Great Lakes Barrel-Aged Blackout Stout

Brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Cleveland, Ohio USA

10/25/06. Poured out of 22 oz. bottle, shared at a tasting at Dr. Bill’s house, courtesy of Walt from RateBeer 10/25/06. Batch 1. Bottle 400 out of 400, and although I normally hate it when people say the bottle number from the batch (what kind of reaction is that supposed to elicit?-- "Oh, the brewer said he expected that bottle 239 would be fabulous, a perfect compromise of the contrasting virtues of 238 and 240. You lucky dog!"), I mention it here because I wanted to state how I could only HOPE that this were the last extant bottle from this Batch 1, and all other bottles were consumed when the beer inside was in better form. Sadly, I’m sure that’s not the case. Detailed words of caution to follow. . . Mostly black pour with brown highlights, supporting a tightly fizzy tan-brown head. Lacing is fairly compact, slow and persistent, and the carbonation is actually pretty prominent-- both trying in vain to prevent the quick fade of the head. Nose has very enjoyable hints of caramel, toffee, and nougat, as well as the predictable wood and chocolate accents from a barrel-aged imperial stout. And then there are the unforeseen and unwelcome badges of diacetyl, butterscotch, and a seeming-infected fruity acidity. Yikes. Flavor continues with more of the same, including a slight bourbon doughy taste and some chocolate marshmallow. But there’s just way too much acidity, almost wickedly harsh. It’s not a welcome roasty-acidic intensity or even something you might find with in a coffee bean (does this beer even have coffee in it?), but something suggesting an infection has taken hold. Thankfully, it’s not completely overwhelming the base that was once there, as there are still some definite joys to behold. Still, the acidity just does not belong-- there’s a biting dryness as a result where the roast and chocolate are almost totally overshadowed in the finish. I might even be overrating this, but the pleasureable qualities are definitely there (if grossly clasped in the grip of the off character). Medium-full body with that chewy, gritty kind of mouthfeel left after the prominent carbonation (a result of infection, perhaps?) crackles away and sucks out the moisture from the densely malt-based body, leaving some kind of fine particulate residue. Sort of a weird thing to experience, and I wish I had been able to partake in the sure pleasures of this beer at a more flattering moment in its lifespan. Probably the best BAD infected beer I’ve had, if that means anything.

Tasted blind together with 4 other Bourbon Barrel aged Stouts - Black body, big bubbled beige head; Big balanced very pleasant nose, the Bourbon is present as well as the barrel, but in a great way (actually the best I have ever experienced); Very balanced carbonation in soft textured body, elegant incredible balanced and deep body; Long balanced finish, again with an incredible balanced and elegance, as well as lots of aroma. Very, very good and surprisingly elegant beer. Thanks Kramer17801!

Bottled (Thx. HenrikB for sharing). Pitch black coloured. Fluffy brown head. Sweetness, roast, coffee, vanilla, alcohol in the aroma. Barral aging is very dominant, but not in an unpleasant way. This continues into the flavour. Loads of vanilla, light smoke, coffee, chocolate, alcohol and spice. Quite complex and balanced. Medium to full body. Has a sweetish roasty and with a light alcoholburnt on the lips. Nice. Tasted blind.

From tasting in Munster in Chicago. Dark black with good dark head. Light aroma of alcohol and bourbon + vanilla. Taste is nutty oak. Chocolate with some hops. A bit thin. Decent, but really doesn’t even come close to what I expected. Dissapointed.

Nice dark color with a vaguely bourbon smell to it. Intense coffee flavor with low carbonation.

Bottle 853 of 900. 2006. Thanks Dave. Pours black with no head to speak of. Strong smell of bourbon whiskey and some toasted oak. Beer is relatively thin with a vanilla and oak flavor up front with the whiskey flavor smeaking in behind. I can’t say that I taste much of the Blackout Stout in this. A warm vanilla flavor lingers between tastes. The bourbon is not overpowering as some BA stouts can be, but the original beer (which I love) seems to be hidden.

22 oz bottle via Ohiodad (thanks!). Pours a thin dark dark brown close to black with no head. Nose is alcoholic and a little fruity. Taste is woody with the typical bourban/oak flavors that you would expect. Some chocolate and roasted barley underneath as well. Alcohol is pretty warm. I prefer that the oak/boarban be more subdued than this, but the barrel-aged lovers should eat this up. Thin/medium body. Low carbonation.

Big bomber....nice dark black pour with a medium brownish head. Nice sweet aroma laced with coffee, bourbon, and some woody chocolate notes. Flavor has a sweetish edge, with more chocolate malt, vanilla, and a fine creamy edge. Alcohol and a light bitterness come through in the end. More or less full-bodied....superb IS.