Smuttynose Imperial Stout (Big Beer Series) - Smuttynose Brewing Company

ksimons

New York

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-almost black in color with a medium tan head that leaves some lacing on the top

S-Big smell out of this one. Roasted malt, molasses, black coffee, mocha, and a fruity/boozy finish.

T-the taste is similar to the smell, but a little more subdued. Still get the roasted malts, molasses, mocha, and burnt coffee but there doesn't seem to be as much molasses as the nose suggested. Overall has more of a burnt taste.

M-almost full body, medium carbonation, leaves a bitter dry taste in the mouth

Overall really good for the price, not one of my favorite RIS but I would definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 00:43:23 | More by ksimons

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle Conditioned in 2010:

Viscous pitch black liquid with medium sized mocha colored head. Nice stickiness as bubbles cling to glass.

Smells of figs, coffee, chocolate, charcoal upfront. Medium roasted character, mild sweetness, hot glazed donuts, and herbal earthy hops with hints of cedar, pine and woodsmoke.

Taste follows nose into a rich coffee/chocolate character followed by spice, star anise, cloves, black pepper. Burnt/roast comes through merging with a cutting hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel is sticky and slightly chewy. Steady sippin.

Nice release from Smutt! Try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 02:43:18 | More by TheMultiYeast

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet.

Appearance - Not quite jet black body with a nice khaki head. Lacing sticks to the glass.

Smell - Roasty malts in the shape of chocolate. Not a lot of coffee on the nose. The lighter malts come through a bit as well. Caramel and some dark fruits. A hefty hop aroma as well. Smells nice.

Taste - Wow, really tastes great. Hop character throughout, but it has a nice dark chocolate roast to it. Again, the lighter malts really complement it well. The hop finish is bitter, but not outrageously so, which I really like.

Mouthfeel - Lighter bodied for 9.8%, but the booze comes through as well. Good carbonation.

Overall - Really outstanding for the price. I think it was $5.99 at my local shop. Can't beat that for how good it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 01:02:19 | More by Alieniloquium

jegross2

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass slightly chilled. Thank you Funhog for bringing me this one!

Appearance: Pours about 3/4 fingers of tan head, settles down into a thin lace across the top of the beer. About as dark as they come. Excellent lacing. A dark brown-black used motor oil color that is completely opaque. Quite inviting. 4/5

Smell: Unsweetened chocolate and raisin. Some dark fruit and faint cherry aroma as well. Hint of smoky vanilla? Noticeable booziness in the nose. 3/5

Taste: Charred chocolate mixed with a little vanilla. Roasted barley as well, but not very sweet. A little raisin or fig flavor too. Some hop bitterness. Noticeable alcohol warmth both on the mid-palate and finish. finish. Finishes with long lasting, unsweetened, bitter chocolate. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Very dry finish. 4/5

Overall: Though some of the flavors in this one really work, the alcohol was very unbalanced and detracted from the enjoyable aspects of the beer. As the beer warmed, the alcohol's distraction only increased. This one certainly has potential, perhaps with a lower ABV, but overall a disappointment based on my expectations. I certainly would not go out of my way to try this one again.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 05:37:36 | More by jegross2

aepb1

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Deep dark chocolate with a creamy brown head

S- Roasted malts, chocolate

T- Chocolate hits you right off, roasted caramel malts and this finishes off with some chocolate bitterness and boozy heat. A nice big imperial stout

M- Smooth, full-bodied and moderate carbonation. Creamy

O- So smooth! Great beer and I will certainly return to this one in the winter if able

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 20:48:24 | More by aepb1

mullenpc

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011

Appearance -- Black body as expected. Head is tan/caramel/coffee with cream color with some soapy bubbles lingering on the side of the glass.

Smell -- Milk chocolate, coffee, cherries, raisins, roast, malty sweetness, a bit of alcohol

Taste -- Incredibly smooth. Doesn't drink anywhere near 9.8%. Milk chocolate covered cherries and raisins up front with a roasted coffee w/cream finish. Pretty awesome.

Mouthfeel -- Fairly viscous, but enough carbonation to allow for a fairly dry finish for an imperial stout. Flavors coat your mouth but the finish gives the feel of an easy drinking beer.

