Night Stalker - Goose Island Beer Co.

kels

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bamadog happened to mention last night that Night Stalker was on tap at Party Source and Party Town. We immediately made an impromptu trip for a growler to split. Review is on a pour into a tulip.

Appearance: Pours a very rich, super dark chocolate brown, really black, with a short, 1/2 finger tan head that retains decently with light rings of soft lacing following down the glass. The liquid is completely opaque.

Smell: Aroma isn't nearly as strong as expected. Light scent of milky, creamy chocolate and a fruity sweetness like chocolate covered cherries. Subtle roastiness from caramelized malts comes through with a hint of earthiness, somewhat like tobacco. The alcohol comes through in a slightly sharp sting in the aftertaste.

Taste/Mouthfeel: The taste is very full and robust, strong with roasted coffee, hot alcohol, slightly present citrus hops, chewy, almost syrupy malts and a distinct sugary sweetness that develops more over time as the beer warms. It is almost maple syrup-like. Feel is a bit of a contradiction - viscous yet bright, sticky yet smooth.

Drinkability: Lower for the style even. The sticky sweetness pairs with the alcohol heat to be a little overwhelming. As with the Bourbon County Stout, I'd probably prefer it with age. Too bad a growler won't work that way.

Serving type: growler

06-16-2009 12:12:04 | More by kels

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.72/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to RoyMunson for this one.

Nice hiss as I opened the cap letting me know that the cabonation held up on this one in transit. It poured an opaque onyx color with a small coat of brown head that falls to a broken film after settling. The aroma brings notes of anise backed by a mild but detectable alcohol. There is a bit of fig fruityness and some chocolate notes in there as well, but both are married well with the anise. It is a little lighter on the nose than I anticipated. The flavor on the other hand is huge. The first to hit me is a spicy anise that moves to a chocolate-covered fig on swallowing the beer. The aftertaste brings espresso and almost a hint of cherry fruityness with a detectable bitterness on the sides and back of my tongue. This one is sweet, but not cloying. The alcohol is certainly apparent in the flavor, but it does not take away from the experience; instead it enhances the flavors in the brew. As I drink more of it, I'm finding some tropical fruit flavors (pineapple and coconut) right as I swallow the beer and lingering into the aftertaste. It is a very unique combination of flavors. The mouthfeel is thick, leaving a good residual coat in my mouth after swallowing the brew. The carbonation is minimal but present and suiting this beer very well. Overall, I am thrilled to have had a chance to try this brew. It is incredibly complex and I think I like this more than after resting in barrels. Drinkability is as expected for the style. I'm not going to sit down and kill the growler tonight, but I can probably make it through a few glasses for sure.

Serving type: growler

06-11-2009 21:40:25 | More by kmpitz2

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours black with a thin tan head. Nose is seeming like a fruity thing at first but then it morphs to a slightly roasted tone. Then I get a tar thing as well. Flavor is thick and hearty. Lots and lots of malty body to it. Minor roasted tones. Yet that sweet malty stout character lingers in the back. I am leaving it out to warm up and see how it matures with a temperature climb. THe liquid body of this is extremely thick. I mean we're talking pretty viscous here. I have seen comments on how Dark Lord is quite thick and I am wondering how that bottle in my cabinet will compare to this. Carbonation is minimal, yet still slightly attacking on the mouth. Interesting. Definitely a sincere endeavor by Goose Island. Better than Bourbon County Stout? Hmmm. I would have to say no as of this moment. However this is an early draft version, so I am quite willing to try future bottlings in order to compare.

P.S. The booze really kicks in quick on this one.

Serving type: growler

06-01-2009 04:33:50 | More by RblWthACoz

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

After not being able to make it to GI during Dark Lord weekend to have some in person I owe a big THANKS to fellow BA mcallister for hooking me up with a 16 oz flip top mini growler! Been saving this one for a night to sit down with and enjoy!

