Surly Darkness

Brewed by Surly Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota USA

2007 Vintage. Dark amber red to brown hue. Nose is dark fruits, thick coffee and cocoa malts, cherries and vanilla, slight vinous scents. Flavor is dark fruits, vinous tones, thick malts, cocoa and coffee malts, overriding flavor is a chocolate-covered cherry, finishes sweet. Medium-full body, light carbonation, thick and chewy texture. Very complex and drinkable at <10%abv, this has mellowed out nicely with age, very delicious and strong all around.

On tap at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL. Man was I happy I got to this beer before it ran out tonight. The pour was as expected. Just plain black and quite ominous looking. It also came with a big and creamy/wispy mocha head with lace galore. This was a classy and very pretty imperial stout. The nose overall was far from overpowering, but the best way I can describe is that it was just so pleasant. There were lots of creamy mocha and nutty black grains that made for a powdery, hazy malt mixture in the aroma. The smell was also subtly yet nicely balanced with some earth and a vague light citrus. Upon sipping, this beer starts off with a bit of a pop, and then turns nicely into smooth and full feel. The finish then appears like its about to dry out, but then keeps a strong hold of the sweetness in the end. I really liked how the two sides seemed to go back and forth throughout the experience. Flavors notes for this one consisted of a good amount of dark malts, a nutty mocha, good roasted grains, some dark fruits, with a solid backing of hop with thick citrus and light melon. This was a world class beer, and really lived up to my expectations.

Bottle, RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Pitch black colour, low brown head. Complex aroma, chocolate, coffee, soy sauce, prunes. Full and rich flavour, loads of malty sweetness, also some fruitiness, loads of chocolate and caramel, notes of coffee.

Bottle generously shared by bhensonb. This dark brown ale poured with a thin tan head and a strong chocolate aroma. The flavor is so intensely chocolate, it’s as if I’m drinking a chocolate bar. The taste is smooth and clean with a pleasant alcohol finish. Thanks Bill.

Bottle from Guerde. Thanks a bunch Andy. Marcus really enjoyed this. Pours really dark black/brown with little head. Aroma suggests celery, and chocolate. lots of dark malt. Full bodied with mild carbonation. Goes from choclate to caramel in a split second. Super smooth. So many flavor variations: chocolate, cherry, coffee, treacle, and incredibly not harsh. Goes extremely well with Chimay GrandCru cheese.

A - Pours an almost pitch black stream that settles like tar in the glass. Not much of a head, just a thin sheet of mocha head that lasts forever. S - smells pretty sweet, but not as bad as fresh Dark Lord. A small bit of roasted malts, chocolate, and a touch of dark fruit rounds it out. T - Roasted chocolaty malts with a hint of prunes. Definitely less sweet than the smell, but any bit of hops is pretty much gone. Aftertaste of cigars and coffee. M/D - This is thick and frothy beer. A great mouthfeel, but it is way to thick to be extremely drinkable. One bottle is going to take me a while to finish, but I’m enjoying every sip.

2008 draft at Blue Nile Mpls viscous oily black with thin tan head that disipates quickly leaving slight lace. strong coffee, chocolate, molasses, and brown sugar flavors with coffee and brown sugar on the nose.Flavors are nicely balanced and mellow. [his may be the best stout and best beer I have tried.