Big John - Goose Island Beer Co.

cosmicevan

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

ah, viva la NY distribution...

a - opened the bottle and poured into a darkness tulipy snifter. poured a silky shiny black like night stalker and all the bcbs varieties...thin head showed and vanished leaving just the rim on the surface. slippery lacing and swirling the glass rebuilt the head for another few moments.

s - not dark chocolate, but milk chocolate. i was really excited to try this one fresh since i wanted to see how it was before any chocolate flavors vanished. bit of subtle coffee. nothing too much in any direction, good balance. the milk chocolate is a nice balancer to the nightstalker base. crisp smelling and i even get an almost pretzel type of a smell from it...like them chocolate covered pretzels.

t - yum. here's where the chocolate comes to life. much more roastiness in the flavor than the nose. a nice dark chocolate roastd coffee...like a godiva coffee.

m - good carbonation and nice body. a big step up from nightstalker's over sweetened vibe. cooling after taste and an almost chocolatey coating to the mouth. after a while the booziness really started to become noticeable.

o - overall, i'm rather impressed with this beer. i was not expecting the chocolate to add as much as it does. it is not overbearing like baker's chocolate or dark chocolate, but more of a silky hershey's milk chocolate. it really compliments the base beer and i'm happy to have a few more bottles of this to sit on. as i drank the beer the booziness came out and the chocolate seemed a bit in my face, but still a really big improvement on night stalker.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 02:08:53 | More by cosmicevan

mcallister

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Jet black yielding a mocha colored foam cap that quickly fades to a ring around the glass.

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, black fruits, heavy cream, light tobacco and leathery notes.

Nice creamy mouthfeel, good amount of carbonation keeps things light on the palate. Big cocoa, dark chocolate, cream, mocha latte like, bitter chocolate on the finish with black fruits through the middle. Blueberry on the finish is very nice and adds a layer of complexity. Vanilla is driven and sweet. Some sugary sweetness throughout. Another great stout by the Goose. Will they last?

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 22:36:22 | More by mcallister

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.47/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A lush and savory stout with intense chocolate flavor, rich heavy body, and dense malty richness. A most desert-like beer.

The beer creeps from the bottle and into the snifter with a high viscocity that coats the glass like motor oil. Very froathy and rich, the beer's head falls underneath the enormous weight of the beer. No lace but brandy-like legging is evident with each swirl- the black film coats the sides of the glass and is nearly intimidating. Dense, dark brown, the beer carries a complete opaqness.

Chocolate, roast, burnt molasass, walnuts, and malted milk round out the nose that favors the power of a few key aromas over complexity. Alcohols give a warm tingle to the nose in a very rum-like way.

Rich chocolates, roasted grains, espresso coffee, and over caramelized sugars all add to the rich molasass and malted milk flavor. Robust and with a multitude of depth, the beer teases with rum boozy taste, and with walnut bitterness and oils. The cocoa nibs give a genuine cocoa taste and without the refinement of milk chocolates.

The cocoa additions further build the body of the beer towards a very thick and chewy beer. Beers don't really get more lush, viscous, or creamy. Finishing warm, but the brunt of 11.5% abv is never really felt; tempered well by the malty richness and velvety smooth simmer.

Delicious throughout, the sheer weight and richness of the beer make it both a delicacy and limit its drinkability. The full force of chocolate and sweetness, sometimes aspirtame-like, scream about the focus of the beer while balance and complexity are underscored.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 16:32:34 | More by BEERchitect

beesy

Ohio

3/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass around 50F.

A - pours a deep brown with a light brown 2 finger head. Not as dark or inky as I was expecting for 11.5 abv and all the hype. Had a small waterfall effect from a hard pour.

S - not impressive. Some dark malts, some roast and a slight touch of cocoa.

T - serious letdown. Tons of carmel sweetness with little roast or hops to balance it. The small amount of roast is drowned by the crystal malt sweetness. Small amount of cacao noticeable, mostly in aroma and not flavor. A slight alcohol not that becomes a liitle more open as it warms. I'm calling Goose out that this is not 11.5 abv and not 60 ibu.

M - thick - really thick. I took a gravity reading and it looks like it finishes around 1.040for the bombers bottled on 3/25/11 I bought. I am willing to bet they had a fermentation issue.

D - low. The high finishing gravity of this beer leaves it cloyingly sweet and hard to put down.

Overall, a pour result from a beer I've been waiting for. I guess this is what happens when you become consumed by a selloff instead of focusing on brewing good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 02:43:32 | More by beesy

Thickfreakness

New York

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours oil black with little too no head. Just a hint of brown creaminess and traces of lacing.