A-Deep, dark black with a medium dark, reddish tan head. This slowly reduces to a thin film that leaves spotty lace. A surprising amount of carbonation for a month plus old growler.

S-BIG chocolate blast initially with an impressive and complex melding of dark roast, espresso, dark fruit and molasses. A bit of hop spiciness creeps in as it warms up.

T-BOOM---my first impression--A dark chocolate and espresso covered beef jerky bar! Big flavour with tons of deep, dark notes. This is big, bold and oh so tasty! An impressive melding of rich flavours.

M-Full bodied, rich, smooth and luscious. This brew is almost chewable! Big, long lasting flavours and earthy, spicy bitterness.

D-I often think I will not like BIG stouts as much as I end up liking them! This is simply and outstanding brew! I really like BCS but I have to say as a stand alone RIS this is one impressive stout. In fact I like this more than BCS. One big, beefy, roasty, flavourful and GIANT tasting stout. Thanks for the opportunity mcallister!

Serving type: growler

06-01-2009 01:08:49 | More by Deuane

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.63/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

32 oz growler, filled on Friday and capped on foam, into a red wine glass.

Pours opaque black, not a hint of brown even around the edges, with a thin dark brown, fluffy head that dies down fairly quickly.

Nose has lots of citric hops plowing through big notes of molasses and mocha, a bit boozy. Everything in this just works - so big and rich.

Taste is out of this world. Big thick chocolate and molasses notes, espresso, and a fantastic citrus note and noticeable hop bite and bitterness. One of the hoppiest stouts I've had, but the malt backbone just shrugs it off. It's like someone took a dark chocolate milkshake, threw in a shot of espresso, and then dry hopped it. Fantastic. Works best at cellar temp, interestingly - towards room temp the hop bitterness and acidity runs a bit rampant, trying to drown out the fantastic chocolate/molasses/espresso notes, though it does bring up some very interesting red fruit notes. Finish is long, rich, citric hops and loads of espresso. Booze is kept well in check for a beer this size.

Mouthfeel is the classic Bourbon County thickness - rich, viscous, and as close to motor oil as I've had. The hoppy acidity in there cuts it just a bit, but it's still so unbelievably smooth and rich, with just the lightest carbonation.

Drinkability is all relative in a beer this size, but I've positively flown through the first 16 ounces of my growler. The next 16 don't appear likely to last long. Deserving of the hype. Only beer that I've had that's anything like this is a Smuttynose Imperial Stout after about a year; this is very similar, but taking one notch further.

Serving type: growler

05-30-2009 21:27:08 | More by JohnQVegas

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

screamking

Ohio

4.21/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz bomber poured into chalice glass.
Bottle dated 11/19/12.

Appearance-pours black with a thin dark khaki head, very dark brew but not as dark as some. Dotted lacing left over after sips. 4

Aroma-the smell is very heavy on the dark fruits, Strong plum and rasian, also fig in there too. A good deal of chocolate is in hiding behind the fruit. Maybe a slight coffee, but its very slight. A very dark sweet smelling aroma. 4.25

Taste-like the smell, right off the bat you get the sweet dark fruits. They are a little different than most stouts, more hoppy than malty. Then the chocolate takes over nicely. Lots more chocolate in the taste then is in the aroma. This is a very sweet stout, one of the sweeter ones I've tried. 4.25

Feel-decent mouthfeel, not as thick as I would like but it gets the job done. ABV is very well hidden. I was shocked to learn its almost 12%. 4

Overall-this beer is so close to being outstanding. Throw in some strong roasted notes and this would be top 5 (stouts) for me. Without I'm afraid it's just a fruity dark sipper that I will have once maybe twice in a year. 4.25

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 00:26:43 | More by screamking

kojevergas

California

3.15/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Bottled 11/19/12. 11.5% ABV according to my bottle. 650ml brown glass bottle with standard unbranded black pressure cap acquired at a Binny's in Chicago on St. Paddy's day weekend. Served into a Mitchells of Lancaster flared stem-tulip in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are very high given the brewery and style.

