3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
On tap at the Common Table.
The beer pours a very dark brown to black color with a decent-sized tan head. The aroma is a mix of roasted malt, chocolate and some pine from the hops.
The flavor is very hoppy for an imperial stout. I get some roasted malt, coffee and chocolate, but what really comes through is a heavy dose of bitter pine. The beer reminds me a lot of fresh Victory Storm King since both are highly hopped stouts.
Medium to thick mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 19/20
Caramel cola colored head and black in appearance. Dark cocoa aroma notes mixed in with some fresh roasted coffee and followed by a sweet alcohol ester. Really nice sweet roasted malt flavor and some sepresso bitterness. Dark chocolate notes as well. It kinda reminds me of an Oreo cookie (minus the filling of course). Overall, it’s like drinking a straight shot of 100 proof Awesome. They need to brew this more often!
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
Bottle. Pours an opaque black with a long-lasting cinnamon head. Nose is dates, figs, strong tea, and spice. Taste is rich and malty with a touch of sweetness -- there are almost port-like notes in there, along with espresso and licorice. Finishes long, with the bitterness predominating. Pretty damned good.
4.7 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
Pours pitch black with with small brown fizz. Smells of rich, dark chocolate and coffee, espresso, maybe a touch of licorice or molasses. Tastes rich, bittersweet, chocolate and coffee. Full-bodied with a smooth texture and soft mouth-carbonation, Real Ale XV (15th Anniversary Imperial Stout) finishes bittersweet.
4.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
It is actually a pretty decent stout. They are calling it a Russian Imperial Stout. I think they got this one right. It is very chocolatey with the hoppyness up front and not as much in the aftertaste. It is not edgy or harsh as some IRS tend to be. It has hints of milk chocolate, bitter oranges, and raw cocoa. with dark chocolate slight coffee aftertaste with a bit of sweetness.
It actually has good flavor at colder temperatures of 40 degrees but I recommend 50 - 55 degrees to savor the flavor change and complexity.
My tasting is the bottled version. I bought a whole case the day after trying this one. Highly recommended. Looking forward to trying the draft and Mysterium Vernum versions of this ale.
3.7 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
On tap, black pour with short tan foam, aroma of molasses and coffee, chocolate, malty flavor with a bit of metal on the finish
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 15/20
(draught at Common Table) jet black with hints of espresso on the edge, insanely thick and creamy dark tan head. Thick and viscous. Nose of grapefruit, a bit of Graham cracker, big dark chocolate, mostly dominated by citrus. Taste of milk chocolate, citrus, big and roasty, coffee, some vanilla. Complex as it opens up. Body is extremely thick and viscous, just like it should be. Nice!
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Draft at the Moth. Black with a white head, Nose is choc, malt. Slight burnt malts. Taste is bitter, slight choc, dry. Goes down smooth. Enjoyable.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
On tap @ the Grail.
Pitch black pour with a nice creamy, tan head. Lots of roasted malt aroma with some chocolate. Good amount of bitterness but not overly so - huge amounts of roast and dark chocolate. This is exactly how I like my Imperial Stouts - BIG and delicious! Well done Real Ale!
4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Draft at the common table. Pours black with a thin tan head. The aromas are chocolate, roasted coffee and vanilla. The mouthfeel is bitter, roasty and thick with a heavy body. Great beer! Cheers!
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