Black Raven IV Imperial Rye Stout - Malt & Vine 4th Anniversary - Black Raven Brewing Co.

claspada

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a super dark dark brown, almost black, color with a moderately large dark tan head that dissipates to leave some really nice soapy/sticky lacing which I attribute to the rye malt.

Aromas begin very dark and roasty with some mild notes of vanilla. The rye emerges more as it warms and there is some dark chocolate and a mild coffee aromas as well. Almost smells earthy thanks to the hefty dose of rye malt that I assumed was

The taste begins with a solid, but not overbearing, amount of roasted malts and dry rye toasted breadiness. It lacks the sweetness that the nose had and instead has a definitive astringency from both the dark roasted malts and the copious amount of rye malt that I assume was added. Black coffee and hints of vanilla emerge more as it warms.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a medium carbonation. Finish is rather dry thanks to the rye malt (once again) and dark roasted flavor profile. No alcohol is detectable but @ such a low ABV for the style I did not expect to find much.

Overall, this a very solid example/iteration of an American Stout. The rye is present but not overpowering/ The flavor profile is complex yet not too burdensome on your palate. Not worth the $15 I paid for it for sure, but I am a huge fan of rye beers so I enjoyed it regardless of what I paid for it. Much better than the Belgian mess they released last year for their 3rd anniversary. Hope they can improve year and after year with these limited (costly) release beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 03:33:12 | More by claspada

chugalug06

Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Awesome milk chocolate colored head. Huge and foamy!!! Some spotty lacing. Brew is pitch black.

S - Amazing Dk. Chocolate scent! Nose also has some great molasses and licorice. Great scent! Smells silky. Lactose stick out too.

T/M -Very smooth and delicious! Tastes like very dark chocolate. The rye is amazing in the brew! Very well done! Big, deep, dark molasses. Very strange and unique Stout. Very odd bitterness, not overwhelming, well done. Perfect carbonation. No heat. Medium body.

O - An awesome brew from an awesome trader, dsgolovin... Thank you David for springing this awesome brew upon me and for introducing me to Black Raven BC. Needless to say, ISO. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:08:19 | More by chugalug06

HopHead84

California

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

8/26/2011

Bottle shared by Mages64, thanks!

A: Pitch black with a small brown head. Lacing is scattered.

S: Dark chocolate and blackstrap molasses with roasted malt and earth. Oak is light, as are vanilla and rye. Booze is evident.

T: Robust molasses with dark chocolate and oak. I don't get much from the barrel. Moderately sweet with an earthy bitterness. Alcohol is faint. Rye is light.

M: Full in body with medium carbonation.

Overall: This was decent stuff, though nothing I'd revisit. I'm confused by the love for Black Raven.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 19:27:57 | More by HopHead84

womencantsail

California

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle shared by Mages64

A: The beer pours almost black in color with a thin tan head on it.

S: A very roasty nose with some mild booze notes. Definitely a bit of oak along with some vanilla. The rye stands out and there is some dark chocolate and a mild coffee note.

T: Roasted malts and oak dominate the flavor. It lacks the sweetness that the nose had and instead has a definite astringency. Coffee grounds are present as are hints of vanilla and booze.

M: Medium bodied with a low to medium carbonation.

O: A bit too boozy and the astringency on the palate was off-putting.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 00:07:42 | More by womencantsail

Franch

New York

5/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

this was incredible. the rye offers a very unique taste on the played-out superhyped imperial stout limited release. g/f isn't even a stout girl and she got a pint of it due to its deliciousness. i bought 2 to bring back with me as well in 1pt 9.4oz bottle form. i was told at malt & vine that 23% of it (?) is aged in bourbon barrels. i'll be cracking one with a buddy next weekend, maybe i'll update my review / he'll post a more detailed one.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 05:31:51 | More by Franch