Sweetwater Tavern Barrel Aged High Desert Imperial Stout

Formerly brewed at Sweetwater Tavern (Great American Restaurants)
Style: Imperial Stout
Falls Church, Virginia USA

Picked up a growler from the Merrifield store, doesnt actually say the words ’oak aged’ on it, but its what I ordered and I think this is the stuff. Pours a dark black with ruby tinges, large frothy dark chocolate head and lots of lace. Big aroma with lots of chocolaty malt, roasted with oaky tones. Flavor is rich with lots of moderately sweet malt, lots of dark chocolate, tones of fig, hints of vanilla, oak, and dark fruit: cherries, and raspberries. A noticeable alcohol presence but not at all overpowering, lightly hopped with just a touch of bitterness. A really really good beer, could be a little more complex but great smoothness and lots of terrific flavor without being overpowering.

On tap at Merrifield location - February 27th. Apparently this was what I had instead of the "regular" version. Pours a very dark black, with a relatively small dark, almost milk chocolate, tan head. The aroma is chocolates, coffee, roasted caramel and a touch of dried fruits. Flavor has a noticeable alcohol bite, with plenty of dark chocolates and roastiness. It’s not bad (as I’ve rated it pretty highly), but my only objection was that it took quite some time to actually drink - and was not really that refreshing of a beverage. Aside from that it’s one of the best crafted beers that I’ve tried from them.

Thanks Jason for sharing this growler. The beer pours to a pitch black body with a nice brown head and spotty lacing. Very viscous looking. The aroma is sweet chocolate with strong balanced vinous and peated barley. Very unique and interesting. The flavor is a strong roasted black malt with some oatmeal and peaty Lagavulin scotch. Rich roasty sweet moderately full body. VERY good. I’m fortunate to have tried this marvel.

Growler acquired in trade with kmweaver (thanks!). Poured a dark black color with an averaged to larger sized tan head. Aromas of wood, vanilla, chocolate, roast, and some bourbon. Tastes of vanilla, bourbon, dark fruits, wood, chocolate, nuts,a nd roast. Smooth and creamy body. Alcohol content well hidden. This is some good stuff.

Poured an opaque black color with a medium sized, tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of bourbon, dried fruits, vanilla, chocolate, roasted malts, and coffee. Taste was fruity, with raisins, molasses, smoke, chocolate, light nuts, roast, vanilla, and bourbon, with a bit of alcohol in the finish.

Thanks hopdog for sharing this one. Pours a deep almost motor oil black with a average creamy/bubbly deep tan head that left some spotty lacing. Aroma of vanilla, oak, cocoa, caramel, some toffee, nuts, light alcohol and Flavor of vanilla, chocolate, some hop bitterness and flavor, walnuts, bitter roasted grains and some cappucino.

Many thanks to Ughsmash for sharing! Non-existent head, but a decent lacing on the glass. Large bourbon and lightly sour oak notes. A bit of smoke and a vinous presence that was a bit over the top at time. The flavour was very upfront with old vine zinfandel notes and a bit of sour and tannin. After a few sips, this became more and more overpowering and took away from the experience.

Many thanks to Ken for yet another growler hook-up!! Poured damn near black with a creamy, thick cap of deep brown head. The aroma had a very lovely, lightly sour vinous and oak presence riding over rich sweet and darker chocolates.. warmth brought out toasty oatmeal and coffee grounds.. very nice! The flavor began with toasty, sour oak and molasses, with dark chocolates and coffee filling out the base.. sweeter chocolates and oats roll of the sides of the tongue and pair with vanilla, vinous notes, and sweet bourbon from the barrel.. sweet vinous, vanilla, and chocolates on the long finish. Warm and heavier-bodied on the palate with ideal sour accents from the barrel.. great balance and nice warmth on the back. Great one!