Plead The 5th Imperial Stout - Dark Horse Brewing Company

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.

Appearance: This beer poured a small mocha head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a pitch black color with no clarity, but bubbles can be seen at the top of the glass. Nice lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: Roasted coffee, chocolate, burnt molasses, and smoke.

Taste: Same as above with some malty sweetness and booziness.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, full bodied, low carbonation, boozy, and a little chewy.

Overall: Pretty solid RIS. Happy to have finally enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 02:21:46 | More by Flounder57

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured into over-sized wine glass.

Pours coal black with a thin head the dissipates to a fine mocha ring. Lacing dissolves quickly.

The nose is a bit lacking. Expected big chocolate malts and espresso, but they were faint to the nose. Suggestions of smoke and dark cherry liquor. Alcohol is certainly detectible at 11% ABV.

Taste - immediately roasted chocolate and bitter coffee (in a good way). Smokiness and light bitterness throughout the tongue. Dark, roasted malts, and cherry/brandy-type liquor.

Mouthfeel is good, decent carbonation. Well balanced throughout the tongue.

Was excited to try this beer, since it's so highly rated on B.A. A great stout, but not the best. But, maybe the expectation let me down slightly. Would still drink it again, tough.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 01:03:42 | More by smooth_aleing

hopspine

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured to a snifter.

A- Motor oil, thick black. Dark espresso head dissipates quick, leaving some chocolate lacings on the glass.

A- Cocoa, lots of roast, char, oak. The char was a little dominant for me... stingy, thick booze. A little metallic to my nose.

T- Roasty, with some chocolate on the tongue. A lot of booze, again, like the nose, a metallic flavor is there. Not dominant but there. Really smokey and lots of ashy, char in the finish. Flavors don't seem to meld well.

MF- Very thick. Sticky. Chewy.

O- I've had this a few times and my experience always seems underwhelmed. Too boozey for me, and just don't dig the roast/char combo it has. I'm a little alone on this one I think.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:41:58 | More by hopspine

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

3.59/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

$4.00 single from Abe's.

Body is a total black hole. Not a highlight to be seen. Three fingers of dark tan dense foam.

Heavy chocolate aroma. Licorice and alcohol in the background. Some dark fruits.

Taste features chocolate up front. A smoky note. Dark fruits. Alcohol in nose not noticeable in the taste.

Mouthfeel is medium plus, a bit thin for an imperial stout.

There is a lack of depth throughout this beer. There is not anything really wrong, but everything seems to come up just a bit short.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:36:21 | More by RonfromJersey

bishopdc0

Maine

4.18/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottle from a trade.

Pours black with a dark tan head forming. The head dissipated quickly leaving only a jet black colored beer.

The nose is is pleasent notes of cocoa, cherries, a slight tart roasted nose.

The taste is very nice. The start is sweet and chocolate but the taste of cherry comes in. The finish is roasted and drying. The mouth is smooth and pleasent. The only notice of alcohol is a slight numb on the tongue. very nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 01:11:11 | More by bishopdc0

FanofHefe

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle version poured into a Duvel tulip. Deep black-colored body, no light penetration, with about a one finger dark tan head. The head dissipates fairly quickly with very little lace, as expected.

The aroma consists of dark fruit, roasted malt, and light licorice. I get a sense the taste will be sweet based on the aroma.

The flavor is typical of the RIS style - dark, roasted malt flavor, mixed with dark fruit, molasses, a bit of coffee and some sweet caramel-like notes. This does have some complexity and definitely improves as it warms.

Thick texture in the mouthfeel and only a little warming from the alcohol. A very solid Imperial Stout and I would definitely recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:14:26 | More by FanofHefe

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a snifter, the beer is a very dark, oil-like black coloring with a thin, low profile, dense, light tan colored head. Aromas of dark, bittersweet chocolate, black cherry, peat and earthy tones, and a touch of ginger. Pretty interesting nose. Flavors are heavily roasted, with a warm, cocoa and sweet chocolate backbone supporting a touch of bitter coffee and some subtle fruit sweet highlights. Rich and smooth in mouth...almost creamy. Bitter and creamy aftertaste, with hints of baker's chocolate and a hint of booze. Rich, smooth finish, with a slight bitter linger. Very solid, robust brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:14:21 | More by GarthDanielson

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.29/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in an over-sized wine glass.

