Harveys Imperial Stout - Harvey & Son Ltd.

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.88/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Its about time things were put right about this beer. Its earlier incarnation, also called Harveys Imperial Stout (strangely referrred to as Le Coq Imperial Extra Double Stout here) was a cork sealed 10% ABV beer which was brewed to a different recipe and suffered badly from oxidation (many bad corks) and poor storage among other indignities. Personally, I would be very skeptical about anything from 2007 or earlier. But this crown capped Imperial Stout has been available since 2008 and is now brewed to 9% ABV and the contrast between the two versions is more than just massive.

The nose in the bottle starts with just a tinge of cola, vinous notes, and some very deep very well integrated brown sugar sweetness. Very seductive. Pours a huge dark dense rich dark tan head. Slightly glossy dark jet black. That nose from earlier remains but is joined by superbly integrated roastiness, rich dark chocolates, beautiful sour cherries, light acidity, soya, dryness with a full smooth velvety sappiness. And its all brought together by a magical full vinous frame. So well integrated, full and so superbly complete and sophisticated.

Easily ranks as one of my best ever beer experiences.
Bet Captain Ahab wish he had this.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 22:25:28 | More by Zimbo

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased from John's Grocery online, 9.3oz bottle 2008, imported by B. United International Inc in Redding CT.

A- Stouts, double/imperial, whatever don't get any blacker than this. Small tan head of foam with a vigorous pour, very good lacing.

S- Big notes of roasted malt, sour fruits follow very closely, and, maybe?, some sort of Brett like aromas? Chocolate is there but the Brett is puzzling me.

T- Wow. On the sweet side= caramel malt and brown sugar. Some roasted malt here but it goes quickly to a sour fruitiness that works splendidly. Not too darn sour for the style lest people say it's probably infected. No no. I detected raspberries, maybe some red cherries, and they work good as gold in this IS. The 9%abv plays it low key though there's a nice warming after the swallow.

M- near full bodied with lowish level of carbonation, this beer just feels right in the mouth.

O- oh my, 'tis a very fine drop indeed. I need to get some more!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:36:26 | More by Bitterbill

Quackershnoc

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

served in a pint glass - vintage 2008

Appearance: this is pitch black…I cannot adequately convey how black it is; nice creamy head-dark mocha colored; looked like syrup coming out of the bottle

Aroma: smells sweet-almost like cola; there is some toasted malt in the background there; mostly fruits in the aroma-cherry, pear, prune, citrus and others I can’t quite identify; a little chocolate gets in there too; slightly medicinal

Taste: this is very fruity which is somewhat startling for an impy stout, but follows the nose true enough; starts with some tart cherry and some lemon zest; this is balanced by some toasted malt flavors and very subtle bitter chocolate notes; the finish is brown sugar and a ton of fruit-big time pear, prune, raspberry, cherry; aftertaste is surprising as well-big toasted chocolate malt

Mouthfeel: superb; full-bodied; rich; thick; creamy; wonderful; perfect carbonation

Overall Impression: I have never had a stout quite like this; the fruit flavors are huge, which I was definitely not expecting; a pretty excellent brew

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 04:00:19 | More by Quackershnoc

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cheers to Dennoman for sharing this one at his house a few weeks back. Good times man!

From a botte into a tasting glass

APPEARANCE: A dark brown pour yields a small, medium looking, light tan head with lousy retention. Head quickly fades to a light wisp and bubbly ring. Black body with no carbonation evident. A swirly wisp and ring remain leaving some decent dots of lacing down the glass.

SMELL: This is quite a different aroma for a stout. Somewhat lambic like with plenty of tart lemon, orange peel and floral notes. Brett cherries, some raspberries, and only a hint of roast under the tart fruits. Interesting, but not quite as balanced as I'd hoped.

TASTE: Matches the nose quite well. Sour, tart lemon and raspberries with bretty cherry flavors and a touch of roasted malts up front. A bold and persistent aftertaste of salty licorice and caramel sweetness, a touch of dark chocolate, as well as more sour, tart cherries and lemon esters. Interestingly flavorful and more stout qualities than the nose had suggested.

PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. This one goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky on the palate. A touch of booze lingers as well.

OVERALL: This was an extremely interesting beer that is tough to score. The sourness was obviously intended, so in that respect, this is a job well done. While the nose is a little heavy on the tart aspects, the sour and stout flavors meshed really well together, making this a fun and enjoyable drink. Thanks again Dennoman!

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 10:01:57 | More by Jeffo

sneaks2210

New York

3/5  rDev -25.4%

11-16-2012 02:37:58 | More by sneaks2210