Mikkeller Black Hole

Poured from a 12.7 oz corked and caged bottle and served in a snifter. This imperial stout poured an opaque black with a small head of dark tan foam that settled into a thin layer, lasting throughout most of the glass. A healthy amount of clingy lace was left behind. The aroma of the beer was made up of strong coffee notes, citrus hops, charred malts, and some chocolate covered cherries. The flavor consisted of burnt malt, smoke, a heavy dose of espresso roast coffee, mild grapefruit bitterness, and an ever-present alcoholic note. The mouthfeel was heavy and full-bodied with light carbonation. Overall, this was a really nice imperial stout, but the coffee bitterness and alcohol overpowered the rest of the flavor at times. Otherwise, pretty good.

2-11-08 bottle shared with lb4lb thanks to Ty5592
Nice thick black pour with tan head and great speckled lacing. Smell is roasted malt and has a definite hops presence as well. Flavor is malty but also quite hoppy - especially in the finish. Palate is average - less thick and creamy than most Imperial Stouts and has a higher level of carbonation than I expected. Alcohol becomes present in the aroma as it warms and only slightly in the taste. Overall, pretty darn good (but not the best).

Bottle courtesy of Ty5592. Thanks!
Pours dark black with some light brown tones during the pour. Medium but quite short lived tan head for an Imperial Stout. Smell is quite obviously nicely hopped for the style, with a nice dry roastiness coming in as well. Some alcohol in the nose as well as a bit of aspirin. Taste is dark and roasty, somewhat dry chocolate like and hoppy as well. The alcohol is slightly noticeable but it comes off more like a minty freshness in the mouth and warming in the chest than hot alcohol. Quite pleasant for 14% and very drinkable. Carbonated a bit more than average for the style aiding in drinkability. As it warms, I definitely get a bit of the aspirin like chalky medicinal bitterness too from the hops. That definitely detracted a bit and kept it from being a fantastic beer, yet it is still good.

Large small-bubble tan head. Alcohol is noticable. Black color. Very dry, bitter and ashy. Mild aroma. A hint of aspirin. A hint of oxidation. Received from fonefan on 11/14/07. Saw it in the city beer store this past week. Not my favorite style. I like sweet.

Bottle. Dark black with medium brown head. Aroma is nice with some hopps and some licorice and smoked malt. Taste nice with very much licorice. Long finish ending with some bitter licorice. But I think the alcohol content is too high.

thick pour, mininimal head, strongly brewed coffee color w/o thin caramel foam, velvetly body, chocolate start and bitter hoppy finish. complex, enjoyable

Bottle shared generously by wetherel at the PP Bottle Shop with DenverLogan, goldtwins, Sean and Ryan. Pours black with deep brown edges with beige swirls and bubbles. The aroma is robust smoke and chicory coffee; heavy burnt barley notes dominate here, with blackened wood and ash. Tasting this one was a tongue shocker - stringent acidity and almost a medicinal charcoal character was surprising. Sugary caramel and wood notes are detectable, but something seems to be wrong. Bitter palate with a strange aftertaste I can’t figure out. What was going on here? I’ll have to try another bottle sometime to check for variation. Thanks John for sharing this one.

Took the family to the Habachi for some family fun and busted this out. Black with no head. Roasted malt, chocolate, light dark fruits, and wine are the aroma and taste. Light coffee and sour wine notes show throughout in this beer. The first IM Stout my wife actually liked!! Great!! Now, when I buy it I’ll hide it so she doesn’t drink it all the hell up.