Served chilled and allowed to come to room temperature over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a half finger dark tan colour head of no real cream, okay thickness, and bad (~1 minute) retention - though this is excusable given the high ABV. Body colour is a predictable solid dark black - not quite a jet black but very dark. Nontransparent and opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Light lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head recedes; it's not very sticky though. Standard fare for the style but nevertheless appealing. I've seen far better, even at higher ABVs.

Sm: Rich chocolate/cacao. Alcohol warmth. Dark malts. Light coffee - with a bit of pleasant roast. Rich licorice/anise. Caramel. Pleasant toasty character. Minimal light floral hops - not as much as expected; I think age has done this well. No yeast character is detectable. Light vanilla. If I didn't know better, I'd guess bourbon. Hints of decadent dark fruit. An above average to mild strength aroma. Not horribly complex for the style, but there's some subtlety to the aroma. I'm looking forward to trying it, but the licorice has me concerned. I expected more hoppiness, but I'm glad that's not prominent.

T: Rich dark malts form the body. Some chocolate and caramel malts. Sweet vanilla. Light toasted character - it needs more. It also needs a hell of a lot more roast; there's hardly any here. It comes off quite sweet - especially in the third act and on the finish. Sticky dark fruits. Lightly vinous licorice; luckily this note is pretty restrained. Candied, sticky, and sweet. Not a great flavour profile for the style, but it will be to the tastes of many. Floral hop character is more prominent than usual for the style, but not to its detriment. The sticky sweetness and candied licorice are much larger issues, severely reducing drinkability. Full bodied and assertive. I can't emphasize enough that the sticky sweetness is really holding this back. Otherwise, it's fairly complex and somewhat subtle. No yeast character comes through. Alcohol heat is present but light enough to add character.

Mf: Smooth and sweet. Sticky, syrupy, and thick. Too viscous. Pretty good carbonation. Okay presence on the palate. Very filling and full bodied. A bit overbearing.

Dr: It hides its ABV alright, but it's not very drinkable. Definitely more of a sipper. I wish it came in a smaller bottle; this will take me some time to finish and I'm sure midway through the sticky sweetness will really aggravate me. This one definitely has its flaws, but it's not a bad beer for the style. I'd like to try it with a good three years on it; if this is what it tastes like at five months old; it needs serious time. For my money, Goose Island makes far better imperial stouts. I wouldn't get this one again unless it was aged or the only good option at a bar. Interesting, but it isn't doing it for me.

C+

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 04:18:05 | More by kojevergas

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottled 11/19/2012

Beer is pitch black with a very small tan head.

Nose is full of roast malt, dark chocolate and caramel. Some anise and vanilla. Also a good hop presence, but muscled out by the malts. Big and captivating.

Taste is like the nose and also very good. Big roast flavours, chocolate, black licorice and some caramel. Hops are quite strong, perhaps a slight citrus flavour but that is not strongly made out against the malts. Certainly the hops contribute a nice bitterness. The aftertaste is strongly of anise- a bit too much, which detracts a bit from the otherwise excellent flavour.

Full bodied, strongly carbonated, almost fizzy. Great body but would be better if the bubbles were toned down.

Overall, very good. If the anise aftertaste and carbonation calmed down, this would be really terrific.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 19:12:03 | More by jrenihan

thedoubler55

New Jersey

4.11/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a pitch black in color with about a finger of tan head at the top, there was a bit of lacing around the glass.

S: The nose is filled with licorice and chocolate, a bit of bourbon as well, some roasted malts and slight hints of coffee.

T: The taste of this one is a bit of roast and and some bitterness, a strong alcohol taste but nothing to crazy, the taste was a bit bland on the tail end.

M: A full to Medium body with a slight hint of carbonation, not to sticky, I was definitely expecting it.

