Founders Imperial Stout - Founders Brewing Company

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2003, courtesy of autumnaldave.
Overall, this was similar to my experience with the 2005 batch with a few differences. It still looked great - black with a short brown head, excellent head retention and lacing. The aroma was more roasted than the more recent bottle, with some bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoke. Excellent balance of flavours, with chocolate and light raisin/plum to start, mild bitterness, roast and dark fruit. Just a bit of lactic sourness as well. Mellow and silky smooth with very fine carbonation and a full body. This is an awesome stout that apparently has excellent aging potential - it's even better with a bit of age on it.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2006 01:59:22 | More by DrJay

HopHead84

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my snifter, the beer is black with a small, dark brown head. The creamy head quickly recedes and the lacing is scattered on my glass.

The aroma is of sweet roasted malt, dark chocolate, cocoa, anise, freshly roasted coffee. Some citrus hops linger in the background. The flavor has just the right amount of coffee and roastiness. There's some dark chocolate present and a medium level of earthy hop bitterness balancing out the sweet malt. The alcohol is most noticeable in the finish, which has a nice level of bitterness to it.

Full bodied with medium carbonation and a sticky, viscous, and chewy mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2009 01:54:15 | More by HopHead84

kojevergas

California

3.55/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Founders Imperial Stout 2011 Vintage (bottled 12/22/11). Acquired from the very generous Duff27 in a trade. Thanks again, buddy! 10.50% ABV confirmed. I love Founders, so I have high hopes for this one. I haven't had it before, but I loved KBS and FBS. 90 IBUs. Label art is okay. 12 fl oz/355ml brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are sky high given the brewery and style (which they seem to be adept at).

Served straight from the fridge and allowed to warm considerably over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a one finger rich vibrant hold-tan head of fantastic cream and thickness, and pretty good (3 minute) retention for the high ABV. I love that gilded tan appearance; few imperial stouts can really pull that off. Body colour is a solid nontransparent opaque jet black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Nice lacing as the head recedes. That's exactly how an imperial stout should look.

Sm: Burnt malt, light fennel/licorice, creamy roasted barley, dark malts, chocolate, chocolate malt, and hints of light buried stonefruit. Light molasses. Malty sweetness. I can detect some light alcohol, but it's not a hot or boozy aroma; I can tell age may have done this one well. Coffee roast when I look for it. A surprisingly timid aroma of mere average strength. Understated, but I'd stop short of calling the aroma subtle per se. The fennel/licorice has me worried; I have a personal aversion to that flavour.

T: The first thing I notice is the black coffee bitterness and chocolate bitterness on the climax - which is more pronounced than expected, but welcome. It's more sweet in the first and early second acts. Chocolatey throughout - dark chocolate, not milk chocolate, though there is some cream up front. Little alcohol comes through at all; this isn't boozy or hot in any way. Maybe a twinge of licorice, but it doesn't bother me. I could use more roast - both in terms of barley and coffee, but there is some here. Burnt malt is prominent and works well. Dark malts abound. It's well put together and cohesive. A balanced Russian Imperial Stout, if a timid one. I want more depth of flavour than I'm getting, and each note doesn't ring distinct. Good amplitude, to be sure, but because the execution of the amplitude is so high, I have trouble really enjoying each distinct flavour. Any hop character is generic floral and functions here purely as a preservative. It's a rich flavour, but not overly so. The bitterness keeps the richness in check. Low acidity. Not at all a harsh flavour profile; it's quite mellow. Good body and build for the style. It's complex and well done, but I want bolder flavours. I quite like it and it's a tasty brew, but it's not perfect.

Mf: Warm and lightly creamy. Excellent carbonation. Not at all astringent. Good body here. It's smooth and wet. Thick and a bit chewy. Maybe a touch oily. Good presence on the palate. Complements the flavour profile well, even feeling a bit custom-tailored towards it. A bit smacky (if you will). I could use a touch more coarseness and dryness.

