Parabola - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Floydster

California

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Snifter at the new Blue Palms Brewhouse in Los Angeles for nine dollars last night

A-Very dark black with no light shining through, 1 1/3 inch brown head, stuck around for close to five minutes, great retention, awesome lacing, this was about as attractive as a beer can get
S-Bourbon, white rum, prunes, raisins, vanilla, nuttiness, roasted malts, dark chocolate, burned accents, oats, other dark fruits, oak, booze, and , would have gotten a perfect store but there is just too much stuff going on
T-The taste blew me away and if i did not have to drive home, I would have drank this until closing and woke up a few days later, starts off with a great chocolate flavor, the roastiness is great, finish has a slight burn with whiskey, dark fruits come into the picture later and a charcoal feel adds to the great finish, toffee and caramel are in there at times as well, complex and great, could not get enough of this flavor
M-Powerful, roasty, hot, and sweet mouthfeel, thickest full body I have seen other than Dark Lord, carbonation is perfect, taste lingers very nicely, this stuff packs a flavorful punch
D-No way this stuff is thirteen percent, the alcohol is hidden so well, smooth as can be and not heavy for how big of a beer it is, goes down easy and has flat out scary drinkability, wow I want more after writing this

Have been wanting to try this one for a long time and this is the first time I have ever seen it, they are going right through this stuff and there is a good reason, it is fantastic, best imperial stout I have had in a long time, Firestone is a great brewery and their specialty brews continue to blow me away, cannot wait to drink again, highly recommended

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2008 18:04:06 | More by Floydster

MrTopher

California

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a tulip at the Surly Goat on May 18th.

A - Pitch Black, impossible to notice any other color other than black. Head is a dark rich mahogany color that fades away very slowly. But leave a nice lace around the glass.

S - Oak, Bourbon, Molasses, very complex but inviting.

T - The first taste is an explosion of chocolate that doesn't overpower, but invites the taste buds in for more and more. The next flavor that is present is a hint of coffee with some oakyness to the party, followed closely by a hint of bourbon with some molasses and vanilla. Every taste gets better and better.

M - Balanced and even, never to think or to flat, constant happiness from the front to the back all around the palette. This gets a 5 without a doubt. As described below velvet is spot on.

D - One of the smoothest Imperial Stouts on the market, easily!

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2010 22:36:36 | More by MrTopher

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 22 oz bomber bottle courtesy of Garron. Big thanks for getting me a huge want for a long time. Served a little under room temperature and allowed to warm while drinking.

Appearance: Midnight black in color with a nice, one finger mocha head. Surprisiningly good retention considering teh high alcohol content here.

Aroma: Some nice layered bourbo, baker's fudge, and vanilla all pull together nicely. Some licorice and tobacoo notes are also there and round out the aroma nicely. Complex but still maintaining exquisite balance.

Taste: The notes from the aroma really come together perfectly here. Bourobn, fudge, and vanilla really are the main flavors and each are strong but not overpower each other. I get some licorice, espresso, and a hop leaf earthiness in the background that round out what could be an overally sweet beer and bring it into perfect balance.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and velvety smooth. I alo think they really nailed the carbonation on this. Just enough to compliment the smoothness and make it perfect to sip.

Drinkability: Even at 13% ABV, I really did not find it hard to finish a bottle by myself. Perfect to sit back and enjoy by yourself or share with friends. I'm so glad I got to try this.

Overall, this is either number one or two for me in terms of barrel aged stouts (with Bourbon County regular) that I've had. The balance is absoutely unbelievable and the parts are perfectly integrated. Definitely something I recommend anything to try.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 18:03:34 | More by Gosox8787

pumptrick

California

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured hard into my Reidel snifter which rendered a beautiful 2 finger head.

A- Pitch black with a wonderful brown head

S- Bourbon smoke vanilla chocalate and fruit

T- Bourbon roast barly vanilla booze and some dark fruit with the booze lingering

M- all over coater and lingerer if thats a word. this thing hangs on for minutes

O- outstanding overall but would love for the price to be more along the lines of stone brews. That being said I bought several and will enjoy every sip.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 01:01:02 | More by pumptrick

projectflam86

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Got this thru a trade with youradhere. Thanks buddy, I owe you one!

