3.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 14/20
Tap at goose Pre DLD day ... deep black ... sweet roast malt nose ... luittle black current ... rich and syrupy ... hop back ground ... quite a difficult drink
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 18/20
Another good imperial Stout from Goose Island. Pours black with a tan head. Less chocolate and coffee than the County Bourbon Stout, but this had a lot more hop aroma and flavor. I was really impressed with how the hops were able to stand out in a such a thick flavorful beer.
3.5 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
On tap @ Map Room. Looked forward to this a lot, given my fondness for the BCS. Jet black w/ a swirling, galaxy head of beige; nutty nose, coffee w/ more vanilla than Bourbon County Stout, but less coffee and chocolate; very sweet flavor w/ some smoke, liquorish and mild coffee. The sweetness really overpowers most flavors. Lovely velvetty body that goes down exceedingly smoothly. However, as with their DIPA, the hoppiness comes w/ a hefty price: excessive sweetness. Lighter and more floral than BCS while bring more drinkable, but lacks the latter’s complexity.
4.1 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Wow. Jet black and strong malt and fruit aroma. The taste is like a black cherry, malt and dark chocolate truffle. Strong and long bitter finish.
4.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
On tap, 10oz pour - almost didn’t pay the hefty price tag - glad I did though. Thick and Black, with a creamy tan head. Smell is dark dark roasty chocolate, dark fruit, and yes hops are there as well. Flavor is very complex - starts with bittersweet dark chocolate malt, espresso and then it is balanced in the finish by a roasty and hoppy bitterness. Palate is amazing - creamy and thick but very drinkable, I could sip on a lot of this. The only thing that could make this better is putting it in a bourbon barrel.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Yeah ok this beer just rocks ass. Damn this is the shit. Black. Black. Black. Tan head. Tons of chocolate, roast, coffee, prunes, raisins, toffee and some light hops. Flavor is just rich and amazing. First its sweet, then its fruity, the hops swoop in to blance it so perfectly. Just a remarkable brew. Now I know why bourbon county stout is so good!!
4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Poured draft in a snifter at the brewpub (Chicago, IL). Pours a pitch black pour with big brown darker head that laces well. Aromas are pushing copious chocolate and caramel, a touch of creamy sweetness, and some roasted malts with a touch of alcohol warmth. Very nice. Initial takes on a full body, pushing some nice roasted malts and coffee balanced by a sweetness up front from chocolate, cream, and carmel. Very good balance, as the sweetness mixes with moderate roast. Finish leaves a bit of a burnt feel, light vanilla and chocolate, and nice bitterness from the roast. This is interesting, with dark fruit noticeable in the afterglow and a hoppy flourish sticks a bit. Very flavorful, balanced, full yet not cloying. I enjoyed this. Cheers!
4.4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
UPDATED: MAR 4, 2010 On Tap at the Clybourn brewpub. Straight black pour, tan head. Looks nice. Roasty aroma of chocolate, coffee, smoke and dark fruit, some hops. Flavor is chocolate and coffee upfront, with a nice dry hopped finish. Very hoppy, almost on par with fresh Surly Darkness. Really nice mouthfeel too, velvety, never heavy, definitely a pleasure to drink.
Re-rate: fresh 22oz bottle. I can’t get over how strong the hops are in this one. Big, strong, fresh resiny hops dipped in chocolate. I gave it an extra point.
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
UPDATED: MAR 13, 2010 TAP: jet black pour, beautiful brown head. Rich roasty aroma and...bourbon? on the nose. Creamy, port, booze, and roasty on taste. Awesome stuff.
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Source: On tap at Kelleher’s Irish Pub in Peoria, IL.
Appearance: Poured a deep black color with a thin ring of brown head.
Aroma: The aroma was very roasty with notes of oatmeal and chocolate. Notes of smoke and dark fruit were present as well.
Flavor: Chocolate and caramel malt, with a solid hoppy finish.
Palate: Full body with soft carbonation and a silky smooth mouthfeel.
Overall: This was an excellent imperial stout. Kinda over the edge, but definately a must try.
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