Labyrinth Black Ale - Uinta Brewing Company

XicanoBeerRun

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this on draft at the Todd English PUB next to the Aria hotel in Vegas. It was 106 degrees outside, but I did not want to pass up the chance to drink this double stout. It was a great beer experience regardless of the heat outside.

Black pour with cocoa brown head. Not too thick like some stouts, and well carbonated.

S: malty, roasty. T: chocolate, barrel, roasty, some bitterness from the hops comes through especially in the finish. I had an ipa before drinking this so I feel like I missed out on some potential complexities. It was fantastic.

FYI the Whole Foods sold the 750 ml bottle, and in retrospect, I should have picked it up

I'll have another.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2012 18:44:13 | More by XicanoBeerRun

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Labyrinth Black Ale
Uinta Brewing Company
Style: American Double / Imperial Stout
ABV: 13.20 %

LOOK: Dark, oily, with little head, oil slicks. Scary mean looking bruiser of an Imperial Stout fashion.

SMELL: Roasted malts, over ripe fruits, alcohol, hops.

TASTE: Lots of roasted flavor, dark chocolates, whiskey, coffee, strong boozy rye notes. Alcohol , dark malts, strange fruit.

FEEL: Thick, oily, med/low carb.

OVERALL: Whats not to like about a beer like this. A merciless beast who you can conquer with a dessert of chocolate malt brownies.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2012 22:57:14 | More by Stinkypuss

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Looks misty brown-black in this dim light. Head didn't form/hold. Enjoying my intro to Uinta!

Bittersweet cocoa, spry oak, vanilla bean, and earthy hops. Black licorice and hefty roast. Smells pretty damn nice.

Sweet stout-like flavors of roasted sugars, chocolate, light coffee, oakiness, dark vinous fruits, licorice, and a warming alcohol note. Lots of woody tones of oak spirals. Minor whiskey notes. Too thin a feel for a stout. I think they may have been going for an Imperial Stout flavor-wise, but missed the mark.

Excellent black ale with amazingly-disguised strength. Feels like a 9.5% sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2012 03:52:07 | More by thecheapies

ehammond1

California

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Black throughout with a small brown head that leaves small dots of stick down the glass. This doesn't look particularly heavy or thick for the style.

Very nice aroma and typical of the style: chocolate and roast, mild coffee, and distinct though welcome bourbon notes. There's a nice balance here between beer and barrel.

The flavor is very well integrated, with the barrel adding nice earthy, woody, and vanilla notes to a decadent chocolate and roast-forward stout.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Very nice and quite unexpected.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 02:32:34 | More by ehammond1

david18

New York

3.83/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on a recent visit to the Public House in Las Vegas. I had been hearing about this brewery and was anxious to try the beer. It was very good, among the best in the style, but a little bit strong, particularly at lunchtime when I had it.

Appearance is a dark roast color, very dark head, good carbonation and good lacing.

Aroma is roasty but with a little bit of alcohol even in the nose.

Flavor is very roasty, some hops but, again, a little bit hot.

Overall a great beer that I would recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2012 19:38:36 | More by david18

charlzm

California

2.73/5  rDev -35.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Consumed December 25, 2011 at Blue Dog Beer Tavern, Sherman Oaks, CA.

Beer is opaque black with only the slightest trace of a head.

Aroma of dark pitted fruit (plums) and booze.

First flavors are again dark pitted fruits, anise, some chocolate and wood. The flavor segues into a mid taste of woody bitterness. The finish is a wince-inducing cardboard oxidization. Whether this is a flaw in the beer or a problem with serving establishment, I can't say. Interestingly, the high ABV is not apparent in the flavor.

Mouthfeel is slightly thick and under-carbonated.

The drinkability of this brew is somewhat low due to the off flavors and lack of carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 18:12:31 | More by charlzm

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

After seeing this beer around so much, I figured I'd have to give it a try sooner or later. And I did. The end.

Dark brown-black color with a finger or less of tan head. Aroma of dark malts, slightly roasty, cocoa, and sweet soy sauce that seemed a bit misplaced. Quite a bit of alcohol in the taste up front--only upon the first sip did I notice the 13%+ ABV rating there--dark roasted malts, cocoa and vanilla bean, bourbony, but not in a smooth way; notes of licorice and oak, maybe just a hint of dark fruits, but not much; warming finish with some noticeable hoppage. Medium body, and decent overall, but with so many better stout options, I think I'll pass on this one if I see it offered again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 11:42:33 | More by Rifugium

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Black, tan head, good retention and lacing considering the abv

S/T - Really nice balance of sweet chocolate and bitter roast. Depths of chocolate flavor, then roast, finishing with a hop bite from some pine hops, and some warming alcohol. Barrel aging is done just how I like it with oak flavors and some vanilla coming through as it warms, without taking away from the chocolate and roast.

