Jolly Roger Imperial Stout - Otto's Pub and Brewery

MmmIPA

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a thick,motor oil viscosity type body,small tan head that fell fast.Swirls of patches in the beer.

Chocolate,coffee,dark fruits.Smells very fresh.

Coffee,bitter chocolate,sweet malts.Semi hop finish.

Slick mouthful,very easy carbonation.Cant taste the abv.

Very tastyy beer,well worth it.Cheers to Capones and Otto's

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2008 16:58:46 | More by MmmIPA

drgonzo3705

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Very nice deep black color with a thin mocha head that retains reasonably well and leaves just a bit of lacing.

S: Rich dark chocolate and what smells like some sugar cookie dough. Very pleasant to the nose.

T: Again with the dark chocolate along with some smokiness as well. Still even taste a bit of that sugar cookie dough (I'm not complaining)

M: Thick and creamy just how I like it. Leaves a nice oiliness in your mouth too.

D: For how big this stout is and that it is 9% is a huge plus for me. Most stouts that are on par with this are a little higher ABV, so yes this is very drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 06:44:24 | More by drgonzo3705

ClassicBrad

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Wooo! I have the first bottle review for this baby.

This bomber bottle's decor includes a skull and crossed swords with a pirate-themed label. I'm psyched that this stout is available to take home now.

Appearance is a beautifully opaque body with an oh-so-creamy mocha head that subsides to a good 1/4 inch finger of fluffing and a tan curtain of lace. The nose of this beast only hints of its chocolately complexity. Here's where you're going to get your beer's worth; the taste!! This is hands down, and I'll say it slow, my... favorite... stout... ever... The overflowing chocolate malt characteristic in this beer is outstanding. No real hop presence but a beautiful alcohol warmth for those cold nights.

Mouthfeel is beautifully full and tingly in the back of the throat and I can do this all night. For how thick and flavorful this brew is, I can probably get away with a few bombers before I get my fill.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2007 23:57:47 | More by ClassicBrad

sirpsycho

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On cask, in a snfter at Otto’s. Oily, thick, brownish-black with a beautiful firm, tan head. Chocolate, coffee, caramel, slight smoke in the nose. Flavor lives up to what the aroma promises, more of the same, chocolate, coffee, caramel, etc. Smooth beer, kind of spoils you once you drink it, cause that’s all I want to drink right now. This is a well made Imperial Stout. Bought some bottles of this while I was there and will rate one in the near future.

Serving type: cask

12-04-2007 03:04:42 | More by sirpsycho

WeisGuy

New York

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to adrian910ss from RB for this bottle.

a - pour a deep, dark, thick-looking black, minimal medium brown head with retention around the edges and modest lacing

s - really "bright" smelling for a stout, lots of dark fruits, black cherry, plums, strong hoppiness as well, along with the dark roasted chocolate, coffee, and a significant smoke component, can't pick up on much alcohol

t - bittersweet chocolate and mocha up front, the dark fruits, dominated by dark cherry, are prominent on the midpalate, quite a bit of hoppiness for a stout as well, finish is lingering fruitiness mixed with dark, bitter chocolate, wisps of alcohol, chocolate covered fruit lingers for awhile along with some mocha, very complex and interesting

m - full-bodied, low carbonation, nicely balanced finish though slightly dry, nice alcohol warming effect

d - fairly drinkable for the style, not overly harsh on the palate and the alcohol isn't overwhelming at all

I was very pleasantly surprised by this beer...it easily exceeded my expectations. Very unique taste with the amount of hoppiness and fruit flavors in an RIS. Well worth seeking out a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2008 00:17:04 | More by WeisGuy

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What Otto's seemed to lack in inspiration for the IPA was simply diverted here to their RIS. Fantastic beer.

Served beautifully in snifter glass it was perfect.

Appearance: Looked black to me in the lighting, but when examined closely you could find hints of red around the edges.

