 sliffy (1930), Columbus, Ohio, USA
Apr 17, 2008 2002 Bottle: Pours dark brown to black with a tan head. Aroma, dark fruits, chocolate, mild roasted notes. Flavor, chocolate, fruits, roasted notes, body was very much on the thin side.
1FastSTi (2357), Glendale, Wisconsin, USA
Mar 5, 2008 750mL bottle, dated 3/28/02 shared by Jason. The beer pours to a really dark cola colored body with a lasting thin light beige head. The aroma starts off as very similar to the beef gravy I made that I messed up. Over salted concentrate. Simple oatmeal and chocolate. The flavor held up well with chocolate and sweet oatmeal roast. The palate is roasty, sweet, acetic, but I think it held up well. This, however, is not imperial!
Ughsmash (2835), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Feb 29, 2008 750mL bottle, dated 3/28/02. Poured clear medium-deep garnety-brown with a creamy cap of medium beige head. The aroma picked up sweet toasted chocolate and sweet oatmeal (more oatmeal as it warmed).. light dry herbal bitterness remains with a little cola.. really well-retained, especially considering the ABV. The flavor has sweeter chocolates and oatmeal with quite little coffee bitterness.. light herbal bitterness again, with a touch of coffee and dark fruit on the finish. About medium-bodied (not an impy stout), and on the sweeter end.. this held up fairly well!
juiceisloose (281), Orlando, Florida, USA
Feb 1, 2008 2001 vintage, courtesy of CaptainCougar. This one poured a dark black color with a thin tan head that left minimal lacing behind. The aroma is of dark and roasty malts, chocolate, and some dark fruit in there as well. The flavor is much the same with the dark and roasty flavors mixed in with some chocolate and dark fruits. This one seems to have held up nicely over time. The mouthfeel was a little thin and lightly carbonated probably due to the age. It has a nice dry, roasty finish to it. This was a nice one to try as it was still solid after all these years.
Beerlando (1157), Orlando, Florida, USA
Jan 25, 2008 2001 vintage, courtesy CaptainCougar. Pours a deep, dark chocolate-mahogany body. A small, bubbly tan head leaves behind minimal splotches of sudsy lacing. The aroma is dark and roasty, with deeply toasted caramel malts, baker’s chocolate, cocoa powder, and dry dark fruits comprising the nose. The flavor follows suit, with a good dose of creaminess adding a smooth, easy drinking characteristic. The brew shows surprisingly little oxidation, despite 6+ years of age. Very impressive for 6% ABV. The mouthfeel was moderate and lightly carbonated, no doubt due to its age. Finishes dry and roasty. Doesn’t quite live up to its imperial moniker, but solid nonetheless. I wish I could travel back in time to try it fresh.
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