Blue Cat Bowfish Imperial Stout

Brewed by Blue Cat Brew Pub
Style: Imperial Stout
Rock Island, Illinois USA

Draught at the brewery. Very smoky and burnt nose, oily charred wood scents, with campfire wood and malted milk balls. Texture is thinner than most, thinner than expected (7.5%), but that’s okay as long as you can accept this beer as a higher ABV sweet stout, not an imperial stout. Silky texture as well, bubbly, frothy but not fizzy, like chocolate mousse. Has some cheesy notes as well, like chocolate cheesecake. Robust, sweet, chalky, with some cherry chocolate flavors, vinuous at times. The look on this beer is very attractive - dark solid black body with a rich, dark coffee colored head.

On tap at Goose Island Stoutfest. Poured a very deep brown with a tight-bubbled caramel head. Roasty chocolate, coffee, and cherries provide a very fine aroma. Flavor was like the nose, but stronger.. nicely roasty with great balance. Medium-heavy bodied on the palate and powerfully smooth. Excellent brew on all fronts!

Draught at the brew pub. Looked like motor oil as it drained out of the tap and into my glass. On close inspection it was opaque and black with an attractive thick brown head that left plenty of lace on the glass. Looks good. Smells good too with chocolate, anise, and roasted malt aromas accented by a hint of molasses. Tasted of malty dark chocolate, roasted coffee, toffee, and a hint of whiskey. Full bodied with a touch of sweetness and light roasty bitterness on the tongue. Very good beer. One of the best I’ve had at this place.

22oz bottle via trade and hand bottled by Duane! - thanks for the opportunity to try this one Duane! - Pours black and somewhat thick on the pour with not much head to speak of. Aroma is nice big bitter dark chocoate, and some coffee with much roasted malt. There was also some black liccorice there. Flavor is that same dark chocolate, a touch of coffee, and a lot of dark fruits. Palate is smooth and not much carbonation. A little thin feeling with a dry finish. Solid impy though.

Black Color with Milky Chocolate Head. Great Head Retention. Sweet Chocolate and Malted Aroma. Subtle Coffee Roasts... Nice Even Creamy Mouthfeel. Dry Chocolate..Initially Sweet, While Quickly Drying...Dry Unsweet Chocolate Powder Aftertaste. Clean, Smooth and Balanced. Light Feeling Beer, Given it’s Alcohol Strength. Wonderful Chocolaty Sweet Stout.

On tap @ the Blue Cat Brewpub. Pours a deep dark black color with a small reddish brown head. Aromas of coffee, chocolate, with a hint of hops. Flavor has a lot of big chocolate taste, with some coffee, and I think a touch of smoke. A damn fine stout.

Had on tap at the brewpub awhile back. A bit light for the style, but drinkable, and not too bad.

Very satisfying and delicious stout. It looks awesome: jet black with dark brown head. Hopped aroma with roasted malt underlying. Chocolate malt flavor initially, followed by citrisy hops. Velvety feel with mild carbonation finish. Slightly fruity at the end, which was strange, yet a nice send-off.