Free State Owd Macs Imperial Stout

Brewed by Free State Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Lawrence, Kansas USA

(Tap at brewery) Pours a very dark brown body (almost black) with some deep mahogany highlights and a spare tan head. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee. Smooth, chocolately, slick & oily, and a bit thin for an Impy.

Tried this again in a hand bottled vintage 2000 sample with csbosox. I liked it even more than the 2004 on tap. Phenomenal. Finally got my hands on this at the brewery after several attempts. Served in a snifter. This is the 2004 vintage served in March 2005. Poured with large bubbles in the thin, yellowish head. The body was very black, no light, at all, made it through. The aroma is massive bourbon, oak, vanilla, molasses and caramel as it warms. The tastes were high quality tobacco and dark chocolate. Also, there were hints of raspberries and salt. There was a nuttiness after I drank a while and that was distracting. The alcohol is barely noticed. The body was slightly thin and it went down slick and smooth. Deserves most of the praise it receives.

Well, number 1400 comes courtesy of csbosox - thanks Chris! Viscous black body with a small tan head. Deep mahogany around the edges. It just slides down the edges! Aroma is VERY reminescent of aged Sam Adams Triple Bock - big raisin, vinous notes, dark roasted malts, molasses, woody notes, dark bittersweet chocolate, alcohol, maple syrup, and vanilla. HUGE aroma. Taste is big wood, vanilla, raisins, and molasses with splashes of vanilla and alcohol throughout. Nicely balanced though. The hops are there and enough to balance the sweetness. Body is smooth. Feels like liquid velvet. Body is thinner than you’d think, i.e. not as syrupy. There is a mild warmth from the alcohol, but gladly, no burn. Finish is an amalgamation of the taste. Big whiskey notes, molasses, raisins, roasted notes, chocolate and vanilla. This is a big beer to be consumed as a fine scotch or port. It’s a definite sipper! Highly recommended!

Tosa Tasting ala JCapriotti vis csbosox. Opaque, near black color with a small tan head. Aromas of fruit sugar, lightly smoked malt and mocha. Silky smooth. Dark rich roasted malts with mild bourbon vanilla. Mild bourbon flavors as it warms. Dark chocolate finish. A fine cap to the evening.

Bottled from growler... This beer rocks!... "Black hole in a glass." No head. Wonderful, complex aroma with heavy notes of bourbon, dark chocolate, American white oak and vanilla. Lesser notes of dried plum, blackstrap molasses, soy sauce and burnt cherries. Thick, chocolatey flavor with enough hops to dull down the sweetness and alcohol while retaining the heavy, malty feel. Warming bourbon. Mega full-bodied (engine oil) with just a whisper of carbonation. Lengthy, chocolatey, pleasantly sweet finish. World class imperial stout. It definitely lives up to the hype. Thanks go out to csbosox for the bottle!

Dark reddish brown, almost black color with a small light brown head. Strong caramel, cherry, bourbon, and molasses aroma. Nice rich bourbon, caramel, cherry, molasses and salt flavors. Thick, soft feel. Really, really good!

Deep black color, opaque, with a small light-brown head. The aroma was pure greatness...cherries, molasses, bourbon, currants, and a gentle woodiness. The flavor was awesome...cherries, slight salty character, bourbon, old wood, anise. The feel was waaay thick...very soft carbonation...very wet, coating feel. Thanks sooooooo much Odeed!

10-day old growler. Dark brown/black with a slightly creamy tan head. Thick tarry burnt aroma with fruit and grassy notes. Complex good. Thick vinous alcohol, chocolate, dark sweet licorice, burnt cherry taste. Good!