Night Stalker - Goose Island Beer Co.

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Whoaaaa, this is unique! Bottled 11/19/12 (1525). The bottle and GI's website say to enjoy within 180 days, which I miscalculated as this beer being fresh until 2/19/13. Well, although my math is terrible, this beer seems to be in its prime until 5/19/13! ABV is 11.5% on the label.

A: Super thick, viscous, dark brown/black. If you pour it slowly and with the intention of building a head, a frothy, creamy, pillowy, light brown substance forms and jiggles like jello. Great lace and decent retention.

S: Very roasty with a slight hop presence with a long sniff. Woody, earthy, unique. Slight BBQ sauce or soy sauce aroma if you dig deep. Sweet, malty, roasty.

T: Heavy coffee, dark chocolate, molasses, brown sugar, caramelized sugar, cacao nibs. Some serious, real chocolate in this beer. Ain't no Hershey's chocolate in this brew. Surprisingly spiced and a little bit of heat in the finish. Slightly boozy but it complements the flavors and body. It sneaks up on you...a full bomber puts you in another state of mind. Very woody and earthy. Sweetness is never overpowering. Hops aren't as strong as I expected but this isn't an American Black Ale or Black IPA. It's an Imperial Stout with a heavy dose of hops, so it's definitely unique. The hop oils give it unique qualities.

M: Pretty darn smooth. Great body for the style. Tons of chocolate flavor. Like, straight off the cacao tree.

O: The hops really transform this IS into a beer that I've never experienced before. Strange at first but it grows on you. Let it warm up. Pretty sweet, slightly spicy, very chocolaty, boozy, and complex. Would I drink again? Probably. Just to see if the flavor is different.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 01:26:18 | More by Gatch

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