 BlueDevil0206 (122), Durham, North Carolina, USA
Jun 25, 2005 Updated: Jun 27, 2005
Bottled 10/04. Pours a deep opaque black with reddish tinges on the edges next to a light. Small tan head that leaves very nice lacing. Aroma is of citrusy/piney hops and sweet roasted malt with some espresso trying to make its way through. Flavor is fairly one dimensional with citrusy and earthy hops being dominant and malt, roast, chocolate being second in line. Yeast profile is quite pleasing, being slightly estery but not overpowering. Alcohol is well hidden but finishes with a tad of warmth. Nice bitter, dry finish. Body is full and carbonation is adequate. Man I sure as hell remember this being better the first time I tried it about 2 years ago but now I’m stuck with 3/4 of a case of the 10/04.
Update: I tried some 1/04 last night, and there is WORLDS of difference. This one had gobs of roasted malt to complement the equal large amount of hops. Chocolate and coffee roast with some grassy/earthy hops to complement. Bitterness is smooth and lingering but not biting or harsh. Mouthfeel is much more full. Something definitely happened with the newer Storm King. The 1/04 is closer to what I remember but still not there, but good nonetheless.
kpresley77 (94), Jackson, Georgia, USA
Oct 10, 2008 Bottle courtesy of weeheavysd pours opaque black with no head and little carbonation. Aroma is dark fruit and chocolate malt. First taste is chocolate malt with dark fruit backing. Pretty well balanced with a slight roasted malt and strong alcohol bite in the finish.
foundmd (38), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Oct 9, 2008 12oz bottle. Aged for about one year. Pours opaque black with a nice mocha head. Some nice lacing too. Big hop flavors and dark chocolate give this complex depth and bitterness. Alcohol is well disguised. A fantastic Imperial.
tedovertu (132), Apple Valley, Minnesota, USA
Oct 8, 2008 Toasted strong coffee aroma with some mild grapefruit hops mixed with a little brown sugar. Small light brown head with excellent lacing. Dark Black with some amber notes in the color. Initial light bitter flavor ending about the same. Pretty long duration. Medium body with an oily texture. Light alcoholic presence in the finish. Over rated in my opinion.
KnN (311), Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
Oct 8, 2008 Pours deep black with a thin tan head. Aroma is alcohol and burnt malt. Not terribly pleasant.
Flavor is a bit better, but this beer is really thin, in my opinion, for a stout, let alone and imperial. Flavor is a little chocolate, a little roasted malt, but a lot of burnt coffee. I’m not sure why that flavor is so popular in some stouts, but burnt coffee is not a nice thing to have on the palate. Really disappointed. I was expecting more.
pj1855 (74), Eagan, Minnesota, USA
Oct 8, 2008 Pours a black amber color. Small light brown head that mostly dimishes. A malty burnt aroma. Flavor- initially pick up a little chocolate with a burnt coffee finish.
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