O: Not a bad beer at all, I was expecting a bit more from it but it was thoroughly happy with it.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 01:32:39 | More by thedoubler55

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tulip, the beer is almost completely black, with a thick look on the pour and a dense, foamy, light tan head that slowly settles into an uneven surface coating. Aromas of booze, dark cherry and fig sweetness, molasses, and a touch of earth and wood. Roasted notes on the nose, too. Flavors are rich and darkly sweet, with molasses first and foremost, hints of earth and old world fruit, and a touch of roast at the end. Earthy tones help take the cloying off the sweet body, and there is a touch of bitterness that brings balance to the brew. A deep, slow building warmth starts from the booze. The beer is bold and smooth in mouth, with a smooth, clean finish. Aftertaste is heavy and lingering, with subtle molasses and fruit sweet. Heavy hitter, but very good.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 23:49:06 | More by GarthDanielson

BeerBarron

Maryland

4.6/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Is it fair to call this beer bourbon county light? Im going to go ahead and say yes. It pours dark and oily and smells like sweet chocolate and rich dark fruits. I didnt like the carbonatiom at first so i let it sit and the mellow mouth feel adds to its depth and complexity. Its smooth and syrupy and exactly what i like in an imperial stout. Its a little sweet for you masochists but overall a great beer at a great price.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 20:51:48 | More by BeerBarron

yankeepride

New Jersey

4.56/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

I just don't care who owns these GI stouts, they are so frickin' awesome. I am a kid at heard (but luckily legally able to drink), so I enjoyed watching the falling out of the hard pour into a shaker. What was even more fun, especially for my wife, was how the foam, just perfectly cresting the glass by a tiny amount, looks like a sugar cookie sitting on top of the glass. With a whiff, there was a pretty noticeable hop presence, but of course not like an IPA. There was also a very strong sweetness that just billowed out of the glass. Taking a big gulp, you get a really, really malty kick, with only a touch of roasted-ness to it. It really had a delicious flavor, and the hop smell that was so strong was only partly present on the tongue. It's hard to believe that this much flavor isn't from barrel-aging, especially with how long the malts linger in your mouth. With a high ABV, it should be a long-sipping beer, but the flavor and silky-smooth texture had me pounding this thing. Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 20:40:30 | More by yankeepride

barczar

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours an opaque deep brown with a half inch frothy mocha head that slowly dissipates, leaving sheets of lacing.

Citrus, resin, pine, and acetone form the initial aroma. Underpinnings of chocolate and brown sugar sweetness combine well with subtle roast malt.

Flavor reveals more acetone, along with grapefruit and lightly roasted malt and a fairly sweet chocolatey backbone that lingers into the finish. Tastes almost soured, but not in a good way. Dates, figs, and hints of raisins surface late.

Body is thick, syrupy, smooth, rich, and absolutely luscious, with minimal carbonation and substantial alcohol warmth.

The acetone character is offputting. Malt is sweeter than expected, and more chocolate than roast. Wish that acetone character weren't present. Not sure if it's an unfortunate combo of malt and hop character for my palate or if it truly has an issue. Still, great malt flavor and mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2013 02:55:01 | More by barczar

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This pours a very dark brown/black color with a frothy, light brown head. The aroma isn’t too bold, just hints of sweetness that seem a little chalky. There is a very complex taste but I was picking out hints of raisin, plum, and prunes, burnt oak with slight hints of vanilla. This is very big and bold which made for a good hour long sipping beer. The finish was kind of sweet and left behind a chalky texture. A very good beer, but I was left wanting a little more given the Goose Island name.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:42:03 | More by Lemke10

dar482

New York

4.53/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

It pours out really dark with a decent mocha head.

The aroma is of coffee, bitter chocolate, and some hop.

The flavor is big roasted malt, really huge creamy espresso, and bitter, bitter chocolate. The hoppiness helps cut through from the big thick flavors.