22oz bomber poured into a snifter.

A- Pours a jet black color with a medium creamy brown head that leaves nice lacing. I can't make out any light coming through even on the edges of the glass. This baby is dark.

S- Bitter dark cocoa and plenty of bourbon and red wine barrels in the nose. I don't think I've ever picked up as much 'barrel' quality from the nose before but this certainly makes its presence known.

T- Wow, now I know where the hype has come from. Right off the bat there are rich creamy milk chocolate flavors with a nice smooth bourbon note that lingers on for quite a while. Some very sweet hints of vanilla and oak are noticeable as well and add another level of complexity to the flavor profile. I must admit that I am a fan of Barrel Aged Stouts but they are easy to overdo. However, this beer melds all of those distinct flavors together without having any singular flavor overpower another. Really really tasty.

M- Velvety smooth mouthfeel. Creamy and thick with just the right amount of carbonation.

O- Truly an outstanding beer. Unfortunately this isn't something that distributes in our area which is a shame. But maybe it's for the best...I imagine I'd go broke quickly spending $20 each time I wanted one of these (which would be often)! A wonderful beer and I'm glad I got the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 22:24:08 | More by projectflam86

Burt

Rhode Island

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served in a tulip glass.

Black with a thick brown head (darkest that I have ever seen) that dispersed slowly and left a lacing on the glass.

Coffee and chocolate with a little hint vanilla and alcohol.

Dark caramel sweetness at first then it becomes dark chocolate and coffee in the middle. Light vanilla and alcohol at the end, finish is thick and oily on the tongue.

This is an exceptional beer. With it being 12.5% the alcohol could barely be detected. There are not that many beers that make sit back and go wow, this is one of them. Believe the hype.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2011 10:58:59 | More by Burt

d4114

California

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A- On pour a very dark red, in glass pitch black. Finger of tan to brown head. Pretty big alcohol feet on this one.

S- Really excellent; Getting big vanilla and oak. Chocolate comes through pretty strong and has a sweetness to it which is perfect for everything going on. Alcohol is in the background just a bit.

T- Wow really complex, so much going on it's hard to describe. Big vanilla, oak, chocolate, coffee and almost a milkiness to it. Also does have some dark fruit notes but just really amazing flavor.

M- Full body and some; You feel the 12.5% and the amount of malt that is used. I would think the flavor of this beer would make it a sipper but it's really the mouthfeel, never had a beer this full and thick before.

O- The most complex and best beer I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 00:58:51 | More by d4114

goosewhisperer

Colorado

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Batch 3 2012 bottle, fresh.

a-pours a deep black with a two finger head that leaves some lacing down the New Belgium globe glass. Just how this type of beer should look,

s-chocolate, coffee, bourbon, oak, vanilla and a little alcohol. Beautiful nose on this beer.

t-follows the nose. This beer is a child of the bourbon barrel. There is a lot of great roasted malts in the form of the chocolate, coffee, oak and bourbon. This beer has a lot of complexity to it, and opens up as you let it breathe. EXCELLENT.

m-creamy, and rich. Heavy on the palate, and lingers there for a while.

o-I cannot say enough about this beer. This is hands down my most anticipated beer release of the year. This beer continues to impress me. Excited to age some of this over the next year or so.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 02:53:46 | More by goosewhisperer

denver10

Colorado

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours black with a thumbs width mocha head that quickly recedes, what remains sticks to the edges. Nice lacing. A sharp rich and woody aroma. roasted barley, bourbon, chocolate, coffee, coconut. The flavor blew me away, so good and so balanced. Woody, bourbon, roasted barley, milk chocolate, molasses, coconut, and a touch of coffeee. The flow of flavors into one another is ridiculously awesome. Noticeable, but the alcohol blends in quite well. A nice creamy and silky mouthfeel. Overall, yeah I loved this beer. So dangerous though, should be a sipper but so tasty and smooth that I just want to devour it!

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 00:26:04 | More by denver10

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 Vintage. Poured into a tulip glass.

