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

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown color with good opacity. The head is a one finger light tan color. It fades fairly quick, but leaves a bit of lacing on the glass.

S: Honestly, if Sam Adams called this a chocolate stout, I wouldn't have batted an eyelash. Chocolate (both dry baker's and even a touch of the milk stuff), licorice and bright dark fruits are the most prevalent aromatic notes - even a bit of cherry seems to come through. Not much in the way of roasted malts; this seems like it'll be on the sweet side.

T: There isn't much deviation from the aroma. There's a lot of semi-sweet chocolate, cherries, and licorice to open the flavor profile. It finishes a bit weak, providing only a generic dark fruit and malt character that's far too hard to identify. The biggest problem is that it needs a bit more roasted malt to counteract its sweetness. I notice a slight 'soy' character on the aftertaste which is honestly kind of pleasant. Still, it doesn't alleviate how sweet it is.

M: Any doubts this is a sweet RIS are thrown quickly to the curb with its lingering, sweet, almost syrupy finish and aftertaste. It's also quite thick feeling. While this does a good job of covering the alcohol up, I'd honestly prefer it if were dry but a bit boozier.

O: Given its sweet nature and relative simplicity, I'd recommend this as a dessert beer or to someone who's never had an imperial stout before. All in all, this one is a fine offering, but nowhere near my favorite in the style. I'd pick Old Rasputin, Black Chocolate Stout, or Yeti over this any day.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 21:59:13 | More by ThisWangsChung

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

06-19-2013 01:45:10 | More by ZEB89

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

06-16-2013 23:36:05 | More by jaxon53

JoeLacy

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5%

06-16-2013 23:03:19 | More by JoeLacy

Mattyb79

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

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

arizcards

Arizona

4/5  rDev +5%
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%

06-13-2013 01:50:42 | More by femond

alltakn

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

06-12-2013 02:25:32 | More by alltakn

Cleaver35

Oklahoma

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

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

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
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 -1.6%

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

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

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

Rihup

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5%

06-04-2013 00:46:17 | More by Rihup

Polarslag

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

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

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

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

lakersfan16

Alaska

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

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

Purp1eOne

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

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

fredmugs

Indiana

4/5  rDev +5%

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

tmaestro

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

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

rypkr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

05-23-2013 23:33:54 | More by rypkr

visionaries

California

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

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

datalager

Connecticut

4.66/5  rDev +22.3%
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 -1.6%

05-22-2013 20:36:02 | More by Rdc67

seplo

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

05-21-2013 00:19:03 | More by seplo

KingSlayer

California

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

05-20-2013 00:53:08 | More by KingSlayer