Imperial Stout
John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House

Beer Geek Stats
From:
John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.2 | pDev: 7.38%
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
9
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 09, 2012
Added:
Feb 23, 2001
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
 
Rated: 4.5 by thegerm87 from Massachusetts

Mar 09, 2012
Photo of HimerMan
Reviewed by HimerMan from New Jersey

3.46/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap 7/28/06, pint glass.

Very nice dark pour, sticky tan head that does go down - but remains for a while.

The start is very nice, rich malty flavor with a thin finish per sip. It has a bit of chocolate and a load of cream in it - however, this turns out to be rather thin for the style.

Overall, this is definitely worth trying, a very middle of the road irish dry - however, this is rather thin in flavor and mouthfeel; so, don't use this as any benchmark of the style.

Excellent food and great atmosphere with decent beer continue to bring me back. Clearly worth a shot, nice to drink - just not outstanding.

Cheers.
Jul 29, 2006
Photo of oldirtycaffrey
Reviewed by oldirtycaffrey from Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drank this in a 10oz pour. *Strong* 10% ABV. Pitch black appearance. The head was consistent, and it gave off a coffee/chocolatey aroma and taste. Very creamy. Drank this with a burger and had a great time doing so. :)

This was the first "stout" like this I've ever had and really fell in love with it. A couple months later I tried Brooklyn Lager's Double Chocolate Stout (a very well rated stout here on beeradvocate.com), and I have to say I enjoyed John Harvard's Imperial Stout more.

John Harvard's is a great brewery -- and this is one of their best beers!
Dec 24, 2005
Photo of Stingray5
Reviewed by Stingray5 from New York

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
10oz pour, cask conditioned. Server indicates 10% ABV. Black as night with a 1/2 inch tan head that lasted throughout. Dark chocolate and coffee aromas. Mouthful was about as creamy as it gets, with mild carbonation. Flavor was all about subtlety, with dark chocolate, coffee, and a nutty quality. Lingering chocolate malt finish.

Extremely subtle and delicate for the style and ABV. A real treat.
Jan 18, 2005
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Tasted in Framingham

Mahogany-colored stout with nearly no head; laceless

Beautiful rich aroma featuring strong sherry notes of oily alcohol. (The waiter said that it was aged for five months in used Jack Daniels barrels).

The flavor features sherry and cognac notes, particularly raisins and prunes. Rich, thick and wonderfully "oily". The flavors after swallow bring out a nice hop balance. This was the best of the tastings today.
Apr 03, 2004
Photo of chaduvel
Reviewed by chaduvel from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A joy to find an Imperial Stout on tap and this is a good one to boot. Midnight black in color, small creamy tan head. Smell is faint but roasted, a bit fruity and of dark chocolate coffee with a kiss of hops. Taste is similar. Smooth alcohol soaked dark fruits, rich roasted coffee, hint of smoke and dry hops on the finish. Thinner and easier drinking that many imperials. Even at 9.0% abv! Not too fruity either. Very good.
Nov 14, 2003
Photo of stirgy
Reviewed by stirgy from Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This was the last pint of the cask from the Grey Lodge firkinteenth event – and it was chocked full of goodness. Poured a midnight black color and had a small creamy tan head to it. The wonderful aroma was strong with roasted grains, fruit and floral hopiness. Taste was malty and full flavored with spicy hops. The last few sips of the beer was pretty nasty though – Hop particulates and some sludge due to it being the dregs of the cask. Overall excellent!
Jun 17, 2003
Photo of scottum
Reviewed by scottum from Vermont

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark black with a small head. Chocolate, fruity, toasty, and coffee malts make this a complex stout. Hop bitters do a good job of balancing the flavor overload. The high octane is well hidden by the big flavors. A very nice Imperial and worth a sample if you enjoy the style.
Apr 06, 2003
Photo of Todd
Reviewed by Todd from Finland

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: On tap.

Appearance: Deep opaque black with a creamy mocha lace.

Smell: Mild coffee, with a dominating estery nose.

Taste: Crisp on the palate, with a creamy, full body. Delicious chocolate, dried sweet cherries, raisin and alcohol, with an underlying roasted barley astringency. Notes of smoke and wood become pronounced as the beer warms. Alcohol is warming. Hop bitterness runs along side of the roasted bitterness. Finish is dry, with a European-style roasted coffee flavour, more mild esters and a soft roasted end.

Notes: A whopping 9.0%abv and just about one of the best damn Imperial Stouts to be had in the local area.
Feb 23, 2001
Imperial Stout from John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House
Beer rating: 4.2 out of 5 with 9 ratings