A: Going from the bottle into the glass, this beer actually appears to be a very deep, dark, rich garnet/ruby mahogany as opposed to the sheer pitch blackness you see in a lot of imperial stouts. Beautiful pour.

S: Bourbon, vanilla, dark rich fruits, malty sweetness. Intoxicating.

T: Blows me away. Absolutely, ridiculously delicious. The perfect melange of bourbon, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, molasses, figs, dates, dark raisins, and malt all woven together by the woody undertones. Seriously, this is one of the best tasting beers I have ever had. I think I will probably pick up different nuances in this beer each time I have it. It's very complex.

M: Perfect. This stuff is silky smooth, rich, creamy and dangerously drinkable. Probably one of the smoothest brews I have ever had. If this is really 12.5% ABV, I really can't find it anywhere.

I can see now why this beer gets so much hype. It deserves every bit of it and more. It is phenomenally crafted and I am grateful to have finally been able to try it (and glad I have a few more). I would drink/buy this at every opportunity and recommend that anyone else who loves world class barrel aged stouts to do the same. Simply amazing.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 22:25:06 | More by bcostner1

Titans77

Maryland

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 Bottle, No ageing.

Appearance - Pitch black pour with a finger of khaki head that dissipated pretty quickly. Some alcohol legs present with light carbonation shown ringing around at the top of the glass. B-e-a-utiful brew!

Smell - Dark, dank fruits with dark chocolate notes right upfront. Some alcohol notes present themselves along with slight coffee and licorice in the backdrop. Very appealing to nose.

Taste - WOW. It tastes just like it smells, but on another level. Dark fruits and dark chocolate are BIG. Coffee, licorice and even a slight tobacco taste in the background. The fact that no alcohol taste is present at 13% is just insane. What every Russian Imperial Stout wants to be, but only Parabola is.

Mouthfeel - Coats the mouth with a thick blanket of the best taste any Russian Imperial Stout can produce. Full bodied, very, very light carbonation, and a smooth finish that is just unrivaled. Very slight alcohol warm as it travels down the throat, which is still alarming at 13%. If they didn't give the numbers, and I wasn't feeling the effects after 22oz, I would estimate it to be an 8% abv brew. Quite the feat.

Overall - My current favorite beer. Period. World class doesn't even begin to describe it! The one Russian Imperial Stout that I haven't had, but was informed that it rivals it, and might even be better than it, is Cigar City's Marshal Zhukov RIS. Might have to give it a shot sometime. Until then, Parabola is as good as it get in the Stout category. If you can get it, buy two. One to drink fresh, one to age. My favorite stout, my favorite beer.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 19:03:51 | More by Titans77

mjw1200

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer is one of the best beers I have ever tasted. the perfectly right amount of booze enhances an impressively crafted stout. Outside of eclipse 20 yr Elijah Craig aged stout I can't think of anything better. Only slight slight draw back is I would have liked some more thickness

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 23:27:28 | More by mjw1200

sirtomtom

California

4.9/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Review of the 2013 Vintage

A: Pours a jet black, with a thin head that dissipates almost immediately. Holding up to the light, a faint ruby light emanates from the beer.

S: Chocolate, coffee, dark sticky fruit and quite a bit of booze.

T: Like a chocolate covered coffee candy. The booze present in the nose is not present in the taste.

M: A wonderful thick body, just thin enough to make it easily drinkable.

O: An amazing vintage, a perfect marriage of flavors and barrel aging. Ignore the comments on that it's too hot, it's perfect.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 19:11:43 | More by sirtomtom

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.89/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2012 bottle, batch #003 into a snifter. Bottled on 3/13/12

Pours pitch black with no transparency on any side of the glass. A finger of dark mocha tinged foam sports some good retention as well as lacing. No real carbonation present, though I can see a few bubbles amassing on the side. Near perfect look, really want to give it a 5 but need to see some better retention.

Was able to smell the beer as soon as I cracked the cap, solid sign that good things are coming my way. Lots going on here- coffee, hops, chocolate, oak, toffee, vanilla, butterscotch, whiskey, alcohol, and a sweet malt. One of the more complex smelling beers I've had in a while

Taste is spot on with the nose- coffee, toffee, bourbon, chocolate, cherry, vanilla, oak, oatmeal, and a touch of alcohol. Flavor is just as complex as the aroma. Quite a lot going on, everything comes together flawlessly

Feel is consistent also, bitter, sticky, and dry. Most all the alcohol is concealed (still a touch of heat), yet this stuff still quite rich has to be sipped to be enjoyed.

