Golden Valley Black Panther Imperial Stout

Brewed by Golden Valley Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
McMinnville, Oregon USA

Oh my god, I cannot go into the true detail of what makes this beer so amazingly tasty. This is truly one of the best imperial stouts I have had the pleasure of trying. Not because it is overly complex, but the flavors that is has are standout, and makes their presence so well known on the palate. Rich and sweet maltiness, smooth velvety creamy mouthfeel, loads of dark and milk chocolate, with a smooth cocoa flavor. This is a definite sipper, to truly appreciate all it has to offer.

From a 22oz. bottle obtained at GVB in McMinnville. The 2008 batch was definitely hotter than previous efforts. Very nice color. Dark and bold with a small, but strong off-white head. Nose of sweet fruits, Pinot Noir, and bold dark chocolate. Medium carbonation, pretty rich mouthfeel, but nothing like some of the more syrupy Imp Stouts. Multi-dimensional beer that hits several angles of the palate. Scrumdittiliumptious!

What a chocolate aroma! Smooth combination of coffee and chocolate malts. Anything cask aged tends to meld much more. A bowed head and raised fist for the Black Panther Stout.

Bottled. A pitch black beer with a thin brown head. The aroma is sweet with notes of alcohol, wood, and soy sauce. The flavor is sweet with notes of alcohol, pinot noir grapes, and roasted malt, which also lends it a slight acidity, before a dry woody finish sets in.

Recently purchased a bottle of this at Beaumont Market in Portland, OR. Colour... jet black, even when held to the light, with a thin, latte coloured head. Nose... vanilla, faint oak, medium dark chocolate, slightly singed toffee. Palate... exceptionally creamy, moderately viscous, lightly roasted coffee, more vanilla, the quercus is quite evident and the finish is looooong with a bittersweet chocolate nip on the soft palate. Wonderfully quaffable for an Imperial stout, but why rush something so luscious!

Draught. Black with medium tan head. Aroma of chocolate, alcohol and roast malt. Full malty flavour, with oak notes. Lingering malt finish, an hour later, I;m still tasting this.

This January 2005 seasonal has aged well. And the 2006 version is due for release on January 1. A deep black that blocks the sun when held to the evenng sunset with a large creamy brown head. This is big on roasted coffee aroma with hints of smoke. The aging in wine barrels smooths out the flavor which has some chocolate tones and the expresso in a bottle hit. Not too heavy hop bitterness and a medium body. This will be a great beer for vertical tastings that should be able to age several years.

This was a smooth IPS that had the coffee and chocolate flavors yet a nice sweet finish,this poured with a nice black look and a small brown head overall a nice gift from a friend and a tasty one at that.CHEERS!