Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout

This poures pitch black with no light coming through in a snifter held towards light, even at the upper edges. Looks just what I expect from an Imperial Stout. Has a slight quarter inch or so head that disapates after a couple of minutes. Scents of carmel, toffee and chocolate come through nicely. Notes of a deep chocolate, rich maltiness and slight bitterness. Malt is nicely balanced with the hop bitterness. Very easy to drink and will be picking up more of this to share with friends. A perfect warmer in this colder than usual winter we’ve been experiencing. One of the better imperial stouts I’ve had. I am so pleased that Two Brothers brought this back to six packs again this year.

Tap, nice pour. Tan, chocolate whipped cream head. Flavors of hot chocolate, warm malts, and a mild hop finish. Alcohol was noticeable but not overwhelming by any means. I had this beer last, and it was a nice way to end the sampling at the warrenville taphouse.

A thick black pour with a small tan head. Nose is roasted malt, smokey charred wood, vanilla, and a nice subtle whiff of chocolate. Well balanced flavor is full of malt with chocolate, wood, and bourbon. It also offers a big hop presence. The hops don’t compliment the malt as much as hoped. Feel is nice and thick, almost chewy. An impy that doesn’t try to be too big. Not a great beer, but pretty darn good.

Back pour with a thin tan head. Aroma of roasted malt with a touch of coffee. Roasted malt flavor, but nowhere near as complex as I would’ve hoped. A bit of wood, some cocoa and coffee. A bit thin as well. Still, tasty and good.

On tap, Prairie Moon Evanston Il. Aroma is roasty and chocolatey, taste is a balanced roast malt and creamy chocolate/coffee sweetness. Didn’t notice the alcohol until I saw the ABV listed here. Found a delicious sweetness in this one - I’d put it in with milk stouts even though it isn’t one. I know many want more roast and less sweet in their Imperial, but my personal preference of a good ’milkshake’ beer makes me rate this one higher than I think most would .

I’ve been pretty happy with the selection of Two Brothers beers I’ve picked up so far, but i found this one a little dissapointing. Pours a dark black colour with a huge brown head. Aroma has noticeable coffee and smoke on the nose, with soft roasted malts. Taste is very metallicy from start to finish. I think that turned me off the most. Flavors of wood, chocolate and coffee. Mouthfeel is decent, but i couldn’t get that metallic out of my mouth.

Pours a thick black color with a soapy tan head. Aroma of roasted malts, hops, dark fruit. Flavor improves as the beer warms. Roasted malts, chocolate, fruit, and a bit of coffee, Decent lacing. A good beer at a very inexpensive price.

Pours to a used motor oil black, with medium-thick tan head that lingers well and leaves okay lacing. Try as I might, I could detect little nose. Mouthfeel was medium bodied, and as beer warmed, more tingly. Initial taste was dark fruit and coffee, which became overwhelmed by alcohol toward the end of the glass. Finish was semi-sweet and fairly long lasting, with alcohol becoming dominant at the end. Not a bad, reasonably priced Impy.