Sea Monster Imperial Stout - Ballast Point Brewing Company

blitz134

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First review in quite some time...Pretty awesome fish on the label...Angler Fish, I believe...

Poured pitch black into my snifter with a thin and fleeting tan head that left only a ring around the edge of the glass. Not really any lacing.

Nice subdued roasty aromas that give way to coffee and expresso. Some sweeter dark caramel comes through. A touch of citric hop, orange peel presence rounds it out with the slightest addition from some esters. Alcohol shows itself as it warms. Only downfall is that it just doesn't do the upcoming flavor any justice.

Flavor starts out with just a touch of fruitiness as soon as it hits the tongue, but then there is an explosion of dark roasted grains, coffee, and char to finish things up. Warming alcohol whisps trickle down afterwards and warm the stomach, especially as it comes closer to room temp. Dark chocolate and ashy flavors linger for a long while.

Nice full bodied beer, oily slickness from the oatmeal works well. Not the heaviest stout I've had, but this is nice. Coats the mouth well and the flavors really linger.

Supremely drinkable when chilled given its size, but its obviously an alcoholic drink after some time. This is a robust beer that big beer drinkers should love. Good stuff...now, to figure out how to brew something like this myself!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 21:05:07 | More by blitz134

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4/5  rDev -1%

05-24-2013 13:25:46 | More by williamjbauer

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

05-23-2013 23:55:38 | More by EricClayton

drh1382

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

05-23-2013 20:05:25 | More by drh1382

erialbill

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-22-2013 18:10:42 | More by erialbill

zbooks

Texas

4/5  rDev -1%

05-22-2013 02:59:01 | More by zbooks

NeverSettle

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-22-2013 02:50:43 | More by NeverSettle

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Anyone else getting flashbacks to Finding Nemo? Anyway, this stuff pours a a very dark black-brown topped by a finger of steadfast tan foam. The nose comprises darkly-roasted malts, deep molasses, light cocoa, and a vague sense of dark fruits, primarily figs. The taste brings in more of the same, with a bit more roast than before and a hint of bitter coffee near the finish, lingering on momentarily. The body is a lithe medium, with a light carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, though a bit on the thin side, this was a solid stout, the most enjoyable of the beers that have been introduced the Chicagoland market thus far that I have tried. Hope remains.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:39:31 | More by TMoney2591

Nage37

California

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 15:50:33 | More by Nage37

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.99/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Total Wine in Tampa. From notes.

A - Poured black with a one finger mocha head. Good spotty lace with alcohol legs and a half finger of retention.

S - Some booze, chocolate, rubbing alcohol. Very mild.

T - Lot's and lot's of chocolate. Lot's of coffee too. Alcohol and dark fruit. Pretty standard, but hammered down well.

M - Creamy full body. Some booze in the finish with dark fruit and bitterness. Good carbonation.

O/D - Nice, complex, and tasty. Good sipper. While the aroma sucks, it's a well crafted, ballsy Imperial Stout, fitting for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 20:29:14 | More by tbeckett

BAsbill

California

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

05-20-2013 03:05:25 | More by BAsbill

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -1%

05-19-2013 16:19:43 | More by Photekut

JamLand

Texas

4/5  rDev -1%

05-19-2013 12:13:30 | More by JamLand

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-18-2013 15:03:39 | More by drgonzo2k2

beersvh23

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1%

05-18-2013 04:04:53 | More by beersvh23

TofuDC5

California

3.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: I like how this pours. Light-brown, tiny froth; thick head. Completely opaque; black. Once beer settles in the glass, a thin layer of froth slowly lingers; a slight swish eagerly anticipates a full-bodied beverage from the thick, malty bubbles.

S: A strong grapefruit aroma is present. Bold. At least some presence of coffee and chocolate...as expected from an imperial stout.

T: I taste the citrus more than the chocolate; not what I expected, but it's very nice. Very interesting.

M: Creamy, medium-bodied; bitterness explodes all over the tongue and in my throat.

O: Very interesting stout; definitely sparked curiosity. Not many flavors, but the distinguishing ones are very noticeable. Grapefruit screams "I am here!"

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:39:00 | More by TofuDC5

Absolut

California

4/5  rDev -1%

05-14-2013 14:39:44 | More by Absolut

jplopez21

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%

05-14-2013 01:54:18 | More by jplopez21

tourdot

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

05-13-2013 04:08:35 | More by tourdot

gestyr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The weather turned a bit cool here so tonight is a good night for a stout.

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a goblet.

A: Pours a very dark brown, almost black with a 1 finger beige head that has good staying power and leaves lacing.

S: Coffee, dark malts, citrus, chocolate.

T: Nice and roasty with hints of citrus and chocolate. Aftertaste is coffee with a bit of alcohol.

M: Rich and almost chewy with alcohol warming.

O: A good Imperial Stout. I will buy this again. This would go great with ribs or pulled pork.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 23:38:59 | More by gestyr

bcm75

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -19.6%

05-11-2013 00:22:31 | More by bcm75

In_Control_Mike

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1%

05-11-2013 00:20:14 | More by In_Control_Mike

MagnusThunnus

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -1%

05-11-2013 00:19:27 | More by MagnusThunnus

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1%

05-11-2013 00:16:18 | More by jayhunter357

Topher78

California

4/5  rDev -1%

05-10-2013 17:12:22 | More by Topher78