 hiddenvariable (180), pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Apr 8, 2008
bottle. pours a completely opaque black, with a relatively thin tan head that fades to a film and fades no more, leaving bits of lacing as the beer beneath disappears. i can smell this one from a foot away. roasted malt and cocoa dominate the smell, with a fairly strong molasses note, flecks of blackberry, and a pretty strong floral/citrus hop note. great roasted malt flavor dominates all the lesser inferior notes (i love roasty stouts). the molasses note is all but gone, and the cocoa is more subdued, but there is a hop spiciness here now, mingling well with the citrus/floral notes that also fade into the background some, leaving a sort of earthy woodiness as the initial flavors fade. this beer smells a lot fruitier and sweeter than it turns out tasting, and it works well. moderate bitter finish, with a perfect sweetness to balance. sticky, oily mouthfeel, perfect carbonation, and a body that’s more full than one thinks for how easily this seems to want to go away. i have a new favorite beer from this brewery. the strength of the hops’ role is surprising, but not unwelcome. it blends really well with the dominating dark malts. it tastes like a west coast impy. really good.
amc3000 (33), houston, Texas, USA
Jul 6, 2008 12oz. bottle thanks to maltomeal.
pours a nice inky black, aroma is dark chocolate,vanilla,wood. taste is thick and heavy with coffee,smoky wood and alcohol heat. a great imp stout no doubt!
k4df4l (132), DTown, Pennsylvania, USA
Jul 6, 2008 A: Cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, roasted malt blackberries and faint alcohol on the nose. A: Black pour with deep brown highlights and a quickly dissipating tan head. F: Big bittersweet chocolate, dusty coca, coffee and dark fruit with an espresso hop spicy finish. P: medium heavy body, plenty silky and smooth. O: Lovely impy stout with a fantastic balance between the bold flavors, big body and substantial hopping. Highly drinkable despite the 9% abv, Would love to see this a year round offering.
j_b (713), Rochester, New York, USA
Jul 5, 2008 Didn’t realize this was an Imperial until seeing and smelling this. Very traditional look and smell. Aroma is very rich, blackberries, coffee, decadent notes. Look is very black with tan head that goes away except for a residue around the edges. The palate is equal parts ultra sweet and ultra hops with a coffee edge to it. Well balanced, not as oily as I like, drier. Nice though.
badbeer (358), Iowa, USA
Jul 5, 2008 Poured out completely black with a nice tan head leaving a very nice lacing. Hops, coffee, and a bit of cocoa in the nose. Taste explodes on the tongue, starting with currants and chocolate, then transforming into a little cherry flavor and a lot of roastiness. Amazing taste, I loved it. Low-medium carbonation and medium-full bodied, would have like it a little thicker. Takes a while to drink, but each sip was savored. Definitely a nice beer, try it if you see it available, but don’t fret if you don’t.
1_2many (102), Ohio, USA
Jul 5, 2008 Tap. Black with a tiny brown head. Coffee and caramel malt nose with a little alcohol and hops. Starts out a nice bittersweet with a long aftertaste. Thinner than what I expected though and the alcohol is noticeable as well. A very good beer but could be made better if they try.
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