Saranac Imperial Stout

RateBeer Rating, Style and Glass: 86, Imperial Stout, Snifter ABV, Volume & Calories: 9% in 12 fl oz. estimated at 190 C Purchased at: Trenton Road Take Out, Langhorne, PA for $.41 Aroma: deep, roasted, coffee, syrup, chocolate, sour. 10 out of 10. Visuals: deep, opaque, black, oily, tan, fluffy, persistent head, steady lace. 5 out of 5. Taste: rich, coffee, espresso, dark malts, burnt, roasted, bitter finish,thick, delicious, well crafted. 10 out of 10. Palate: oily, thick, long, dark finish. 5 out of 5. Overall: Like a Wawa cappuccino but much darker and deeper. I will seek it out and have it again and again, as long as this price stands. It’s very well crafted, and it is a personal favorite. 20 out of 20.

Bottle in trade from the artist formerly known as Degarth. Thanks man!
Pours dark black with a lasting nice sized tan head. Smell is sweet, malty roasty and chocolatey. Taste is bitter, a bit burnt, slightly tart, and charred roasty malt. Semi rich body with medium carbonation. Bit of an odd metallic tartness to the finish that I could do without. Otherwise, this would be solid, but this really hinders the flavor.

Near black color with a taller tan, small, bubbled head. Lots of dark caramel aromas. Hints of dark chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla and hints of hops and resin. Big sweet roasted malt start. Lots of scorched malt and mild coffee flavors. Flavors seem to thin out after time. If you like roasted malts, this is the one for you. Quite mild in feel for the heft; and not much alcohol detected. A dark strong roasted malt brew. Much more than I expected.

12 oz. Opaque and black with a four-finger lasting head. Creamy frosting of lace. Aroma is espresso flavored with cocoa and caramel. Flavor is similar, but more roasted coffee bitterness than the aroma indicated. Also tasted some graham crackers, figs, and marshmallow. Nice balancing flavors coming from some piquant dried hickory, rough charred oak and whiskey. Nice smoky wood, cocoa and cured tobacco aftertaste. Heavy body is smooth, a little sticky (as a nice dessert should be) and pretty well balanced between sweet and dry. Has a good touch of chest-warming from the alcohol.

Verre de dégustation, provenant d’un fût, au Vermont Brewers Festival 2008 (Burlington, VT). Arôme: Odeur de café, de chocolat noir et de mélasse. Apparence: La couleur est noire opaque. Présence d’un moyen col beige mousseux et d’une large dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de chocolat noir avec une pointe de café torréfié et d’alcool. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est mince avec une texture légèrement crémeuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Légère présence de café en arrière goût. (Rating #1842)

Poured black, dark tannish head. Roasted aromas, not real heavy. Pretty carbonated in the mouth, mostly roasted malt. A hint of sweetness. Would have liked it better if there was more mocha, chocolate, molasses, anything. Charred fininish that isn’t really complemented by anything either. Just O.K.

Slightly muted, but nice, smelling aroma that features black chocolate, treacle, burnt molasses, burnt malt, espresso and steeped prunes and figs. Very nice range even if it doesn’t blast the nose with concentration. The body is a deep full black and it holds a very lasting, two fingers thick, mocha colored head. Very nice looking beer. Rich dark chocolate, fairly high hop levels, burnt/roasted malt, massive dark fruit under tones. Lightly sweet and metallic edged toward the finish. Has a long and beautiful burnt/charred chocolate finish. Much better than many "limited release" fancy pants Imperial Stouts. Saranc deserves props for making an affordable, kick ass, beer. Nice!

12 oz. bottle from Premier Gourmet (Buffalo) - Pours a dark brown color with a small light tan head. Light lacing. Aroma is roasted malt and light herbal hops. Flavor is mostly roasted malt with a touch of coffee. Palate is quite bitter and dry. Medium body. Not the best Imp. stout, but worth a try.