Smell: Big roasted malt aroma filled the nose in a single whiff.

Taste: This ia a massive RIS, packed full of smoked roasted malts chocolate, molasses and cherry.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth. It is not as sticky and thick as a Rogue Impy Stout but still creamy enough.

Drinkability: I am a huge fan of this style and this beer. It is far from sessionable but certainly easy to drink.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-24-2006 18:59:32 | More by Phatz

CoolJosh

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A Pours a dark creamy black, with a chestnut brown head, 1 finger head. No light comes through around the edges. No lacing..

S Very little coming through in the nose. Most prevalent is chocolate followed by riper dark fruits.. plums, dark cherries... but not enough is coming through here.

T Awesome. Thick as oil, and very creamy, definitely a fair amount of oats in here. I had this at its release and remember the fruit tastes being very ripe, but they seem a lot more mellow, and only a month later. Nice sweet chocolate tastes matched along side some vanilla, some coffee roasts coming through with a smooth bitterness, and some dark cherries, and ends with a nice touch of plum.

This is a gem, and if you can get your hands on it by any means do so. I threw a few my cellar upon its release , really can't wait to see how they turn.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2008 03:46:07 | More by CoolJosh

jgap

California

4.47/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Received in a trade with jac5084. It seems Josh, Esq. is really making a name for himself- awesome guy and great trader. Pours jet black into a stone 12th glass with a fairly large, mocha head. Great retention. Smell is of strong coca and hints of coffee. Taste is huge, thick molasses. Solid brew, literally it's like malt-O-meal. Milk chocolate fades to a thick malty sweetness then leads to a light, lingering coffee. Very easy to drink, it's like chocolate milk. The alcohol is hardly detectable at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2009 04:55:37 | More by jgap

NCSUdo

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle

A: Deep black under a fingers worth of brown head. Some decent lace and retention.

S: Molasses, chocolate, hint of coffee, sweet and roasted malt, slight hint of fruit.

T: Pretty sweet up front, finishing in a bitter roasted malt, mixed with some chocolate. Bittersweetness sticks around, only slight warming from alcohol and even slighter dry hint. Surprised at the sweetness. Very good.

M/D: Full bodied, a little slick, a little creamy, carbonation felt, drinkability decent for a big beer. At 9% it isn't going to hurt as much to indulge, but it's still on the sipping side of things. Excellent beer all around.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2008 00:53:31 | More by NCSUdo

WesWes

New York

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to the owner, Roger, for the opportunity to try this one.

The beer pours a dark, black color with a thick frothy brown head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great!. It has a complex aroma of black patent, chocolate, and peated malts. The smoked malt was done on premise and really takes the aroma up a notch. The taste is great also. It has a dry earthy black malt flavor that is enhanced with the smoked malt character. It goes down silky smooth with a warm and somewhat chocolatey finish. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a tremendous IS. It's warm and earthy, but I really enjoyed the smokey content. Cheers to Roger and the boys down at Otto's for a job well done!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2008 12:34:30 | More by WesWes

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I received this from the very generous jtrockchalk, thanks for the opportunity.

Pours a solid black with a thinnish tan head that dissipates quickly. Smells of licorice, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, spicy hops and a touch of alcohol. Taste Hits first with some roast and chocolate followed by some hops and some dark dried fruits melding into a finish of roast coffee and chocolate. Thick body, creamy oily mouthfeel, low carbonation. This is a damn fine Imp stout right here. I enjoyed this one immensely. Great job Otto!

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2009 21:47:07 | More by johnnnniee

maximum12

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This fine bottle arrived via shipped box from the fine beerisheaven, a Master Trader if there ever was one. And an extra, to boot.

Pours black as can't-see-your-hand-waved-in-your-face black. Little evident carbonation, only a wispy ring & some hurricane patterns in the oily surface. The odor...oh my god. Expedition Stout with a touch of smoke, mimics one of my favorite brews. My mouth started watering immediately. That's a perfect score if I ever did see one.