S- A ton of fresh roasted coffee and deep, dark, rich chocolate. Toasted wood, hints of vanilla.

T- Rich, and thick like a Mocha shake! Tons of charred coffee, rich hot chocolate!!! Gets so much better as it warms up! The vanilla and wood really open up. Just a bit of darkfruit on the finish followed by the alcohol. Just a touch hot, but I'm sure this one is gonna age beautifully!

M- Really rich and thick. Really coats the tongue and doesn't go away. Just a touch sweet, just bitter enough... Well done!!!

O- I guess this is the last hurrah for the original GI... and what a way to finish! Coffee, Vanilla, Rare, and a Chocolate finish... Not as brilliant as the formentioned... but a damn fine stout on its own.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 01:09:19 | More by Thickfreakness

bobhits

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black viscous, near black even in the pour when held to light. Truly a sight to behold. Pours a thin but creamy milk chocolate head.

No surprise but a huge amount of chocolate aromas, from milk chocolate to some simi dark chocolate. There isn’t a lot of dark bitter chocolate here. A very sweet caramel and toffee malt profile. A touch of hops finishing things up rather nicely. Very good but perhaps not great. Strong and not appealing alcohol aroma really hurts the finish.

Powerful alcohol, almost like there’s vodka mixed in to pick things up. Milk chocolate, chocolate malt, caramel malt, fudge, cake batter, finished again with hops (not sure what kinda hop flavor this is).

Creamy syrupy, just perfect for a chocolate stout. The problem is this stuff is way too hot right now. This will be amazing with around 2 years age on it. I don’t see this aging as long as the bourbon county stout does, but there’s a lot of growth here.

I plan to update this review as this one ages…just need to find a few more bottles. I expect huge improvements with age as the alcohol is the biggest issues with this beer right now.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 22:58:37 | More by bobhits

dragonWhale

New York

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks also to whosoever shared this at the Rosso release. Poured into my little Elysian snifter.

Nigh on black and oily, with a sexy little cocoa head. Big aromas of chocolate booze. A little coffee and roastiness hide in the background.
It's quite good, but needs some time to get better, allow the flavors to integrate more. As is, the alcohol is too hot, but in that respect, it's kind've like having a bourbon candy. Just one that burns a little. A fine beer from these people, big on chocolate, thick and chewy.
Next time I go to one of these releases I'm going to bring a little burner so I can heat beers like this up. Would've loved to try this at 140 or so. Little bit of hot cocoa..hell yeah.
Give this beer some more time and it could be quite fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 16:22:22 | More by dragonWhale

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to a generous BA for sharing this at the Rosso release. Served in a SAVOR snifter.

Pours a very, very dark brown color with a thin light mocha head and a bit of lacing. The nose has roasted malt plus chocolate and some mild coffee. Chocolate is the most prevalent, definitely notice the cocoa. Flavor is a bit of a letdown. There's a bit too much booze and the chocolate doesn't come through as well. Mild roast and also some dark fruit aspects that I didn't particularly care for. Body is medium to full with good carbonation. Pretty good overall, but doesn't live up to their other stouts.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 12:01:06 | More by Thorpe429

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big John. Big ol John, Johnny boy. Into a snifter split with Oglmcdgl.

Big John is a big ol black stout just like all the others. No lighter spots on the edge, this one is pitch black. A nice inch of foamy dark tan/brown foam that leaves no stick, but a ring around the glass.

Smell is really big and roasty and not hoppy like the night stalker, thank god. Along with the roast, there is the anise and dark fruit which is a turn off, it's not on dragon stout level though. Some chocolate and cocco nib scent.

Big John comes through in taste as well, it's a big ol stout that is sweet but not choklat sweet. Not a bunch of vanilla but cocco instead. Anise in the middle and the dark fruit as well. Chocolate with cocco taste and some warming alcohol in the end.

Feel is a big roasty above medium build with depth and a rich aftertaste on the mouth. The heat only comes and goes in the end. Carb is there but does not kill the sensitive tounge, no sting. Warming and a great build on this.

Overall this exceeded expectations. Im not the biggest stout guy but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Glad I have a bottle of this to lay down to smooth out the edges.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 03:11:20 | More by onix1agr

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A bottle split with onix1agr.

