Odell Imperial Stout

lb4lb bought this round. Very low key, hard to detect, aroma. Mild chocolate/malt sweetness and a bit of roasted notes accompanied by the scantest hint of dark fruit. The body is full on black and supports a large, two fingers thick, but very bubbly though still creamy head. The first sip is roasted/burnt malt bitterness, dark fruit and black chocolate. Biting alcohol burn through the middle and finish. You really feel the alcohol. The mouth feel is on the thin side and the flavor, though not as muted as the aroma, is not very wide ranging or intense. Still, it’s fairly enjoyable on the whole, if not great.

Bottle (12oz) shared with HogTownHarry -- courtesy of Kevin. Pours black with an average size diminishing frothy tan head. Aroma of lightly roasted malt, chocolate, mild cold coffee, light hops and some lactic notes. Flavour’s not as good, it starts watery and finishes boozy with some roasted malt and coffee in the middle. This is only "Imperial" in the finish, where all the alcohol shows -- the rest, not very "Impy" at all. Just decent.

Bottle (12oz). Shared by blankboy. Pretty much opaque black pour, no light against the daylight getting through - average creamy mottle tan/beige head. Odd aroma - not much malt or alcohol, lots of fruit, cola and woodsmoke. The taste is very oily - creosote and molasses, burnt candy sugar and vodka - oddly I like it, even though it’s not much of an impy.

Bottled. Poured deep brown with a very nice initial cap of tan head. The aroma picked up a great deal of roast with soy, star anise, and unclassifiable black malts.. these notes supported wafts of fresh pine and floral notes. The flavor is led by the same soy and anise notes with green coffee beans, pine, and herbal bitterness.. sticky at the finish, and I did wasn’t the biggest fan of the chosen maltage. Thicker-bodied with lower carbonation (still prickly at times).. bitterness was moderate and not necessarily complementary.. alcohol remains masked save for a few brief shining moments at the finish. This was just OK.

12oz bottle. Pours dark but thin with a fizzy carbonated light colored head. Produces aromas of malt, chocolate, cherry. and slightly sour. Tastes of bitter chocolate and a sour cherry-like finish. Fairly simple palate that lacks the complexity one would anticipate in an "Imperial Stout". Not impressive but good. Taste improves slightly when rested after opening.