Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

Had this at dark lord day 2009. I was setting myself up for disappointment with all the hype surrounding this beer, but to my delight it lived up to its reputation. DLD was also a great festival, awesome!

OK... I really loved this one! Tan creamy head, intricate lacing, thick full body. Very clear, dark color. Thick chocolate/espresso aroma. Taste is sweet with a little bitter after taste and coffee finish.

On tap @ DLD ’09. Has there ever been any other beer with this much of an aura surrounding it? Yet, it managed to meet the hype and go one step further. Simultaneously the biggest beer I have ever had (along with the BCS from Goose Island) and one of the most drinkable Imperial Stouts- a notch above Bells’ Expedition in the latter regard. Pours a viscous black motor oil that sticks like grease to the sides of the glass as you swill it- this one left a thick stain on my finger nail. Deep Sienna head that diminishes fairly quickly to release a complex nose of chocolate dried fruit, liquorish (very evident!), raisins, coffee and what have you. The flavor does the aroma due justice. Mouthfeel is full and thick, yet it goes down very easily. The sheer balance of this brew is probably its strongest suit- I was very surprised at how drinkable it was. Of course, with the Vanilla Bean, they took the whole thing even higher...nicely done chaps.

Bottle courtesy of DrBayern. Bottle was brought out of Matts infamous beer cellar, through presidential approval and cleared through NSA security. Black wax, poured pitch black forming a dark brown foamy thin head. Aroma was of caramel, with brown sugar, licorice. Milk chocolate arouses the senses, as does strong roasted malts, mainly showing off chocolate. Flavour is through the roof. Roasted malts, caramel is very rich and substantialy creamy. Licorice and chocolate is present. What a treat, thanks Matt!!

Rating #200! 2008 22 oz bottle poured into a snifter. Color was black as night, with tan frothy head that dissipated to a ring. Aroma is INCREDIBLE...dark fruit, chocolate, molasses, vanilla, brown sugar, light coffee. Taste is also amazing, very sweet malt, brown sugar, molasses, chocolate, vanilla. Smooth medium mouthfeel, with moderate carbonation. Incredible beer, I thought it was hype and was prepared to be disappointed, but it lived up to its billing!

I was prepared to be disappointed by this brew due to my high expectations but it actually met them. Thus far only tried it on tap. Pours dark as night with modest head. ARoma of vanilla, and roastiness. Flavour is in perfect balance to me, can taste the hoppiness expected from an imperial and the roasted sweetness of the malts but neither is dominant. This allows for other flavours especially vanilla with some caramel and coffee to come through. The most amazint thing was how well the alcohol is hidden. Great brew, amoungst my favs

Bottled 2008. Pours dark brown with a little beige head. Nose of caramel, licorice, dark chocolate and coffee. Sweet flavour with caramel, dark chocolate, raisin, espresso and tobacco. Very full bodied. Ends up more dry. Excellent.

22 oz bottle, 2008 edition, sent to me by the ever generous Acknud. Pours black as a moonless night in the country with a tiny brown ring of lace. Aroma is heavy with molasses, malt and vanilla. Probably the thickest, heaviest palate I’ve yet to experience in a beer. This pours so thick you could pour it on pancakes. Now there’s an idea. Darklord for breakfast. Flavor is a wonderful combination of molasses, roasted malts, chocolate with a hint of vanilla bean. Alcohol tries to stay hidden, but at 13% it can’t hide long. Finishes bitter with a real alcohol bite. This was a terrific drinking experience.