LongShot Five Crown Imperial Stout - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

LOOK: Pours a midnight black with a tan silky froth that leaves plenty of lace on the snifter. No sediment, this bottle has been fridge aged for over a year now. Appears like an imperial stout.

SMELL: Big and roasty, with a woodsy aroma that is intriguing and expressive.

TASTE: Smooth and surprisingly mild flavors of roast, oats, coffee and some fruity notes. Has some earthy, dirty flavor to it as well as alluding to suggestions of wood, though I don't believe this is an oak aged brew. As it warms notes of chocolate dial in.

FEEL: Full bodied, very smooth, velvety feel.

OVERALL: A good American Double Stout, pleasing to sip on, and gets better as it warms slightly. This makes for a nice sipper on a rainy spring evening.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 00:00:37 | More by Stinkypuss

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a snifter)
A- The inky jet black body supports a cocoa tan head of cream that takes on an espresso crema being thick and lasting.

S- The earthy slightly fruity dark chocolate malt aroma has some leather notes mixed in and gives is a good depth.

T- The big roasted coco notes has a natural tootsie roll malt flavor with a prune hint in the finish. There are some dark mellow roasted malt flavors that linger just a moment without any bitterness.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a spicy little carbonation but no real alcohol heat.

O- This beer has a well-blended depth of dark malt and some good yeast character making it a very nice beer to sip several in a row.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 16:48:06 | More by rhoadsrage

neenerzig

Ohio

4.31/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I've had 2 bottles of this sitting in my beer cellar for almost a year now, as I got 2 bottles as part of the 6 pack of last year's Longshot series that I picked up. So I figured it was time to crack one open. A 12 oz. bottle poured into my snifter, this beer pours a very dark brown color with a mocha brown creamy looking head that is about an inch thick when poured. Head settles to a nice surface coating of foam that sits on the surface of the beer along with a nice medium to thick size ring lining the inside of the glass. Excellent lacing here too! Aromas of cocoa nibs, roasted nuttyness, a hint of coffee, and bits of dark fruity esters. Has a nice sweetness of cocoa nibs upfront that gives way to some roasted nuttyness and coffee, hints of vanilla, bits of dark fruityness, and is all rounded out with a slight touch of hop bitterness. Excellent mix of different flavors and a good balance of the different flavors. Has a creamy, smooth, frothy, velvety medium to full bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. An excellent beer! One of the best from the Longshot series I have had so far!

Eric

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 04:18:10 | More by neenerzig

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25

12oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pitch black on the pour. The half inch brown head settles after a little while. Thin, scraggly lacing.

S: Fudge, brownie batter, and chocolate syrup. Blackstrap molasses. Raisins and blackberries. Subtle undercurrents of wood and vanilla. Smells like it'll be a big, rib-sticking beer.

T: Fudge and chocolate syrup. Big darkfruit presence. Lots of plum and currant. Slight solventy kick of alcohol. Finishes with chocolate and a drying, woody roasted malt presence.

M: Thick and rich in body. Very chewy and slightly viscous and mouth coating. Almost no carbonation.

O: Nicer on the nose, but in the end it's pretty plain-Jane. Lacks depth and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 00:32:47 | More by ryan1788a5

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

"For the past 15 years, Joe has been brewing his Russian Imperial Stout. This malt-forward ale has a rich complexity, with roasty and chocolate notes, yet enough hop bitterness to balance out the sweetness. This satisfying winter brew is full-bodied with an enjoyable velvety smoothness." Brewed in the style of a Russian Imperial Stout. Date ticked on the bottle is Mid August 2012.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a snifter. Served north of 50º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a very dark brown head of an initially crispy, but overall foamy consistency over an inky black body. In regards to coloration, its one of the darkest and thickest Russian Imperial Stouts I've observed to date. Head retention is slightly above average, foamy and creamy with light lacing trails. A wonderful color for the style and nearly identical head quality, although it just didn't last quite like I had expected it to. 4.25

(Smell) The aroma is surprisingly light for what I gathered in the aroma. Puffs of roasted chocolate, black malt, char and cream is most notable, while a faint spicy, resiny hop bouquet rounds out the flavor a notch. Some mild tart flavors with hints of dark fruit and licorice are curious amongst my general impressions of the style, but welcome additions to it. Generally toasty with roasted bread notes, it's a touch less sweet than I expected, which is pleasant for the style. It's an inviting aroma. 4

(Taste) The sweetness is much more prevalent in the flavor, but most other hidden characters, good and bad, are as well. Roasty flavors of toasted bread, cream and milk chocolate are up front. A note of char and smoke is prevalent on the otherwise semi-sweet chocolatey finish. The drinkability is relatively high despite some expected complexity, mainly due to a clean, airy finish; the balance is slightly sweet over bitter yet the finish is medium dry and a bit tart. Flavor is generally pleasant in this beer, although there are a few challenges that keep this from achieving the coveted worldwide holy-stout status, I found the beer to be overall enjoyable. 3.75