A- a steady pour yields a finger of latte colored head that settles quickly to leave just a ring around the glass and a small island of fizz in the middle. A good hard swirl brings back the cream on top but again its quickly vanishes. Black, black, black in color not a bit of light makes it through the body but there is the faintest of dark brown at the edges when held to the light.

S- dark roasted malts, chocolate, anise, coffee, brown sugar. Over ripe dark berries, and some molasses.

T- opens up with a sweet almost burnt malt hit that rolls into bakers chocolate and molasses. Coffee, touches of anise and dark fruit again. The balance is very impressive and each flavor while bold never over shadows the others.

M- full bodied but not too much. A bit of chew to it and a little syrupy. Nice light carb that does hold its own in this big brew. Small amount of heat from this very fresh bottle.

O- I'm all about this brew. Huge flavors that blend perfectly and make for a superb ride. Big enough to cure what ales you but easy enough to down a big ole glass. Well done GI hope you can keep it up with the new owners.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 02:51:13 | More by oglmcdgl

jwinship83

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

very excited for this one. 22oz bottle picked up at my local whole foods my chance. i thought that i had missed it in all the local stores, it sold out so quickly. drank from my stone IRS snifter.

A- this one pours out an opaque black colored body with a moderate coffee colored head on top. the head lasts for a few seconds before falling, and leaves behind small spots of lacing.

S- there is chocolate and sweetness bursting from the glass. dark chocolate, milk chocolate. lots of roasted malts also. the alcohol sneaks through a bit also.

T- the taste is overwhelmingly sweet. too sweet. lots of dark roasted malts give way to plenty of the chocolate that i could smell. lots of dark chocolate. lots of milk chocolate. just tons of chocolate. the booze comes through in a big way also. a tough of coffee and earthy hops at the end finish this one off.

M- this beer comes with a big body and is almost chewy. lots of warming from the alcohol. very sweet.

D- too sweet for me. im glad i wasnt a glutton with this and left a couple on the shelf. i wouldnt enjoy having them. i liked nightstalker and the classic bourbon county much more than this. the bottle was much too large for just me.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 02:41:33 | More by jwinship83

cjacobsen

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(A) Pours really, really dark. Black with no light let through, even on the edges. A small, chocolate brown head that diminished quickly.

(S) Nose is big on chocolate and some roasted coffee. The nose is definitely dominated by the chocolate.

(T) Much like the nose. Big on chocolate. And its a sweet lighter chocolate, not a cocoa or bitter dark. There's a decent array of roasted malts and coffee brings up the rear. The flavor is definitely big up front and I could see some people thinking its too sweet, but I think that since its still fresh, it's got a lot there. Whenever I see that a beer is brewed with cocoa nibs, this is what I would envision that beer tasting like.

(M) It's a very rich beer, thick and a lot of big body to it. Almost got a chewy aspect to it, like you're eating chocolate cake.

(O) Really good. I love it. I think that since its fresh, the taste is still really sweet and chocolaty, but with some time on it I think the flavors will blend and mellow a bit more and will turn out to be still a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 13:49:09 | More by cjacobsen

FanofHefe

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle dated 3-25-11. Poured from the bomber into a Duvel tulip. Deep, dark, black body with a small mocha head. Minimal retention and just a smattering of lacing.

Rich aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, and a hint of vanilla.

The flavor is heavy on the chocolate, as expected. But, a nice blend of dark malt and some caramel and molasses mixed in. Very slight hop bitterness on the back end, but very subdued.

Smooth, thick mouthfeel that goes down easy. Only the smallest notice of the alcohol. I think this will age very well. Another superior stout from Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 23:42:15 | More by FanofHefe

rlee1390

Indiana

4.58/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Was the first to pick up a bottle at the local shop and now I'm wishing I had the money to pick up another to age.

A-Jet black, two finger creamy deep brown head that leaves behind some lacing.

S-Chocolate and roasted malts.

T-Starts with chocolate and roasted malts. Extremely sweet. Ends with bitterness (60 IBUs, the same as DFH 60 minute, absolutely amazing). Well balanced and mouth watering

M-Medium bodied, smooth and creamy.

D-An amazing beer. The alcohol is not present, a sipper but a great sipper at that. I love this beer, one the best I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 23:40:36 | More by rlee1390

fear025

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Aroma:Lots of sweet malt, with chocolate and dark roasted malt too. The dark fruit aroma comes next, raisins, plums, etc.

Appearance:This beer is black and thick, with a good size head that quickly dissipates. The beer has poor lacing.

Taste:There are tons of roast flavors in the foretaste, which make way in the midtaste to chocolate, sweet malt, and caramel. I can taste the bitter hops more in the aftertaste, but they are still subdued.

