Viking Brewing Big Swede

Brewed by Viking Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Dallas, Wisconsin USA

Another big thanks to JPDIPSO, who hooked me up with some ass-kicking midwest beers. Wisconsin continues to impress me with their brews. The "Big Swede" is big, bad, and politically neutral, and he will fuck up your world! This one pours dark brown with a medium tan head. Aroma of malt, chocoff, florals, fruit, berries, and even huge cola. Tastes malty, very fruity, with big chocoff and a sweet, milk-stouty finish. The mouthfeel is awesome, not cloying at all, but firm, rich, and satisfying. This one is not quite as rich and full-bodied as other Impy’s I’ve had, but that takes nothing away from it. This is a world class beer, and well worth seeking out to acquire. All of you should be kissing Wisconsin ass to get your hands on this.

This beer has a plethora of scents infused to create its aroma: bananas, chocolate, licorice, dates, yeast, cherry, oak, and a slight hint of maple. This beer’s large mocha colored head settles over a solution that is darker than midnight on the floor of the jungle. This thick beer is full and heavy and leaves you sucking your gums and licking your lips trying to savior all the flavor until the next drink. This beer produces a taste ensemble of caramel, dates, and sweet hops. It fades leaving a chocolate taste tingling the palate and throat.

12oz bottle from kramer17801 (thanks!). Pours black with a massive compact tan head. Nose is roasted grains and dark fruit. Taste is a little roasty, plum, licorice, chocolate. Body is medium. Carbaontion light/medium. This is quite tasty, easy to drink, not over the top. I will be brewing my first AG Imp Stout in the summer of 2007 and I hope it turns out very similar to this!

Round two of Imperial Stout night. Finishing off with the Big Swede!!! Big Swede doesn’t pour out with allot of head. Black as volcanic glass. It says its big and rich and it most certainly is. Very nice sweet undertone and bite following. Unsual combination but very very good. This one is unique in this style because most imp. stouts initially try to tear off your face with their potentcy. This one is subtle, stalking you. Making sure that you’re going to love this one. Finish with candy/caramel flavorings for a very satisfying experience. Another freaking fantastic Wisconsin beer and one everybody should be in acquistion mode. John aka JPDIPSO, you’re the best!!!!

A pitch black beer with a disappearing tan head. Both the aroma is sweet with strong lovely notes of chocolate and coffee. A great Imperial Stout.

Complex aromas ranging from toasted bread to vanilla and cocoa. The quickly diminishing, small khaki head did leave some lacing. When held to a strong light, the edges of the glass glowed a deep, blood crimson, while the center remained a murky black void...this stout seemed both inviting and enigmatic. The kind of beer that, as soon as it is poured, lets you know it will be fantastic. The flavor begins sweetly, then glows with a hint of woodiness before finishing with a nice round thud. The lingering flavors are many steps from overpowering, and hold on just long enough to make you want more. Oily, bordering on syrupy, this beer has a comparitavlely lively level of carbonation, perfectly balancing out the flavors and texture. One more thing: this beer seems to actually "open" like a fine red wine...increasing levels of toastiness and woodiness will greet you with each sip. This is definitely a "must try"...perfect for cold winter nights...or any time, really!!

First off, it is "Vinuous"- meaning, vine-like. Or to leave "legs" upon the side of the glass. Pronounced "vin-u-us". So if Nuffield tells you different, tell him to shove it. But thanks to him anyway for this excellent specimen. Khaki head that faded quickly. Nose of coffee and tons of bitterness. Lots of coffee in the flavor. Hops try to make an appearance but are shoved off stage by the roasted malt. Slight raspberry tartness that was unexpected.

Awesome impy stout, black color, virtually no head at all, flavors of chocolate, coffee & caramel, lots of roasted malt flavoring as well, slightly bitter & dry in the finish