McNeills Imperial Stout

Formerly brewed at McNeills Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Brattleboro, Vermont USA

Date: 05/20/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Noog II

black with ruby edges, thin fine brown head, sweet roasted licorish aroma, rich roasted flavor with a touch of chocolate and a bitter roasted malt finish
-------- /> Date: 04/28/2007
Mode: growler
Source: tasting
Score: 2.7 to 3.6

much richer chocolate flavor, bitterness much more in line

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

Rating 666 and this is a devilish a brew as I could come up with. Provided by notalush, thank you Brandon. Why is it devilish, well this brewery seems like they can just explode with wonderful beers but too often shows up infected and really disappointing. Pours black-hole black (as the pic shows) with a large dark, dark brown head. In general this is a quiet Imperial Stout with light mineral, some roast in the aroma. Taste is light roast, some chocolate milk, sweet dark bread and light roast in the aftertaste. Great palate though, very subtle carbonation and very velvet-y mouthfeel.

After all these years, I finally get to try this beer - does it live up to the hype? - well, about as much as any other Imperial Stout does, which is a nice way of saying, "no, but it still tastes pretty good" - very opaque pour, with a dark tan, no, brown head - thick aroma of figs, black cherry, espresso, burnt sugars, vinous notes - slick mouthfeel - heavy on the roasted/burnt qualities, with a sweetness that is very present, but never becomes dominant - lots of fig, plum, and strong coffee flavors - bakers chocolate and a hint of toffee - this is a nicely balanced imperial, but one that will probably be under-appreciated by someone that is used to the over-the-top booze bombs that are most current renditions of the style.

Sampled from a growler @ DLD 4/28. Pours black with the smallest tan head. The aroma is mainly hops with a slight hint of sweet malt. The hops continue in the flavor but are now joined by more dark chocolate and roasted coffee. this one has a fair amount of bitterness. Dry finish. Medium mouthfeel. I’m not sure this one belongs with the other Impys. Maybe I should try a fresh sample?

Pours a thick, deathly black with a thin, lacing brown head. Smells of alcohol and roasted malt. Taste is heavy on the roasted malt, with nice touches of plum and grapes. Finish is far too soapy, could be a product of the heavy alcohol. Not a bad Imperial Stout.

Opaque body with a thick foamy rocky beige head. Nose-chocolate, malts, dry tootsie rolls, chocolate. Taste-high CO2, metal, unsweet raisins, roast, burnt coffee, very sharp, medium sweet, acrid. Too sharp.

Date: 4/28/2007
Event: DarkLord Day 2007
Location: Three Floyds Brewing Co. Parking Lot
Serving: Sampled from a growler.

Tasting Notes
Aroma: Hoppy (fresh hops). This one must be dry-hopped..
Appearance: Black with a thin brown head.
Flavor: Dark chocolate flavors with some coffee/espresso around the edges. Moderate level of bitterness. Dry, ashy finish.
Palate: Medium to medium-full body.
Overall: I’d love to try this on draught at the brewpub or from a fresh bottle...

Bottle shared by frumpty at his place in Greenville. Thanks Ryan. Pours black with a tan head. Aromas of dark fruits, cocoa, coffee, and a little smoke. Flavor was similar to aroma with a nice roasty bitterness in the finish. Very smooth and yummy impy. Glad I finally go to try this one.