It's a well balanced beer. It's a great sipper. The finish is nice and easy. It reminds me a lot of BCBS, but just toned down and creamy. Love it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 03:30:54 | More by dar482

GuinnessAtRogerWilco

New Jersey

4.49/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber poured into a Great Lakes Christmas Ale snifter

AP: deep black, looks like motor oil, light 1/4" tan head that dissipates

AR: black strap molasses, dark chocolate, rum soaked dark fruits and black bread

T: all of the above I detected in the aroma plus the addition of a toffee stickiness and a hint of vanilla cappuccino at the end with a faint brush of Earthy hops

M: creamy and silky yet chewy, low carbonation the way I like my Imperial Stouts

OV: very tasty, balanced and well rounded and the alcohol is pretty well hidden, though you do get it in the aroma and a bit at the first taste, but the flavours are too much and drown it out making this an excellent sipper.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 02:54:36 | More by GuinnessAtRogerWilco

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.49/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - can you believe this pours really black?!?

S - big malts, dark evil fruit aromas, like raisins or dates or plums, some bourbon like aromas with vanilla/oakiness, makes me wonder if thisis barrel aged at least for a little while.

T - the malts are impossibly big, some chocolate and coffee, but the dark fruits steal the show. The bourbon/vanilla/oak flavors are lurking in the background.

M&D&O - complex and layered, big on flavor and it kicks ass. It cant hide the 11.5%. Not an everyday beer. What a powerful flavor, well done GI!

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 01:08:53 | More by sinstaineddemon

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.04/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 2/6/11 and reviewed on 3/25/13. Poured from a bottle into a Great Lakes snifter. The pour is very dark, not too viscous with very little head. The nose has hints of molasses and dark fruits.

The beer has a full body and a slick, oily feel. I get a lot of molasses and brown sugar up front. As the beer oozes across the palate, some notes of oak and toasted malt develop into a hint of clove. The hops seem long gone at this point and leave only this bit of spice behind. The alcohol is also quite tame given the high abv. Time has smoothed out the bitterness and blended the flavors quite nicely, leaving only a warming liquorice note on the finish.

First time I've had this beer since I tried it fresh 2 years ago. Sadly, I neglected to take good tasting notes at the time, but I do remember it being much more bitter and full of more typical roasty Russian Imperial Stout flavors. It's a very different animal now.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 00:12:12 | More by deadonhisfeet

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.56/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Goose Island Night Stalker

Thanks to Ncketchum for bottle. Poured into a CBS snifter. Served lightly chilled.

A) This was dark brown with a nice fluffy finger of tan head. Nice retention, and decent lacing too. A rather attractive beer.

S) A fair amount of roast. Definitely some coffee and strong citrus aroma. Hint of chocolate. This is like a Mocha Valencia. Not sure if this is how it's supposed to smell, but I rather like it.

T) The initial flavor is very much like the nose, but then this beer takes a wrong turn somewhere near Albuquerque. What I'm about to say is going to seem strange. Well, it seems very strange to me. The taste was like Jelly Belly popcorn flavored jellybeans. I hate that flavor. What the hell is going on here?

M) Medium bodied, with a fairly rich feel. Light carbonation and rather smooth. This was a mouth coater.

O) I glanced at a thread here on Beer Advocate a few months back questioning the potential for some infected bottles of Night Stalker. This bottle has to be under suspicion. I didn't strongly dislike this beer, in fact there were aspects I rather enjoyed, but the flavor was definitely off. Will need to revisit in order to confirm.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 17:53:43 | More by RoamingGnome

Misanthropy_Sipping

Nebraska

4.93/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Had this some time ago... maybe a couple years ago and remembered loving it. When I saw a bottle I did not even resist buying it up.

Definitely matches up with what I remember.

-Deep black/brown, with very small bubble, milk chocolate color head. Not even really a head... more like a comb-over dissipates quickly.

-Smells awesome, you can tell it will be a sweeter stout. Has a nice sweet coffee and dark chocolate scent with maybe some raisins, malt, a little smokey earthiness, and definitely booze.

