Moosejaw Imperial Stout

Great Taste 2008. I thought Moosejaw did a nice take on the style, although my qualm with this was that it was not as complex as many of the beers I had at the Great Taste. The finish was a bit thin, and the palate less than chewy -- really it was a solid "stout". But to its credit, it was well crafted and well extracted. Notes of soy, some chocolate, and a touch of coffee. Solid.

Pours a dark brownish black colour with a large head. Spicey, coffee, maple syrup and oak in the aroma. Very earthy in the mouthfeel, creamy but full and nicely carbonated. A touch of grain in the finish with subtle hops. Wicked strong and a nice fulfilling buzz!

A Skyview growler. Brown body with faint head. Solid coffee and roasted malt aroma. Definite roasted malt body with coffee and chocolate undertones. Slightly sweet.

Shared by Skyview. Chocolate and coffee aroma. Thick on the palate, medium bitter roasted malt and more coffee but not especially intense. Very little carbonation. A fine beer, but I’m not sure about this being an imperial.

Another growler from Skyview, the supplier of all good things Wisconsin. Deep, dark brown color with a thin head. Big aroma of coffee and lactose. Very roasty flavor. The coffee and sweet crystal malt blend in for a lovely base. Just a slight earthy hop bitterness. I wouldn’t say this is Imperial, but it is a damn tasty beer regardless.

On draught at the Moosejaw brewpub in Wisconsin Dells. Pours an opaque dark brown brew with a creamy tan head that has good retention and some spotty lacing. Aroma of dark black malt, dark chocolate, a touch of vanilla and some lactose. Taste is full bodied, very light carbonation the a smooth and creamy texture. Flavorful semi-sweet character with tastes of dark chocolate, black malt, and some vanilla. Finish has a malty and dark chocolate aftertaste with a slight dry malty flavor that stays with you. One of the best Imperial Stouts I’ve encountered. I’ve learned that this brew was a collaboration brew between Moosejaw’s brewmaster Jamie Martin and Teri Fahrendorf, two of the best women brewers in America.