SDalkoholic (1017), Chula Vista, California, USA May 31, 2008 Bottle from South Bay Drugs. Once poured, the liquid created a dark brown that was nearly opaque with a topping of head similar to a spray of whip cream. My nose was instantly gratified once I took a sniff of the sweet roasted malt that sent coffee and chocolate reminders to my memory of smell. The flavor was even richer than I could have ever imagined from the aroma alone and I instantly began to fall in love with this porter by the moment. The initial taste is of bitter milk chocolate and has roast malt to a degree of perfection unknown to compare to other porters sampled, but I still am in amazement of the rich and smooth balance of dark malt profile right down to the palate and level of ABV present. Such an astonishing porter and I am in the belief this thought of an “ Imperial Porter” can be, and will be, an idea worth experimenting with for others. GreatLibations (1252), Sasquatcho, Arizona, USA Jun 3, 2008 OMG! Pours blackish w/ a tall, thick and creamy froth that just sits there like a Ford pick up truck on th side of the road. Snail tracks are revealed on the sidewalls as the head recedes. Superb lacing. The aroma is fresh and mildly roasted w/ dark chocolate and minerals. Full nectar w/ excellent carbonation creating a slighty creamy texture. Juicy chunks of dark chocolate and mildly roasted coffee bean are in the foreground w/ a committed hop bittering that burns a bit as the brew goes down. This thing is absolutely beautiful. A moderate sweetness factors in w/ flavors of leather, charcoal, and black cherry. 07 is very fresh tasting and very much alive. It finishes w/ lingering chocolate and citrus rind. Great balance. Beautiful, just beautiful! Donald Trump approved decadence. Acknud (584), Morganfield, Kentucky, USA Jun 4, 2008 Very nice. I drank this on my anniversary with my wife. Delicious aroma of roasted malt and chocolate. Creamy in the mouth. Taste is as above with a slight lingering hop bitterness. This stuff is great. nbutler11 (108), Phoenix, Arizona, USA May 12, 2008 This beer truly lives up to it’s name both in taste and appearance. I half expected to find flecks of gold lining the bottom of my glass. In my humble opinion, an improvement on the previous Decadence Ale from ’06. Snojerk321 (943), San Diego, California, USA Apr 6, 2008 750ml bottle from BevMo Mission Valley. WoW!! This is a beer!! Poured opaque with a fairly thin, creamy tan head. Amazing lacing was left on the Orval Trappist glass it was served in. Lots of dark fruits (cherries, plums, raisins) malts (caramel, chocolate, burnt toffee) on the nose. Flavor was explosive with dark fruits, toffee, and a hint of alcohol. One of the best brews I’ve had in quite some time, good job on this one Alesmith!!
|