Overall -- At $6.99/bomber I will be buying a lot of this as I assume it will only improve with age. The 2011 is so smooth so I can't wait to see how it drinks in 2-3 years. Really a great brew

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 05:32:40 | More by mullenpc

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a fantastic value and impressive brew.

Appearance is thick as junkyard motor oil with a half-inch tan head

Smell is ultra chocolatey with dark fruits and a touch of hops.

Taste follows suit with a rich, complex chocolate malts, dark cherry and coffee. Sweet but balanced. A bit hot might benefit from a year in the cellar. Wonderfully dry finish.

Mouthfeel is what you'd expect from an imperial stout: slick, oily, yet difficult to sip because it's so tasty.

Reminds me of a less hoppy Shakespeare Stout which is one of my favorites. Yet for a few less shekels and a higher ABV, this gives ol' Billy Shakes a run for his money.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 03:48:17 | More by HossMcGraw

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

served in founders snifter
2011 vintage from the in-person at darkness day BIF

Looks thin. Red around the edges-- looks dark brown at first, until you see the legs or see it backlit. Small dark tan head with decent retention and lacing.

Nose is HUGE chocolate malt. I could smell the chocolate malt before I even poured the bottle. Some caramel malt and a big dry roasty character.
The flavor is, surprise surprise, chocolate malt with some caramel sweetness and a big dry roasty stout profile. The finish is much drier than I expected-- touch of bitterness. As it warms, I do pickup a little touch of booziness.

Feels a little thin and watery-- and oddly gritty.

Overall-- this isn't bad, considering how inexpensive and relatively available it is. I have a few other bottles that I will try aging for a while to see if that booziness drops out.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 22:07:49 | More by AleWatcher

sprucetip

Alaska

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Looks like an RIS, black, thin mocha head, not much retention, no lacing. Nothing sets it apart from the crowd, but looks like it should.

Smells of gentle roast and light boozy esters. For the first 15 minutes or so, it is pretty faint overall. Not really getting much, even with a swirl, and it's not very cold. We'll see if it opens up...okay, it's a little easier to find now, but still not a whole lots going on. Roast, booze, and vaguely of malty sweetness.

Tastes mainly like thick blend of roasted barley and black patent at first. Some malty sweetness creeps in, and the roast is reminiscent of coffee. Hints of molasses add some depth, and there is a fairly strong roasted bitterness increasing out of the middle and into the finish and lingering. This bitterness is a little bit brash and astringent early on, but it mellows later. And the synergy of the whole thing gets smoother and better after time lapses. Still, it is not as deep and complex as many beers of this style.

Adequately carbonated with some alcoholic bite accompanying some sips. It is rich and chewy thick, so of course the body is full. Warming is clearly apparent, and it finishes with a roasty bitterness.

Certainly this a good example of the style. And maybe it is young? But it doesn't strike me as an elite RIS, and it isn't as smooth, balanced and complex as many. If I had scored it inside of the first 30 minutes, though it wasn't opened cold, it would have scored much lower.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 03:00:08 | More by sprucetip

ChadQuest

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Color is not totally opaque, some light shows through, though leaves a chocolate shake looking cap and lacing too, which always get me.
Aroma is mild suggesting a chocolate malt driven train.
Flavors are that of a chocolate malt driven train. Very very creamy and rich milk chocolate, vanilla, and some heat on the back of the thought. The creaminess of the body is very dense and velvety, awesome.
A stout that is priced great, i will grab more next release.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 05:50:26 | More by ChadQuest

Rhynes2

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice dark black with a thick dark head to go with it. Malt flavor is great with slight hints of dark fruits and caramel. Could use a little more hop bitterness to help balance it out. This would be a great beer to sit back and drink and relax. I'm impressed with this one and I'll be buying it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 21:59:46 | More by Rhynes2

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Let me start off by saying I cannot believe a bomber of this is only $7. Instantly the best value I can remember in some time. I poured this straight down the center of a pint glass and it generated a well appointed, 2" crown. The head was soooo thick and stiff (ba dum tish). A nice, opaque body with an espresso like foam crown. Simply beautiful. The nose is big on roasted coffee and with a good whiff of booze and a permeation of vanilla. The taste follows the nose well with some added oakiness, chocolate, and a bit of cherry. The mouthfeel's the allstar here. This is what I want from my stouts. I nice, thick, substantial presence on the tongue. The aftertaste is slightly bitter with some more charred wood notes. Overall, this is one of the most drinkable stouts I've ever had. World class.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 01:54:16 | More by Retail1LO

amidabha

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a moderate pour into an imperial pint gave little head or lacing to this motor oil colored beer. seems to have just the right amount of darkness to the smell, sweet and bitter at the same time.

