Long Trail Brewmaster Series Coffee Stout

Formerly brewed at Long Trail Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Bridgewater Corners, Vermont USA

bottle courtesy of zathrus13. pours a dense dark drown, with a generous dark brown head that lasts for a while and then returns with a swirl, very nice. nose is of both brewed coffee as well as freshly roasting coffee beans, awesome. a very woody, nutty, chocolately flavor is present through the whole mouth, which is identical to the aroma. a very full body, very creamy and oily. a huge hit of prune bitterness in the finish, that diminishes nicely into the sweet caramel maltieness and less bitter smokey and hop flavors. very solid offering this vermont brewer to keep you warm in the winter.

22 oz bottle
Thanks to a generous person for sending this in a trade a few months ago. I am always game for new imperial stouts and this one shows promise. While it is not as over the top as beers like Surly Darkness or Dark Lord it is also much more approachable in a regular setting. Those of you who have Long Trail as a local option have a nice brewery in the region.

Aroma / Appearance - The body was a medium black; not as dark as some imperial stouts it still had a solid and imposing presence. The tannish head betrayed a hint of carbonation. Smoke, chocolate, and dark fruits melded into a beer which reminded me of a smoky espresso. Playful hops cascade against the malty foundation very well.

Flavor / Palate - The first impression is a blend of dark bittersweet chocolate and smoky ham. Next comes the coffee along with plum and black cherry pits. Warming after a few sips it begins to turn into a smooth after dinner option. Very balanced it is evident that whoever brewed this knew what they were doing.

Bottle. Pours a syrupy dark, dark brown body with dark tan head. The aroma is strong coffee and chocolate. The flavor is very smooth, not as roasty as I imagined. Well balanced imperial stout with great flavors of coffee and chocolate.

Bomber. Opaque black body. Creamy tan head that slowly diminishes. Nice aroma of dark roasted coffee, roasted malts, caramel, molasses. The flavor is moderately sweet and lightly bitter. It finishes lightly to moderately sweet and moderately bitter. Medium to full body with a velvety texture and medium carbonation. Long, sticky bitter aftertaste. This tastes like sweetened, thick, rich coffee that ends up bitter. Some chocolate notes come through as the beer warms. Not overly complex for an imperial stout, but a nice balance of what’s there.

22oz bottle: Midnight black pour with a finger thick dark tan head. Nicely balanced aroma of roasted beans, roasted barley, baker’s chocolate and grassy hops. Thick, slick body that really focuses on the roast. Fresh pressed espresso mixed with a nice blend of burnt caramel and hershey’s chocolate. Finishes with enough bitterness to wash the palate of the sweet sugars. Very good.

22 oz bottle. Pours a dark brown in color with a small, rapidly fading head. It has a big coffee aroma right off the bar with hints of caramel and sweet malts. Flavor is espresso, roasted malts, and just a touch of a hoppy bite. It is full in body and has a rich oily mouthfeel. The finish was relatively dry suprisingly enough. A very good all around coffee stout, but I have had better.

Bottle, sent as a trade extra by j12601. Thanks Jay! Pours black with a toasted brown head that settles out after a few minutes. Aroma is a medium roast coffee grounds and smoke. Flavor is mainly rich coffee, with undertones of anise and dark fruits. Finishes simple and dry. Very drinkable at 8%, a good dinner sipper paired with some red meat.