Throwback Fat Alberta Imperial Stout - Throwback Brewery

Kinsman

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fills the glass with an absolute pitch black stout body and a foamy but short-lived tan head.

Initial aroma provided strong chocolate and roasty notes but as those dispersed the peanut butter notes really started to come through. From this point forward it's almost all peanut with just a little room left for the cocoa.

I was a bit skeptical at first when buying this beer but am pleasantly to surprised to see it delivers on all accounts. Fearing that the peanut butter would be too strong, it's nice to have a strong roasted note to remind you this is a stout at heart. Cocoa nibs add their touch but aren't quite as sweet as expected and naturally pair well with the peanutty goodness.

Mouthfeel is thick but smooth and well rounded. Overall, this beer makes for a nice treat for dessert but it's boldness makes it a one and done kinda beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 00:27:59 | More by Kinsman

Kelp

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-23-2013 06:02:00 | More by Kelp

HattedClassic

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

04-08-2013 03:01:49 | More by HattedClassic

mdfb79

New York

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%

04-01-2013 17:32:47 | More by mdfb79

resistdefy

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%

03-31-2013 03:04:37 | More by resistdefy

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-26-2013 20:25:27 | More by JAHMUR

Satchboogie

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

03-24-2013 02:01:12 | More by Satchboogie

jrstamp

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

03-21-2013 18:44:21 | More by jrstamp

SirHefeweizen

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

03-19-2013 05:31:20 | More by SirHefeweizen

seplo

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-18-2013 17:44:44 | More by seplo

SuyoonShin

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-18-2013 03:13:43 | More by SuyoonShin

AardvarkJohnson

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

03-17-2013 18:11:32 | More by AardvarkJohnson

cbartow

New York

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%

03-17-2013 17:55:09 | More by cbartow

trev120

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

03-17-2013 04:53:42 | More by trev120

nlfrenette

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +25%

03-17-2013 00:42:40 | More by nlfrenette

MenardMa

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

03-16-2013 21:18:14 | More by MenardMa

Jason

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-16-2013 18:58:34 | More by Jason

ILiveOffHops

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +25%

03-16-2013 18:53:05 | More by ILiveOffHops

Todd

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-16-2013 18:30:45 | More by Todd

t0rin0

California

2.75/5  rDev -23.6%

03-03-2013 15:00:34 | More by t0rin0

smutty33

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +11.1%

02-01-2013 19:16:46 | More by smutty33

stonermouse

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured the full bomber into an oversized mug.

Nice looking pour, that got better with time. The mocha colored head just wouldn't quit, and regenerated over the course of 1.5 hours of drinking this one. The body is a deep brown, pretty standard.

Aroma is literally like a freshly-cracked can of peanut butter. The deep peanut note is accompanied by a mild chocolate aroma, near to a peanut butter cup. Nice stuff.

The flavor proves to be true to the aroma and to the label. Pure peanut dominates, followed by a slight chocolate touch and very little booze accompaniment. The finish is just slightly hot, but for the most part, this is a dessert.

The big trouble with this brew is the thin body and mouthfeel. My palate fully expects these flavors to be accompanied by thickness and depth. But this brew is too thin for peanuts and chocolate. If it were heavier, and the booze showed itself a little more, we'd have a home run. As it is, it is surprisingly thin and meek given the flavor profile and ABV.

A nice beer overall. The flavor is held back only by a lack of thickness and umph in the body. Close to a really great beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 03:25:35 | More by stonermouse

metapod

2/5  rDev -44.4%

12-15-2012 02:28:25 | More by metapod

phingdong

New Hampshire

2/5  rDev -44.4%

05-29-2012 22:53:53 | More by phingdong

BrewEngland

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +30%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Please visit www.brewengland.com for pictures & our full review!

The color of this Imperial Stout is a dark espresso toned body, with a thick, fluffy, chocolaty brown head. The head itself fades rather quickly, but is a really nice color! The aroma…well, the scent of roasted peanuts immediately hits your nose, but is pleasantly blended with a rich chocolate aroma. We have to say, it’s quite inviting.

The flavor of the stout is of rich dark chocolate covered peanuts. Perhaps the hops (notice the high IBU) help give it the slightly bitterness of dark chocolate, but it’s incredibly subtle – fear not if you’re not big into a bold hop profile, because this is nowhere near beers like that.

Sarah and I have slightly altered views on the flavor. Sarah says that the Fat Alberta has an earthy, nutty peanut flavor, which is enhanced by the beers dark chocolate flavor. She also says (which I do agree with) that it’s rare for a “flavored” stout to taste like what it’s supposed to. Southern Tier tends to do a great job at matching their beers to what the label says they’re supposed to be. Unfortunately, other brewing companies fall short of doing that.

While I didn’t entirely disagree with Sarah’s assessment, I thought the peanut flavor to me is creamy like you get with peanut butter. It's not sweet though like in peanut butter, which is probably balanced by the dark roasted malts.

We both thought the mouth feel is moderate to full, but without being too heavy. Most "regular" stouts are rather lighter bodied (despite their color) and low in alcohol, but this is an Imperial Stout and is a bit heavier. Still very nice.

The Fat Alberta Imperial Stout is seductively drinkable. It is incredibly smooth going down, and simply tastes amazing. Be careful though, as the brew clocks in at 10% ABV and can easily sneak up on you. If you're drinking this by yourself, you can probably put down the bomber, but it's also a great beer to share with a friend!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 15:53:43 | More by BrewEngland