this is a bit sweet and could stand to sit in my cellar a year or so which means i'll need to buy some more. the alcohol is just apparent enough for me to drink with caution. there is just enough carbonation to help give the dark malts some extra bite.

i like this one and can't wait to find a specialty stout from their big series in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:16:46 | More by amidabha

aorloski

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black as hell, viscous, can't see anything through it, I was amazed at the motor oil that poured out of this thing

S: Dark dark chocolate, roasted malts, a little peat almost, smoky, slight coffee/espresso notes

T: BIG chocolate and roasted malts, a slight vanilla and coffee taste in the back with a slight hop finish. In my opinion very balanced

M: Pretty thick, very chewy, almost coats the mouth entirely

O: A Very good imperial stout true to the style, very quintessential in my book. Good job smutty!

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 20:36:11 | More by aorloski

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: crude oil black body, trace khaki head,

S: dark chocolate/cocoa nibs, vanilla, anise, toffee,
mild roasted nuts

T: sweet chocolate, vanilla, roasted malt, big
alcohol/mild bitter finish

M: med body, smooth/chewy mouth

O: Let me start by saying, I really
like Smuttnose and their beers. This
is a good beer, that could be great.

VERY GOOD, WORTH TRYING!

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 18:47:45 | More by BeerLover99

scottfrie

California

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into Portsmouth snifter. Received in a trade a long time ago. Bottle date not notched.

A: Pours black with a thick, dense, dark brown head that took its time to fade into a thin film that left a few spots of lacing down the glass.
S: Dominant notes of rich dark malts, dark chocolate, and a bit of roast. I get a few notes of sweet caramel and dark fruits as well and an undercurrent of citrus hops.
T: Very rich and potent flavors of dark chocolate and roasted malt. The finish is full of sweet caramel and there is just a hint of warm booze. I get the suggestion of toasted marshmallows as well. The aftertaste has notes of citrus beneath the rich malt, and a nice rich maltiness linger long after the swallow.
M: Thick bodied with a full mouthfeel that is super soft due to very mild carbonation.
O: A very rich and creamy RIS with a good dose of hops and a nice thick body. Great aftertaste as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 20:44:45 | More by scottfrie

agomega

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2011 bottle served in a tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a dark black with a thick light brown head. Excellent lacing.

Smell: Chocolate, Raisins, Dark Fruit

Taste: Lots of dark fruit flavor with a hint of chocolate. The finish tastes out of balance with the rest of the beer. It is bitter, but in a strangely sour way.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel. The mouthfeel feels slick/slimy rather than rich and sticky.

Overall: This beer is only so-so. The taste and mouthfeel leave a lot to be desired in comparison with the better imperial stouts. Not a beer that I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 19:56:52 | More by agomega

Cisco619

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle dated 2011 into Duvel tulip

A: Black. Double Black. Murdered out. No light getting into it, much less through. About 2 fingers of khaki colored head after an aggressive pour.

S: Chocolate, coffee & vanilla. Roasted malts, dark fruit & a nice alcohol sting bring in the back of the impressive nose. This is warm & inviting. I'm already loving this.

T: A nice meld of coffee, chocolate & dark fruits. A bit of lingering vanilla. Alcohol makes itself apparent in the finish. Great combination of flavors.

M: Velvety smooth. Nice & rich without overwhelming. Alcohol warmth finish.

O: Great balance of flavors & feel. Very solid offering. I'm interested to see what some time does to this. Would love to get my hands on some older vintages.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 05:41:50 | More by Cisco619

mdvatab

Indiana

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bomber dated 2011 into snifter.

Aroma: Fruity blueberry, dark chocolate, chocolate milkshake, red grape juice, vanilla, and dark brown sugar.

Appearance: Tan, one-finger head settles to a thin layer of foam. Very minimal lacing. Deep, dark brown body.

