Harveys Imperial Stout

Bottle.Black with a wine like aroma. First impression was of port crossed with stout. No carbonation and no head. Pleasant, different but only an occasional drink.

Poured from an 11.2oz corked bottle (2003 vintage) and served in a snifter. This stout poured a solid jet black with almost no head. The aroma of the beer was made up of fermented fruit, plums, high quality cherries, molasses, and sugary licorice. The flavor was dominated by heavy black strap molasses. Most of the sweet fruitiness displayed in the aroma was unable to creep through the heavy malt. One-sided and a bit dull. The mouthfeel was full-bodied and heavy in the belly, but at the same time, it felt a bit thin (maybe due to age). Not all that tasty, but it was substantial...this would definately qualify as a meal in a glass. 11.2oz was a bit much to drink in one sitting.

2003 bottle, smells like a flemish sour, tastes like funk.. i dont see whats cool about there, its oily its uncarbonated... it has a funky end taste tastes like sour then mild amounts of roast, this is bad... and going down the drain.. unless you like Port.. which case, drink up.

01 and 03 bottle reviewed... 01...no carbonation..and tons of roasted malt flavor tastes very old and balanced...very nice 03....horrible tastes like ok merlot that sat out in the sun after being opened for a few days.... I am basing my numbers on the 01 bottle

A typical extreme IS, much like WWS, with port-like qualities. Pours a wickedly thick, oily, and viscous. Firm and caramel colored head. Definite notes of oaks (namely a sweet smoke, but subtle). I felt a little rushed, drinking this with friends, but this was a finishing blow to a hefty night of drinking as is. Oddly tart for an IS, but it was still pleasant and sippable. (Bottle Pour 4/29/2008) 2003 Vintage Le Coq. Bottle

2003, rated in 2008. Tastes like port. Don’t know how else to define. Very dark, very dry, very grape and very vino. Oil refinery beer.

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.