Big Sky Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout

Brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Missoula, Montana USA

sample from the pitcher at GABF on 9/26/09... this was one of my favorites at GABF this year... really nice BA Imperial Stout from a solid brewery. pitch black pour with a tan head... really nice bourbon nose... extremely smooth medium to thick body... bourbon throughout with a long presence on the finish. I need some bottles of this now!

Thanks sebletitje for the share. Frickin amazing beer. Where to begin? Pours deep black with tan head. Nose is toasted malt, coconut, bourbon, vanilla, some oak, overripe dark fruit, and lots of alcohol. Flavor is toasted malt, deep bourbon, magic, strong vanilla, roasted malt, coconut, a ton of depth, a few secrets, and a finish of bourbon, roasted malt, and coconut that makes this beer truly unique. A well-hidden gem that could stand with GI BCS, FFF DL, and Surly Darkness in my opinion. Well-hidden alcohol and well crafted all around.

750ml Bottle. Bottle 125 of 1152.
Black/ dark brown pour. Dark brown head. Aroma of HUGE vanilla, wood, nice chocolate. Yum, Macciato. A hint of bourbon as it warms. Flavor is lots of creamy chocolate with a nice blend of bourbon. Some wood, and mellow vanilla. I love that sweet bourbon. Creamy and Heavy bodied. A+
Rating #2250.

Beautifully balanced aroma and flavor of bourbon, baker’s chocolate, real vanilla, cherry wine, amaretto, cashew/macadamia/hazelnut, and toasted coconut. Bourbon is at the perfect level, and the mouthfeel is firm and creamy without being too heavy on the palate. The aftertaste is perfect...long but not overdone. Reminds me of Black Gold, but more complex, and firmer in flavor. A definite winner!

as soon as i pop the bottle i smell bourbon! pours a very thick black with a nice 3 finger brown head that leaves moderate lacing. aroma is big on sweet, syrupy bourbon and malt notes. i’m picking up lots of heat on the nose. the taste is great! balanced and mellow, with the flavors of vanilla, bourbon, oak, chocolate, roast, smoke and even some hops in the finish to cover the heat. nice creamy, creamy mouthfeel, and very smooth in the back. great offering from the north border!

Bottle… This beer rocks!… Pours tar black with a small, creamy, khaki head. Good retention. The aroma presents heavy notes of toasted coconut, lightly roasted cashews, bourbon, vanilla and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with a velvety mouthfeel and tingly carbonation. The rich, hearty flavor is almost a photocopy of the nose – toasted coconut, bourbon, chocolate and vanilla. Finishes is lengthy, sweet and a touch boozy with a kiss of vanilla at the very end. Bottle of this world class impy stout courtesy of Beerlando!

A fellow beer nurd sent this from his new home in seattle. This beer was pretty damn good. Black and thick. Just the way I like them. Some creaminess as well. Thanks josh for sending this great beer.

Draft 8 oz at the brewery taproom; Midnight crimson with a giant head of light brown. Big roasty, warm aroma of dark, dried fruity. Massive combination of heady, alcohol-heavy flavors ... dark chocolate, dates, molasses, even a little passion fruit. Flavorful, but not so strong that almost anyone could drink it. Well done! (#2926, 5/19/2007)