Natty Greenes Black Powder Imperial Stout

Name: Black Powder
Date: 12/19/2006
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

solid black, wispy tan head, touch of lace, sweet licorish aroma, creamy body, sweet roasted malt flavor, apparent alcohol, lots of roasted and bitterness comes through on the finish, not the depth of the rest of the lineup,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

draught during my NC brew tour. Pours ebony with a very intense, thick brown head which lasts for the entire drinking session. Actually, the head is so thick, it almost looks like a wax model of a beer. The aroma is comprised of thick espresso, mocha with piney hop highlights. The carbonation is very low and the density is quite high, giving this stout a super viscous quality. Bittersweet, semi-earthy coffee notes make up the flavor with some burned brownies in the finish and a hint of pine nuts. The alcohol sometimes stings my palate, sometimes not at all. The doesn’t have any extra aggressive flavors. You know the problem? It was served just a bit too cold for a stout of this magnitude. No fault here, I just wrapped my hands around the glass for maybe 10 minutes while I chatted. That really did the trick. The beer came together in a much more harmonious ensemble and new flavors tantalized my tastebuds. I picked up some slight meaty flavors and strong wooden flavors like hickory. The espresso notes came out more and the hops took a back seat, only to poke out now and then. The alcohol now was only noticed as a warmth in my throat. I really, really enjoyed this imperial stout especially given the intense windchill which was about to pummel me.

A deep dark black beer, topped by better than an inch of light brown foam. Good head retention, great lacing. Count those rings. Nicely roasted malt aroma with a little bit of coffee. Full flavored with lots of roasted malt, coffee, and some chocolate. A little brown sugar sweetness balanced out the more bitter elements of the malt. A hint of fruit character in the finish and aftertaste. Full bodied, very smooth. Super easy to drink.

[GABF, Denver Co - 2006] Dark black in color with the faint head but this beer has it all. Great flavor, aroma and finish. Loved the creaminess this gave off and the beer would be perfect with ice cream. A great chocolate, coffee and a hint of spices this was a great drinking stout.

From notes 2/6/06: Pours a tremendously opaque blackness. An absolutely gorgeous dollop of cream vigorously forms a tan head that gives a smooth milky moustache with each and every sip. Retention is excellent. Patchy web pattern of wet lace clings to the glass. Aromas of some roasted barley, mild coffee bean, and some cocoa. A twinge of berry in the scent. Flavors give a smack of roasty maltiness. Hints of currant and black raspberry linger in the background. Wine-like at times; burnt coffee-like at others. Raw brown sugar tones. Vinous and fruity and roasty and delicious. Nitro-like creaminess via a regular tap line. Full and creamy texture. Velvety soft. Rich texture in the tactile sense, but my only gripe is that it’s a tad thin in the body. Alcohol is AWOL as this beer doesn’t warm the cheeks, it doesn’t cloud the mind, it insidiously lingers in the background. Dangerously drinkable.