Overall this is one of the best beers I've had in quite a while. FW really hits this one out of the park, much of the hype surrounding this beer is justified by how many dimensions it has. Well worth $15 a bottle, I can't wait to age some of these

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 08:23:03 | More by lordofstarside

youradhere

Arkansas

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had at Jakes on tap, presented in a nice 8oz glass. Pitch black with no head. Smells like chocolate and burnt marshmallows, thick caramel malt and puppy kisses. Tastes like chocolate and burnt marshmallow, light char and a slight bitterness on the tail end. The alcohol warms just right and collaborates with the flavors decadently. Mouthfeel is perfect and the alcohol is sneaking up. I can see why there is so much hype on this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2010 01:10:48 | More by youradhere

Wetpaperbag

Washington

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- jet black with dark brown head and lacing. Pours thick and moves slow.

S- very complex! Lots to smell. Chocolate vanilla sweet and malty. Something buttery is here as well. Nice woody (not just in my pants) smell from the aging process.

T- wow this is great! Buttery creamy oak cherry chocolate vanilla roasted malts with a great gooey molassas cookie taste. Simply amazing.

M- great plus side morbidly obese body. Yeah its thick, chewy and gives the tongue something to play with.

D- hell yes we need to get some road beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2010 00:13:52 | More by Wetpaperbag

malatinodesign

California

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Poured into a wine glass. Its the only glass I have that allows for enough room to breathe properly. Dark like motor oil as a caramel colored head arose. It came on slowly similar to most barrel aged beers but lingered just long enough to form that perfectly colored head that can only come from an imperial stout. Salivating already. This Monday is looking up already.

S: So many things going on here at once. Soft hints of chocolate and toffee. Soft woodsy smell. Every sniff brings out a different memory. Amazing. Should have lingered more at this stage but the dark liquid awaits.

T: Right away a subtle complexity destroying all other beers I have tasted in my recent memory. Coco -nibs, molasses, but not with that cloying sweetness that can overwhelm some beers of this type. I have been drinking a lot of Imperial stouts lately and this taste will linger in my palate for a long time. In the middle of the taste I get some whiskey and maybe even red wine flavors going on but they just blend in perfectly to the complete flavor of the entire beer. This beer tastes slightly differently with each sip as it slowly warms and you notice different elements. Vanilla, dates, on and on...This was a highly hyped bottle but one that I can not say enough about. Balance is a tough thing to do perfectly but this beer does it all. Infinite complexity and drinkability.

M: About three-quarters of the way through I remember, oh yeah 13%. Not a hint. I could have downed two of these. So smooth and full on the palate. Thick and juicy without being overwhelming. Carbonation present adds to the presence in the mouth but prefect level for the style. Soft and almost feels as if I am chewing through some amazing flavors in my mouth. Velvety smoothness and lip smacking perfection.

D: Humm, what do you think? If I was made of money I would be quaffing these on a daily basis and always sad when another beer was offered. Each sip was swallowed with a small tinge of sadness as one of the best beers to ever cross my lips slowly and smoothly slipped down my throat. I was not sure what to expect with all of the hype but was unexpectedly blown away and came away impressed. Sometimes hype is well earned and if you are as much a fan of the infinite complexity of the imperial stout as I am this may well be your favorite beer. May my dreams tonight be filled with fresh bottles of Parabola and I may sleep the slumber of angels.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2010 05:44:30 | More by malatinodesign

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Special Thanks to Abecall98 for sending me this bottle of Parabola. Abel is a great guy and BA... Trade with him if you have the chance.

Sorry, I love the bottle. Classy, just love it.

Pours with a tan head that stays just for a short visit then vanishes.
Deep dark brown, but not black. Slight light in at the edges. Not much in the lacing department.

Aroma is really nice and thick in your nostrils. Dark chocolate, like brownies... (we'll come back to that), vanilla a bit of alcohol and vanilla. Great aroma.

