leeburg (92), Appalachian Trail, West Virginia, USA
Feb 5, 2008
In my world, oatmeal stout and imperial stout should be mutually exclusive, because one has to give way to the other. Not surprisingly, the "oat" gave way to the "imperial" here. So I think the label should have emphasized "imperial" rather than "oat." Nonetheless, this beer was full of the strength and complexity of smells and flavors that give imperial stouts a bit of an unfair advantage in the rating world. I liked it just fine, but countless others of this style have it beat. I’d be curious to see how it ages.
 EricE (254), Beltsville, Maryland, USA
Oct 10, 2008 Opaque dark brown pour. Light tan head. A little thin...well not really but compared to some other imperial stouts that pour like motor oil it surprised me how fluid it was. Very creamy aroma with toasted malt and coffee grounds. Bitter roast with milky sourness. Coffee with some cherry and tree fruit. Alcohol is there, but not overpowering and generally well hidden considering its 11%. Bitterness lingers on the tongue a bit.
sneagrams3 (1451), St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Oct 10, 2008 Tasted 10/2/08. 22oz bomber. Pitch hue with a thick beige head. Big nose! Cocoa and toast. Toffee and a slight woody note. Anise and a touch burnt. Full bodied with a big malt character. Cocoa and coffee. Sticky syrupy. Thick oily palate. Bitter coffee notes. Cloying finish. Rich, full flavors. Smooth malts as it warms. Lotta palate.
WickerBrew (279), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Another one of the HUGE stout series, I love what they are doing here. All go in different directions but this one is the closest to the center. It seems like the others are flavored versions of this. Dark and probably thicker than the rest, and for obvious reasons it is the least sweet. The ABV is right there, but I have no problem with that The smokiness is too much for me, so I am going to stick with the coffee & chocolate offerings.
ilovedarkbeer (764), Dallas, Texas, USA
Oct 8, 2008 Bottle thanks to BMan1113VR via captaincougar. Looks: Pepsi. The sides of my glass are somewhat coated. NOse: nutter butter, booze, smoke, darkness. Mouthfeel: crazy silky smooth wow, the oats have done freaking wonders with this beer but at the expense of a mouthfeel that is "not that thick." Taste: Dark chocolate, smoke (charred wood), expresso beans, vanilla extract, oatmeal cookie with chocolate chunks on the aftertaste.
vanepelw (2), Crystal, Minnesota, USA
does not count  Oct 7, 2008 22oz bomber into a snifter. Dark black coffee complexion with a milk chocolate head. Slight coffee aroma. Taste begins with deep espresso, slightly alcoholic and finishes smoothly into notes of chocolate. Full bodied, but incredibly smooth and easy to drink. Overall a really nice experience.
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