M - Full body, perfect low carbonation. Velvety smooth going down.

O - Solid brew, just how I like the barrel aging done. Definitely getting this again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 00:36:03 | More by garuda

iadler

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap. 5 oz tasting glass at encintas ale house

A- Black as night with a thin mocha head. Some thin lines of lacing left behind.

S- Dark ripe fruits, brown sugar, licorice, sweet bourbon, dark chocolate and a hint of soy sauce.

T- Luckily, the soy sauce aroma was not in the taste. Dark fruits upfront with plumbs, fig, and black cherries followed by bittersweet chocolate, brown sugar, sweet bourbon that finishes with a bit of heat.

M- Low carbonation and medium rich body with a slightly boozy finish.

O- I was impressed with this beer as the barrel aging was well integrated with the other flavors and despite the warm finish, the high abv was masked pretty well.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 05:31:33 | More by iadler

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served @ St. Charles Tap House for a measly $3. Love Mondays here!

Served in a Dogfish Head chalice.

This brew is pitch black allowing zero light to show through the edges. A thick 2 fingers of brown head sits briefly, leaving thick walls of tan lace stuck to the glass.

The nose brings out notes of chocolate and black licorice. Sweet smelling mainly with a bit of a roasty backbone.

The taste offers much more roasted malt than the nose. The sweet milk chocolate is nicely melded with some licorice and toasted malt. The high ABV is pretty noticeable at the end of each sip but is in no way deterring.

The mouthfeel, my god the mouthfeel. Very viscous and oily. The way a big stout should be. Chewy and comfortable on the palate. A light amount of carbonation suites this brew just right.

Overall, I enjoyed this on tap a bit more than the bottle because im getting a richer mouthfeel. Great big-bodied stout that packs a punch.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 20:15:20 | More by ChugginOil

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with very good head retention and decent lacing. The nose is attractive, showcasing considerable coffee grounds, licorise and vanilla. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, except there's almost something of a second layer of flavor in this beer. Initially I get plenty of licorise and coffee grounds, which then dovertails into a long, vanilla and dark chocolate, slighly bitter finish. Mouthfeel is otherwise full, with a long, moderately sweet, chocolate and licorise finish. Drinkability is pretty good, at least for a 13% beer. It's not at all heavy, hot or tiring on the finish, though one can tell there's some alcohol in this beer.

While I can't say it's wowing me, this is nevertheless a pretty impressive, solid effort from the folks at Uinta.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 22:14:19 | More by johnmichaelsen

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On draft at Pizzeria Paradiso in Alexandria, Virginia.

A: This beer pours a deep brown color, nearing black, with a thick inch of beige head that leaves lots of lacing on the glass.

S: The aroma brings scents of roasted malt, chocolate and alcohol, respectively.

T: What a big, thick beer. Huge flavors of roasted malt and chocolate. This mammoth stout doesn't hold back. Splitting a 10 oz. pour was perfect.

M: Thick, viscous, and oily, like drinking a giant, alcoholic chocolate milkshake stout.

D: The best offering I have yet had from Uinta Brewing Co. I'd have this again. My five ounce serving was plenty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 19:14:58 | More by Huhzubendah

ENIGma

Washington

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

a. Large chocolaty head that quickly recedes and pitch black fluid. Lots of carbination.

s. Lots of roasty malt, chocolate, booze, and anise.

t. Wow, what a great beer. Up front I'm tasting tons of chocolate, booze, and roasted malt. In the middle the chocolate starts to play with the dark fruits and anise. The beer finishes with oak/vanilla, anise, chocolate, and a nice warmth from the booze.

m. Light to mid mouth feel, almost velvety from the carbination.

d. You definitely taste the 13% ABV, but there's such a huge amount of flavor that it's balanced well. It's very light in body, so it goes down pretty easy.

If you're a fan of stouts or barrel aged beers, I highly recommend it!

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 00:46:40 | More by ENIGma

Resuin

Massachusetts

4.73/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a teku glass. This is a 2011 version.

Appearance: Pours a jet-black and leaves a solid finger of dark tan head. A great looking imperial stout!

Smell: Chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, licorice, light coffee, dark fruits. Delicious smelling beer.

