Harveys Imperial Stout

Some vintage imperial double stout bought right here in Krakow for a horrendous amount of money. But on the other hand I gotta admit it was awesome - pitch black colour, absolutely no head, only slight bubbles. OMG what a flavour - extremely dense, almost wine-like, full flavoured with some roasted, slightly fruity notes and peanut taste. Unlike anything I ever tried before - syrup-like but very, very satisfying, feels as it there was no drop of water. The only disadvantage is that it was hard to imagine another one after this - so thick and absorbing. 2001. Awesome stuff, a completely unique & different drinking experience.

It pours opaque black, which is nice; however, I don’t see how anybody got a head like is pictured. My bottle had basically zero carbination and resultingly no head. The aroma was interesting, but not one I would associate with beer. It smelled more like a sweet wine to me, and I thought it smelled of oak, though it says it’s bottle conditioned. Nice and thick on the pallete. Now the flavor.... I didn’t particularly care for it. I wouldn’t prefer to drink Saddam’s urine (or even Coor’s Light) to this, but I also wouldn’t probably go for this again. As the description reads, this is a sour beer. I didn’t get too much sweet, and I think that it is interesting and pretty balanced, given the alcohol content and the sourness. I just don’t really care for it.

I would rather drink Saddam Hussein’s urine directly from the source than to ever drink this again. The aroma reminded me of sour wine. Thank God I’ve never had anything the taste reminded me of. This stuff had been aged four years when I tasted it(Since 2001). I’d give it another 60 or so before I try it again.

2001 vintage bottle. No head, no bubbles. Vinous and slightly sour aroma. Good roasty flavor, a bit sweet, and a nice acidic edge, quite complex but very drinkable. You should have bought more than two... but thanks for sharing agr.......

2001 vintage bottle from "The Beer Shop" in London. Poures like crude oil! No head, no bubbles. Vinous and slightly sour aroma. Good roasty flavor, a bit sweet, and a nice acidic edge, quite complex but very drinkable. Should have bought more than two...

(2001 vintage at Delirium Cafe, Gothenburg) Pure black colour with a thin yellowish head. Woody, earthy, cellary, corky, yeasty slight vinous nose. Woody in flavour too, with an acidity that just won´t go away. Vinous, a little sugary, and roasted, with some notes of soy, liquorice and tar. Great bitterness. Small hints of red berries in finish. Long aftertaste. Medium to full bodied. Has a warming alcohol feeling.

Bottled, 2001 Vintage. Sampled at Delirium Café, Göteborg. Black as coal. Vineous aroma with notes of tar and soy/balm vinegar. Mouthfeel is big, flavour has notes of tar, salt, dried fruits/plum and is vineous. Looong finish.

I was not ready for this one. It is so thick and so dense and it overwhelms you!! You literally have to sip a teaspoon of this at a time to appreciate it. The thickest densest stout in terms of taste I have ever had.