Mouthfeel:This beer is hugely thick, and there is a prominent hot alcohol bite in the foretaste. Good carbonation.

Drinkability:This is a fantastic brew when fresh, and I really hope that the hot alcohol bite lessens as the beer ages. The chocolate flavors make this a great sipping dessert beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 20:50:18 | More by fear025

jimmy82063

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Scored a bomber of this in Westchester, NY. Poured into a snifter. Bottled on date 3/25/11....a youngster!

A) Jet black, no real head to notice, minor lacing.

S) Chocolate of course get some dried fruit as well.

T) My first thought is where's the Bourbon as I am kind of used to that from GI. The semi-sweet chocolate taste is really dominant (expected). If you like chocolate this is for you. What I like is that the sweetness is not overpowering.

M) Very smooth, no alcohol burn at all.

O) What surprised me here is the overall drinkability of this which I thought was pretty easy given the ABV. Not sure what aging would do to this (but hopefully I'll find out!). Really enjoyed this....this would have been a great holiday release!

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 17:58:26 | More by jimmy82063

CMB2012

Illinois

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

22oz bottle, dated 3/25/11, served in a snifter at cellar temperature.

A- Thick, oily, black with slight hints of dark brown when held to light. Not much foam, but what is there is espresso colored. Not much lacing.

S- Sweet vanilla and chocolate, roasted malts, some dark fruit, and alcohol.

T- The chocolate is the obvious standout ingredient in this beer, and it definitely comes across in the flavor. The taste is as if there were actual chocolate bars dissolved in the beer, mixed with prunes and a couple raisins, some rustic bread, and a little bit of espresso. It's not overly complex, but it is very well done.

M- Thick, viscous, chewy, full body indeed. Good carbonation for IS.

O- It's a good brew, I just wish it were more available. I have yet to try a BCBS of any kind, and I have not cracked open the bottle of night stalker I have in my fridge, but if the quality goes up from here, then I can't wait to try them all!

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 15:58:15 | More by CMB2012

UMNbeerhunter

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Darkness goblet on 4/16/11.

Pours a oil black with a huge mocha colored head that takes several minutes to dissipate leaving no lacing. I would like to have seen more lacing but the head color and the rest looks great.

Smells of roasted malts and chocolate. It still has some bourbon to it but its mostly covered up by the cocoa nibs. The smell is very sweet and enjoyable.

Taste is much of the same. I taste mostly cocoa nibs and the sweet malts. The bournbon barrel aging is still there but gets covered up at the moment. I think that the bourbon may come out more in a year after the chocolate has faded.

Mouthfeel is medium weight, and there is a significant resin that sticks to your mouth and leaves the taste of chocolate. I like this brew.

Overall this is another hit by GI. While its a little on the sweet side and I wish it started with some more bourbon flavor its a great beer. I hope I can get this for awhile longer because I would like to age some.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 07:06:56 | More by UMNbeerhunter

BrewCrew2010

New York

4.55/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours like black motor oil. Head is dense, creamy, tan, and long lasting.

S: Smells amazing! Strong milk chocolate aroma with notes of booze, roasted malts, and bourbon.

T: First thought is that this taste like a spiked glass of chocolate milk. Great flavor of bourbon, coffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, roasted malts. Perfectly balanced between the heat and the sweetness. A must try for Imperial Stout lovers.

M: Smooth and creamy, although the heat makes it a sipper. Full body & light-medium carbonation.

O: This beer is great. It reminded me of Ten Fidy, but this one has a great bourbon twist on it.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 21:10:54 | More by BrewCrew2010

AJacob81

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled on 3/25/11, poured into a New Belgium globelet for swirling.

A - Almost pitch black, but hues of dark chocolate brown appear when held to the light. One finger of filmy deep khaki head forms, and retains as a thin lacquer throughout. Vigorous swirls produce polka-dot lacing and short-lived half-finger burnt meringue heads. Very visually appealing, more dynamic than the absolute void in a glass that is most BCBS variants.

S - Slightly disappointing, really. Doesn't pop the way my favorite big stouts do. Restrained notes of coffee, molasses, and hot cocoa. As it warms, the swirling releases some anise and brown sugar aromas as well, but on the whole very subdued.

T - Follows the nose up front; coffee and roasted malt make a strong opening, the chocolate is subtle but actually very sweet. Hops are also present in an undefined earthiness. The finish is dominated by blackstrap molasses and a not insignificant hint of sticky maple syrup. Very interesting overall, but lacking the balanced complexity of a Founders Imperial, or even Night Stalker, Big John's close relation.