Taste: Matches the smell: bourbon, chocolate, plums, figs, licorice, vanilla, coffee and finishes with a delicious bourbon flavor. Really well balanced.

Mouth-feel: Medium body with a light to medium carbonation. Extremely smooth, especially with regards to the ABV - the alcohol is really well hidden.

Overall: This is an incredible stout. Super well balanced, and chocolate-forward. The licorice comes through but is light. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 00:13:38 | More by Resuin

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.79/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a 16 snifter, bottled 1/23/13. Pours as black as can be, with a beautiful one inch mocha head, that takes its time settling into a layer of thick foam, and coats the glass with lacing. Smell is licorice, roasted coffee, leather, pipe tobacco, and oaky vanilla. Taste is so complex all the flavors from the nose are exposed, some dark chocolate and hints of bourbon come out also. Body is big, perfect amount of carbonation, not as dry as you would expect, and for its heft dangerously drinkable. Yes I loved this beer, welcome to N. H Uinta! They make awesome beer. If you are looking for a Bourbon bomb go else where. If you want a crazy complex imperial stout, this is one. Don't let the fact that is brewed with licorice sticks scare you off, that is a small part of this treasure of a beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 14:09:11 | More by SawDog505

JFresh21

Illinois

4.19/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This is a great beer! It has the makings of a premier BA stout(although they call it a black ale) but lacks the depth and thickness of a kbs or black note. Labyrinth could use more coffee notes. Overall very smooth and easy to drink even at 13% abv. Definitely try this if you are into BA stouts. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 01:38:50 | More by JFresh21

xtrastoutalex

Illinois

4.79/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Found a 2010 vintage and thought it would be worth a try.
Poured into cigar city snifter.

Appearence: Dark like a blind man in a maze. Pours used motor oil thick. The head was quite thin and yet still present, a clear sign of high abv and sugar content. Lacing is clumps of slow moving, sticky, white foam.

Smell: As the tight cork gave way with a satisfying snap a tight curl of aged vapor came sneeking out. It reeked of dark leather and aged tobacco mixed with burnt molasses , chocolate, and a hint of anise. The age was very present and promising.

Taste: Wow. The age has done wonders for this receipe! The anise forward has been balanced by the smokey leather flavor the years have gifted the bottle. All the other usual palate pleasers are still existant. The prunes and plums play on the middle palate and the burnt sugars, chocolate, and molasses give way to a wiskey style burn amplified by the slight residual anise.

Mouthfeel: Initially, surprisingly thinner than expected. Following that observation my saliva glands activated, thanks to the spices, and it felt much thicker. Very palatible and able to take time to savor all the notes without one being overwhelming.

Overall: On age, one of the best bottled brews on the shelf. If you like well balanced aged stouts this is a must try. Very unique in a pleasant way. Interested to experience the years in between to see the progression.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 02:42:23 | More by xtrastoutalex

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a shaker pint, the beer pours like motor oil, both thick and black. Completely opaque, with a tall, frothy, dense, light tan head of a solid two inches. Aromas of roast and burning wood, molasses sweetness, booze character, and licorice. Smells rich and complex. Flavors are rich and warming, with a darkly sweet and rich molasses backbone, bittersweet chocolate highlights, and a subtle roast character highlighting. Very layered and dynamic. Well balanced. Decent lacing as you drink, and the beer has a creamy, smooth, rich body. Aftertaste is bitter and roasted, with a slight molasses linger. Very tasty. The finish is slick and lingering, with a bittersweet twist left behind. Great sipper. Well done brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:15:20 | More by GarthDanielson

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.69/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

From the 750 ml. bottle bottled on 1-13-13. Sampled on April 12, 2013.

Oh my! The short version is this is something else.

It pours black as night with a long lasting, moderate fluffy mocha head.

The aromas carry the characteristics of mildly sweet dark malts, yeast, licorice, and exotic oil for lack of a better description. Short version - this smells great.

The body is bold but smooth.

Up front the taste brings out some the elements of the nose such as dark sweet malts and licorice but with a slightly dry finish and low bitterness. Some people like smoke in their Porters but this one does not need it. I enjoyed this immensely and would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 21:56:21 | More by puboflyons

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.86/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into a tulip.

A: Pours a pitch black color with an impressive thickness. The head is a three finger tan shade. Given its strength, I'm quite impressed with the retention of the head.

S: The nose features licorice, chocolate, vanilla, mocha coffee, and a bit of roasted barley. Rock solid, but could have used more barrel influence.