Dr: Drinkable for the style, but you wouldn't down it by the glass. It hides its ABV well and is an enjoyable sipper. It's a solid brew from Founders, but it's not quite on the level of KBS or even FBS, styles taken into consideration and all. I'd get it again and it's quite tasty, but it's not exemplary. A good Russian Imperial Stout that fans of the style will be pleased with, but it's not amongst the best out there. I'd recommend it to friends, but Founders does make better beers. I'll have little trouble finishing my bottle, but I do wish I had someone to split it with. Thanks again for the opportunity to try this, Duff27!

Low B

Probably best aged for 1-3 years.

Would pair well with chocolate or truffle.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 23:08:32 | More by kojevergas

Brad007

Vermont

4.85/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm not sure how this eluded me for so long. I'm glad to give it a shot regardless.

Pours an inky black with a frothy chocolate brown head into my glass. Nice lacing too! Looks very appealing.

Cocoa, cream, dark fruit and roasted coffee all come to life in the nose. Alcohol isn't very prominent, which factors well into this equation.

Similar to a mocha-malt milkshake with a dollop of cream, touch of cocoa and decent amount of roasted malt. I couldn't ask for more. Alcohol is well-hidden.

Lingering cream, mocha and dark fruit round out the mouthfeel. Very nice finish!

Most certainly world-class in my opinion. I'm sure it would taste even better with some age but for now, it's very drinkable fresh!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:12:43 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black in color with more than a finger of severely dark tan head. You can fire up the high beams on this guy and no light is shining through. Fair retension and a decent amount of lace clings to the glassware. Aroma includes hops, coffee, chocolate and alcohol. Taste is bitter upfront from a combo of hops and burnt grain. Body of the beer includes the taste of burnt grains, bitter chocolate, strong black coffee and alcohol. The alcohol plays an interesting role with balancing out the different tastes this beer has to offer and strangely enough doesnt have much "warming" factor. Feel of this beer is thick with moderate carb. Overall quite good.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 21:33:55 | More by stakem

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.47/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Labels says 10% ABV.

A: Pours a thick, dark, black syrup; a little tan head, not much retention, but it leaves a little lace.

S: Dark roasted malt (dark chocolate and mocha).

T: Assertive bitterness with a good hop flavour that isn't over-powering. Dark bitter chocolate... not a lot of depth, but it's very pleasant. Alcohol is remarkably well hidden, though it does become more perceptable as it warms. Slight hint of fruity esters. Very nice.

M: Thick, syrupy body is a little chalky, oily & acidic. Carbonation is moderate.

D: Very nice. Impressive for its strength.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2006 01:27:19 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

pours absolutely black with a tan head, but even with a jhard pour i can only generate about a 1/2 inch of head. Some lacing as well. The aroma has lots of licorice, some chocolate, and a touch of espresso. Rich flavors that are seemlessly integrated and very smooth and silky in the mouth. Nice flavors of licorice, chocolate, fresh cream, and some lovely roastiness. I love the superb silky, creamy mouthfeel. This one is a winner. Maybe the creamiest of all the RIS.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2009 19:44:31 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at stubs. Served in a goblet.

Small tan head, good because I got more beer. Fades down after a bit but leaves splattered lace. Color is a dark black.

Aroma: lots of roasted malts and chocolate. Nice toffee and caramel flavors with tons of dark dried fruits. Cherries, raisin, and plums. Very rich. Reminds me of expedition.

Taste: big malty profile. Some roasted flavors and coffee flavors. Nice blend of cherries and raisins. Lots of chocolate malt and some grassy hops. Well done.

Mouthfeel: a little syrupy, but smooth. Medium amount of carbonation with a pretty full body. Ends sweet and malty.

Overall, a pretty solid beer and it reminded me a lot of expedition. Very solid and I can't wait to age my bottles. A very well done imp stout. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2009 01:01:17 | More by mothman

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is a dark oily black with a thick brown head. Nice lacing. Aroma of burnt chocolate and malt. Rich and a little syrupy with a bold coffee flavor, along with roasty malt, chocolate and raisins. The finish has a little bit of alcohol and hops amid the thicker flavors to keep it from being overbearing. This is a great Imperial but it is not among the elite.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2003 15:01:45 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pitched dark brown on a thick syrupy pour. Sits in the glass a nebulous black with a dark brown pitch. A heavy pour produced only a very thin, dark cocoa colored cap which slipped away quickly revealing its low carbonation and oily body as some residue glare-coats the glass in the areas its touched with tiny dots of lace speckled about.

