Harveys Imperial Stout

11.2oz Bottle/1999 Vintage: Pours black w/ no real head to speak of, just a few bubbles. This may very well be the darkest beer I’ve seen, held it an inch away from a light bulb & no light came through...wow. The aroma is heavy dark fruits & alcohol. Flavor has hints of burnt coffee fading into a vinous port-like flavor w/ some oak sneaking in. A little bitter bite in the finish, leaves a warm feeling on the tongue. Quite tasty, this is a beer that wants you to sit back, relax & enjoy a sip at a time...

This is a strange one. Poured a vicous deep black with absolutely no head. Carried a minor nose with some wine-like hints. The taste was fairly solid...strong rosted cherry chocolates, brandy-soaked raisins, even a little plum notes mixed in with the slight alcohol tinge. But the mouthfeel was just too watery and thin. I need a heavy malty mouthfeel for a truly great stout and this one just did not deliver. It was a pleasurable drinking experience and it fit my mood...but it just didn’t feel like a stout. Strangely enough, it reminded me a bit of another weird brew: Golden Edinburgh from Niigata brewery. Both embrace that unique, thin bodied, raisiny barley feel.

A. Le Coq IS bottle. No head at all, pours sticky as oil. Fathom black. Very strong roasted & toasted aromas, wood, very ripe red fruits, acidity, malt bitterness. Full bodied, extreme.

A *huge* stout for sipping! Big and rich, with hint of char. Syrupy full-bodied mouth-feel with minimal carbonation. Roasty bitter grains and hops, with notes of sour wood, black licorice, and espresso. For me this is too big and the bitterness is too lingering unless accompanied by a couple of sweet brownies.

Old bottle, 2000 I think? Pours flat black with not a single bubble. Flavor is sour, biting and salty. Might make a good grilled chicken marinade, but it wasn’t drinkable.