 kepano (239), Meudon, France
Mar 25, 2008
Announcing itself with machismo – “Definitely not your dad’s wimpy 30 weight” – Old Viscosity lives up to the preamble oozing like crude oil out of the bottle. A thin tan ring is all I can muster out of this brute. The nose incongruously breathes of light spices and shockingly subtle tonalities. Hints of armagnac, mint, ginger, and root beer extract are apparent while toffee and maple syrup add a raw malty sweetness. Plums and prunes also lend depth to the aroma but aren’t quite balanced. Though certainly viscous, the mouthfeel isn’t as dense as the color suggests. Dark chocolate and coffee, the habitual Imperial Stout duo, here combine with fruity undertones. Banana, blackcurrant, raisin and grape are particularly noticeable. The root beer aroma turns to cola on the tongue and walnuts are a welcome treat. The carbonation is hesitant, unable to overcome its tenacious milieu. Finally, the thick texture itself concedes to alcoholic heat in the aftertaste, though almondy flavors sweeten the compromise. Despite obvious potential, the complexities of this brew remain muted throughout the experience. Where they could have been emphasized, these subtle flavors disappear capitulating perhaps to the virile intentions of the brewers.
mattmc1973 (239), Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA
Jun 28, 2009 Shared a bottle with a group at Kuhnhenn Summer Solstice. Pours dark brown, almost black, with tan head. Aroma of roasted malt, chocolate, dark fruit and booze. Taste more of same, with creamy rich mouthfeel. Smooth with good carbonation. Nice!
markwise (900), 15 Minutes from Kuhnhenn in, Florida, USA
Jun 28, 2009 Wow. One hell of an imperial stout. I almost like it better than Older... I said almost. Pours a mean-looking black with a tan head. Nose is chicory, semi-sweet chocolate, coffee, some oak and barrel vanilla notes, and some slight booze. Flavor is awesome: chocolate takes center stage with the rest of the flavors as supporting cast. I get overripe dark fruit, chocolate, slightly subtle vanilla and oak, whiskey, and coffee with licorice. Gentle carbonation and a silky mouthfeel also contribute to this masterpiece. Outstanding imperial stout. It burns with some alcohol as it goes down, and lingers with chocolate and whiskey.
darn1207 (467), Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Jun 27, 2009 had a bottle of this at Brouwer’s Cafe in seattle before the Fremont Oktoberfest... somewhat toward the beginning of a long day of drinking. opaque black-brown pour with a small tan head. coffee, toffee and dark fruits in the aroma. light bitter coffe taste - with hints of tobacco. thin feel and yet chewy somehow. great even long bitter finish. great stuff -- sipping brew though. K8
MarinaMarket (12), Washington, USA
Jun 21, 2009 22 oz. of pure heaven. The label is hilarious and I like ’em dark! This triumph from Port Brewing makes a nice meal.
drainey (226), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jun 20, 2009 22oz bomber. Pour looks like oil with a medium brownish head that quickly dissipated. Nose had candy and molasses. Flavor was more subtle and less sweet than i expected. It’s very nice, highlighted by chocolate, licorice, and a bitter hop/roasted malt finish.
Ober (872), Bommelerwaard, Netherlands
Jun 20, 2009 A opaque black colored beer, with a thick foamy dark beige head. The aroma of chocolate, with dark fruits and roasted malts. The taste of pure chocolate, with hints of vanilla. Dark fruits, roasted malts, some liqourice flavors. Bitter with notes of sweet. The aftertaste of chocolate with liqourice lingers on.
sudsmeister (39), Colorado, USA
Jun 14, 2009 22 oz. bomber from Applejack in Denver. This tastes more like a stout (reminiscent of Bell’s Expedition) than an ale. It is wonderful! I concur with most of the descriptive adjectives below and won’t repeat them. The label is a hoot! Kind of pricey (8 bucks), but worth it.
|