Aroma is set within a deep chocolate alcoholic ester, stiff and portly with rum soaked prunes and hefty dark caramel. Slivers of molasses add to its neutral helm but keeps quite the incense of EtH over the top on this.

Solid roast and light burnt flavors make the forefront. Chocolate is brief. Quickly taking charge is scorched pruney heat laced with blackened malts and green hop bitterness. Deep coffee roast ensues into the finish with spicey molasses and dark caramel. Fruit woven tender parts inlay the back end while roasty coffee bits singe with the alcoholic heat. Smears into a curmudgeon of oily roasted/blackened dark fruit as it fades off with a showing of hop bite, heat, and throbbing in the throat.

Ample supplies of roast, bitterness, and heat add to the never ending load of oilyness the full bodied feel has. Beefy, bold, even a slight rough edged and brash in its character. It lets you know you're encountering something with heft here. Hold on to your taste buds, they're gonna get a load of roastified heat and dark sweets. 12% is hardly noticeable while drinking it down. Although the heat does lets you know to calm down for a minute and take it all in as this stuff works its magic. Drinkable; but dangerously so on the scale of head swimming delirium.

Thanks tr!

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2005 00:20:47 | More by tavernjef

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.47/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

'08 12oz twist-off from my most recent order from Archer Liquors.. Very well packed shipment... 1 of 4.. tonight poured into my New Belgium snifter...

1" tan brown head.. dies quick with little lacing.. the brew is black..

Nose is cold press coffee with more than enough milk chocolate.. licorice notes.. very roasty.. smells pretty much fantastic right now with no aging.. lite fruity esters are dark dried cherries with some background prune..

Flavor is pretty huge and spot on for a great RIS.. rich and intense from front to back.. no real room for anything else.. dark malts, French Roast.. quite a bit of fruity esters.. again.. cherry and sorta a deep ripe plum.. verging heavily on prune ester.. bakers chocolate throughout.. hoppiness is fairly heavy fresh with quite a bit of citric hops that are blasted out of the water by the stout qualities... body is perfect for the style and the carbonation is light.. smooth mouthfeel with a ton of complexities that I am only touching on.. finish is chocolate covered espresso beans without a whole lot of sweetness..

World Class! a little bit of EtOh as it warms but it doesn't distract too much... This is gonna be a champ, if it isn't already.. purely a great brew that is every bit as good as many "barrel-aged" brothers that wouldn't hold a torch otherwise... sippin' brew.. awesome.. I wish soooo much that I could score this a whole lot easier.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2009 09:54:34 | More by JohnGalt1

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served from bottle into a Delirium Tremens snifter. Poured pitch black with a three finger tan head that subsided to a half finger very very slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, dark chocolate, and subtle alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark chocolate, caramel, and slight alcohol. It had a heavy feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this brew was quite excellent. The flavor was very nicely balanced and enjoyable. Both a great aroma and flavor going on here. For the alcohol content, this one is pretty easy drinking, so drink with caution. A must try without a doubt.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 20:53:04 | More by thagr81us

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a luscious opaque sable, just a hair above jet black, with a thick and fine-bubbled tan head. Rich aroma is strongly of fine coffee with hints of cocoa and molasses. Flavor is like a good mocha, quality coffee with an undertone of dusty cocoa, a little oily, slightly bitter and just a bit sweet. Texture is smooth and just a little tingly, and has a good bite to it. Recommended to all stouties.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2010 00:24:58 | More by Cyberkedi

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.53/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Deep black with a nice beige head and moderate lacing

S: Great aroma of roasted malt, very slight alcohol

T: Absolutely delicious. well balanced. 10.5% masked very well. One of the better imperial stouts I have had. Founders has this whole stout brewing endeavor down pat. This is such good beer.

M: Wonderful balance of carbonation and smooth, easy going beer, especially for 10.5%

D: One of the easiest drinking 10+ % beers out there. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 21:29:20 | More by Huhzubendah

RoyalT

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – This is dark brown in color with a straight brown head. You don’t see that very often.