Flavor: Dark, smooth chocolate up front. Delicious malty sweetness and fruity esters, a very slight mineral note, and then dark chocolate, bitter tannins appear. Balance is achieved, but then bitterness lingers on its own through a long finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full mouthfeel. Just a tad bit on the thin side for this style. Tannins are a bit drying at the end. Some peppery alcohol also comes through.

Overall: Not bad--especially for the price. Fruity aroma and chocolaty flavor get an A, but the bitter hop notes provide balance, and then some. Still, an enjoyable brew overall!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 01:44:40 | More by mdvatab

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smuttynose Imperial Stout

Pours a blackish brown, off white head and lace. Aroma of roasted malts, coffee and licorice. In the taste, robust malts, smoke, cocoa, and some coffee presence. Standard imperial stout flavor, deeply roasted malts, more coffee and some alcohol. Mouthfeel is full bodied and smooth. Overall, a tasty Russian Imperial stout, worth revisiting.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 18:37:06 | More by Stinkypuss

busternuggz

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a snifter. 2011 vintage.
Opaque black with a light brown, thick, 1/2-1/4" head. Recedes somewhat quickly leaving a persistent ring. Some sparse lacing.
The nose is a bit subtle and masked by alcohol, but I get bitter chocolate, black licorice, molasses, and a bit of dark fruit.
The taste is impressive. Comes on with syrupy dark chocolate with a roasty middle, finishing with some tobacco and dark fruit and a nice chocolatey bitterness. Pleasant, slightly astringent bitterness and tobacco mingle in the long aftertaste. Moderate sweetness from the malt that is well balanced with the bitter and tobacco notes. As it warms some molasses notes come out and the hops mellow.
Has a nice texture, comes on full bodied and soft, moderately viscous, and ends a little drier, lighter bodied, and a little syrupy.
Overall a very tasty, well made, and pretty complex beer, even if the appearance and smell aren't amazing. Well balanced and not overbearing. Stands out from a lot of other imperial stouts to me.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 23:04:48 | More by busternuggz

UCLABrewN84

California

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to mjtiernan for sending me this one!

2011 vintage.

Pours an opaque black with a 1 inch dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on the top of the beer. A nice latticework of lace forms on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, and citrus zest/herbal hops. I am also getting some cinnamon aromas as the beer warms. Taste is of dark roasted malt, dark cocoa powder, roasted coffee beans, and a citrus zest hop kick on the finish. A mild roast/hop bitterness lingers on the palate after each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp and smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good RIS with a nice hop presence that I wasn't expecting.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 04:14:49 | More by UCLABrewN84

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

***2010 Vintage***

Picked this up in the summer of 2010 at Gary's in Portsmouth.

Poured from a bomber and split with my friend Jeremie.

Appearance: Picture perfect. Dark brown head, huge and lasting. Brown-black body. Glass is coated with lacing. It takes its time and it's gorgeous to watch.

Smell: Surprisingly hops of the grapefruit variety, mostly the rinds. Cocoa and coffee are also present.

Taste: Pulpy grapefruit with no bitterness. Chocolate milk also. As it warms, cocoa beans mixed with sweetened coffee.

Mouthfeel: Ultra smooth and creamy body. No heat and just coats the mouth.

Overall: This must have been a hoppy RIS because 1 year later and i still get some grapefruit. Very good. and worth your time.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 12:14:24 | More by papat444

andrewinski1

Maine

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip. There is a lasting head of about a half inch on top of a black body.

The aroma is a nice blend of dank hops and some nice bitter coffee and chocolate to go with it.

The taste is bitter sweet chocolate with some vanilla cream followed by a nice dose of musty hops in the finish. A nice hoppy take on the style.

The mouthfeel is medium to heavy with slightly creamy carbonation.

This is tasty. I love Smuttynose.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 03:14:08 | More by andrewinski1

warbird07

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage poured into my New Belgium globe...

Appearence is as grand as any good imperial stout I have had...pretty black..nice mocha colored head..sticks around a bit...lacing is good..a bit of a glass stainer...nice..

Smell is big on malt and chocolate, molassas, a bit of anise..sweet, pleaseant, and smooth..

taste is real nice..lots of chocolate, big malt backbone..it is surprisingly well balanced..nice slightly bitter finish..

mouthfeel is pleasing...good weight, carbonation...supports the beer nicely...

overall one of my favorite go-to inpy stouts..good price, available..I love this beer..

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 00:37:05 | More by warbird07