In the end, here's how I describe the flavor. Rich caramel sauce drizzled over a warm undercooked brownie with a touch of vanilla ice cream. I know that's weird, but those are the flavors I get in the end. Deep rich chocolate, thick caramel and then some vanilla. In fact, some vanilla extract. Only after reading the box do I think I can detect what they mean by cherry, but I would have never picked that up. Very deep and inviting...

My God, this is a thick, full bodied beer. Lays thick on your tongue, slightly oily and with little carbonation. Wonderful and rich.

I loved this. I had a feeling I would and I did. This is the base for the Firestone Anniversary beers and those are among my favorite ever. Now I see why... Just awesome.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2010 04:29:30 | More by Reagan1984

wagenvolks

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Drum-roll, please....
...REVIEW 1000!

Thanks to weibull for the trade. 22oz black-foil bomber into an unmarked snifter.

Bubbly, inky-black body with a thin rim of mahogany at the edges. The mocha head fizzles quickly, as expected for the 13% ABV, but surprisingly maintains a ring of bubbles at the edges of the glass. Heavenly aroma, rife with dark fruits such as plum, black cherry, and currant. Roasted chocolate malts, vanilla bean from the bourbon, and cookie dough add a superb malt profile that mingles with a fruity, boozy tinge of chocolate liqueur.

Oh wow, this stuff is good.

Palate is hit instantly with a sharp, carbonated, and semi-boozy bourbon note that suggests dark bread, vanilla, and cocoa. Mid-sip is when the magic of Parabola takes effect, laying down layer upon layer of decadent Baker's chocolate, oak tannins, fig & plum fruitiness, and earthen hops. The alcohol provides warmth to the palate, but never becomes too hot or solvent-like. Mouthfeel is a velvety, viscous treat. Perfect carbonation and consistency that never gets heavy or taxing to the tongue. All in all, a flat-out fantastic brew. Glad I chose this one as review Numero 1K, it was well worth it. For me, Parabola is easily in the top tier of Imperial Stouts, and, for that matter, any beer in general.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 01:21:22 | More by wagenvolks

Mooch273

California

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black like tar or molasses; no head yet still looks so inviting.

A: Cocoa, vanilla, anise, slightly nutty and quite roasty.

T: Coffee, cocoa, roasted almonds, bourbon, vanilla, slight nutmeg.

M: Very thick. Coats the tongue with a layer of roasted cocoa and vanilla nuttiness. Not hot. Very smooth.

D: Surprisingly easier drinking than I thought it would be. I could easily enjoy a bottle on my own. This is one of the best stouts I have ever had. Nice job Firestone!

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2010 05:46:12 | More by Mooch273

DNICE555

Connecticut

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Split with R Moe Nay on our Wednesday night trailer park boys mandate.

I wanted to test out Galileo's theory that the path of a projectile follows a parabola. ***Caution Spoilers*** After finishing the beer, I aimed my Python at a 45 degree angle. Sure enough the trajectory followed his theory. Great success!!! ***End of Spoliers***

I reeled this one in with my trusty Heady Topper. It better be worth it. The heady topper required a long trek through the treacherous mountains of Vermont all the way to the heavily fortified hideout labeled "The Alchemist."

I poured my 11 oz into a delirium tremens snifter. A viscous black sludge poured out with a creamy tan head. Looks at good as Christina Ricci in black snake moan. The lacing didn't coat the glass but with a little agitation a massive web covered the glass.

Inhaling deeply brought feels of déjà vu. Opening my eyes was the only thing I could think of to bring myself back to reality and out of daydreaming about a small blond girl named Crissy that I knew in college. I would stand across the room from her expelling 98.6 degree frosting which would follow a parabola ending at her chin. Rich dark roasted malts, bourbon, vanilla, molasses, oak, mild hint of booze.

The taste brings me back to another college experience that actually involves my tasting partner who engulfed a shooter and fell on the floor 5 minutes later. Tastes as good as making out with two chicks in the hot tub. The roasted malts are so big. There is a light licorice, bourbon presence complimenting each other nicely. Then vanilla steps up to the plate, along with oak accents, chocolate, and coffee. Complex, or multifaceted if you aren't into the whole brevity thing.