Jolly Roger is creamy in the mouth, & apparently is seeking to create a new "summery RIS" category. Almost light in body, novel, & refreshing, I could sip this one in the heat of a Minnesota summer.

Otherwise this one has more layers that an onion-boy. The well-dressed malts are in the front row, with a smoky presence in the middle, & some dark fruits & the barest hint of coffee have snuck into the cheap seats without paying.

Damn. This is an excellent beer. Complex but not a mess, sweet without being heavy or cloying, unique without causing a riot. A finely crafted beer; thanks for sharing this one Brian!

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2009 02:16:25 | More by maximum12

nkersten

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Dark brown/black with a thin, quickly dissipating mocha head.
S - Smell is great... Light roasted malts, cherries, a little bit of booze.
T- Taste is dark chocolate, some burnt sugar, dried cherries and a slight hop bitterness. Surprisingly balanced for a big stout. Not to sweet, not too bitter.
M- This is exactly what an imperial stout should be like. Thick but not coating with minimal carbonation. A tiny bit of alcohol burn adds to the enjoyment.
D- I could drink this one all night. One of the better imperial stouts I have had, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2009 03:52:15 | More by nkersten

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dispensed on cask via hand pump at the brewery on 12/27/08. 10 oz pour into a snifter.

Pours a dense pitch black with several fingers of massively creamy darker looking burnt mocha colored head. This settles down into a sturdy ¼ finger of retention that flares up marvelously when swirled, leaving thick swathes of lacing all down the sides of the glass. The aroma is just lush with chocolate, coffee, dark fruits, oats, a bit of smoke, and some light warmth.

The taste starts with sweet chocolate hitting the lips first, followed by a big dose of heavy oats, and then a bite of dark roasted bitterness and coffee in the back. Underneath lies a good undercurrent of dark fruit tang that lingers in the finish with some residual bitterness. The mouthfeel is full bodied and creamy with a mellower feel from the cask conditioning. There is definitely some heavy warmth in this (especially towards the bottom of the glass) but the alcohol is still kept under wraps thanks in part to the largeness of the flavors and smoothness of the body.

This is textbook RIS territory here folks that's even better via the beer engine. Powerful and complex yet the cask conditioning softens the overall profile to enable good drinkibility. I'm looking forward to several more snifters of this over the course of the winter.

Serving type: cask

01-02-2009 20:46:50 | More by Kegatron

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber to a pint glass the liquid is black with ok carbonation. The head is one finger, mocha brown and leaves some lace.

The smell is nice rich coffee and chocolate.

The taste is a mellow smooth coffee, dark chocolate alcohol bomb. Hoppiness is not real big over all the dark malt, really an Imp Stout lovers brew.

The mouthfel is great, smooth and creamy, very nice body and good carbonation

The drinkability is very good, I am so glad a got another.

Prosit und Zum Wohl, MK

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2008 05:32:53 | More by MuenchenerKindl

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 received in trade from jac5084.. Josh is one of the most chill traders I've ever come across.. Thanks a bunch for the super bunch of dark beers that made their way to Boise.. I've been sitting on this for a while.. just waiting for a good time.. I am trying to clear out the fridge... sooo.. tonight is the night... Poured into my Chimay goblet... shared a small amount with Brenda.

Fairly significant 1" tan head .. nice cap and really a pretty good lace.. the brew is black on the pour and the glass..

Aroma is sorta mild for the style, but is still very complex.. French Roast.. and cocoa.. rich dark fruits with dried cherries and subtle prune.. a subtle smokiness as it warms..

