Stoudts Fat Dog Stout (Vintages 2004 and later)

This is a flat out awesome brew that me and my girl try to pick up every time we are in Cincy. Everything about this is big and bold, but it stays restrained and never goes overboard. Commerical description says that it is basically a sweet/imperial mix, and that’s very spot on. Mixes the roasted barley and smooth palate of the sweet stout with the booze, chocolate, and hops of an imperial. Even has coffee on the backend. It is slightly boozy in spots, which is the only thing holding it back, but is just an overall damn fine beer that stands out on its own. If this beer ever starts getting sold in Indy, it could easily join Reserve Black Bier and Siberian Night as my local go to beers!

Bottle- Need to try on tap. Coffee like pour with tan simmering head. Coco and coffee aroma that checks in again on the pallet. Some dry roast chalkyness but an easy drinker. The ABV is well hidden at 9%.

Bottle. Aroma of hops and coffee and I picked up a little pine. Dark color but on the light side for an Imperial Stout. Flavor was not very robust but the hops were there and so was the coffee/chocolate combo you would expect from this style. I think this is a very good brew but not quite strong enough for my liking. The palate is very easy on the mouth and easy to drink down. If you have never had this style this might be a good brew to have for the first time to ease into this style.

THOUGHTS: I’m not a Stoudt’s fan, but this is a fairly nice beer. A little light for the style, but that just makes it easier to drink as the weather warms. A nice bueer, but not the best imp. stout. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a dark brown that was nearly opaque black in the glass with a small to average, tan head that mostly diminished. The aroma was nice but a little week. There was moderate roasted , chocolate and coffee malt, a little alcohol, slight dark fruit and a slightly off-putting smell that I couldn’t put my finger on. The initial flavor was light to moderately sweet and lightly acidic and bitter; while the finish was moderate to heavily sweet and bitter and lightly acidic, with an average to long duration. There was coffee, some chocolate and in between some fruitiness like dark berries. The medium to full body was a little oily, but also sort of creamy with soft carbonation and a light alcoholic and light to moderate astringent finish.

Bottle acquired via trade with, you guessed it, polomagnifico!!! Thanks RYAN!!! Fairly mild, uneventful aroma. Dry roasted kona beans and a bit of Godiva on the nose. Fortunately, the focus is where it should be...FLAVOR!!! Midnight colored pour with a small khaki head. Flavor is nice rich chocolate, bitter-sweet, with coffee and roasted malt making their presence known. The 9% is barely noticeable...just enough to give it a kick!!!