Samuel Adams Imperial Stout - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

RichieS2

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +25%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I picked this up with a friend while out shopping and at first I balked about spending $10 for a 4-pack. Was I ever wrong! This one from Sam Adams to be put simply is one of the best beers I have ever had, bar none.

Appearance
Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass it looks like a promising stout. It pours dark brown/black to the point of being opaque and has a head that dissipates fairly quickly.

Smell
This is where things got interesting, it smelled very sweet and creamy, like a rich dessert, now that got me very curious.

Taste
The richest beer I have ever tasted in my life! It was like drinking liquid chocolate with a little bit of cream added.

Mouthfeel
The taste was not the only winning characteristic, "stout" is a loose term, I have had some that while dark were as watery as any adjunct lager, not so with this one. It was far from watery and just shy of being like syrup. The 9.2% abv also added a pleasant warmth in the mouth and as it went down.

Drinkability
This is something that is meant to be savored to the last drop and bring joy to stout-lovers everywhere. Those used to lager will cringe but those with a fondness for the dark stuff will find this beer very easy and very enjoyable to go down. It is something that as your drinking the first you think you will want to enjoy this beer all night but then the high abv hits you and you realize you won't be able to enjoy the complexities so you wisely decide to give it a rest.

In conclusion this beer is of microbrew quality if not better and is well worth the price tag, enjoy today.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2009 22:33:41 | More by RichieS2

allenson21

New York

2.75/5  rDev -27.6%

06-20-2013 00:38:22 | More by allenson21

cofeeguru

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

06-19-2013 22:31:50 | More by cofeeguru

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%

06-19-2013 01:45:10 | More by ZEB89

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%

06-16-2013 23:36:05 | More by jaxon53

JoeLacy

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5.3%

06-16-2013 23:03:19 | More by JoeLacy

Mattyb79

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

06-16-2013 12:47:35 | More by Mattyb79

arizcards

Arizona

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Picked up a single in late April from Total Wine for $2.49.

Beer poured black as night with a brown head that is leaving lacing behind.

Nose has some roastiness with a hint of mocha.

Taste is roasted malts, dark cocoa, some anise, and enough hopping to balance this out nicely.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and very smooth.

Overall this is a very nice brew. It is hearty, full of flavor and satisfying. Glad i finally tried and would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 23:25:33 | More by arizcards

femond

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5.3%

06-13-2013 01:50:42 | More by femond

alltakn

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

06-12-2013 02:25:32 | More by alltakn

Cleaver35

Oklahoma

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%

06-12-2013 00:44:28 | More by Cleaver35

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, very dark almost black with a short thick dark tan head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear

S: dark chocolate, sweet, molasses, coffee, malt, dark fruits, prune, raisin

T: starts sweet molasses, turns bitter with coffee flavors, a bit of hops on the end, not nearly as complex as expected

M: oily, viscous and thick, alcohol well hidden

O: good properties for the style, not as much taste complexity as expected

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 22:22:02 | More by M_C_Hampton

megamass

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

06-07-2013 04:41:09 | More by megamass

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%

06-07-2013 04:36:47 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

Rihup

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.3%

06-04-2013 00:46:17 | More by Rihup

Polarslag

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

06-03-2013 02:04:44 | More by Polarslag

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

05-31-2013 06:46:56 | More by HinghamRick

lakersfan16

Alaska

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

05-31-2013 06:43:32 | More by lakersfan16

Purp1eOne

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%

05-29-2013 01:00:54 | More by Purp1eOne

fredmugs

Indiana

4/5  rDev +5.3%

05-27-2013 21:58:43 | More by fredmugs

tmaestro

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

05-24-2013 21:34:57 | More by tmaestro

rypkr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

05-23-2013 23:33:54 | More by rypkr

visionaries

California

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

05-23-2013 17:40:29 | More by visionaries

datalager

Connecticut

4.66/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Insanely cocoa colored head, sitting atop an oil black body. And to add to the stunning appearance is lacing as frothy as sea foam.

The nose is like a carnival...no...a three ring circus! Licorice, espresso, chocolate. Deep, full bodied aroma is immediately apparent cold out of the fridge. As it warms, the coffee scent steps back, and the anise steps far forward. Esters are quite present, to no surprise given the 9.2% demon.

Flavors follow the aromas nicely, with an addition of molasses mid gulp, and some slight caramel in the finish. Alcohol is ever more obvious upon swallow than in sniff alone.

Mouthfeel is where this ale gets a top award, IMO. Resiny, thick, syrup-like draw with a smooth burn upon swallow. Damn, this is a heavenly stout!

If you are looking for a top shelf beer that is strong, sweet and dark, this brew from Boston Brewing is as good as any I've had in the genre.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 13:38:03 | More by datalager

Rdc67

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

05-22-2013 20:36:02 | More by Rdc67