(Mouthfeel) Creamy, silky and oily thick mouthfeel with a slightly sweet balance over bitter and mild acidic notes. Body is a notch below medium amongst Russian Imperial Stouts, and high compared to all beers. Finish is mild slick and oily; carbonation is mild overall. A bit more creaminess and air in the carbonation would help pair with the texture and improve the body perception of this beer. I actually find the carbonation one of the biggest challenges to the drinkability and overall enjoyment of this beer, it just isn't doing its part. 3

(Overall) I rarely find a Russian Imperial Stout I dislike, so it's a challenge picking even a half-decently constructed one apart. This stout is nearly where it needs to be in flavor; some may dislike the tartness on the finish, but this one gets much milder in the upper 50'ºs, so hold off for best results. The carbonation texture didn't really match the flavors. I got a lot of chocolate and roasted malt potential and not as much creamy carbonation presence to match the roasted thickness and inky viscosity of this beer. In the end, it's still a solid Russian Imperial Stout in terms of its recipe, but a fix in regards to the carbonation will take this beer miles further. 3.75

Boston Beer Company's
Longshot Five Crown Imperial Stout
3.75/5.00

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 05:08:26 | More by Jadjunk

Pencible

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured an opaque black with moderate dark tan head.
S: It smelled like sweet brown sugar and caramel, with some coffee and cream and dark chocolate.
T: It tasted like sweet dark chocolate and brown sugar, with some roasted coffee and cream and copper hops. It had a smooth and clean aftertaste that was fairly sweet.
M: It was super thick with a little carbonation. Huge chewy body.
D: This was a great imperial stout. It looked perfect. The scent and taste were nice, and the body was gigantic. The finish was really mellow, so it was easy to drink. Don't know how it would age, since it's already so drinkable. Solid brew all around.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 05:26:37 | More by Pencible

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

3.61/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Once again can't go wrong Longshot beer by Samuel Adams.... or should I say a homebrewer!
I look forward to these being a homebrewer, knowing that someday maybe I can make beer this good! Out of the three beers in this years winners, this was the least of my favorite.

Roasted malt, coffee

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:16:28 | More by FlatRabbitRed

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I was in no position to remember this one the first time I tried it back after my buddy's wedding. Now, my eyes and mind are clear... This stuff pours a straight onyx topped by a finger of tan foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, light vanilla, dark chocolate, and a kiss of coffee. The taste brings in more of the same, with the elements coming together into a very pleasant cocoa-like brew with a distinct roasted barley character. The body is a lithe medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a smooth feel. Overall, a very nice impy stout, one I wish I could duplicate in my own homebrewing efforts.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 02:48:33 | More by TMoney2591

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a short brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, dark fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with a hearty roasted malt character that is quickly followed by bitter-sweet flavors of dark chocolate and black coffee. There are some background flavors of dark fruit and licorice. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, it’s solid beer but there are a lot of other options in the style that I would pick first.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 04:00:06 | More by TheManiacalOne

morebeergood

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aged this bottle for a bit. Poured into a tulip glass. Huge mocha brown head sat on top of a motor oil black body. Great looking stout. Smell was of espresso and raisins. Flavor was a melody of chocolate and rum and dark malt. Loved the taste of this beer. Mouthfeel was smooth yet a tad visceral at the end. A very nice beer that SA should consider putting into constant rotation. I think I liked this more that their Imp Stout they put in the 4 packs.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 16:36:03 | More by morebeergood

beerpadawan

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours thick and dark. Sparse brown head formed.

Smells sweet, chocolate. Roasted malt, deep dried/dark fruit, and some alcohol.

Flavor is not quite as sweet as the nose, though it is chocolatey. It has a chalkiness to it that is reminiscent of powdered hot cocoa. Some dried dark fruit/raisin flavor, following the nose. Some booze comes through, along with a little hop and roasted malt bitterness.

I don't know that I would seek it out again but half of a 12oz bottle was enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 23:46:41 | More by beerpadawan

gmfessen

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass, Five Crown pours like motor oil, black as night with a thick, creamy, mocha colored head. The smell is a pleasent sweet mixture of chocolate nibs, brown sugar, caramel and possibly some currants or raisins. The taste follow suit nicely, the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel notes come to the forefront but are perfectly balanced with muted bittering hops - the alcohol has a nice spicey, warming bite but is not overwhelming. Mouthfeel is very full in body with a thick, creamy carbonation and a slightly dry finish. Overall, a great RIS, not overly big in any category but nicely balanced and perfectly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 00:05:42 | More by gmfessen

dfillius

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass
A: 3/4 finger of coffee colored/dark brown head, nearly like Abyss. Very dark head with good retention. Pitch black, slightly viscous liquid.
S: Banana, nuts, vanilla, bready. Very much like banana nut bread. Lactose? Molasses. Interesting and a little confusing at first, but pleasant. The faintest trace of ethanol at the end.
T: Chocolate, malty but bright. Some hops come out in the finish. I love that it is not boozy. Like a milk stout almost. Like Breakfast Stout without the coffee.
M: Gentle, not hot :-) Velvety as the bottle claims. Full and creamy.
O: A solid RIS. Very tasty and balanced. Superb. I'd love another!

