Pumphouse Backdraft Imperial Stout

Tap at GABF 2005. Pours a deep dark brownish almost black with a thin head. Aroma is very sweet- fruity esters along with a sharp dark crystal malt profile light nutty chocolate and almost no roasted barley. Flavor is also very sweet- too much crystal, lacking on the Roasted barley, no coffee, and low on the chocolate- herbal hops in the end. Meh.

Medium dark brown colored body with light easily shining through at the edges. Somewhat lactic on the tip of the tongue, and harsh as well, with a charred milk note, candied dark plum, cherry syrup and sweet cocoa. Hints at some cream in the middle but finished harsh and astringent.

Crushed with Jakebra at the brewpub. Why is this rated so low? Dark fruits, roast, booze, chocolate and vanilla on the nose. And awesomeness. Plenty of that. Flavor is sexy and the mouthfell might be the best I’ve had in any Imperial Stout. So thick and velvety. Unexpected and absolutely awesome.

2008. Look great, thick black and oily. Brown dissapating head. Weak aroma, dried fruit (maybe). Palate is smooth, not too coating but lingering. Taste of sweet fruit, molassas, alcohol and mocha. Not bad, however we have lefthand imperial stout down the streer and Ten Fidy on tap nearby.

tap at brewery. 2007. black wit thin coffee head. big vanilla aroma. strong vainilla. borders on being very good but it was off just a bit too much and not easy to finish

On tap @ Pumphouse poured an opaque dark brown nearly black with a small lasting brown head. Aromas of dark fruit, bitter chocolate, carmel and light licorice. Palate was medium to full bodied smooth and warming. Flavors of milk chocolate, fruittiness, light vanilla and a hint of carmel with a smooth warming lingering bittersweet finish.

Very high alcohol. Thin-bodied. The aroma, palate, and taste all reveal roasted malts. Burnt brown sugar. Sweet like sherry.

Draft: Black with a beige edge. Tight tiny-bubbled tan head is broken but holds well. Diacetyl (buttered popcorn) and chocolate fudge leap from the glass. Whispers of iron, caramel, dried plums, and a seductive cherry fruitiness. Deceptively light in body. Soft pricks of carbonation. Opens with a refreshingly bright cinnamon-dusted cherry expression which curtails the slight graininess. Crunchy char and black-malt phenols contribute plenty of snap. Fruit character is notably succulent. Lack of malt depth causes the acidity to neutralize much of the fudgelike richness. Irony zing complements the sharpness of the deeply kilned malt. Roasted barley also helps to quell the graininess with its feathery softness. Finishes well-integrated with roasted barley and chalky char with a lasting afterimage of cinnamon and raisins. Phenolic burps. Not a bad effort by any means but the mouthfeel definitely suffers from being too prickly, and the diacetyl hinders what is otherwise a pleasant aroma. Also served way too cold.