Appearance: Pours motor oil thick, seriously opaque with a tan head that rose to just below a finger's length.

Smell: Light coffee and a little chocolate, sticks to you after the third or so sniff.

Taste: Incredibly complex, all over the place with this brew, sweet bitter chocolate and hardcore espresso. You feel the malts like as if drinking beer for the first time, is it the best stout ever....little room for improvement.

Mouth: A rough coffee bean feel in the end that is almost forever lasting.

Overall: A F'n masterpiece. Quality over quantity and this brew delivers. I got a lot more than what i bargained for and was fortunate enough to pick up a 4 pack of this gem. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 07:07:15 | More by BlurryVisi0n

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.26/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

first of all, thanks yet again to thebrewo for hooking this up via the best trade of my life, I definitely owe this crew some beers! been aching for this beer, and finally here it is, sort of a hybrid between the west coast hugies and the Midwestern Russian imperials, a real treat. this pours an impossibly dense shade of black, brutal and old oil sludge looking, just not that thick. the head is though, cappuccino color, lasting, frothy. its got an understated nose for the style, come bitter espresso beans, and an oaty, boozy magnitude. the flavor is different than most, not sweet or roasty up front, but ashy, tobacco heavy, like the first puff of a cigarette before the tar gets on your lips and the chemicals really concentrate towards the filter. its got a roast bitterness that comes in for a second, but it doesn't manifest. earthy chocolate and coffee notes round it out, before a subtle residual sugar and alcohol warmth bring it home. also a backing touch of gingerbread, out of nowhere. its deep and rich and complex and close to perfect as far as taste goes, I could not imagine the barrel aged versions of this, just too much to process mentally for me! thick as hell on the body, but not teeth coating and filling and lasting and dental work necessitating. its cleaner than that, although not clean by any stretch. the alcohol is present, but its right in step, not too intrusive, not invisible, this is a very conscious beer, self aware, no identity crisis here. overall this is an exceptional piece of art, by a brewery I need to get more involved with. really truly a brilliant offering. thanks again to thebrewo for hooking it up!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 04:05:43 | More by StonedTrippin

HattedClassic

Virginia

3.91/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Appearance:
Pours an opaque black with a hint of very dark brown. The lacing is a dark tan.

Smell:
I get hints of dark chocolate, toffee, and some coffee notes. The smell of the beer tends to be a little dull and not very distinct. Additionally, the smell does not mix well and feels as if they are there because the beer has to have a smell.

Taste:
I get hints of dark chocolate and coffee and slight hints of roasted malts.

Mouthfeel:
Very smooth for an imperial stout and heavy bodied.

Overall:
I think that this an okay imperial stout. My main beef with this beer is that it tends to fall up short in terms of flavor. Kinda of like that little engine that almost but didn't quite make it.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 20:31:08 | More by HattedClassic

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A - Pours a dirty motor oil black, plenty viscous, a nice mocha colored head that fades quickly leaving behind very little lacing.

S - Very chocolatey, hints of dark fruit, licorice, coffee, and oak. Man this is a good smelling brew.

T - Oh man, hits you with a ton of bitter, dark roasted coffee. Nice, bittersweet chocolate, a hint of that fruity sweetness. Touches of vanilla, oak, and almost like smoked charcoal. Delicious.

M - Sticky, full, roasty. Perfect mouthfeel.

Overall - Blown away by this one, truly outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 00:14:04 | More by BeerBuckeye

themind

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This stuff is black as night! wow! poured into a goblet this stout has a small head with a faint aroma. PT5th truly hides the ABV with an awesome mouth feel and super high drinkability. This is the first Dark Horse beer I have tried and I am truly impressed. The taste is legendary to me for the style. I would buy this any time I could and will trade for it again. I can only imagine how good the BA version is.