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 01:40:55 | More by dfillius

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Friar Tuck's, Savoy, IL
Date: Best by August 2012
Glass: US pint glass

Probably my favorite from the Longshot series, Five Crown Imperial Stout hits all the right flavor notes for the style, along with having a very smooth, soft, creamy mouthfeel that's quite satisfying. While I found it fairly average in aromatics, this was still a rich, reasonably complex, and enjoyable imperial stout.

Pours a 1cm head of dark brown foam, made up of fairly small bubbles, that collapses fairly quickly to a thin ring around the glass. Head leaves some residual lacing along sides of glass, as well as a few scattered stretches of bubbles. Body is an opaque dark brown to black color: light doesn't change a thing about this dark of a color. Carbonation is not visible.

Aroma is rather subdued, of modest roasted barley and chicory root, juicy black grapes, slight mineral-ness, and ethanol. While not unappealing, this is not a particularly exciting collection of scents or intensities.

Flavors of strong, roasted malt, burnt molasses, dark chocolate, slight coffee, and ethanol. Tasting opens with roasted barley, dark chocolate, black grape sweetness, and slight acridity from the roasting process. Mid-palate brings in some ethanol, continued roasted barley, dark chocolate, and bitterness from burnt grain or hop usage. Back of palate notes particular ethanol, a bit of anise, and some roasted malt flavor. Lingering aftertaste of some bitterness, ethanol, roasted barley, and mild chocolate.

Beer is medium-heavy in body, with fairly low levels of carbonation that result in a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Ethanol can be felt in the nostrils and back of the palate, but it is not overtly intense and fits well within the bounds of the beer itself and the style as a whole. Closes out dry, with significant residual stickiness across the palate after each sip.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 04:45:19 | More by falloutsnow

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Solid beer, if a bit soft for the style. Pours black with a nice caramel colored head that sticks around for the duration. Some slight lacing. Smells sweet and malty with a bit of roastiness and a touch of dark chocolate and a pronounced ashiness on the finish. A bit light, though. The taste is a bit more layered with very nice bitter chocolate notes, a bit of sweetness, some creaminess, and some of that ash on the finish which helps to dry things out a bit. Very creamy, and a bit too light overall, but nice flavors make this one worthwhile.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 01:47:18 | More by Georgiabeer

tdm168

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - pours like oil; pitch black with a huge, brown, dense head that has great retention

S - chocolate, roasted malt, alcohol, licorice

T - chocolate, huge roasted malt, coffee, faint anise, alcohol

M - medium bodied, a little thin at times, warming alcohol

This is a really good beer. The mouthfeel is a bit thin which I think detracts slightly from the full-flavor. Overall, this has great flavor and aroma. I'll definitely try to find a few more bottles of this.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 08:34:18 | More by tdm168

Bung

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. a solid looking black pour, a light brown layer. Retains quite well, laces just barely.

Aroma, molasses, licorice, plum, dark chocolate. Alittle citrus and pine. Some booze.

Taste, plum and black raspberry, a faint bitter citrus. This fades quickly to roast malt, molasses, stork chocolate resin. Cocoa is real heavy in the finish. Pretty nice and no booze unlike the nose.

Med-full bodied. Not quite creamy, but coats well. Drinks easy and the alcohol was well hidden at this point.
Expectations were low and it exceeded.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 01:57:51 | More by Bung

RichardMNixon

Delaware

3.38/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a goblet.

A: Completely opaque black body with a good amount of mocha head. Head fades to a surface fizz over a few minutes while leaving some nice lacing.

S: Chocolate and leather. It's nice, but not particularly potent.

T: Some nice chocolate and molasses notes with a good amount of booze that takes over at the end.

M: Velvety smooth up front but a little too boozy at the end which lingers after your sip.

O: Not bad, but a little too much alcohol. I think I'll sit on the other bottle for a few months and see if it mellows any.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 00:30:41 | More by RichardMNixon

JackieTH

Minnesota

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

From notes.

