Brew Kettle Imperial Stout

Name: Ringneck Imperial Stout
Date: 03/04/2005
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, RateBeer SE Gathering, 2005

lots of roasted and bitter flavor

Aroma: 3/10; Appearance: 3/10; Flavor: 3/10; Palate: 3/10; Overall: 7/20
Rating: 1.7/5.0
Score: *+/4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Light head and mild aroma of chocolate.. hints of coffee... tastes a hint of coffee with some caramel.. does not show alcohol...

22oz bottle shared by crizay at Columbus tasting 7 - Pours black with a mocha head that stays pretty well. Aromas of chocolate, caramel, and a good amount of dark fruits. Flavor is chcolate, rasin, some plum, and coffee. Palate is smooth and full bodied with very low carbonation and a slight bitterness on the finish.

Awesome beer. Great smooth taste. Great beer to go with excellent food selection.

Had this on tap at the Brew Kettle, but near the end of my tasting so I likely did not spend as much time on this one as I should have. Deep, Deep red with brown hints and a relatively clear appearance. Sweet and malty aroma. Tastes of smokey charcoal, raison sweetness and a citric hoppy finish. Medium body with warm alcohol. A Solid offering.

Charred purple. Thick, entirely lasting, chocolate foam spackle. Chalky rocks eventually form. Airy, roasty aroma with notes of coffee grounds, ink, and bittersweet chocolate. As it opens, hints of tar, port, burnt malts, and mocha exude. Fluffy, zesty carbonation. Extremely grainy body with sufficient density. First sip is mellow, yet chock-full of smooth malt layers and a burnt malt hull backdrop. Becomes even more burnt and gritty at the core. Bountiful roastiness and burnt malts muffle the vinous elements and phenolic esters, with the exception of a touch of tannins from the charred dryness. Remains burnt and dry, as the airy belches stave off some the overt burnt malt richness in the finish, alongside composed notes of coffee grounds, buttery-rich espresso and salmiakki beneath a harsh blend of burnt malts and charcoal. This packs a good deal of complexity, despite its relatively low strength. But be sure to gobble up all you can of this now, because the phenols, although subtle, will only become more pronounced as it ages.

Bottle: Black w/ a tan short lived beige head. Aroma is roasty & chocolatey, light alcohol & fruitiness, but not dark fruit. A little black malt present, sort of acrid & burnt. Other malt is lightly toasted. Flavor is roasted, bitter, chocolatey & overall thin. slightly resinous hop flavored, dry finish w/a burnt coffee aftertaste, low fruitiness. Highly carbonated, dry m/f, very light medium body, & seemingly low alcohol, or very well hidden. Not a very impressive Imperial Stout. Some qualities there, but overall thin and not very Imp. stout like.