The flavor is rich and bordering on decadent.. chocolate and roasted malts... malty sweetness is inviting and helps bind the palate together.. very smooth.. not alot of hops.. and maybe I'm going hunting for what is there.. dark cocoa as it warms.. more fruity essence comes throughout.. the warming alcohol is there for sure.. but a spicy component of the overall brew.. the smokiness is there .. but more of a background player.. nice body.. really pretty good for the style.. carbonation is adequate.. the fruity aspects begins to wear down my palate as it hits room temperature.

very nice brew.. Josh is a superb trader and very recommended.. in fact.. I should probably check in.. soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2009 08:46:45 | More by JohnGalt1

illidurit

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy bulletrain76. Pours pitch black with the slightest of brown highlighting the edges. Light tan cap of dense foam. Lots of roastiness and dark chocolate, but the solid smoked character sets this one apart from your generic RIS. Flavor is ashy burnt malts, roasted coffee, the darkest possible chocolate, and a sweetish smokiness that complements the mild dark fruitiness. Nice complexity. Full chewy mouthfeel, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2009 19:13:42 | More by illidurit

dacrza1

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A victory bottle for having bested Ryan at fantasy baseball this past summer...charcoal black body with a brown quarter-inch head in a snifter ...wonderful lacing as it drinks down...toasted malt with coffee and caramel notes...creamy and warm mouthfeel...a hint of alcohol (9.5%!?) and a lot of chocolate or syrup, in a good way...smooth and steady...the burn of alcohol leaves after three sips, replaced by a pleasant warmth...too smooth to be believed...I was pleased by their pilsner on draft (and the burger matched) but this indeed was a beer worth singular sipping...I'll have to defeat Ryan more often...

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 05:10:03 | More by dacrza1

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I received this bottle in a BIF sometime ago and just got around to trying it last night. I decided to split the bottle with my mother in law while we were hanging out last night. Nice pirate flag on the front, and this 22oz bomber was served at cellar temperature and poured into an Imperial Pint glass.

Appearance - The pour was deep, dark, and black as night. Very thick looking liquid getting poured into the glass here. Just the slightest bit of light peaking in through the sides. A nice two finger high head of chocolate colored lace then rose up slowly out of the blackness. It reached its zenith and then sat there for a while, just kind of hanging out with a good amount of retention. Decent side glass lacing kept it looking very nice throughout.

Smell - The aroma was rich with a roasted malt, and mocha like smell. Lots of hints of chocolate in here, and this were already starting to come across very sweet. Some bitter hops could not be picked up as well, and it was really starting to get a nice deep profile to it. A good touch of bourbon like alcohol came through initially but was quickly drowned out.

Taste - The flavor was very full. A rich blend of coffee and deep roasted malts started off the show. Once you let this roll around for a little while, it was quickly replaced by a delicate touch of chocolate, very sweet like a milk chocolate flavor that blended well with a touch of alcohol and a hint of vanilla. Good overall balance to it and a lovely profile. The finish started out very nice, with a good amount of bitter taste to it which caused it to significantly dry out the finish and really give it a good it of bite at the end. Nice long lingering flavor of vanilla and coffee really rounded it out nicely.

Mouthfeel - The feel on this was good, coming across very nice, rich and creamy. It had a fait amount of carbonation to it, which kept it feeling a touch lighter then some of the others in the class, but overall it was very nice and I enjoyed the way it rolled across the tongue.

Drinkability - A very good sipper, this was your classic big stout. Coming in at 9% it was not too hard to put down. And what was there in the alcohol department was very well hidden. Nice carbonation and smooth profile made it even easier to enjoy.

Overall I thought this was an excellent stout. Not quite up there with the big boy but it could hold its own any day. I would love to try this one again, especially with some of the other more well known side by side. Definitely an excellent example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2008 21:23:52 | More by mikesgroove

dirtylou

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle, by way of the secret santa bif (i believe)

appearance: poured into a snifter, very dark body with a creamy chocolate head and really nice lacing

smell: nice high roast levels, a touch of smoke, creamy chocolate, cocoa powder, a bit milky - very nice

taste: This is a very enjoyable stout - creamy and chocolatey, milky and semi-sweet, dry cocoa, a nice touch of hops and a light bitterness. Alcohol is nicely masked and this stout is well balanced without being too showy

mouthfeel: perfect - creamy and milky, silky smooth. perfect

drinkability: great

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2009 01:50:57 | More by dirtylou

russwbeck

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pitch black pour with a very nicely sized brown head. Hardly any lacing, retention is good.