Poured dark brown/black with a solid tan rocky head that was very persistent. Good lace. Smell was heavily roasted malt and orange citrus elements. Taste was semi-sweet, blackstrap molasses, roasted malt, resin and citrus hop flavors with medium level of bitterness that washed away any overt sweetness into a dry finish. Medium, creamy body that holds together well. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 17:10:57 | More by JackieTH

mactrail

California

3.18/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep brown in the tall tulip, nearly black. Pleasant beige head. I can't get much aroma out of this. Barleywine sort of body.

This stuff is so sweet and fruity, it's like some kind of barley candy bar. Distinct flavor of licorice. More malty sweet than burnt and sour, but they must have charred a lot of barley to get it this dark. Hard to take too much of this, even sipping, but it keeps up the intrigue. Fairly bitter aftertaste.

Total dark flavor is actually quite remarkable. Interesting, and makes you wonder what they do to the malt to get this Midnight Oils taste. From the 12 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 05:01:35 | More by mactrail

coldriver

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle pours an opaque black with beautiful deep tan head. Aroma is dark fruit, alcohol, cocoa, and burnt sugar. Given that I recently had a milestone birthday, the flavor comes a bit too close to a prune juice beer, but there is a pleasant smokey molasses taste as well. Creamy smooth finish, alcohol well hidden, bitter aftertaste makes me wince a little rather than craving more. Overall I'd like to see less fruitiness and more cocoa/coffee/licorice/etc in my RIS's.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 18:32:27 | More by coldriver

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

If you like beer, it’s hard not to absolutely love this idea: a homebrewer gets their beer bottled out by a major brewer. It says a lot about Sam Adams’ love of beer and support of the culture, I feel. Cheers!

Drink by date is this month, and that’s just alright for an imperial stout.

A: The perfect look for an imperial stout: impenetrable black body with a thick, creamy, dark brown head. Lots of lacing and a smooth, low layer of retention.

S: Rich chocolate and roasts: thick, potent malts. Plum, smoke, dark chocolate, and caramel, with spiced, potent booze undertones. Coffee bitters and some sweet toffees mix for a flavored coffee effect, too. A mighty nose.

T: Smoky malts and molasses-heavy flavors with lots of chocolate and espresso. The palate thins out a bit as the palate extends to light raisin and herbal hop flavors, tart and bright; there’s no escape from the darkness, but there’s certainly balance from lighter tastes. A few moments of chalky yeast before the tastes settle on a tannic, oily aftertaste, with some bits of licorice and cola. Stand-out taste for what is essentially a homebrew.

M: Not bubbly, but not smooth – it’s slick as it makes its way over the tongue. It does have a minor thinness to it, though, which is definitely not something you want in a big stout (though something I feel would separate a commercial-brewed beer from a homebrew).

O: A great, drinkable example of the style, so it's easy to see why Jim Koch and Co. picked it to brew and bottle. And there weren't really any big instances of "well, I can tell this wasn't created by a big craft brewery;" to me, that just reinforces the beer culture ideal that what you brew in your garage is still the same product that you get at the bottle shop (though having a professional brewer's fancy equipment does help). Joe Formanek deserved this recognition, and so does the Boston Beer Company for making it possible.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 04:27:22 | More by BarryMFBurton

ToddT

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Black topped with a large tan head, head fades slowly and leaves lots of stick lace rings on the glass.

S- Mild notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt. The nose is a little week for the style, was expecting a more.

T- Note of coffee and chocolate, mixed with a mild amount of bittering hops and wood char.

M- Full bodied and creamy, finish is dry with a final not of bittersweet choholate.

O- Decent beer but there are much better examples of the style out there. The 8.9% ABV is well hidden but the flavors and the aroma seem subdued.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 17:31:34 | More by ToddT

BabyBastard

New York

3.35/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours very dark into the tulip. Nice dark brown head that leaves lacing on the side of the glass. Smells is deep roasted malt, a hint of coffee and a tiny bit of alcohol.
Tastes of dark chocolate, very malt forward. Taste seems to fall a bit short for this big of a brew, though it isn't horrible. Feel is just about right for this still, in my opinion. Not too light and yet not overly heavy, I believe it's pretty darn good. Overall a decent stout that was fairly priced.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 00:04:56 | More by BabyBastard

HalfFull

California

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After spending about four weeks searching for this on BeerAdvocate, I settle down for this live review.

Pours a deep chocoloate into a large wine glass. Quite opaque and with a deep mocha cap of good retention. Decent lacint to follow.

Aroma of chocolate malts and a notable infused dark cherry component, and alcohol esters are quite prominent as well. Warming diminishes the alcohol component and brings out more fruit. Offers a spicy cinnamon and pepper note along with dark fruit.

Rich flavor, dark and robust. A solid brew that lacks only it it's malt complexity as for the style. Hops are difficult to discern, present yet light and earthy.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 05:02:25 | More by HalfFull