Free State Owd Macs Imperial Stout

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

Sampled at GTMW 2009 (Madison, WI). Pours a very black pour, brown around the edges, with little to no head. Aromas throw some light bourbon and vanilla, roasted malts, chocolate, coffee with light dark fruit. A pretty great aroma leads into a thick pour of dark roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. Creamy, chocolate, warming bourbon boozy presence. Slight dark fruit, quite roasty bitter on the finish. Very nice and a beer I’m happy to have finally tried.

12 oz. handbottle from mreusch (2005 vintage). Pours black in color with a small beige head. The aroma dark chocolate, molasses, dark fruits, oak, and a bit boozy. This one tastes much bigger than the listed abv. Big roasted malt, dark chocolate, dark fruits (figs, prunes), still hoppy after all this time, molasses, vanilla, and alcohol. Medium-full bodied and a definite sipper. I have been wanting to try this since I joined ratebeer and it was worth the wait. Thanks Matt for providing my 1000th rating. Rating # 160 for this beer.

In short: An superior imperial stout with a bit of everything the genre can offer.
How: 12oz hand-bottle from mreusch (seems to be the official supplier of Free State Owd Mac’s
The look: Black body topped by a very small beige head
In long: Nose is medium roasted with a strong sweetness sensation and some green fresh hops in the back. Blind tasting from the nose I would probably have called it a barley wine. Taste is not as sweet as the nose. A rather complex stouts that has a bit of everything. Chocolate cake, earthy, molasses, roasted wood, green grassy hops, some dark fruits. The hand-bottle was unfortunately under-carbonated and the body a little lifeless. But the flavours were all there so it is easy to imagine the real thing. One of the very few impy stouts that somewhat reminds me of the Expedition Stout. Crap that was good. Crap, I wish I could go to Kansas and drink this fresh at the pub, but I don’t have firearm licence.

Bottle acquired via trade with mreusch...THANKS MATT!!! 2009 handbottle from a 2005 keg. Ebony pour with just a glimmer of mahogany. The razor thin khaki head diminishes into a whispy film almost immediately. Rich chocolate, maple syrup, oak, vanilla, and light bourbon in the nose. Flavor is complex and exhibits roasted coffee bean, dark fruit, burnt marshmellow and caramel. Pretty creamy mouthfeel...can only imagine how good this was when in its prime!!!

2005 vintage from 2009 keg hand bottle shared by BOLTZ7555 – thanks Jason! Pours black with some red tints and a thin tan head. The nose is dark fruits, dark chocolate and light booze. The taste is cocoa, burnt malt, dark fruits and spiked coffee. Creamy mouthfeel. Would love to try this on tap, as it’s still great via hand bottle. Thanks again Jason!

2009 handbottle from a 2005 keg, sent via mreusch. Pours an opaque, inky, pitch black color with no head or lacing. The nose covers the gamut of imperial stout characteristics, starting out with a hefty dark chocolate profile, and transitioning through licorice, anise, burnt marshmallow, and toasted caramel. Vanilla laden oak, juicy black cherry, and fruity sherry notes all lend further complimentary complexities, while soft bourbon adds a lightly sweet, boozy twang. A bit too alcoholic when chilled, this really opens up and smells fantastic as it warms to room temperature. The flavor profile is very similar, rich dark chocolate syrup showing strongest, with heaps of scorched caramel, vanilla, marshmallow, and maple syrup adding sweet complexities. A healthy dose of earthy hops combine with the anise and the licorice to lend balance to the malty sweetness. If it’s still this hoppy after 4 years, I can’t imagine how it must have been when fresh. Bourbon soaked oak adds a woody, boozy kick that proves to be a little on the strong side, but such a minor imperfection is easily forgiven when the rest of the package works so well. Big bodied and viscous up front, the finish thins out ever so slightly as the alcohol warmth comes through. Overall, this is one of those "when the mood is right" type of beers, but when you’re craving a sweet, chocolaty imperial stout with a subtle bourbon twang an great malt depth, this one fits the bill. Great beer.

Huge thanks to BFC for sending this one my way. Pours a great looking black; no head, no lacing, but a slight red hue on the edges. Aroma is at first very boozy, but as it warms, takes on additional chocolate, vanilla wood, and raisin qualities. Flavor is exceptional and balanced. Roasted chocolate and bourbon take center stage; in the background theres vanilla wood, raisins, toasted marshmellows, sherry, and maple. Touch of bitter hops. Bourbon is still strong after five years, but the toasted marshmellows and wood really work to balance things out. This is awesome, thank you Jake.

Huge thanks to wetherel for bringing this to the epic Sea Of Floydster tasting! 2005 vintage hand bottle - held up very well. The 4 years of age did present a touch of oxidation in the nose. Aside from that, the 4 years age have treated it well. Smooth milk chocolate, hints of berries and tootsie rolls. Thick, rich and decadent. Beautiful. Great beer, and one I will surely seek out in the future. Anyone want to send me a growler?