Back Road Christmas Ale 2003

Formerly brewed at Back Road Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
LaPorte, Indiana USA

Aged woody smell. Color is dark brown. Flavor is sweet up front with a slightly alcoholic, slightly tart finish. Had this one at the Southern Ratebeer Gathering in Austin, TX on December 6, 2003.

Hmm, wouldnt have guessed Imp. Stout honestly. Reminded me alot of Old Jubilation, which is an English Strong. Ok though, Old Jubilation dosent have the roast and cofee flavors (and neither do ESAs). Anyhow, it had a very similar smooth, fruity yeast flavor that I love, lots of ripe medium tart cherries mixed with caramel malt. Big black opaque color and a lovely rich yellow/brown head and lots of lacing. Lots of french roast coffee. Medium body. Very well done. Not nearly as big and complex as some of the more popular Imperials, but this one is great for what it is, and I would have guessed about 6 ABV at the most. Thank you so much for the chance to sample this Mike (BBB63).

Curious. It seems to be a combinatino of a Brown and an American Strong Ale and a Stout. Roasted with an underlying fruit and spice blend, yet it remains subtle. Good balanced palate, carbonation supplemented by acidic zing. Interesting beer. (Sampled at Southern Ratebeer Gathering, Austin, TX, December 6, 2003)

Pitch black in colour (completely opaque) with a medium-sized quick dying tan head. Aroma of pit fruit, chocolate, roasted malt, cloves, cinnamon and a slight essence of metal. Medium to Full-bodied; Watery mouthful with very mild roasty tastes. None of the chocolate is noticeable, and hardly any fruity sweetness is picked up. Aftertaste is just as bland, a bit of the metal and malt stays present, but thats about it. Overall, it had great potential...and the alcohol is hidden exceptionally well! Regardless, I was a bit disapointed with this beer. I was lucky enough to get this twelve ounce bottle in a trade with BigBadBear63, which I sampled on 18-December-2003. Thanks again Mike!

Bottle. Opaque black, unimpressive head. Roasty, vague fruity smell. Effervescent but disappointingly sour. Not so great, especially considering its "stout" competition at the Souther Hootenanny of 2003.

A little fruity aroma, but not much else. I find it a bit weak, and taste is non-present. No cinnamon, tea, or anything else that would resemble a Christmas Ale. Of course, the style is Imperial Stout... Alcohol content is definitely noticeable.

Again, It was BBB63 that supplied me with this generally unattainable brew, Thanks Captain!
Certainly pours impressively! An opaque black hole of a body, large toffee colored head. The nose is full with coffee, coco, a note of vanilla… Bust into the flavor; Whoo, sweet cream, charred oak cinders, raisins, & more toasty French pressed coffee. The palate is oily but finishes dry and significantly hopy, really a great beer, more of a sweet stout with an alcohol punch IMO.
Mike…. U Duh Boss, Cheers!

Deep black with a non lasting off white head. Somewhat creamy. Burnt coffee, smoke, and a hint of dark chocolate. Smooth drinking, but it never has that oomph that an Imperial Stout should have. It was "ok" none the less. Thanks bigbadbear63 (Mike)for sending it home with me on that cold snowy DC night. ;-)