 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Jan 9, 2008
Wax-capped bomber, 2006 issue, drunk on 11/8/07, at about 20 months of age or so.
Well if there’s ever a case been made for wax impeding oxidation this is it. Granted 20 months isn’t that great an age for an imperial stout, but A) this is a lower gravity version and B) it comes off as if it is brand-spanking-new!! Not tired, loose, flat in texture/mouthfeel, no soy or old, stale coffee notes in aroma or flavor. The beer even pours with a massive, well-retained head. The only thing old in this stuff is the ivory color of the head. Lacing is minimal, body is black and probably not opaque, with no sediment on the bottom.
What it has gained in absolute graceful aging, it somewhat loses in its sweetness, which is right away notably overdone. It’s not painful, and the beer never really cloys, but it could definitely benefit from convertin some of those fat toffee/molasses sugars in to some vinous, dry/tart fruits. Some coffee notes on the finish hold it together, while a reasonably roasty suggestion of burnt malts helps waylay some of the sweetness. Not to say there is no fruitiness/vinousness, as there are some light raisin/currant hints, but they are eventually re-swallowed up by the sweet malt sugars. Medium carbonation, with a very lush texture on account of all the sugars. For all that, it’s not thick or sluggish, and actually, the lower gravity gives it a more down-to-earth, unimperial feel, in that regard. Good stuff, as much as I’ve resented the past couple of Sprecher beers I’ve had, this one was shockingly nice.
arjoseph (532), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Aug 26, 2008 Bottle into shaker; purchased at Discount in Milwaukee. Caramel malt smell, with very strong and distinct port aroma; much fruitier on the smell than expected, and the malts seem fantastic, although there’s the indication of some diacetyl. Pours with a largish head that mostly dissipates. Fizzy feel, not much of a body, this disappoints on the flavor; the malts are hidden under the carbonation, there’s just the echo of the porty prune that I smelled and there are lots of residual sugars. The finish is bitter and burnt, and without the malts in the middle to make it a counterpoint, it seems acrid and undesirable.
blankboy (2565), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aug 25, 2008 Bottle. Pours a very dark brown, almost black, with an average size diminishing foamy tan head. Aroma of milk chocolate followed by coffee, roasted malt, mild green hops, molasses and a bit of alcohol. Flavour’s milk chocolate and coffee along with dark roasted malt, molasses and mild green hops -- starts sweet and finishes roasty. Syrupy mouthfeel, medium bodied. It’s a touch sweet for me, but that’s a preference, either way it’s quite good and I enjoyed it.
Hophead22 (146), Redlands, California, USA
Aug 25, 2008 1L blue cobalt bottle. poured extremely dark with a dark brown head. Smells of dark fruit and roasted malt. Kind of thin on the flavor, has some coffee and chocolate flavors. An alright brew.
kiefdog (402), Tampa, Florida, USA
Aug 24, 2008 12oz bottle from Pristine Liquors (Spring Hill, FL). Pours the color and consistency of filthy motor oil: dark, black and thick. Thin dark brown head. Some lacing. Aroma is roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, some coffee notes. Flavor is about the same with stronger coffee notes, sweet and smoky malt, chocolate, toffee. Full body with a lingering coffee finish.
cbeers21 (376), Miami, Florida, USA
Aug 10, 2008 Pours oily black, evil looking, with little to no head. Deep roasted aromas are first noticed, with a burnt fruit and lightly toasted marshmallow vanilla scent, touched with espresso and chocolate. A tooth coating brew, which features the full spectrum of impy greatness, moving from burnt almond yeilding sweetness to a lingering and dusty hoppy bittering and lingering finish. Good qualities all around and it came together alright, but a little jumbled in the flavor department. If had come together a little more elegantly this one could have gone to the next level, as it is a pretty solid brewski for sure. I think this beer performed better than my rating would indicate.
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