Smuttynose Imperial Stout

From a 22oz Bottle. Dark black, opaque pour with a medium layer of thick, foamy tan head. Lots of citrusy hops in the aroma, which provide an interesting grapefruity brightness to the dark roastiness of the bouquet. Behind the citrusy hops lurks a more than adequate roasty malt aroma thats got plenty of coffee, vanilla, and dark bittersweet chocolate to satisfy that craving. Medium bodied, well carbonated mouthfeel thats got that perfect amount of carbonation necessary to liven the character but still deliver plenty of liquid to the tasting, craving palate. While the aroma was good, I found the hops to be a little overbearing for my preference. The flavors seem to be a bit more balanced for my tastes. Lots of dark roast coffee, chewy dark chocolates, and vanilla bean form a smooth silky texture thats balanced by a wave of citrusy hops that are just that, smooth and balancing, and not as brash as expected after the aroma. The balance between roasted and hop bitterness lasts into the final smack. Very respectable.

Pours black with a moderate, creamy brown head. Strong roasted malt aroma, with notes of mocha/coffee, a light hint of vanilla, a bit oaky, some noticeable hops, and a bit of alcohol. Flavor is full of bitter roasted coffee, light oaky vanilla notes, plenty of hops, and a little alcohol in the finish. Palate is medium, with tons of lingering black coffee bitterness, and some alcohol. Overall, very enjoyable, and fairly balanced.

Black color with a medium head that quickly disappeared. Slight coffee aroma with a lot of earthy hops and just a bit of the citrusy Cascade hops. Strong, roasted malt bitterness. A little oaky. Not really deep in the flavor department, but it tastes great.

2007 22 oz bomber. Pours almost black. Tastes of molasses, chocolate, and coffee. A must for stout lovers.

Huge thanks to Immy for this fantastic beer! This one surprised the hell out of me. pitch black with a dark brown head. classic impy stout look. aroma loads of floral hops......lots of em....but nice espresso heavy mocha undertones with a hint of soy sauce round out the aroma. nice balanced sweet bitter salty mocha soy sauce floral flavor with a nice dose of spicy alcohol. bittersweet salty floral finish...with some warm alcohol. full and thick....great body. classic very solid impy stout.very nice balance. very well done. I love imperial stouts and smuttynose does a good job.....but for some reason when i opened this one i expected a sub par imperial stout.....and what i got was something i need to taste side by side with bells expedition. again thanks tim! this is a great one! i need more!

22 oz bottle, enjoyed on a rainy Sunday afternoon with board games. Pours like motor oil with a frothy brown head. The aroma has molasses, unsweet chocolate and roasted/burnt malt. The flavor is similar with burnt malt, but there is also coffee, dark chocolate, and semi-sweet maltiness. Slick body. Good, but not that memorable.

Maybe the blackest one yet. Brilliantly silky Irish cream head. Blackberries with cream, hickory smoke, bright citrus hops in the aroma. Polish cherry-cognac chocolates. A lovely charred flavor is the water on the ground before the flood. Crème brulee ice cream and bourbon. Maple syrup and black cherry. The bombast of a Tanzanian dark roast. Forward, sweet and forceful palate. Intensely concentrated, delicate but assertive, and extremely well executed.

Bomber, 2006; Nose of chocolate, roasty coffee, and some light hop notes; opaque dark brown with some cherry highlights on the edges and a small cinnamon head; flavor very roasty with coffee and bitter dark chocolate; nice medium thick body with a light bitter hop finish. Excellent!