John Harvards Imperial Stout

Draft, Framingham MA. Good nose, Viney, coffee, baking chocolate, ABV. Brownish black color, no light got through. Small cocoa beige head that faded quickly. Bitter flavors, Same as aromas with emphasis on viney. Medium body, lite creamy oily mouthfeel, Bitter dry finish. Tasty brew, got alot better as it warmed, though the viney thing could be a turnoff for some.

Well this is most certainly the Framingham Imperial Stout I had today (3/12/05) as it was served on cask and the bartender says he remembers it being bourbon aged and served on cask in previous years, just as the previous ratings indicate.
This was not a bourbon aged sample, thank god, because it was already too much to handle. Dark, burnt brown colored body, with some dark tan-ruby highlights on the edges. Dark tan head is initially large and recedes to a thin cover, but the cover lasts the entirety of the glass. Ample lacing as well. Aroma is ethanol. From the first whiff, to the last whiff right before finishing the glass, I am first greeted by alcohol. Raw, bitter black malt and sharp, end-of-the-pot coffee notes in there as well. Flavor begins incredibly dry and bitter, but it’s not the hops bitterness. In fact, the hops are nowhere to be found in this one. This is all black malt. Oily, bitter, dry, astringent black and heavily kilned chocolate malt. Baker’s chocolate is actually the sweetest flavor I can find, and that’s scary. I don’t think this was particularly well-presented being on cask. The light wateriness and low carbonation do not work with the extreme bitter, dryness. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t think it would matter how you served this. Some anise, and bitter molasses, lots of alcohol. Another one I wouldnt have finished, but I didnt want to look rude and the bartender was so friendly and in to the beer. . .It burnt going down on the last sip and I had to hold back cringing.

Had this in Framingham, from the cask. Black with tan head. Slightly roasted malt aroma, coffee. Flavor is dominated by fruitiness, body is medium for the style, bitterness in the finish. Not too complex for the style, but admirable for bringing a cask imperial stout into wasteland if shopping malls that is Framingham...

Very dense,dark, and creamy rown head (gorgeous). aroma of hops, sweet whiskey, butter, and coconut; then coconuts blast the mouth with a wonderful sweet creaminess; subtle sour twang. Quintessential dessert beer!