T: The opening sweetness is moderately high, with a strong chocolate/vanilla character. Some coffee and licorice notes gradually build near the finish to counteract the (strong) sugary tones. It makes for a great dessert stout, only lacking in barrel character.

M: Thick, creamy, rich, decadent...every trait I look for in an imperial stout. The booze is superbly hidden, as well. Only thing I can nitpick is the slightly-too-high finishing astringency.

O: Subjectively, I don't really like the licorice-forward tendencies this offers...but I can't deny this is a very well-made product loaded with sophistication and finesse. Still, it could have been a genuine BCBS killer if it featured stronger oak qualities.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 02:14:41 | More by ThisWangsChung

laituegonflable

Australia

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark-brown colour. Seriously, we need a scale to measure the darkness of beers like this. But this is up there in darkness, yet light gives a glimmer of brown. Head is ochre, just deliciously dense and retaining as stubbornly as opponents of gay marriage. Lace is amazing. This beer looks amazing.

Smell is quite delectable as well. Dark and roasty backbone but a hell of a lot of sweet booziness. Bourbony coconut notes, peanut and vanilla on there with a chocolatey, nutmeg edge to it. Hint of licorice and pepper as well. Good spicy dark notes but the sweet complexities overlying are just wonderful.

Taste is very pleasant, with dark notes that aren't quite as roasty as I'd like, kind of lightly toasted rye bread on there with dark caramel. Then big booziness comes to the fore, with vanilla pods and coconut and a fair sticky rye note, with a nutty edge like pecans for a hint of bitterness. Slightly buttery on the back. It's all very nice flavours but I feel like it's a bit straight-lace ultimately, and doesn't quite ram the flavour home in the way it could. It's like it's a bit afraid of its own strength.

Full and a bit bitey. Good body, but from the front to the back I get that sense of booze, which is unfortunate, but it's not hot enough to really mar it.

Good brew, lots to like. I feel maybe some more roasty bitterness would absolutely run this one up the flagpole for me. Still a great drop though.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 10:51:00 | More by laituegonflable

blakelive784

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1 pt 9.4 fl oz corked and caged brown glass bottle (bottled 1/24/12)served in a snifter, reviewed live:

A - Pours an opaque jet black color with four fingers of thick, creamy chocolate colored head. Retention is amazingly good at over 13% alcohol and there's sticky cream lacing when it finally recedes. Impressive.

S - Sweet rich chocolates, light toasty oak, cream, faint coffee, and sweet licorice. Caramel and toffee throughout. Restrained roasted malt. Prune and currant. On the sweet end. I get no alcohol on the nose. A touch of vanilla. Moderate strength.

T - The licorice is a dominate note. I wish it were more restrained. Light creamy milk chocolate and roasted malts buried under the heavy licorice. Bitter coffee towards the end. Underwhelming oak. A touch of alcohol warmth on the finish, but the ABV is remarkably well hidden. Surprisingly mild.

M - Full bodied, thick and smooth.

D - Incredible drinkability. Suffers a little bit from some flavors (oak, roast) being a bit too restrained. Could be great with a little work.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 01:28:34 | More by blakelive784

Dope

Massachusetts

4.24/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle dated 11/08/12, only 4 months old this go-around.

A: Pitch black pour. Big, dense, thick dark brown head. Wonderful legs. Great head retention but only minimal, spotty lacing. Oddly enough, not as good as the "bad" old bottle.

S: Big bourbon notes. Lots of burnt sugar, caramel, toffee and even brown sugar. Hints of oaky vanilla. Heavy roasted malt hides underneath, just barely poking through with some heavy chocolate and char. Even a little coffee.

T: Again, big bourbon but not as strong as the aroma. Caramel, burnt sugar (like burnt marshmallows in fact) and a little toffee. Then enormous and sweet roasted malt. Heavy sweet chocolate abound. Hints of char and coffee but the chocolate is the big one here. Lots of anise, particularly in the finish. Not in a bad way like a belgo-anise Stone IRS but instead it nicely compliments the huge sweetness with some bitter notes. A little bit of char in the finish. Lingering bourbon and oak notes in the aftertaste.

M: Thick, heavy, viscous.

O: A great bourbon barrel stout. Hugely sweet, almost a little much at times but what do you expect from a 13.2% imperial stout? Big anise notes, definitely a must-try for the black licorice lovers. Great big, complex and bold stout. Very nice.

Old review from a 2/2013

Bottle dated 03/31/10, almost 3 years old. I'm guessing the 13.2% ABV can take it.

