throat. An incredible IS, and so unique and elegant. Free State knows what’s up! Thanks so much Chris!

Pours black with little beige head. Light roasted malt aroma with some coffee like notes. Flavor is roasted malt with hint of chocolate. Hops aren’t prominent but provide balance so it’s not too sweet. Light carbonation, nice mouthfeel, full but not to heavy.

fait chocolate and roast with fresh sweet hops in aroma.black and murky with little head that leave s little lacing. head is slight brown. full body equal parts roast and chocolate.

UPDATED: APR 27, 2012 Smells like chocolate and coffee. Pours black with a tiny tan head. Hoppy and sweet taste with a hint of chocolate and coffee. Can?t tell it has such a high ABV. My favorite Free State beer.

Bottle shared at STL RB gathering, thanks! Pour is dark brown and clear with a thin off-white head. Aroma and flavor are loaded with clean roasted malt, faint resinous hops and a light mineral water finish. Its very straightforward and solid. Clean.

A solid black color with a tan head and lots of lacing. The aroma is mostly toasted malt with a bit of chocolate and coffee. The flavor has more hops in addition to the toasted malt and chocolate/coffee flavors along with a sweet and smooth aftertaste. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

12 oz. bottle shared by jandd1983- thanks again, Doran! Pours a dark coffee brown with a small but lasting tan head. Aroma of chocolate, coffee, earthy hops, dark fruits, and some rich, earthy, woody notes. Flavor of dark chocolate, coffee, toast, a little bit of ash, tobacco, and light molasses. Medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation and a rich, roasty mouthfeel. So simple and so effective. Doesn’t try to do too much, and goes down very smooth and easy. Well done.

Tasted from bottle at the 2nd STL Ratebeer Gathering. Poured an almost opaque dark reddish brown color with moussy, persistent beige foam and lots of lace. The perfect beer appearance, in my opinion. Highly hoppy aroma, citrusy and earthy, as well as hints of bread, caramel, fruity ale yeast esters. 10 malts in the grainbill?! No wonder the flavor was so complex and multi-layered: bready, toasty, roasty, biscuity, spicy, with apricots, plums, raisins. Strong malt-sweetness with equally strong hops bitterness. Medium-heavy body, good carbonation, well-concealed alcohol, great bittersweet aftertaste. An accessible winter-warmer. Delicious.

(bottle - sampled at STL RB Gathering) Black with tan head. Roast malt aroma. Flavor is toasty malt, coffee, with a big hops finish.

Sampled at STL RB Gathering - Pours dark brown, but a little lighter color than most in the style, and has an off-white head. The aroma has mild roastiness, hints of cocoa, spicy green hoppiness and mild fruit. Medium body with a crispness for an impy stout and semi-sharp carbonation. The flavor starts with roast, lively spicy hops, dry cocoa and spice. The finish adds a bit of mild char. Enjoyable impy stout that is easier to drink that most.

It poured a black color with a beige head. The aroma was moderately sweet, with some cocoa and coffee. The taste was moderately sweet, with coffee, some roast, dark chocolate and light dark fruit. A decent Imperial Stout.