-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
VJ Black
Atwater Brewery
- From:
- Atwater Brewery
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.86 | pDev: 12.69%
- Reviews:
- 73
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 25, 2020
- Added:
- Apr 09, 2011
- Wants:
- 9
- Gots:
- 32
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by GRPunk:
Reviewed by GRPunk from Michigan
3.79/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I've heard of a ZJ, I guess it's time to see what this VJ is all about.
Bottle notched J 13, poured into a Duvel tulip.
A- A normal pour created a 1-finger, brown head that settles down to a thin film and leaves really nice webs about the glass. The body is a dark brown that suggests near black through the middle of a full glass.
S- There's an initial waft of dried or stewed fruits, mostly raisin. Lighter chocolate and coffee at first. Roasted, toasty grains become almost charred at points. The char and chocolate increases. Vanilla sneaks in much later with some warmth.
T- Complex. 1st sip had that initial rush of raisin followed by a significant dose of milk chocolate. Chocolate really seems to be the major player here. I'm good with that. An injection of vanilla compliments nicely and increases as I drink. Hopping is present, though difficult to describe.
M- Full bodied as expected at 11%. Kind of a sticky sweetness. Fairly creamy.
O- What an odd beer. Not bad. Different. Similarities to Vanilla Java Porter. Vanilla is a nice touch. I like the way it compliments the chocolate aspects. Aroma doesn't really match the flavor. Good sipper. Maybe not my "favorite" RIS, but not a bad beer.
Jan 27, 2013Bottle notched J 13, poured into a Duvel tulip.
A- A normal pour created a 1-finger, brown head that settles down to a thin film and leaves really nice webs about the glass. The body is a dark brown that suggests near black through the middle of a full glass.
S- There's an initial waft of dried or stewed fruits, mostly raisin. Lighter chocolate and coffee at first. Roasted, toasty grains become almost charred at points. The char and chocolate increases. Vanilla sneaks in much later with some warmth.
T- Complex. 1st sip had that initial rush of raisin followed by a significant dose of milk chocolate. Chocolate really seems to be the major player here. I'm good with that. An injection of vanilla compliments nicely and increases as I drink. Hopping is present, though difficult to describe.
M- Full bodied as expected at 11%. Kind of a sticky sweetness. Fairly creamy.
O- What an odd beer. Not bad. Different. Similarities to Vanilla Java Porter. Vanilla is a nice touch. I like the way it compliments the chocolate aspects. Aroma doesn't really match the flavor. Good sipper. Maybe not my "favorite" RIS, but not a bad beer.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by DavidRandall from Michigan
4.28/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this in the tap room in Detroit. Black with a faint whitish ring of foam in a snifter glass. I was told this version is barrel aged in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels. Very smooth, wet taste. Not very boozy tasting for an 11%. I liked it enough to buy a 4 pack to take home.
Feb 25, 2020Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts
3.35/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.35/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Nitro draft at brewery in Detroit airport
Big creamy thick off white head with fair retention, good soapy lacing, very dark brown color
Nose is very creamy and chocolatey, milk chocolate, lactose and nitro, also tons of fruity esters like tropical sweet stout level of fruity esters, or tap like hasn't been cleaned in a while, touch of roast and cocoa
Taste brings more lactose and chocolate, burnt milk sugar, sweet stout and big lactose sugar with a big burnt caramelized flavor, cocoa and roast, little coffee and cream, some nitro, light earthy spicy hops, fair fruity esters thankfully less than the nose, drier finish lingering bitterness and roasted malt, fruity esters, and burnt chocolate milk
Mouth is med bod somehow thin, creamy lactose and nitro, light warming alcohol
Overall meh, fruity esters are ok at a lower level for RIS but this was tropical stout level, and burnt milk sugar lactose level of a sweet milk stout, I don't think they really know what a RIS actually is, also way too thin
Feb 13, 2020Big creamy thick off white head with fair retention, good soapy lacing, very dark brown color
Nose is very creamy and chocolatey, milk chocolate, lactose and nitro, also tons of fruity esters like tropical sweet stout level of fruity esters, or tap like hasn't been cleaned in a while, touch of roast and cocoa
Taste brings more lactose and chocolate, burnt milk sugar, sweet stout and big lactose sugar with a big burnt caramelized flavor, cocoa and roast, little coffee and cream, some nitro, light earthy spicy hops, fair fruity esters thankfully less than the nose, drier finish lingering bitterness and roasted malt, fruity esters, and burnt chocolate milk
Mouth is med bod somehow thin, creamy lactose and nitro, light warming alcohol
Overall meh, fruity esters are ok at a lower level for RIS but this was tropical stout level, and burnt milk sugar lactose level of a sweet milk stout, I don't think they really know what a RIS actually is, also way too thin
Reviewed by bushbeer75 from Michigan
3.52/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz brown bottle - Bottled on December 2015 [label marked D-15]
Atwater VJ Black Imperial Stout poured an opaque black hue and atop sat a 1/2" tan head. The head shrunk quickly to form a ring on my tulip glass. Only 'hit-and-miss' lacing was present. The nose is dominated by malt that smells burnt and roasted. Also, the scent of dark chocolate is noted. The taste follows the smell with the flavor of coffee and just a trace of vanilla. The hops seem to show up at the finish. Mouth feel is a little sticky, lower carbonation, and is only medium bodied for an RIS - it's on the thin side for the style.
