Night Stalker - Goose Island Beer Co.

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BA SCORE
92
exceptional
-
1,252 Ratings

rAvg: 4.1
pDev: 15.12%
Reviews: 708
Hads: 544

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Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.

Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 11.70% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (599), on-tap (84), growler (25).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

Reviews

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Reviews by hayesez:

hayesez

Indiana

4.45/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Ridgley for picking me up a few bottles of the Night Stalker. Still can't get those in Terre Haute, so he was gracious enough to grab a few for me during a recent road-trip. This is one of the more intriguing beers that I have had this year - the Imperial Stout / IPA combination is very counterintuitive...but enjoyable!

Had my second one at Brodie's house-cooling party during a poker game. Poured into a pint glass - very dark and full bodied. A minimal tan head emerges but sticks around pretty well for at least a couple of rounds of blinds. Very little lacing left behind.

This is classified as an American Imperial Stout, but I'd challenge anyone to pick that style based on smell alone. Citrus and hoppiness actually overshadow the roasty chocolate. It smells sweet and tropical much like an IPA...the stout is still in there, just cloaked by the sweet fruit. I'm a fan.

Initially the imperial stout of this Jekyll and Hyde presents itself. Dark chocolate and roasted malt accompany a deep fruit that you would expect from the stout. It is very thick and creamy...feels like an imperial stout. Very full, very smooth. But the middle is Hyde. Citrusy hops morph this thing quickly to an IPA. Floral notes are present as well as the sweet tropics. At the very finish, and as the taste lingers around after I've swallowed, a bit of the stout returns - chocolatey and smooth. How interesting!

What a great beer. It's so refreshing to try something that doesn't follow the template. This beer is full, flavorful, and very enjoyable. A great combination of flavors that keep me coming back. The hop characteristics mixed with the stout truly make this beer one-of-a-kind! Great job Goose Island!

Consumed: 4/17/2010

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2010 05:56:38 | More by hayesez

More User Reviews:

Nihilistkid

Illinois

4.5/5 rDev +9.8%

05-19-2013 05:32:55 | More by Nihilistkid

jakeox

Illinois

3.5/5 rDev -14.6%

05-18-2013 23:32:54 | More by jakeox

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3/5 rDev -26.8%

05-18-2013 20:53:06 | More by Photekut

jono0101

Missouri

4.5/5 rDev +9.8%

05-18-2013 16:30:44 | More by jono0101

Honus1

Ohio

4.25/5 rDev +3.7%

05-18-2013 02:45:14 | More by Honus1

darvinlikemarvin

Iowa

4/5 rDev -2.4%

05-17-2013 18:30:36 | More by darvinlikemarvin

SHerninko

Pennsylvania

3.39/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

2013 - Craft Ale House, PA
ST-Draft for Goose tap takeover.
A-dark, stout, not much lacing, typical
S-Smell was sweet stout mixed with a strong chemical smell. It smelled like ground black pepper was poured on top.
T-followed the smell, good basic stout, but then some weird syrupy strong cough medicine taste and more black pepper.
M-apart from the taste it was smooth and creamy.
O-I had a sample luckily, not sure if I could have finished a whole bottle or full pint. I've been told the recipe has changed as they moved back to brew this again after some time off?!? InBev may have messed this brew up a bit. I have a 2011 bottle and I will compare that to this fresh tap version.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 13:32:22 | More by SHerninko