 DocLock (4170), Lower Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, USA
Jul 7, 2004
2004 bomber, which was very hard to get my hands on.
The pour was deep black, with a slight ruby component through direct light. Nice big brown head and lacing...perhaps the brownest head I’ve seen. Definite 4-5 for appearance.
HUGE aroma of coffee, chocolate, black currants, malt, black licorice, slight smoke, cabernet, cinnamon, and definite alcohol. Super complex aroma. Definite 10. Anyone giving this less than 9 for aroma needs to have olfactory surgery.
Tastes of malt, big coffee, dark chocolate, black licorice, currants, hops, with a roasty, slightly creamy, alcoholic finish (There is definite alcohol in the finish. I suspect that Stone wanted it that way...sort of saying, "We’re not going to completely hide the alcohol. If you don’t like some alcohol taste, then take it up with the gargoyle, punks, and proudly drink some pale yellow beer that might give you more sex appeal with sluts, or drink beer with stupid labels that might as well say, "I have a very small penis and an even smaller brain"").
This beer is complex, dense, firm, alcoholic, and delicious. I suspect that some raters are low-balling this one to try to be controversial and make themselves stand out. Anyone giving this less than at least 4.0 has just lost all credibility with me.
apshah99 (92), Portland, Oregon, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Pitch black pour with tan head. Aroma of roasted malt and coffee. Delicious taste with initial sweetness, with roasted malt, bitter chocolate, anise, and some floral bitter hops on the finish. Wonderfully thick lon the palate. Great beer.
Svesse (1811), Hässelby, Sweden
Oct 3, 2008 (Bottle, Stockholm Beer Festival, 20 Sep 2008) Pitch black colour with brief, brown head. Roasted, malty nose with notes of black coffee, dark chocolate and hints of citrussy hops. Roasted, malty taste with strong black coffee, liquorice, cocoa and hints of tar. Citrussy hops in a fairly bitter finish. Balanced sweetness. Brilliantly balanced with alcohol well hidden. Absolutely stunning beer! Beautiful!
taalhiker (111), Dayton, Ohio, USA
Oct 3, 2008 From bottle. Pours dark black with very little head. Huge chocolaty malt aroma.
Not as heavy inthe mouth as expected but full of coffee, chocolate and smoke. Don’t serve this too cold or you may be disappointed. Classic Stone brew.
Mette (145), Frederiksberg, Denmark
Oct 2, 2008 Den har godt nok ligget længe og ventet. Men det var også meningen. Fik den af Kenneth i foråret 2006. Farven er sort, skummet er brunt og forsvinder hurtigt. Duften er sherry/portvin, blommer, svedsker, rosiner, alkohol, lidt sød og mælkeagtig. Smagen er let støvet, gløgg, sprittet, mørke tørrede frugter, lidt bitter choko og igen lidt "mælket". Varmer lidt i halsen, let karboneret ikke så olieret som jeg egentlig havde forventet. Ikke rigtig noget bitterhed tilbage, den har mistet noget med tiden. Smagte en "frisk" af slagsen for ca. 1 ½ år siden som betydelig bedre kunne lide, men ikke ratede.
mwelsh13 (181), Maryland, USA
Oct 1, 2008 Opaque black pour with very little head. Great roast and chocolate aroma. Slightly dry at the first taste with a nice coffee taste. Some caramel, milk, and chocolate ice cream in there too. Light mouthfeel for an Imp Stout. Great beer, through and through.
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