Smell – The booze here is prominent at the nose. The malts are very dark without being roasty and the sugar is sweet but slightly burnt as well, like a good raw sugar.

Taste – The alcohol is still here but eases a bit at the taste, giving this a well-balanced flavor profile. The sugars smooth out as well. Of course the highlight is the wonderfully big and rich malt base. It is like a cross between liquid malt and nicely-toasted barley.

Mouthfeel – This is medium in the body and expertly balanced. The balance really made this RIS for me.

Drinkability – This is a terrific-drinking ale that has just enough booze at the taste to keep the drinker honest.

Comments – Thanks to skyhand for busting this one out at her Semi-Annual Sewage Sale.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 02:05:00 | More by RoyalT

largadeer

California

4.1/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this one from WeisGuy. Thank you, Shane.

2010 batch. The body is black as pitch, the head a deep brown that quickly recedes to a thick collar.

Delicious oatmeal raisin cookie aroma. Dark chocolate and black licorice are equally prevalent. Alcohol is barely noticed.

The palate, like the aroma, is much like an oatmeal cookie. Rich, but not terribly sweet - there's a good balance of charred malt, black licorice and bittersweet chocolate. Full bodied, a little ashy and tar-y mid-palate. The finish is sticky, bittersweet, deceptively smooth for a 10.5% beer. There's no trace of alcohol, no harshness; it's a very mellow beer, though drinkability is hampered by the sheer richness of it.

On the whole, I don't enjoy this as much as Breakfast Stout or KBS, but it's a great beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 05:35:53 | More by largadeer

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours jet black with a small tan head. In the aroma, coffee and a small roast. In the taste, big coffee and a nice roasted malt, sweet to dry. A smooth and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry coffee coffee aftertaste. Big coffee, hides the alcohol, and quite fantastic.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2011 20:34:43 | More by OWSLEY069

avalon07

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a coal black color and a totally thick consistency. There was a half inch of tan-colored, long-lasting head and some good lacing.

S: An underplayed smell of malt, coffee and dark chocolate.

T: Like the smell, the taste is underplayed, but still very good. Roasted malt, coffee, chocolate and molasses. The alcohol is well-masked.

M: A high level of carbonation and smooth, dry finish. Full-bodied.

D: This is a very good example of Russian Imperial Stout. It's not quite as punchy as some in this style, but it's very easy to like.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2009 15:27:24 | More by avalon07

gford217

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle of the most recent release poured into a tulip.

Pours a viscous oily black with a creamy one-inch tan head which settles down fairly quickly and leaves good lacing.

The aroma is big and roasty. Tons of dark chocolate malts and roasted coffee with a balancing sweetness of licorice.

The taste is definitely sweeter than the aroma with lots of licorice, vanilla and dark fruit that balances with the huge dark roasted malt base and then, interestingly, a bit of hoppy bitterness leading into a dry finish.

The mouthfeel is fantastic and super creamy with some soft carbonation which leaves a very nice coating on the palate.

Another great beer from Founders and a very good example of an RIS all the way around. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 04:41:18 | More by gford217

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears dark blackish black. Nice head full brown and lacing. Aroma is strong of roasted malt, double strength coffee, chocolate and alcohol. In the taste, deep roasted flavors. Black coffee, charred malts and some booze as it warms. Clean alcohol. Dark chocolate. Very tasty. Mouthfeel is full bodied and fairly smooth. Medium carbonation. A big beautiful beer and Im glad I have a few more to set aside for a while. Im sure the booze will mellow out alot but it was not distracting here. Certainly worth the purchase, but damn the 4-pack I could have went with 6 for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 02:53:56 | More by Stinkypuss

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle. The bottle said 10%abv. Let this beauty sit in the fridge for a few months before cracking open

Appearance- The color was squid ink black with a milk chocolate head of about one finger. To butcher a somewhat vague memory of a Garret Oliver comment , "this stuff absorbs the sunlight."

Smell- Imagine smelling a root beer float with some espresso and heavy cream mixed into everything else. Sweet and bitter mixed very well together.

