IrishBoy (2163), Bakersfield, California, USA Jul 13, 2008 Bomber from GM Liquors; Nose first had a light bit of piney hops, then the chocolate took over; along with toastiness; black with a medium, glass-lacing, cinnamon tan head; flavor is bitter chocolate with some oaty substance in the creamy body; finish is light bitterness.
SilkTork (3941), Rochester, Kent, England Oct 10, 2008 GBBF, Trade Day, 2008 Gravity cask. Smooth, tasty, easy drinking and sweet. American hops and American cookie dough. Very tasty and enjoyable. NobleSquirrel (686), Chicago, Illinois, USA Oct 9, 2008 Bottle from Discount in Milwaukee. First off, pour is black and thick, dark brown head that eventually goes away. Nose is strongly chocolate and Nutella, a little bit of fusel alcohol as well. This, to me, blows Stone RIS out of the water. Taste is much roastier and rich, very dry and distinct bitterness. If this had another 6mths on it, it would be perfect. As it stands, a bit alcoholic and boozy. There is some burnt cherries in the finish. Very damn fine beer, wish I had more to lay down... gunsho (134), Louisville, Kentucky, USA Oct 9, 2008 this beer cascades slowly into a glass like an espresso mixed with molasses, thick like oil - almost gurgling. it is of the darkest shade of brown with a thin hazelnut colored head. it is smooth and rich, with a finish of dark cherries, bulgar, and cacoa. fundamentally strong and classic in its endeavor, truly delicious, far from revolutionary. Strykzone (1011), Wood River, Illinois, USA Oct 9, 2008 Pours so rich and thick. It looks like the oil from my last oil change. Almost black with some red and a dark tan head that disappears quickly. Aroma is not pronounced but offers coffee, chocolate, and must. Flavor is also somewhat muted and has plenty of alcohol. Also noted are dark chocolate, ok, even bitter dark chocolate. Some vanilla and oatmeal add nice texture. Some chocolate milkshake. The balance here is bitter and sweet with both showing nicely. Hops are buried so deeply they are barely noticed. This beer warms so nicely. It feels thicker and smoother with temperature. Almost like it should be eaten with a spoon. This might be the longest rating I have ever written but there is just so much to say about this beer. gsteph (227), seymour, Tennessee, USA Oct 9, 2008 Damn dark...super black. Thin, dark head. Not very sticky though considering the residual sugar that has to be in this. Heavy malty nose, molasses, vanilla, scorched brown sugar, metal, heavy dark chocolate and ETOH. Flavor is strong with bitter chocolate, espresso and very sugary but is softened by the oatmeal. Body is medium. Finishes almost vinous and has a hint of overly sweet molasses. Definitely not bad. Good as a once in awhile kind of thing. Not the best impy I’ve had and not as good as Russian Impy.
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