Bitter End Happy Jack Black Imperial Stout

Wasn’t even aware that I had other than the delightful Happy Jacks I recall so fondly until seeing Chad’s review and noting the variation. Perhaps not huge, but certainly quite noticeable. Dryer and lacking the amazing mouthfeel of its counter part, but still good enough to make me miss Bitter End for all the amazing beers and times it provided.

Tap. This, my friends, was the last beer that I will ever drink from Bitter End, may she rest in peace. As of tonight, the most awesome brewpub that I have ever been to is no more. There were only two beers on tap there on December 31st, 2005: the ’04 barleywine and this fine effort. Opaque black, small tan head, and mighty fine looking in the snifter glass that qualifies as "proper glassware" in Texas. The aroma comes strong with some bourbon, hazlenut, and chocolate. Warming alcohol presence in the body and flavor, with chocolate being the strongest of the flavors present. Very thick mouthfeel with a sweet and slightly milky finish...or was it a milky property in the flavor? Dark and mysterious. What a finish for BE’s great run as the best brewpub in Texas.

(Growler, well cared for and apparently in quite good condition) Beautiful dark cream lacing on pitch brown body. Vanilla and hazelnut comes through after the coffee and dense chocolate aroma. There is a strong roasted bitterness, producing a notable astringency in the finish. Not super-significant alcohol presence.

(Growler, courtesy of Lumpy) Pours a black body with a medium tan head. Aroma of roasted malt, bourbon, chocolate, and vanilla extract. Flavor of roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate as it warms up a bit. Bitter finish.

from a growler at the local imp tasting, thanks to lumpy for bringing this. pours black with a dark tan head. alcohol nose with a strong chocolate roast flavor with rich dark chocolate and a fruity note. bitter finish, strong alcohol flavors, rich and complex. nice lingering vanilla flavor. warm chocolate, very good.