 Aquilo (182), California, USA
Jul 7, 2008
This is a beer with a serious identity crisis. Is it a stout? How about an imperial stout? (It can’t possibly be!) Or is it a Belgian strong ale? Perhaps a quadruple. . .
<br /><br />While I don’t mind beers that are unique, this one just seems to be the lowest common denominator of several different styles. It is dark brown, almost black, but not quite. It has a nice thick head. It smells extremely malty, almost as bad as an Old English. It’s not quite as pungent and repulsive though, so it doesn’t lose too many points. But it’s hard for me to detect any complexity at all. Maybe some dried oranges. A hint of black tea. Flavor is very mild, almost watery. Toffee is the dominant flavor here, followed by a little bit of dried fruit. Raisins, prunes. Heavy carbon dioxide flavor in the finish. Light bodied, but quite smooth. All in all, this is a very drinkable beer. But it is not one that I will pay good money for again.
trevor211 (158), Seattle, Washington, USA
Dec 1, 2008 Pours black - just a touch of deep cola brown on the edges - with a great pillowy head. Aroma is very sweet - dark fruits, spiced cider and a faint hint of roasty chocolate. The roasty note comes out much more in the flavor, moving from a dark chocolate into smokey oak and even coffee flavors (it really is a progression). Very clean - leaves a faint roasty remnant, but the flavor (which is a strong flavor) simply disappears. It’s remarkable how little of the flavor lingers any longer than 10-20 seconds. Each sip brings them rushing back, though, and while it lasts, the flavor is great. Something bizarre after an experiment - the flavor is almost completely olfactory. I tried plugging my nose to take a sip, and could no longer distinguish any particular flavors. This is a fascinating brew, and so long as you don’t plug your nose while sipping it (there’s an image for you), it’s entirely enjoyable.
glennmastrange (466), hobe sound, Florida, USA
Nov 29, 2008 Bottle. Heavy roasted and coffee notes for the malt, light herbs for the hops, moderate earth for the yeast with notes of dark rum, alcohol and a hint of cinnamon. Head is small, creamy, off-white with excellent lacing and is mostly diminishing. Color is the color of black coffee. Flavor starts moderately sweet and lightly acidic, then finishes lightly sweet and moderately bitter. Palate is medium to full, creamy to syrupy and has a soft carbonation. I was surprised by the complexity of the Imperial Stout.
fidel (312), Livermore, California, USA
Nov 27, 2008 Dark brown, malty, dark chocolate, wood, little dark fruit, little thin, and strange for the style.
AgentSteve (919), SF Bay Area, California, USA
Nov 26, 2008 Pours deep brown with a medium tan, two finger thick head. The nose is chocolate, a bit of oak along with alcohol. The flavor that and has a bit of a port wine influence. A bit thin in the body. Clean finish.
Pinball (817), Allerød, Denmark
Nov 26, 2008 aroma is slight sourish/vineagre, coffee, roasted nuts. smells very good even with the sourish/acid tinge.
appears black, small light brown head.
flavor is brown sugar, licorice, well roasted grains and stuff, nuts, nicely balanced wiht a tilt to the sweet and roasted end. delicious. overall a delight to drink, full of flavor, and enough to have you occupied.
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