3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
On tap
This was much more beer than I was expecting after a long flight but it was just as good as anything else I’ve ever had at a Rock Bottom. A big high gravity imperial stout isn’t so bad when you when only have to walk about 200 feet to your hotel room. Get your pint while you can.
Aroma / Appearance - The deep black base has a minimal head. Seeping down the sides with idle legs it has a foreboding presence like walking down a dark alley alone at night. Chocolate, caramel, anise, smoke, and coffee are all well balanced resulting in a strong punch. Sweet and fruity it invites further reflection.
Flavor / Palate - Cream and full bodied, the mouthfeel is thick like drinking melted chocolate. Vanilla, hazel, and cocoa start the party. Next comes roasted coffee and blackberries before an anise finish. The smoky touches are the final pieces of a complex and robust beer. This was worth the price.
3.4 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Enjoyed this on draft from the source. A great chocolate flavor within the deep black pour. Ultra viscous stout with a high gravity that’s fairly well hidden. I could taste the booze, but it didn’t kill the flavor or overpower the brew. A great hop undertone, but the rich chocolate malt carries this one.
3.3 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20
On tap at the brewpub. Pours a clear deep brown with an amber hue and a yellowish brown head that dissipates slowly to the edges. Aroma has a combination of roasted malts and bitter chocolate with a touch of dark grains. Flavor has bitter chocolate and roasted malts with a touch of earthy apple.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Draft on tap at the brewpub (Chicago, IL). Pours a big rich deep blackish hue, dark and rich, near opaque, rich mellow brownish head dies to a film, laces small. Aromas are deep cocoa, black malts, toasty, cocoa, roasty and mellow coffee. Richer roast, toffee, thicker malts. Some toastiness, richer roast, some coffee, cocoa. Richer body, touch of vanilla, rich cocoa and caramel, touch of roastiness grows. Middle is thicker and sweet, some good vanilla at times, bit cocoa and chocolate. Backend is a touch dry, Tootsie Roll, some cocoa, roast. Gentle sweetness. Solid Imperial Stout offering.
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