A: Pitch black pour with one of the thickest, densest dark brown heads I've seen. Big foam. Decent fluffy lines of lacing left behind. Great head retention. (4.25)

S: Big fruit notes. Dark fruits, sherry-like (uh oh?). A bit of whiskey but just a touch. Some roasted malt character hiding underneath but hard to discern - mainly smoke and char. (3)

T: Whiskey and dark fruits up front but then devolves into a harsh sherry in the middle. Finish is stale cardboard (what does fresh cardboard taste like anyway?) and prunes. Oxidized, nasty. (2)

M: Heavy, motor oil thick. (4.25)

O: Shame, guess 3 years was way too much for this beer. Lots of oxidization covers all of the flavors. It shows potential but I will have to seek out a fresh bottle and re-review this one. (2)

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:28:12 | More by Dope

kojevergas

California

3.36/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Crooked Line Series. "Labyrinth Black Ale." "Ale brewed with licorice sticks and aged in oak barrels." 13.2% ABV confirmed. Bottled 09/19/12. 750ml brown glass bottle with hood and wire cap (also called a cage) over a cork acquired at a local SoCal store and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Cost was $14.00. Expectations are very high; my good friend blakelive784 told me this stuff was tasty.

Served chilled and allowed to come to room temperature over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Paired with Swiss chocolate.

A: Pours an absolutely beautiful rich cacao tan colour head of fantastic cream, magnificent thickness, and ridiculously good (10+ minute) retention for the high ABV. Damn; that's impressive. Head isn't as vibrant or gold as the best examples of the style I've had, but it's still damned impressive. Body colour is anontransparent opaque solid jet black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Light lacing as the head slowly recedes. How they get that good a retention at this high an ABV? Marvelous.

Sm: Chocolate, marshmallow, chocolate malt, dark malts, light coffee, anise/licorice/fennel, and very light buried oak; I wouldn't know it was rye/barrel aged just from the aroma if you gave it to me blind. Cream. Caramel. Light vine and buried fruit. Maybe hazelnut? Light hop presence - but it's still more noticeable than it is in most imperial stouts I've had. Hop character is generic floral. Grainy and appealing. Chocolate is the most forward note, but there's a lot going on here. I'm excited to try it. A surprisingly mild aroma. I don't get any yeast or alcohol off the aroma. Prune/dates? Some kind of dark or stone fruit; it isn't plum. A dash of vanilla; I guess that could be from the rye? It's appealing, if timid. It doesn't bring the bold complexity I look for in great examples of the style, but it's solid all around.

T: Nice milk chocolate. Chocolate malt. Dark malts. Light caramel. Cream. Decent roast. A light trace of coffee; it's certainly not a coffee heavy imperial stout. Vanilla. Malty sweetness is more prominent than I'd like, but it's not sickeningly sweet or cloying by any means - just a bit overdone, limiting drinkability. Alcohol is well disguised here. The licorice is there, but it kind of bothers me actually. It doesn't add a lot to the beer and seems to disrupt the balance. Minimal hop presence with generic floral character. I do get a touch of alcohol presence in the third act and finish. The balance isn't ideal, but it's pretty well done all around. It lacks the astounding complexity and depth of other better examples of the style, but I do like it. I want more roast from it. Also, the oak/rye whiskey is quite timid; I wish that came through more. Where's the delightful toasted oak I want in a great imperial stout?

Mf: Silky smooth and creamy up front, but it gives way to a coarser dryer texture that doesn't do it any favors. I wish it were smooth and creamy througout; it's a bit uneven. Carbonation is good if a biteen high. Good presence on the palate. Nicely soft.

Dr: I hate the bottle format; I'd like to see imperial stouts like this one move to a smaller bottle; finishing this alone is a tall order. It's a sipper; the alcohol does come through. But it's a pleasant sipper and I wouldn't dare call it hard to drink. It's just hard to drink quickly. I think my personal aversion to licorice may be bringing my opinion of this one down, but it's certainly not without other flaws. A good offering from Uinta, but there are better beers in the style and at or below this price point. (Not that price affects my reviews). For my money, I'd sooner grab Speedway Stout for $10.49, but I'm glad I tried this.

B-

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 03:53:18 | More by kojevergas

RollTide7

New Jersey

4.56/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Reccamended by a fellow BA enjoyed at a great beer bar in park city. The beer pors very dark. I honestly cant really tell the difference between this and a imperial stout except that hops are negligable here. Hides the alcohol extremely well at over 13%. Very smooth, tastes of chocolate, carmel. Very complex flavors show the beer was aged and overall a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:20:12 | More by RollTide7