Sweetwater Tavern Barrel Aged High Desert Imperial Stout

Picked up a growler from the Merrifield store, doesnt actually say the words ’oak aged’ on it, but its what I ordered and I think this is the stuff. Pours a dark black with ruby tinges, large frothy dark chocolate head and lots of lace. Big aroma with lots of chocolaty malt, roasted with oaky tones. Flavor is rich with lots of moderately sweet malt, lots of dark chocolate, tones of fig, hints of vanilla, oak, and dark fruit: cherries, and raspberries. A noticeable alcohol presence but not at all overpowering, lightly hopped with just a touch of bitterness. A really really good beer, could be a little more complex but great smoothness and lots of terrific flavor without being overpowering.

On tap at Merrifield location - February 27th. Apparently this was what I had instead of the "regular" version. Pours a very dark black, with a relatively small dark, almost milk chocolate, tan head. The aroma is chocolates, coffee, roasted caramel and a touch of dried fruits. Flavor has a noticeable alcohol bite, with plenty of dark chocolates and roastiness. It’s not bad (as I’ve rated it pretty highly), but my only objection was that it took quite some time to actually drink - and was not really that refreshing of a beverage. Aside from that it’s one of the best crafted beers that I’ve tried from them.

Thanks Jason for sharing this growler. The beer pours to a pitch black body with a nice brown head and spotty lacing. Very viscous looking. The aroma is sweet chocolate with strong balanced vinous and peated barley. Very unique and interesting. The flavor is a strong roasted black malt with some oatmeal and peaty Lagavulin scotch. Rich roasty sweet moderately full body. VERY good. I’m fortunate to have tried this marvel.

Growler acquired in trade with kmweaver (thanks!). Poured a dark black color with an averaged to larger sized tan head. Aromas of wood, vanilla, chocolate, roast, and some bourbon. Tastes of vanilla, bourbon, dark fruits, wood, chocolate, nuts,a nd roast. Smooth and creamy body. Alcohol content well hidden. This is some good stuff.

Poured an opaque black color with a medium sized, tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of bourbon, dried fruits, vanilla, chocolate, roasted malts, and coffee. Taste was fruity, with raisins, molasses, smoke, chocolate, light nuts, roast, vanilla, and bourbon, with a bit of alcohol in the finish.