Bottom Line: Incredible stout worth seeking out!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 03:55:05 | More by themind

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.44/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle received in a trade with brees. Not sure on vintage but looks to be a couple years, judging by looks of the label.

A - pours inky thick black. Very little head, but expected.

S - lots of chocolate, dark and milk varieties, little bit of roasty/coffee type notes. Some darker ripe fruits.

T - leads with the dark fruit and almost a black licorice type note. Coffee and chocolate back this up. Mild sweetness. But loads of complex dark fruit/licorice is the main element.

M - thicker, low carb. Could have used a tad more carbonation to liven up the flavors a bit. But quite good.

O - my best comparison would be a better version of TenFidy. The flavor profiles are similar and I think Pt5 is a little more refined. Overall an outstanding stout. I prefer a little more coffee and chocolate in my stouts, so the only demerit from anything higher is based purely on personal preference.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 14:59:44 | More by Beerandboards

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 bottle

a very thick looking pour, black like motor oil, with 1/4" of dark brown head which quickly dissipated. a sweet mellow campfire-like scent comes off at first.. roasted marshmallows, chocolate, subtle smokiness.. smells very sweet and pleasant.
MMMM! up front this tastes like sweet pecans, then the subtle choco-mallow smore reminiscent taste, a hint of coffee, maybe some macadamia nut.. this is just fantastic. something so sweet yet so perfectly balanced by the roasted grain profile of the stout.

full body with a very creamy silky mouthfeel, low carbonation.

this is an excellent stout. lucky enough to get this via trading, had no idea it was already aged properly in the guy's cellar beforehand. it is just fantastic, and i can't imagine what the bb version is like. to compare this to something else, think central waters peruvian morning.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 10:36:53 | More by facundoCNB

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.46/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanx Damian74Shensky!

Into a nonic:

A: a jet black pour leads to the same color body, one finger tan foamy head stays level and dies within a minute to a film coating the top of the glass, no lacing

S: sweet and rich through caramel malts, some brown sugar, light vanilla, light raisins, and licorice, think there was some light bourbon as well

T: sweet through all of the previously mentioned flavors, and well balanced, the bourbon is there but stays pretty much where it should be, sweet dry aftertaste and finish

M: medium to maybe heavy, nice how as high as the ABV is that this one doesn't necessarily hit one that hard, good sipper

O: this is a very well done beer or maybe I'm just having it at the right time, I'd have this one again

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 02:56:22 | More by kangarooAdam59

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.29/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2013 vintage from bottle to Kuhnhenn glass

Pour: Oh so black with minimal half finger dark milk chocolate colored head. Falls to a fairly large collar along the edges.

Smell: Dark roasted and bittersweet cocoa. Some black licorice and dark fruit/fig notes. A touch of caramel sweetness and a fairly big hit of booze.

Taste: Intriguing in that there is a push and pull between big roasty notes and sweetness that compete with each other at the front end. I've actually never had a stout that had this initial complexity at the very front. The roasted bitterness wins out taking hold and continuing through the swallow. There are some of the dark fruits mixed in but this is a very big well balanced beer.

Mouthfeel: Super creamy and smooth. Not as viscous as the dark appearance would suggest but yet still somewhat palate coating. A little sticky.

Overall: I have not had anything like this. It is quite complex and a well crafted big complex RIS. The BA version of this is simply outstanding while this is highly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:29:42 | More by sleuthdog

JEdmund

Kansas

4.01/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep black color with a rich, dark, tan head that’s made up my minuscule bubbles. Head looks like it was fluffed up with nitrogen. And it has staying power.

Aroma is nothing out of the ordinary for style; typical scents of dark roasted malts, chocolate, and booze. There is a hint of bourbon, making me wonder if this was barrel aged. (Website gives no indication it was.)