Smooth, Creamy, Kate Perry, bold, balanced. All words I think of as I swirl this heavenly brew around my mouth.

Bases are loaded on this one and Firestone put one over the fence with this beer. One of my favorite Imperial stouts. 13 percent beers are usually designed to be sippers. I couldn't get enough of this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 17:59:55 | More by DNICE555

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A bottle split with onix1agr and sourbatchkid.

A- a stiff pour yields a small cap of tan head that settles quickly and leaves a think frothy ring around the glass and a wispy island on top. A hard swirl brings the head back nicely then settles as before. Utterly completely black in color with no light making it through.

S- bourbon forward with chocolate and some dark fruits. Lots of dark roasted malts bringing coffee and a touch of anise.

T- opens up with a sweet chocolate liquor and espresso punch that smoothly rolls into massive dark roasted malts and creamy vanilla. Bourbon is well integrated and creeps up slowly then finishes strong but not over baring.

M- full bodied with a touch of chew to it and lightly carbed with a smooth creaminess to it. Nice amount of heat in the back that works perfectly.

O- this is a stellar barrel aged stout. This style is becoming a bit over done but when you get one this good it makes it all worth while. A sipper for sure and very complex but so easy to enjoy. This stuff kicks ass.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 01:46:42 | More by oglmcdgl

mikul93

California

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22 oz 2011 batch

A Black with a small head with a hard pour that dissipated rather quickly, which is to be expected from a high ABV

S Coffee, chocolate, alcohol with sweet fruit.

T Wow! This is one complex beer. Roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, hops, booze, vanilla. Outstanding beer!

M- Surprisingly light feel. Creamy goodness

O Just an outstanding beer. This beer is getting a lot of hype and there are haters out there that dismiss it just for that fact, but this beer is all it is cracked up to be and more. I am so glad I scored a case of it.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 01:29:58 | More by mikul93

05Harley

New Hampshire

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottled on 4/25/11

Purchased @ Johnsons Market Place, New Durham NH
That's right, off the shelf in NH!!!

Price - $13.49/bomber

This bad boy pours midnight black with a creamy one inch tan head. This beer is dark and sticky with polka dotted lacing staining my Imperial Stout snifter. It simply looks dark and delicious.

The aroma is strong in the nose with bourbon, dark chocolate, burnt wood, tootsie roll a hint of honey and a whole lot of sweetness. The scent is powerful and addicting which keeps me sniffing the glass before each sip.

The flavor is close to a masterpiece. A wonderful balance of malts and hops that just blows my mind. Chocolate, molasses and caramel followed by vanilla bourbon. Unlike other bourbon beers I've had this one is much more subtle in the flavor and not overdone.

The mouthfeel is thick and sticky with an amazing balance between sweet and bitterness. The finish is both smooth and peppery as the vanilla and bourbon tear into the taste buds.

Overall I really dig this one. I'm confused with the release date though but at the same time delighted. I only wish I could get this on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 23:20:31 | More by 05Harley

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Managed to get my hands on a half case of 2011. While its not an ideal night (incredibly humid) I dont want to wait anymore to crack this.

A - Poured into my Duvel tulip a deep, deep brown almost black with brown hues on the edges. A very nice super dark mocha, almost milk chocolate, creamy head that fades to leave a nice mocha halo and good clouding. Very nice.

S - Very nice rich carmel, roasted malts, chocolate, slight vanila and barrel, along with light bourbon.

T - Wow, this is good. This is damn good. More of the carmel and chocolate. Great roasted malts and oak with smooth bourbon. All these flavors work together in perfect harmony. So smooth and mellow and wonderfully done. The aging did this beer wonders. Again, no heat from this big ABV.

M - Smooth and creamy. So this is silk on the tongue with a touch of velvet. Superb. Practicly no ABV on the mouth.

O - Overall, this beer was spectacular. My only qualm, which is pretty trivial, is the lack of long retention. Nose could also be slightly stronger. This is still a spectacular beer. Glad I have 5 more bottles to mess around with.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 03:16:02 | More by rudzud