Smuttynose Imperial Stout

I had the 2007 version of this beer on draft at Max’s Taphouse in Baltimore. The beer had a rich and full brown color with a big dark tan and creamy head that had great size and retention. The aroma was roasty and dominated by coffee and chocolate malt tones, but also had some floral hops to counter that effect. Its taste also featured a sweet coffee-chocolate character, with some caramel tones too; very little to no bitterness. The mouthfeel was very full and thick, with a creamy and heavy body that had ample carbonation, and a modestly dry finish.

Courtesy of tpd975. Pours deep darkness with thin mocha head. The aroma is dark roastiness with some dark fruity esters, mild burnt malts and some toffee. The nose really gets nicer as it warms. The taste is dark roastiness, some burnt malts, dark chocolate and some sense of alcohol. Sweet roasty and decadent. This is real yummy.

Bomber bottle 08.’ definetly a big beer with complex flavor. Black with small head. Bitter and citrus. Deep roasted malts, coffee, and wood smoke. Full bodied and delicious.

Ok, I just rated Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball, which I didn’t feel was boozy enough, so of course it is now time to rate this one, which I feel is *too* boozy! Big thanks to GMCC2181 for sending this one my way. This is a really interesting Impy, which has a lot of wine characteristics to it. Not the traditional Big and Bold Impy, this one has a huge flavor or dark fruit and black licorice in it. Some nice malt and carmel too, with a generous flavor of hops. I missed the chocolate and grain thats usually found in Impies but hey, they are easy to come by, and its cool that this one is different. My only complaint is that the booze overpowered the deeper flavors, which hid a lot of the complexity. However, I am guessing this will change after some cellaring. Overall, this beer looks great, and I liked a lot of what I tasted, and am hoping it gets even better with time! I was really glad to have tried this one, and even happier that I have an extra one to cellar. Thanks for the hookup Gabe!!

22oz bomber from Ron’s in Farmington. Pours an opaque dark black body with virtually no head. Citrussy hops are immediately noticeable, with much roastiness, resembling dark chocolate with coffee and molasses notes. A sweet chocolaty roastiness is immediately apparent, with strong berry notes also apparent, and a tinge of alcohol warming on the finish. Hints of grassy and citrussy hops are also present. A slight nuttiness presents itself on the finish. Full-bodied without being viscous, and with light to moderate carbonation, this one definitely is still a sipper for sure. Having said that, it’s sweet and complex, and very tasty. Makes a good dessert by itself I’d say. A superb example of the style, and one of this brewery’s finest offerings.

Note: Need to re-rate this for the 2008 version which is incredible. 2006: Pours out black, with a tan head, leaving some lacing, but the head remains throughout the glass. Smells is full of piney hops, some maltiness, but hops seem to be at the forefront. Taste had a little bit of a vegetable taste at first, but I’m glad it’s short lived. From there, the taste has a nice pineyness to it, and then shifts more towards the roasty and chocolate tastes. Little more than medium bodied, medium carbonation. Pretty good, I don’t know that I’d buy this often though. Worthy of a try

Bottle (2007). Pours almost black with abrown head. Roasted malt aroma with coffe, fruit, dark chocolate and a hint of alcohol. Full body. Flavor is very strongly roasted, but with nice notes of smoke and coffee. Like all of these Smutty beer’s. very nice, and very affordable.

Bottle courtesy tpd975. Pours black with a one finger mostly lasting tan head that leaves good lacing. Aroma of chocolate, dark fruit, coffee, and sweet caramel. Taste is the same as aroma. Medium mouthfeel with a moderate amount of bitterness and smooth alcohol. Very good.