Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brandy Barrel Blend - FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz, 2011 vintage, bottle # 3091
Mini nonic pint glass (4oz)

A: Pours a deep black color. Completely opaque. Some carbonation because I got a half finger of slightly tan head. Not a ton of lacing. Slight alcohol feet. Lots lacing.

S: Getting lots of that brandy barrel on this one. More than what I have read in other reviews. Lots of dark fruit and candied sugar. Overwhelms the roast.

T: Lots of dark fruit sweetness. Heavy prune. Rum soaked raisin. Then you get that roasted malts. This is completely different then the other variations I have had where it was more vanilla, caramel, oak, etc. Some what dry finish.

M: Medium leading to full.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 15:07:48 | More by inlimbo77

djmichaelk

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.3%

06-17-2013 05:12:42 | More by djmichaelk

jwat

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +19.6%

05-26-2013 19:40:26 | More by jwat

pmarlowe

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-19-2013 23:21:12 | More by pmarlowe

Kelp

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-13-2013 03:44:08 | More by Kelp

warnerry

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle 2118 into a Duvel tulip. 2011 vintage.

A - Pours a very deep brown/black, though clearly translucent on the pour. A solid one inch of creamy brown head. Pretty good persistence.

S- Lots of fruit in the aroma, with rich chocolate coming in right behind. Booze-soaked (I'm not a brandy drinker, so I can't say whether it is a brandy aroma) raisin is prevalent. A bit vinous. Quite nice.

T - In contrast to the aroma, chocolate is the dominant flavor, followed by the dark fruits, red wine and alcohol.

M - Haven't had an Eclipse in awhile, but this seems to have a thicker mouthfeel than then other variants I've had. Nice and creamy, but still not heavy. A bit dry on the finish.

O - Very enjoyable. The brandy notes seem to bring a very slight harshness to this, but still a nice twist on the barrel aged stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 19:32:16 | More by warnerry

ScottP

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

04-14-2013 18:37:36 | More by ScottP

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark black with a touch of brown and a finger of frothy khaki-chocolate head. Fades normal.

S - Chocolate and dark caramel malts, molasses, dark fruits, vanilla, oak, Brandy, black licorice, dark cocoa, coffee, booze.

T - Sweet chocolate and caramel malts, Brandy, vanilla, oak, molasses, coffee, black licorice, bitter dark cocoa, raisin, figs, dates and other dark fruits, and some booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth and a bit syrupy with a warming, sweet finish.

D - Great barrel aged stout. The brandy barrel is a nice touch and the dark fruits come through a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:44:10 | More by ngeunit1

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

04-11-2013 00:25:08 | More by HuskyinPDX

ThirstyJoe77

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

03-27-2013 04:10:26 | More by ThirstyJoe77

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

03-10-2013 17:01:44 | More by mendvicdog

oline73

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

03-10-2013 05:54:06 | More by oline73

duceswild

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%

03-09-2013 20:54:35 | More by duceswild

oldp0rt

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

03-08-2013 16:32:37 | More by oldp0rt

mdaschaf

Washington

4/5  rDev -4.3%

03-02-2013 19:14:32 | More by mdaschaf

Satchboogie

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

02-16-2013 15:20:52 | More by Satchboogie

AgentMunky

California

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a sampling glass. 2011 vintage. From notes. Reviewed 12 February 2013.

A: Pitch-black with cola edges and a light brownish head.

S: Sweet grapes and strong liquor. Deep and complex.

T/M: Bright and tasty, with a great soft aftertsate. Brandy is evident, grapes, but it's perhaps oversweet.

O: It's okay. Not my favourite. Stick to the whiskey barrels.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 06:44:32 | More by AgentMunky

carteravebrew

Colorado

3/5  rDev -28.2%

02-13-2013 15:59:24 | More by carteravebrew

millelacsmark

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

02-09-2013 00:25:23 | More by millelacsmark

Azrael

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

01-25-2013 06:23:26 | More by Azrael

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

01-16-2013 15:36:22 | More by yourefragile

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.3%

01-12-2013 06:51:58 | More by spycow

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4/5  rDev -4.3%

01-09-2013 00:16:02 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2011 vintage from secret Santa Alex M, thanks for the opportunity!
Pours a solid black with a nice sized tan head that slowly dissipates to a cap on top with a moderate amount of lace on the sides. Smells of roast and chocolate with a heavy hit of molasses and dark fruits. Cherries, plums, raisins and a touch of alcohol round out the nose nicely. The flavor is lots of milk chocolate and coffee with a hint of smoke. Subtle supporting flavors of vanilla, dark fruits, tangerines, and a hint of wood. Medium to thick body with a light level of carbonation and a sweet silky mouthfeel. I really enjoyed this eclipse version. The Brandy gives it a much softer barrel treatment than the bourbon barrel I last had.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 22:47:52 | More by johnnnniee

actone2001

California

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2011 Bottle #1566, consumed with smoked blue cheese and prosciutto (a perfect pairing for any good BA stout!). Word to the wise, let this one warm up.

A - Typical black stout. Quarter inch tan head, lingers for a little bit, then fades as the beer warms.

S - sweet fig, date, raisin, dark fruits. Definitely some brandy, but in a reserved fashion.

T - Good amount of brandy up front, balanced by dark fruit flavor, slight roast, and then a bit of alcohol heat. Molasses/dark brown sugar provide the sweetness, but the brandy creates a presence which is complimentary to the dark malts. The sweet date flavor is most prominent as it warms.

M - More thick than medium of a mouthfeel. Compliments the big stout perfectly. Silky smooth.

O - Great beer overall! I love the Brandy barrel influence! It's my first fiftyfifty eclipse, and I'm very impressed! It's balanced, big, and has some depth. Can't wait to break out some other eclipses from the cellar!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:14:51 | More by actone2001