Estes Park 10th Anniversary Bourbon Stout

Brewed by Estes Park Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Estes Park, Colorado USA

Date: 10/18/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting

black, scant tan head, bourbon aroma with sweet vanilla, rich chocolate flavor, nice sweetness, the bourbon is an extra dimension instead of taking over, a touch of chalky character,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

GABF 2004: Dark opaque blackness with no head. Heavy, sweet and roasty aroma is dominated by bourbon oak. Thin body has some pleasant subtle sweetness and finishes semi-dry and oaky without much noticeable alcohol. A decent imperial, but would benefit from a thicker body and better balance.

GABF 2004 - Black body with practically no head, just a thin white film floating on top of the body, with moderate lacing climbing up the glass. Has a definite bourbon aroma with roasted nuts and coffee grounds... so much bourbon present it’s unpleasent... acetone-like. Grassy at times, with a sour, oily finish with, of all things, corn showing up. Lacking depth and with an unpleasent finish.

Bottle. Virtually no head. Body is black (nearly opaque, flashlight tested). Aroma is moderately malty (molasses, roasted/burnt grain, chocolate), with notes of whisky/bourbon (alcohol, corn mash, etc.), wood. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Medium body, watery/syrupy texture, soft carbonation, lightly alcoholic. A simple, somewhat raw/crude rendition (kinda like beginner homebrew), but the aroma is pleasant enough. Not too bad for this brewery, but still not really comparable to serious versions. Thin, watery and bland, unfulfilling.

Almost no head with some light orange at the edges. Body is very black as expected. The aroma is bourbon, vanilla and oak. The barrel aging is overpowering. The taste has vanilla, cinnamon and dirt. An interesting tint of shredded wheat. Low carbonation. A thin mouthfeel. Thanks for sharing, hey_kevin.

Poured very very dark brown color with a reddish hue. Thin tan head. Aroma of aged roasted malt with some fruity notes. The aroma was smooth and creamy with some bourbon, chocolate and vanilla. Chocolate and vanilla flavorwith a lightly tangy/tart roasted malt. Some aged notes.

Bottle poured anopaque black with a small rapidly diminishing brown head. Aromas of bourbon, dark chocolate, licorice, and vanilla. Body is a little thin for a stout. Big bourbon up front followed by vanilla, dark chocolate, and pepper. Pleasently bitter finish.

22-oz bottle. Pours jet black with brown hints and a tiny tan head that reduces to film with spotty lacing. Dark chocolate caramel malt with huge oak and bourbon aromas. Chocolate bourbon and sweet caramel malt flavor. Sour acidic finish. I think the bourdon is a touch too much in this brew. Dark and thin silky smooth palate.