Stoudts Fat Dog Stout (Vintages through 2003)

Formerly brewed at Stoudts Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Adamstown, Pennsylvania USA

2001 vintage, courtesy CaptainCougar. Pours a deep, dark chocolate-mahogany body. A small, bubbly tan head leaves behind minimal splotches of sudsy lacing. The aroma is dark and roasty, with deeply toasted caramel malts, baker’s chocolate, cocoa powder, and dry dark fruits comprising the nose. The flavor follows suit, with a good dose of creaminess adding a smooth, easy drinking characteristic. The brew shows surprisingly little oxidation, despite 6+ years of age. Very impressive for 6% ABV. The mouthfeel was moderate and lightly carbonated, no doubt due to its age. Finishes dry and roasty. Doesn’t quite live up to its imperial moniker, but solid nonetheless. I wish I could travel back in time to try it fresh.

Sampled from 2001 bottle courtesy of CaptainCougar. Black with a broken thin light tan head. Mild cocoa and dark malt aroma, some chocolate in the background. Smooth nutty taste, light roasty finish. Smooth, subdued, even-handed imperial stout. Held up well.

2001 vintage. Courtesy CaptainCougar. Pours pretty much black with a small off white head. Smells of thick chocolate, some definite dark fruits, and dark malty roast, but subtle roast. The flavor still had some lively carbonation and seemed to beholding up quite well for its age. Still a good dose of chocolate, as well as some light roastiness and toasty malts. A litle thinned in the mouthfeel because of time, but still quite a tasty treat.

10/23/03 vintage 750 ml bottle. Pours a Cola black with a small light brownish beige head. Aroma of malts, dark chocolate, Cola and a hint of oatmeal. Taste is malty with a chocolaty cola feel and an oatmeal finish. Has held up quite nicely, but I still prefer the newer version.

Name: Fat Dog Stout (pre 04)
Date: 02/22/2003
Mode: Bottle
Source: Norm’s, DC

Black, fine frothy tan head that pours big but quickly settles down, slightly hopped sweet roasted malt aroma, velvet smooth body with a touch of oatmeal oilyness, rich roasted malt flavor, slightly sweet, nice bitter finish

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Score: **4
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Courtesy of Moejuck. Thank you, sir. 2002 vintage. <P> Big chocolate and cocoa aroma with mild cola, dusty notes. The body is deep brown to black with a bubbly, but still oddly compact, thumb thick mocha head. Light bodied fore is cocoa, tobacco and creamed coffee. Can you really have a 6% Imperial Stout? It certainly tastes lighter than any Imperial I can compare it to. But, for allt hat the flavor is good...tasty. It get vaguely English Porter like in the finish...dry, roastey, nutty with hints of ole mild chocolate.

Bottled 4/17/04: Poured a small brown head with good retention and spotty lacing. Black bodied brew. Licorice, chocolate, light vinous notes and a hint of mustiness in the nose. Body is med/light, a bit thin. Chocolate and cocoa flavors with licorice notes and faint roast with light coffee bean flavors. Finish is lightly sweet, chocolatey and a bit musty. Bigger alc. might of helped?

"Not a bad stout, but not as good as I was hoping after what I had heard. This was an ’02 vintage bottle. The pour was very unexciting, as very little head formed. There was plenty of carbonation, however, which suprised me. The aroma was very nice, definitely the best part of this brew. A mix of chocolate and a kick of coffee in the nose. The taste was a little thin for sure, and the coffee dominated the flavors.