-Upfront sweetness, the nose adds up with the dark chocolate and coffee. Peels away into some serious roast, charred earthy notes, surprisingly woody even though I do not believe this is oak aged or aged on anything. I like this woody, haunting, cabin smoke character to it. Not like rauch smoke... but like this charred, grimy dirty wood taste. I can't explain but it is good. A little raisin and dark fruit. Booze comes in prominent as the sweetness drops down into the bitter hops and piny, herbal notes that are reminiscent of black licorice... and not sweet black licorice either. It begins sweet but ends on a nice subtle bitter and dry side that lingers a while.

The mouthfeel is just a tad thinner than I would like. In a way it is nice but in a way I would like a bit more meat on the bone. Just a bit. And with that... a bit more dryness... just a bit.

Warming... yes. And a nice warm, NOT a heartburn warm. Just subtle and smooth.

Overall the comments on the mouthfeel are my only complaints... and pretty small complaints at that. No one can deny that this is a very good, very tasty imperial stout that is worth... the what, $10-$11? Yeah... no problem. It's great on a snowy night, it's great with a friend or two or even alone when you have a full evening of just taking life easy. Very satisfy. I will be buying this again in years to come.

My last comment is pay close attention to the label where it says to drink within 180 days of bottling date. The first one I had was past, and though still good I certainly remember it not being quite as bitter hoppy, which struck out some of the complexity. Fresh is best with this. And luckily they offer it during the right season.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 02:35:10 | More by Misanthropy_Sipping

mnphish

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle served into a Snifter. Thanks to match1112 for this guy. Bottled on 3/6/10, consumed just over three years later. Pours a dark black hue with a one finger khaki head. The first thing that comes across on the nose is dark fruit and light bourbon, along with chocolate, vanilla, roasted malts, and some hop character. The taste is pretty incredible at this stage: Developed dark fruits and caramel mixed with a bold dark chocolate flavor. This has a nice charcoal/wood complexity to it as well. It's followed by a light bitter flavor and a lasting malt finish. Mouthfeel is smooth, sticky, heavy bodied, with light carbonation. Night Stalker is a very satisfying stout, and it's not too over the top or boozy. Good stuff Brett Porter! ; )

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 03:21:24 | More by mnphish

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.2%
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

cvm4

Mississippi

3.55/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a very dark brown, tight bubbles in the one finger tan head. Pretty good lacing.

S - Piney & floral, very odd. Background has milk chocolate.

T - Botanical, somewhat tart, light coffee & roasted malts.

M - Medium bodied, high carbonation.

O - I think this bottle was slightly infected. Just no way the tartness & floral should be in this beer. Need to revisit again.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 22:37:05 | More by cvm4

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is a re-review, having had it on tap at Kelly's in Chicago.

This beer is completely different than the one I had a few months ago in a bottle...no resemblance whatsoever. None. And much better.

Smell is decidedly herbal, but not overwhelming or terribly noticeable. Just average, not amazing but ok.

Taste is herbal and somewhat hoppy, with hints of coffee and chocolate. Not bad at all, no resemblance to what I had in a bottle. It's a little flat though.

Feel is smooth and creamy. Very nice feel.

Overall I'm glad I had a chance to try Night Stalker again, and experience it or what it really is. It's unique, unlike most stouts I've ever had. Cheers.

11/19/2012 1633, bottle date and time stamp. Definitely from the bad batch.

Appearance is all well and good: pours pitch black with a foamy mocha head, light lacing.

Smell is super funky. Having a hard time making out any of the hops that are supposed to be in here. Harder still to interpret what's behind it. It literally smells "bad."

Taste is even worse. Super funky, sour and hoppy at the same time, but tastes like it has gone bad, even though I know that is not the case, just something terribly wrong with the batch.

Mouthfeel is pretty weak as well, not sure if it's because the taste is so poor, or what. Certainly nothing as even close to as enjoyable as BCBS, in any way, shape, or form.

Overall, I feel bad reviewing this beer without getting a chance to have a sample from a successful batch. I am not terribly angry, just disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 23:58:18 | More by rodlavers