Taste is again fairly typical for RIS (I’m clearly getting spoiled)—just a huge roasty malt presence and a good, biting and dry hop finish. Some boozy heat in the finish, too. Fairly well balanced; nothing jumps out that it’s overpowering another component.

Enjoyable and well done, but somewhat forgettable, too. Maybe I’ve just had too many RISs lately, but this just doesn’t strike me as being something that stands out. It’s certainly not a bad example of the style, nor does it seem like brewers skimped on ingredients. Points for high drinkability for sure. I should stop quibbling and just enjoy the rest of it!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:26:48 | More by JEdmund

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.46/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter. Acquired in a trade with spambum, thanks man!

A- Pours a jet black, motor oil colored body with a beautiful 2 finger mocha colored head that reduces fairly quickly to a brown ring. Little lacing.

S- Lots of dark roast coffee, milk chocolate, french vanilla, booze, some subtle dark fruit, heavily roasted malt.

T- The taste of this beer changes drastically with temperature change. It's the best at warmer temperatures, the last few sips were the best. Fresh out the fridge it has a lot of coffee and semisweet chocolate characters. As it warms it turns into a chocolate milkshake - milk chocolate, vanilla, coffee, heavily roasted malt. Virtually no booze which is good for the high abv.

M- Thick and creamy. Low carbonation.

Quite an impressive beer. Drink it at cellar temp - my rating for taste went up .5 points at cellar temperature than right out of the fridge. Very drinkable for the high abv. Overall excellent. Recommendable.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 23:36:24 | More by gcamparone

beerpirates

Belgium

4.19/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured into my CBS snifter

A: Almost a pitch black body with a half an inch head of dirty brown color. Head disappear very quickly.

S: Very chocolaty. Chocolate malts, sweet molasses, fruitiness and distant vinous notes.

T: Bittersweet chocolate, roasted coffee, some vanilla. Starts very sweet and finishes with a prickly leather-like sensation, which lingers for a while. And then turns bittersweet and lasts even longer.

M: Moderate to low carbonation. Very warming, creamy and silky, very silky. Medium to full body, chewy and heavy, but not too thick. Alcohol is hidden extremely well hidden !

O: Extremely pleasant beer, very easy to drink, perhaps dangerously easy. Quite feeling, almost like a meal. Not much more to ask of a Russian Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 16:26:05 | More by beerpirates

--Dom--

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

I don't feel like following a format today so: This beer is awesome. Pours with a short dark brown head. Not quite as thick as a yeti or ten fidy. Mouthfeel is spot on, creamy with medium carbonation. Everything is balanced, none of the flavors are too much. Slight alcohol heat but not a predominate taste. Dark chocolates with just a hint of burnt coffee. Amazing stuff, get some if you can.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 21:07:07 | More by --Dom--

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

From: Binny's, Champaign, IL
Date: None, 2012-2013 edition
Glass: New Belgium globe glass

Pours a 1cm head of brown foam atop the body, it being comprised of mostly small bubbles, mixed with an occasional medium and large sized-one for varied effect. Retention is average, lasting about one minute before the foam sinks to a thick ring around the glass and a small island of lacing atop the body. Lacing left along the sides of the glass is minimal, a line or dot occurring haphazardly. Body is very dark brown to black, totally opaque, light showing only the thinnest sliver of garnet-brown hue to slip through. Carbonation is visible only near the top of the beer's surface.

Aroma is of roasted malt, heavy semi-sweet chocolate, roasted coffee beans, and ethanol. While good, this isn't as upfront about its ingredients as I would expect such a malt-packed beer to be.

Front of palate picks up semi-sweet chocolate with heavy roasted malt and coffee beans. Mid-palate of roasted malt, very dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, vanilla, and mild ethanol. Lingering aftertaste of acrid roasted malt, very dark chocolate, vanilla, roasted coffee beans, and mild ethanol.