M and D - The mouthfeel is medium-thick, velvety and more than a little creamy. The finish is sticky, almost cloying, but not quite. Drinkability suffers a touch from the sticky sweetness, but the alcohol masks well and isn't a distraction as it can be with BCBS.

A very pleasant chocolate stout, but lacking somewhat in cohesion, Big John is worth a go. However, I'd place it behind Night Stalker and all members of the BCBS family in the Goose imperial stout sweepstakes.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 18:15:57 | More by AJacob81

1noa

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours thick with light toffee colored head. Strong aromas of chocolate and coffee. Smooth and sweet at first, then settles into a subtle, pleasing bitterness. You can taste the malt, not at all boozy, and ends with a subtle linger of flavor at the back of the palate. In my opinion an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 18:01:02 | More by 1noa

flocculate

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

All reviews below are spot on and won't reiterate what was already said.

I only have one comment that may add value,

Aroma - there was virtually no aroma to my pour. I split the bottle with a buddy. He agrees - almost no aroma. A little hop perhaps, but didn't get any aroma profiles that were described below.

The label reports a bottling of 3/25/11, batch #1943.

Otherwise, an exceptional imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 04:41:54 | More by flocculate

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a pint glass

A: Almost pitch black with just the slightest tinge of ruby red around the edges when held up to a light. There is a small, light tan head of maybe half a finger which diminishes quickly. No lacing.

S: The smell is potent. I feel a spiciness in my nostrils almost like I’m taking a big whiff of nice brandy. There are notes of coffee and sweet caramel malt. I can also make out some light tropical fruit flavors and a little bitterness.

T: There is a lot to this taste. It starts out sweet and malty, almost like a brown ale. As I savor, it suddenly becomes a lot bitterer. The flavor of coffee is powerful. Behind that are herbs, sweet fruit flavors, cherry and orange peel. The coffee flavor changes to a strong, dark chocolate flavor which last for a long, bitter after taste.

M: I can feel the high alcohol content. It is moderately thick and just a little syrupy. The carbonation is extremely light.

O: Delicious and potent. Definitely a sipper, it’s very strong in both flavor and alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 01:33:55 | More by WankelEngine

pdoran10

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours out a viscous motor oil looking black. Almost no head. No lacing.

Smell is singed bread and chocolate sweetness. I am reminded of fresh cocoa mulch used in landscaping that my neighbors used growing up. A hint of alcohol heat and some weird earthiness.

Taste is roast and a hint of alcohol heat, with the cocoa nibs' bittersweet flavor coming in at the end. Sort of an earthy bitter dark chocolate flavor that isn't working as well as I thought it would on it's own. Most of the malt character seems muddled by the cocoa flavor. Still overall a nice flavor.

Mouthfeel is thick and virtually flat. I am fine with low carbonation on big stouts, but this is VERY lightly carbonated.

A solid effort that comes up a bit short when compared with some of Goose Island's other epic big stouts. Solid, but a bit flawed flavors and construction with a bit of alcohol heat.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 08:41:14 | More by pdoran10

wschmit

Illinois

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

Bomber dated "03/25/11 1854" into a Perfect Pint.

A: Looks and pours like motor oil, a beautiful viscosity. I am astonished by the silence of the pour--it slips out of the bottle and into the glass with barely a splash. A very slight mocha head crowns the otherwise pitch black body. Only the very edges let a bit of light through, showing a darkly caramelized brown.

S: Rum, roasted malt, and chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Kind of like rum balls at the office holiday party, except actually good. This has a better chocolate nose than any chocolate stout I've come up against--Rogue, Brooklyn, Young's, namely. Sweet, but still more cocoa than sugar.

T: A bit hot up front, but then long, lingering cacao and coffee notes--reminds me of eating raw cocoa beans, frankly. All the usual notes are here: caramel, roast, toast, cigar. Biggest ding is it's a still hot. Some age will do wonders, if it doesn't lose any of the chocolate magic.

M: As thick and mouth-coating as it looks. Very little carbonation--perhaps a bit more would pick it up nicely, but it's just too big for much more.

O: Yet another fine rendition on the Bourbon County theme, minus the bourbon and plus the chocolate. It's a fine alternative if you ever get sick of whiskey beers but still want an excellent all around imperial stout with more than simple malt complexity. Give this some age, though, perhaps a year, and it'll be even better.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 04:03:30 | More by wschmit