HopTown Old Yeltsin Imperial Stout

Formerly brewed at HopTown Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Pleasanton, California USA

On first cracking the crown of this 22oz SuperSize helping of Imperial Stout, I know that the goods are being delivered. All the right notes are wafting out, before I have a chance to get a close look, even. Appearance: black as pitch, with a good, toasted tan head. I stir it up a bit, swirl the snifter some, and the familiar burnt flavors of any IS worth it’s roasted barley malt creep evermore into my senses. But let’s get more intimate... Aroma: deep, bitter espresso, molasses, dark rum, thick, rich, sinfully indulgent, wickedly stong, just drinking in this smell may inebriate me! But it’s a dark and twisted treat, and everything an IS should be! Hops are here, when we taste, but it’s that thick, dark, roasted malt that makes the biggest impression on the palate, and the booze, glorious booze. You don’t get a sip out of this beer, without getting a full helping of the stong stuff.. More flavorful connotations arise in the taste profile occur, a bit hit of anise, some chocolate, a little raisin... This is most impressive, and I feel that the fine folks in Pleaston, CA seem to have nailed the style, and then some. Big alcohol, but big flavor, too. I wonder what Boris would think of his namesake brew? Oh, he’d love it, of course, much tastier than vodka, with plenty of kick!

One bottle left a smile on my face all evening. Poured an opaque deep brownish black with a healthy, thick cocoa colored head that subsided to a steady thin layer, which lasted the whole bottle. Complex, full aroma of chocolate, roastiness, coffee, figs, and faint alcohol. Rich flavor of sweet, roasty chocolate, toffee/caramel, faint grapes. Light hop bitterness follows. Creamy vanilla flavors in the aftertaste as it warms. Full mouthfeel that coats the mouth. Enough carbonation to maintain a thin head layer throughout. Light acidity. The alcohol is well masked.

Beer pours very dark brown if not downright black with a big thick fully retained light brown head. There looks to lots of lacing also. Aroma is deep, full, and rich. Nots of liquer soaked cherries, roasted malt, chocolate, alcohol, and a little hops. Flavor is initially quite sweet followed by a big dose of roastiness. The finish is dry and hoppy. This is excellent big beer.

Jet black color, chocolate pudding-bready aroma, dark roasty coffee chocolate fruity flavor, I really like this one, thanks to herbjones.

Very black pour, small tan head. Aroma had hints of coffee and chocolate. Fantastic flavor, sweet with some nicely balanced hop bitterness. Alcohol is quite well hidden.

Rocking Imperial Stout! I loved the aroma here--deeply fruity, grape, and the juice of something else (mango?), but also a plastic quality that throws me back to when I would open Star Wars action figures in the 1970s, this is the cape of Princess Leia straight from the plastic package. The roastiness is subtle in the flavor and I just kept sipping this with enjoyment. Fruitier than other Imperial Stouts, probably not a classic, but it strikes my fancy.

Black color; No head; Nose was: Whoo!! whiskey? bourbon? oak? malt? One of the best smells ever! Cognac! Vinous on the tongue. Almost burns a bit. Very chocolatey and powerful.

I had this one on tap and was in heaven. A little more fruity than most Imp. stouts ive had.