S: Full of coffee, molasses, roasted malts. Really good smell, deep and balanced.

T: The taste is sweet. Molasses, light roasted malts then a big hit of coffee. Cocoa throughout the taste, with a slight smokey hint. Nicely balanced, no singular big flavor.

MF: Heavy body, carbonated well. Dry finish, hardly any hint of the booze.

O: Love this beer. Otto's is a solid brewery, and this is a solid beer. Can't wait to see how this ages, maybe they'll drop some into bourbon barrels?

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 00:48:24 | More by russwbeck

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark as night with a lovely finger thick tan colored head which stay full throughout.

S - Rich chocolate scent with some roasted undertones. Also some alcohol "heat" comes thru in the nose.

T/M - Rich and roasty with a lovely chocolate aftertaste. Thick and viscous with a full mouthfeel. Alcohol present but not overwhelming. Very nice.

D - A solid RIS that is actually very drinkable, could be dangerous! A very nice offering from Otto's...the fact that it is served on cask with regularity is a BIG plus.

Serving type: cask

11-09-2007 12:23:46 | More by Deuane

bbothen

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a small snifter type glass.

Pours out a deep brown/coffee color with a tiny tan colroed head that quickly dissolves into a small ring of bubbles aroun dthe glass. Almost no lacing.

Smells of roasted malts, toasted coffee beans, chocolate, burnt aromas, dark fruit, smoke. Nice.

Sweet roasted maltiness, sweet fruitiness, plum, fig, burnt bitterness, nice smokiness, chocolate, coffee, faint alcohol. Tastes great.

Full bodied, low carbonation, chewy, creamy, great.

Drinks great. Wish I had access to this all the time. A winner for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 00:21:09 | More by bbothen

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of joe1510. Thanks Joe!

My first sampling from Otto's...

A pitch black, 1 finger head of tan foam with a ton of lacing, a great start to my session with this brew.

The smell is sweet and roasty and fruity with good coffee and a light hop bitterness and a strongish nose of oak/bourbon. Hmm...didn't see anything on the label to say this was barrel aged but it sure smells like it is to me.

The taste is roasty and full of chocolate sweetness and bitterness, roasted coffee, light amount of dark fruit, more bitterness from the coffee, more sweetness and ends on a dry note. Wow. The flavour seems to constantly change, barraging you with really sweet notes then changing over to the bitter. No way I'm getting bored with what is going on here. ;^)

On the light side of medium bodied and the carbonation is lightly done. Head retention turned out to be so so but not out of the norm for the style.

Drinkability? The alcohol is definitely there so I'm not going to get fooled by another dangerously drinkable beer but... the taste keeps me literally on the edge of my seat. It's drinkable but not that drinkable, if that makes any sense. Anywho, this session was *way* enjoyable and another big thanks goes out to Joe!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2009 20:45:09 | More by Bitterbill

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured form a 22 oz. bottle into snifter.

Appearance - A nice deep black with a light brown head upon pouring that dissipated fast to a nice wispy head; clung to glass while swirled.

Smell - Strong chocolate aroma with a bit of coffee after.

Taste - A strong cocoa presence with some sweeter vanilla and some sweet raisin flavors.

Mouthfeel - A moderate body, with a very smooth texture, although maybe a bit thinner then expected for abv.

Overall - A very good brew and one I would recommend. Not quite up to snuff to the bourbon aged on tap, but a very solid brew non the less.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 02:54:03 | More by Darkmagus82