Harveys Imperial Stout

Brewed by Harveys
Style: Imperial Stout
Lewes, England

black and opaque, fine head; aroma: wine-like (every wine connoisseur, blindfold, would take this for a syrah), black-currant, slightly toasted, nougat; oily, petrol and bitter with a coffee finish - really not an easy beer !

2009-10-27, vintage 2001, 8 years old, 7-3-6-2-13=31
Black color; sparse bubbles in place of any head. The aroma is initially woody and lightly sour, possibly corky; then some roasted malt and chocolate come to the surface; it may be interesting in some cases. As the pour anticipated, there is no carbonation; the mouthfeel is bold and very oily, now too much alcoholic too; strong chocolate flavor, some roasted malt and liquorice; salty and a bit corky. In the end there is warming alcohol and bitterness from the roasted malts; also some tannins.
Excessive, it didn’t age very well. Mostly, the combination of salt, alcohol and cork. Therefore, it’s not exactely pleasant.

2004-01-28, vintage 2001, 3 years old, 9-4-7-4-15=39
Totally black!; brown head. Strong chocolate nose; liquorice; roasted malt. Flows smoothly on the tongue at the beginning, leaving a strong liquorice impression. Burnt bitterness at the end (again, chocolate and liquorice), maybe short. I expected more… Thanks Jens (Ungstrup) for sharing this bottle.

Very assertive aroma and a dark, thick color. Quite bitter with black malt. Lots of soy characteristic in this bottle. Slightly thin, but also quite complex. A fuller mouthfeel would do this beer wonders; overall, enjoyable.

Rerate 11/23/02: 2000 Vintage pours an oily black with a small, short-lived light brown head. Acidic cherry aroma, almost like a lambic. Body has good thickness and very pleasant dry-roasted chocolate malt finish. Light sweetness throughout. Good complexity, but I think the acidity is a detriment. This might have passed its peak, but still a mighty fine and unique imperial stout. Still hides the alcohol quite well. 9/26/02: It looks like oil. It doesn't even taste like beer until about 2/3 of the way down. Extremely complex! Hints of soy and oats. Masks its alcohol quite well in the fact that its body is more like that of sherry. Reminds of Sam Adams Triple Bock, without the harsh aftertaste. 1999 bottle, ages very well.

2000 bottle. No head but some lacing. Served at 50 deg. or so. Pours like motor oil. Very smooth for an imperial stout. Roasted with some coffee and chocolate taste. Very complex and interesting. Some wine characteristics, made for sipping, not pounding.

My friends were left with mouths agape upon seeing this, but they quickly closed when I offered sips to them. I found it very easy drinking, with the bitterness well enough in check and the vinous qualities making it an excellent accompaniament to my meal (wild Scottish trout). I, for one, found a roasted flavor, with a lot of complexity in other flavors as well. It didn’t drink like 9% to me. I ended up still a bit suspicious about the texture of this. (Year 2000 Bottle)

Bottled. 2000 vintage. Poured solid black like motor oil. Strong vinegar like nose, dipped in steak sauce. Strong molasses, caramel, and alcohol flavors. Surprisingly easy to drink, smooth, and creamy. As it warms the alcohol really becomes noticable especially on the sides of the tongues and the long finish. Very warming. A little too thin, and the alcohol dominates the other flavors too much. Still, it has good complexity and flavors.

1999 Edition, drank in 2003: pitch black without any insulation..aroma was port wine w/ grapes hanging from chocolate vines and rained upon by shots of vodka..flavors of soft bananas, Raisins, and soft licorice candy..very vinious yet still roasty..extremely smooth velvety mouthfeel..utterly vinous in such soft delicate ways..