Beer is medium-heavy to heavy bodied with medium-light levels of carbonation. The result is a smooth, slightly foamy mouthfeel that is thick and well-geared towards sipping. Ethanol is only slightly felt on the tongue and in the nostrils, very good for an 11% beer. Closes dry and slightly astringent, with moderate stickiness clinging to the palate.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 04:20:28 | More by falloutsnow

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Dark as night with a really impressive 2 inch creamy,foamy head. Lots of lacing. Impressive.

Smell - Not the strongest smelling imp stout, dark roasty malts, chocolate, licorice, rasin, plum, coffee, a little anise.

Taste - First sip is very vanilla forward, with roasty malts, coffee and chocolate, but very smooth being 11%. Some fruits and hops come in with slight bitterness. Theres a cinnamon/blueberry like flavor I pickup at the finish.

Mouthfeel -This is really smooth and not as heavy as most imp stouts. Classic case of tounge getting coated with malts coffee and chocolate. Palate gets vanilla, hops and fruits. The aftertaste is rather light and malty.

Overall - Soild, but not quite world class. A little to smooth and light flavored. Its right up there with balance and flavors but not enough of a blast of them. Worth a drink for sure, id like to cellar this for awhile and see what we end up with. Top ten ris yes, top 5? No way.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 00:33:19 | More by wvsabbath

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, no apparent bottling information, except for a code on the side. Lucky to have landed this four pack from my local beer store, exciting to have tried it. This is my last bottle, and I probably won't be able to land any more until next year.

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours a thick rich opaque oily black colored body with a half finger of creamy mocha colored head. Looks very nice. I poured this beer like shit, I know it is capable of producing a beautiful mocha head.

S - Smell is of very full, dark roasted coffee beans. Roasted malt / barley smell. Chocolate cake. Burnt brown sugar. Smells luscious and enticing, although it doesn't deviate too far from what your standard Russian imperial stout would smell like. Smell is good, but is slightly underwhelming for what I was expecting here. Very authentic coffee, for what it's worth.

T - Taste follows the nose, smooth creamy bitter coffee bean / hop presence, paired with a toasty malt profile. Bitter coffee beans. Dark chocolate. Very smooth easy drinking for such a high abv.

M - Feel is of hop resins and bitter chocolate covered coffee bean lingering flavors.

Overall, a nice take on the style by Dark Horse Brewing Co., probably the best I've had from them yet, and a nice example of the style. Masks it's high 11.00% abv extraordinarily well, almost too well. Very nice drinking, very authentic coffee / chocolate taste. Doesn't exactly live up to the hype 100%, but a damn fine beer nonetheless, and definitely one to try if you can get your hands on it.

Dark Horse Plead The 5th Imperial Stout ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 03:13:52 | More by mfnmbvp

tdm168

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to jtd1969 for sharing this one with me

A - pitch black with a short, brown head that has good retention

S - licorice, anise, chocolate, roasted malts

T - roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, licorice, dark fruit, mildly bitter, warming alcohol

M - full bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This is a fantastic beer that has an immensely deep, complex flavor. I am really impressed with this one. Each sip offered just a little something more from the great malt character. I thoroughly enjoyed this beer, and I look forward to trying it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:18:37 | More by tdm168

vic21234

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Refrigerated only briefly. This is the current year vintage.

A- Pours black with a small amount of light brown/ khaki head that quickly fades. Not much carbonation going on, and some lacing is apparent along the sides of the glass.

S- Great smelling beer. Nice aromas of roasted malts, coffee and chocolate.

T- The smell carries on into the taste. I get coffee, chocolate, and an overall roastiness. There is also a nice hop presence towards the back of each sip. Very complex with a lot going on.

M- Thick, chewy, low carbonation, the alcohol is noted but not what one would think for 11% ABV. A nice sipper.

This is an enjoyable RIS, especially if you're into hopped stouts. I would love to get my hands on the barrel aged version. A few bottles of this one will be sat down in my cellar to see how it drinks after some hop fading.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 23:09:03 | More by vic21234