 incutrav (491), Woodbury, Minnesota, USA
Jan 22, 2007 Updated: Oct 31, 2007Finally got some of this down my neck at Winterfest, and the brew lived up to the hype. In my review of Expedition Stout, which was my first stab at a Russian Stout, I was not a fan, to sweet for me, but Darkness is a whole nother deal! Hops a plenty in this stout makes all the difference! I love all that is Surly, but this truly is the cream of the crop! Probably the best beer I have ever tasted.Enjoy in moderation though, 9% will get ya. If surly canned this, it would be in my fridge 24/7! BUMPED by score to the perfect 5 after having a few pints of the 2007 batch, freaking awesome, didnt seem quite as hoppy, but it just didnt matter.
GaltScat (196), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Jan 21, 2007 God’s greatest gift to man. This is the most perfect imperial stout ever to be offered to us very undeserving mortals. Mr. Thristyneck’s review is spot on. I was blessed with the opportunity to have drank much Darkness.
stoutlover72 (1318), NorCal, California, USA
Jun 15, 2007 NorCal tasting June ’07 - THANK YOU moejuck for sending me this incredible beer. Hell, beer doesn’t even do it justice. It seems like it’s more than that. Complexity abounds in this beer. An aroma of pepper, pines, molasses, dark fruits, roasted malt, espresso, vanilla, and anise with a reinfement rarely seen. Appearance....perfect. Mouthfeel...the same. Flavor is haunting. Rarely do I find a beer this intriguing and complex where I find no flaws. Chocolate covered raisins, vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, toasted malt and a sublte vinous quality that is just simply amazing. All of this out of a handbottle (which Joe did an awesome job of!). Can’t imagine how mindblowingly awesome this would be from a cask.
undsioux7 (468), Cologne, Minnesota, USA
Oct 8, 2006 Updated: Nov 3, 2007Pours void of any light with a nice light brown head. A veritable mix of roasted malts and hops. Cherry (the only thing I don’t care for but a persoal taste issue) hint of sweet candy and bourbon chocolate and coffee. Smooth as all get out. A wonderful beer.
Re-rate: 2007 Release at cafe twenty eight. perfection.
Mrthirstyneck (339), Minnesota, USA
Jan 21, 2007 Updated: Jan 23, 2007ok my tastes vary from lagers to black java stouts to burn your tounge off hops. BUT this honestly at least from what i recall of the many beers ive had is the best beer for this style ive ever drank. STELLAR is an understatement. ive had many imperial stouts but find them all a bit weeet and me being an insane hop head, can say the hops at the finish put this easily over the top. the head is great, color is toasty black, and the flavor cant be wrote about. sadly they only brewed a bit of this and i beleive its all but gone FOR NOW. but it will be back. so until then, just dream about it!
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