Taste- The start is a hevay cream malt. This develops into a better defined vanilla ice cream mixed with some fresh coffee grounds. The bitterness mixes with the heavy sweetness so well, that it almost seems to make this beer taste even sweeter. The best imperial stout I've tasted so far.

Mouthfeel- Just liquid velvet, with a little carbonation to remind the palate you are drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2006 05:23:48 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

My bottle reads 10%..did they tone this down?

Great I-Stout here...looks the part...pitch black with a redish tan lace...Poured out thick...chugged out I guess....nose has some heat on it...the ABV is noticable on the aroma...smells boozy..rum like...dark fruits...

Very creamy and smooth mouthfeel...body is full

Taste is big on the cocoa...some brownie like chocolate notes...also rich dark fruits....molasses...rum...some faint smokey notes...finishes with a splash of alcohol...

A true sipper...this is a big tasting Imperial stout...reminds me of another Michigan brewed stout (Expedition)....would rate in my top 5-to-10 Imperial Stouts if not higher....possibly top 3-to-5. I like this style BIG and this fits the bill....very rich and full flavored....would pair great with a big maduro Churchill

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2005 05:00:27 | More by ZAP

jrallen34

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap into a 4oz tulip at Stub & Herbs...Black pour, with not much head or retention...An aroma of all roast, not broken up enough with flavors, needs some sweetness...The taste is all very bitter and roasted coffee. Not bad, just one noted, and a very roasted imp, too much for my liking in this style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2010 03:24:45 | More by jrallen34

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I picked this up at Brass Rail in Campbelltown.
Poured from the stubby 12oz into a snifer and an 1/2 pint

A - Almost pitch black like oozing slimy railroad tie pitch w/ a molasses type reddish hue. The cap is a honey shade of brown w/ rocky foam froma vigorous pour. The head settles slowly to a ring around the glass. The opacity is pretty impressive while there are random streams of tan lace splattered like silly string. I am piqued by the beauty of this stout

S - cookies, lots of cocoa and chocolate malt w/ a dark chocolate and mild pine hop aroma. The nose has a caramel/vanilla note and mellow fig w/ toffee accent. Touches of cooking herbs and spicy hop tinges round out the fragrant odor

M - Rich and spicy w/ mucho maltiness-the feel is full. The level of carbonation is moderate which pleases my palate. There is a warmth of alcohol as it finishes w/ bitter hop spice and sweet stickiness of dark malts

T - A rich dark chocolate flavor begins the Founders Imperial Stout experience w/ mild buttery toffee that fades into a bitter citrus hop taste which brings out more caramel and roasted barley flavor in contrast. The spice plays well w/ the dark toasted an chocolate malts. The plum notes come forward gently as it warms w/ an herbal hop taste. The taste of green pepper is noted and seems to overshadow the malty cocoa taste at the end. There is bitter flavors in the residual taste and alchol giving a green impression. The taste of sweetened espresso also unfolds as the final sips reveal more vanilla bean taste in the spice flavor.

D - The taste of this Imperial stout is very layered yet a bit 'angular', slightly on the edgier side w/ more of a malt + hop interplay w/ 90 ibus almost apparent in flavor and the 10% is not very hidden, but it more than makes up for it in the flavor - a highly drinkable impy on the hoppy side. I can't wait to taste this again

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2009 16:57:26 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

4/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz single, Riley's...have never tried this one though i remember seeing it last winter in south bend

appearance: pours dark as night, mysterious black appearance...head is not vigorous but more a gentle rush of creamy chocolate brown...lacing is around the rim only. pours thick as motor oil

smell: a rich and creamy, yet subtle, aroma...creamy dark chocolate, licorice, raisin, a tad nutty, very roasty and robust, a touch of alcohol sneaking through...mostly roasted malt, hop presence blocked out almost completely

taste: bittersweet immediately, heavy raisin and alcohol soaked plum/cherry flavours hit right away...alcohol warming taste throughout...rich and robust dark chocolate, heavily roasted malt, light char/smoke, there is a little hop bite not detected on the nose

mouthfeel: full bodied, dare i say a little thinner than most

drinkability: its robust and powerful, a 12oz serving should suffice

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2006 03:01:32 | More by dirtylou