Nothing bad about VJ Black. It is just not as full flavored as the better RIS's. Maybe this stout should be consumed fresh and not with time on its clock.
Jan 03, 2017Atwater VJ Black Imperial Stout poured an opaque black hue and atop sat a 1/2" tan head. The head shrunk quickly to form a ring on my tulip glass. Only 'hit-and-miss' lacing was present. The nose is dominated by malt that smells burnt and roasted. Also, the scent of dark chocolate is noted. The taste follows the smell with the flavor of coffee and just a trace of vanilla. The hops seem to show up at the finish. Mouth feel is a little sticky, lower carbonation, and is only medium bodied for an RIS - it's on the thin side for the style.
Nothing bad about VJ Black. It is just not as full flavored as the better RIS's. Maybe this stout should be consumed fresh and not with time on its clock.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.63/5 rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to my brother for hooking this one up. Russian Imperial Stout pours black as can be. Brown head, 1/3". Aroma of heavily roasted malt, adjunct free, mild dark fruit and alcohol.
Taste, hey this isn't overly bitter from the roast or hopping, nor does it reek of alcohol all the way around. Distinct chocolate malt, relatively dry finish. Dark fruit notes really stay hidden, thankfully. No overly thick or viscous. Body probably feels lighter given the relatively high carbonation levels going on. Good char super mild smoke quality in there.
This beer looks impressive, its mouth feel is good. Nothing adjunct wise going on. Solid for what it is.
Dec 21, 2016Taste, hey this isn't overly bitter from the roast or hopping, nor does it reek of alcohol all the way around. Distinct chocolate malt, relatively dry finish. Dark fruit notes really stay hidden, thankfully. No overly thick or viscous. Body probably feels lighter given the relatively high carbonation levels going on. Good char super mild smoke quality in there.
This beer looks impressive, its mouth feel is good. Nothing adjunct wise going on. Solid for what it is.
Reviewed by hoptheology from California
3.07/5 rDev -20.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
3.07/5 rDev -20.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours a brown cola color and forms a dark brown body in the snifter. Head retention is good, sticking at about 1 finger.
Aromas of roast malt, light licorice, sassafrass, molasses, and chocolate. Slight sourness.
The flavor profile IS tasty, but not something I look for in a Russian Imperial Stout. Not at all. It starts with roasted barley, some sour lactic acid bite, metal, and some faint cheese-injected chocolate.
The feel is thin as well. Almost like a porter. Dryness on the finish.
Overall, this is not at all what I could classify as a RIS. If I were brewing this, and it came out this way, I'd call it an English Porter. Thick it is not, rich it is not. It's just kind of a sorry mess. I dumped the rest.
Dec 21, 2016Aromas of roast malt, light licorice, sassafrass, molasses, and chocolate. Slight sourness.
The flavor profile IS tasty, but not something I look for in a Russian Imperial Stout. Not at all. It starts with roasted barley, some sour lactic acid bite, metal, and some faint cheese-injected chocolate.
The feel is thin as well. Almost like a porter. Dryness on the finish.
Overall, this is not at all what I could classify as a RIS. If I were brewing this, and it came out this way, I'd call it an English Porter. Thick it is not, rich it is not. It's just kind of a sorry mess. I dumped the rest.
VJ Black from Atwater Brewery
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
224 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!