Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

I’ve tried this gem twice - Once @ the Indiana Microbrewers Fest (July ’07) on tap (which is the only other time I’ve heard of it being available), I figure that this was probably an ’07. It was awesome then and it was awesome @ DLD ’08. When I tried it @ the Microbrewers Fest, I felt it was over shadowed by the Kentucky Breakfast - which is great in bottles but SUPERB from a keg. Now that I try this again and with a little age on it - its really starting to contend. It’s black as midnight, oily-thick and stains the glass like it was just used to funnel your long overdue oil change or watered-down molasses. I didn’t get much head on my pour, would’ve liked that. It smells like chocolate, coffee, vanilla, hops, and just the slightest hint of alcohol (which isn’t bad for 13%). Taste is quite the same as the smell but with some caramel, roasted and burnt black patent malts, molasses, and a tiny alcoholic bite at the end. The whole taste starts off sticky and sweet (like Expedition) but then it moves toward bitterness from the roasted and burnt malts and hops - and then finally to the alcohol. Overall, really, really excellent - worth the trip - but I don’t know about the wait!

Outstanding. This is a classic example of why imperial stouts are at the top of my list. DLD was a blast as well.

2007 on tap at FFF. Deepest Darkest brown with a slight foamy brown head, that swirled nicely down to the bottom of the small round "goblet." Silky smooth mouthfeel. Roasted coffee and some alcohol in the nose. A complex mixture of malt tones ranging from vanilla to coffee, with some nuts and a little fruitiness in the middle. Smooth drinking. The 13% does not even begin to bite. My only complaint is that it’s served in such a small glass will have to get back there on DLD sometime to get a proper bottle’s worth.

2008 out of the bottle, got it at DLD 2008. Thick n sticky, though nowhere near the bourbon barrel aged version. Very sweet at first and then that strong bite of bitterness comes in. Finishes off sweet with some caramel and dark chocolate. A little too bitter for me at times, though i’m proud to say this is my FIRST experience with an Imperial stout. I am not sure it lived up to the hype, but nevertheless an amazing experience. Definitely top 5 beers but i’m not ready to say it’s the best. Everything is here, but the flavor just does not live up.

2007 bottle from SpringsLicker. Thanks Jay! Pours a viscous black with a dark brown head that goes away quickly. Looks like motor oil. Aroma is vinous with notes of dark fruit, cherries, coffee, molasses, chocolate, burnt malts. It is a very nice aroma. Tastes complex, but close to the aroma. Sweet ripe fruits combined with chocolate, molasses, roasted and burnt malts, some alcohol, wood, earth. A little bitterness comes through in a dry roast and woody hoppiness. It is almost syrupy thick. It oozes down the side of the glass, almost sticking to the sides. It was pretty enjoyable, but it might be a bit over hyped, as I have enjoyed some other Imperial Stouts more. It is still pretty freaking good though!

2007 release on tap at Dark Lord Day 2008. I was really looking forward to trying this beer! I was beginning to doubt that this could live up to its hype. The Dark Lord proved me wrong... I received this in a 6 ounce cup that was half filled with a completely opaque black beer with a beautiful brown head that left wonderful swirls in the top of the beer that lasted throughout the duration. The aroma was the most complex that I have ever experienced... a wonderful mix of chocolate, vanilla, nuts, bourbon, coffee, burnt wood, dried fruit, and suggary malts. I literally stood there smelling this for a good five minutes. Then I took the first sip... I was hit with an excellent mix of bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, burnt wood, and some alcohol in the finish. It also has a very heavy mouthfeel and is very "thick". It was even able to cling to the side of a plastic cup! This beer definitely looks intimidating but somehow is very easy to drink. I cannot wait to open one of my 2008 bottles! This one definitely lives up to its hype! 2008 bottle shared with nimrod and Illini08. I was a bit scared of this one because the top broke off of the bottle when I was opening it. However, I was definitely not disappointed. Poured a completely opaque black color with absolutely no head. After warming for a bit, I could smell a lot of bourbon, wood chips, dried fruits, vanilla, chocolate and coffee. This beer is by far the most complex I have encountered when it comes to aromas. The taste is absolutely incredible with a LOT of bitter chocolate and dried fruits with hints of vanilla and bourbon and coffee. The viscosity of this beer really boggles my mind. It clings to the side of the glass. Illini08 poured the beer and left a bit of sediment in the bottom. We tried drinking that after the initial brew, but was unable to because of its bitterness. I cannot wait to open another bottle in a year or two! This stuff is really enjoyable!

Poured the blackest i’ve ever seen in a beer with a very dark brown head. Aroma of burnt coffee, chocolate, fruits, and a hint of alcohol. Everything melds so well together in the flavor its so easy to pick out seperate things but so hard at the same time. Went into this thinking theres no way it could live up to the hype and it did.

Got this 2007 Dark Lord on tap at DLD 2008. Looked very dark with a burnt orange tint to the head. Smelled of soy sauce and swirled like a syrup. First taste was thick and dark but smooth and delicious. Great tasting beer, but it coated my stomach. One beer was enough for me, but since this beer is so rare, I would drink it over and over again.