Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout

Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Warrenville, Illinois USA

Bottle. I feel like this is more of a dry stout than an imperial stout. If they’d labeled it as such I think I would’ve rated it better. But, anyway, sweet and a little tart, with a dry bitter finish. Not bad.

Oil black with very little head. Chocolate aroma. Taste of roasted malts, not overpowering, and actually a little thin. A slight taste of coffee at the finish. Reminds me more of a strong porter than an imperial stout.

Pours an almost black but in reality dark, dark chocolate brown. Thick tan head that dissolved to a thin foamy veneer. Nose was a bit of an oddity-smells like ice water. Wierd... Flavor is solid RIS. However, not one dominant flavor, just bunches of malts, chocolate and coffee tones. Come candy tones too such as licorice and caramel. Also getting some daker fruits--cherries and old dried apricots. Mouthfeel is perhaps a bit thin and watery but not too off for the style. A very easily drinkable RIS without any off-the-wall flavors or ABV.

I had some high hopes for this one and was let down mightily. I think the only thing that makes this an Imperial Stout is the 8.5%. Too watered down - not enough backbone. If they played it off as a regular stout it would probably rate higher. But priced as it is in a bomber and sporting the Imperial word I expect more. Decent hoppiness saved it from a complete dud.

12oz bottle via trade at DLD. pours a very slightly oily, opaque black with a thin, dark tan head and slight lacing. aroma is fairly tame with notes of roasted nuts, coffee, licorice, and a hint of lactose sugar. flavor isn’t as bold as most imperial stouts with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, sour milk, and a touch of hops with a mild, roasted nutty finish. palate is a bit thin for an imperial stout but smooth with well hidden alcohol. overall, an average brew.

Pours jet black with a minimal tan head. Smell is sweet, with coffee, chocolate and malt. Taste is roasted malt, light coffee, a bit of chocolate, some dark fruit with an odd sour aftertaste. It is not very complex. The body is light for an Imperial stout and the carbonation is kind of high for the style. It’s pretty easy to drink, but not what I was expecting from an imperial.

12 oz bottle. Pours a black color with a tan head that disappears very quickly. This imperial smells of roasted malt, molasses, coffee and a light note of dark bitter chocolate. Flavor is quite roasty and has some hop presence. I get notes of chocolate and molasses. Not bad, a bit dry and roasty for my likes in an imperial stout.

Pours kinda thick, black in the snifter, with a nice sized tan head that receeds quickly into a film. Aroma is roasted malt, chocolate, espresso, and anise, with the faintest hint of floral hops. The flavor is quite nice. Lots of sweet roasted malt, lactose, coca, and licorice. Mouthfeel is light yet full, and has medium carbonation. Alcohol undetectable. Not a bad brew at all, but I would have classified this number a strong milk stout. It, IMO, would have gotten a much higher rating. Although this is a great stout, it simply does not compete with the much bigger insane-o-stouts out there.