Hoptagon (57), Arlington, Virginia, USA
May 18, 2008
22 oz. Bottle. General appearance of the beer is rich brown/black with a fairly thin tan head. Snifter really accentuates the potent cocoa and chocolate aroma. Not much else in the nose, but lots of fairly sweet scented chocolate. First touch on the tongue is also heavily chocolate flavored although not too sweet, definitely more of a bitter or semisweet chocolate character. The chocolate is followed up by some intense doses of hop bitterness. Almost to the point where it seems a bit harsh for a beer designed to accentuate and display the flavors of chocolate. Flavor also shows some burnt malt character. Mouthfeel is medium thick with a soft but persistent carbonation that is just about right for this style. Finish is short and perhaps a bit too bitter. Chocolate character is all upfront in this one with more traditional imperial stout characters dominating on the back half. At 11% the alcohol is amazingly well hidden.
 Dough77 (720), Aurora, Illinois, USA
Aug 20, 2008 This was a weird one, especially to rate. I love me some good chocolate and chocolate this thing was indeed! But on the same note, that was it. Just lots and lots of tasty milk chocolaty goodness. It got boring quick. Good nonetheless, just kinda one thing through and through.
Hophead22 (132), Redlands, California, USA
Aug 18, 2008 22oz. bottle. Pours a deep dark brown, with just a little red on the outside fringes. Wow, smells just like chocolate milk, awsome aroma, just full of chocolatly goodness. Big chocolae flavor as well, just a little dark malts as well and a nice little hoppy finish. Excellent beer.
mgermani (581), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Aug 16, 2008 Pours a pitch black with the thinnest and most short-lived tan head ever. Aroma is rich and chocolaty, very sweet. Tases like a liquid brownie - yum yum yum! Plenty of sweet chocolate with just a hint of the high gravity but otherwise well-hidden. Touch of spice (cloves?). Undercarbonated body, but thick and milkshake-like. What a real treat this was - pity about the lack of a head and the thinness of the body. Many thanks to Ughsmash for sending this my way - I have waited long to try it, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it again!
NomDeBeer (127), Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Aug 14, 2008 Smells of syrupy chocolate, molasses, and chinook hops. Pours a near black color with a small tan head that subsides to little more than a ring around the perimeter of my mug. Looks a bit thin at first, and for an impy stout at 11% ABV, it is a tad thin on the palate. Tastes very sweet and sugary - chocolate, caramel, and a bit of pancake syrup perhaps? Nice hoppy bitterness at the end (gotta love Chinook hops). Short finish. The alcohol is remarkably well-hidden in this beer. I never would have guessed 11%. I would love to see a bit more hops and body on this one, but I’m probably splitting hairs. Great beer, dangerously drinkable.
bb (2069), Martinez, California, USA
Aug 13, 2008 Bottle. Black beer with reddish highlights and a tan head. Rich dark chocolate aroma. Rich dark chocolate flavor with some malt. Medium bodied. Lingering dark chocolate. It really does taste just like dark chocolate, but it’s a bit too much of a 1 trick pony for me.
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