Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout

12 oz. bottle into wine glass (for lack of sniffer). WARNING: I drank this after a Sam Adams Tripple Bock, and thus my rating could be wholly skewed (see my rating of SA 3bock). Faint aroma of roasted dark malts and chocolate, but not a whole lot of flavors or potency going on. Nice black pour with too minimal of a head though. Flavor tasted unbalanced; it almost seemed flavorless were it not for the faint bitterness and sourness - like dusty chocolate and grapes. Medium bodied; too thin and carbonated for a good imperial. Overall: not worth it unless it is free.

Pours an extremely dark brown that’s a ruby red when held to bright light. Tan two finger head with good persistence and lots of lacing. Nose of chocolate malt and hints of fruit. Taste of coffee, dark chocolate and black licorice. Really good, creamy mouth feel. Rich, semi-sweet mocha finish.

550ml bottle.
Black beer with a medium brown head. Roasty nose with notes of coffee, fruit, caramel and licorice. Sweet flavour with a robust roasty bitter finish that carries a hint of alcohol. Chocolate syrup aftertaste. Very nice.

Smells of caramel and chocolate, almost no head, thick, almost opaque dark brown color. Strong roast flavor, ends with a bit of sweetness followed by bitter. Overall, an alright stout.

Bottle from the Co-op in Davis, CA. Pours a black color with a tan head. Smells of prunes, maybe plums, with scents of chocolate and coffee. Tastes of roasted malts, and a hint of chocolate. Definately has a bitter ending. All in all a pretty good brew.

It’s been a while since I’ve had one, but I know a fantastic stout when I taste one. I guess the only way I can describe it is complex, smooth, and it leaves you wanting more. I would gladly trade a case of Guinness for a 4 pack of these. Not so big a fan of Sam Smith’s oatmeal stout, if that tells you anything...

Half-liter bottle served at room temperature. Love that Victorian label! Can hear the ocean when it pours - a good sign, in my opinion. There is some sourness in the sweet, malty, pungent aroma - some peat and coffee too. The flavor is full and complex - astringent, roasty, and nicely balanced - and it is organic too. I taste grains, espresso, molasses, and grassy hops. Excellent! This is as good an English beer as I have ever had - hats off! And cheers!

bottle. Pours very dark almost black with a fine tan head that had medium lacing and longevity. Aromas of dark chocolate, alcohol, and coffee with under notes of plum and caramel candy. Taste is complex that is in line with aroma with additions of oak and brown sugar. Light on the palate for an impy. Has livily carbonation and an almos t oily texture that ends in a light alcohol and dark chocolate finish. A great intro into imperial stouts, but not one of the big boys.