Imperial Stout Trooper - New England Brewing Co.

zipper8650

New York

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

Good Beer Sunday
2010 in I snifter
A - black, thin creamed coffee head..a stout basically
S - bitter coffee smell, vanilla, I got some metallic or ash smell from it too maybe, there is an odd smell I can't put my finger on
T - again the light metallic, I keep thinking cherries (not fresh cherries), other usual stout tastes . Bitter end note
M - really nice mouthfeel, not super thick, not thin
O - don't get me wrong, it's a really good stout but I was expecting more, I would like to try a 1 - 2 year old as well. I'd just buy Ten Fidy instead of trading for this in the future
Skol

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 23:30:50 | More by zipper8650

mjtiernan

New York

4.14/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

500ml bottle poured into a small snifter. 2012 vintage.

A: Very little carb activity on pour. Black body. Mustered a small dark brown head that did enough to make it very inviting, but then it mostly went away leaving a thin ring around the edge and some patches near the center. Spotty lacing down the glass.

S: Chocolate. Bordering between dark and milk. There's a hint of nuttiness..maybe hazelnut. A whiff of licorice/anise. Very little hop presence.

T: Wonderfully roasty and chocolaty. A touch of wood and dark fruit. Decent hop characteristic. A bit tannic/acidic in the finish. Cohesive flavors throughout.

M: Full bodied, somewhat chalky finish. Acidic and oily texture. Minimal carb.

O: This beer is defined by its ability to balance many ingredients and extreme flavors. I'll be buying more of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 03:16:34 | More by mjtiernan

MadScientist

New York

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: This is a fine looking beer with a thick expresso colored head mostly creamy, slightly rock bubbles. The head is very looking lasting and leaves a light touch of lacing on the glass. This impressive head sits atop a jet black beer showing a hint of deep garnet on the edges.

S: A nice rich malty nose with coffee, cocoa and some licorice notes. Some moderate dark fruit notes of prunes and figs. There is a medium-low citrus hops aroma and a low, floral alcohol aroma.

T: A creamy, coffee and unsweetened chocolate with rich dark malt flavors that just go on and on. The level of malt flavor is high on this but it's fairly smooth with just a touch of dark malt bitterness and a light charcoal flavor; dark caramel, brown sugar and more my tongue is getting lost. The hops bitterness is moderate as is the earthy hops flavor. It has medium to medium-low fruity esters of plums and figs. There is a fair amount of malt sweetness but the balance is still bitter with a medium finish. The aftertaste is of dark grains, unsweetened chocolate and a light hops bitterness.

M: A very creamy, full bodied beer with a moderate level of carbonation.

O: A rainbow of dark malt flavors, well executed and pleasantly balanced. Sometimes when you use too many grains the flavors end up muddied and muted like mixing to many paints it ends up dull and grey; that is so not the case here this beer is rich and flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 18:39:48 | More by MadScientist

MarkJBurch

New York

3.93/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

12/2012 - Brought to just below room temperature and poured aggressively into a clean snifter glass. Khaki colored head with moderate retention and soft lacing, pitch black.

Smell of tart fruit with boozy undertones followed by roasted malt and dark chocolate.

Flavors are muddled a bit. Bitter chocolate, booze and a bland chalkiness. Sparse sweetness is reminiscent of cola, dry finish leaves behind a charred flavor.

Feels light on the tongue, airy, with a smoothness that contrasts the somewhat harsh flavor.

This beer lacks the smoothness that I find in other imperial stouts, despite having a below average alcohol by volume. For me, the taste fell short and I am left underwhelmed.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 00:56:00 | More by MarkJBurch

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

a really fantastic stout, no frills about this one, no coffee, cocoa nibs, nothing but an authentic imperial stout here. the pour is real dark, almost black, but tinted cherrywood red when held to intense light. an inch of white head is permanently fixed to the surface. sort of an understated smell, in a meticulously refined way. its dark and bitter of course, but its also got some subtle earthy notes, like damp tree bark, and a touch of black licorice. the flavor is super roasty, as dark as you can go before getting that bitter char taste. here is where some coffee essences can be observed, but its a parallel of roasting, not necessarily of a real coffee addition. there is a little sweetness towards the finish that brings to mind butterscotch oatmeal cookies, one of my most favorite desserts. full body, standard carbonation, cloudlike soft and moist texture that really makes it dangerously easy to drink. I also love that the abv isn't through the roof. it allows for more intake, and thus more reflection. overall this is an outstanding stout, a great illustration of the style, and a beer that I may never have gotten to try if it weren't for a great trade with thebrewo. cheers for this!

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 19:37:05 | More by StonedTrippin

Thickfreakness

New York

4.49/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours pitch black with a thick and chewy kahki head that never seems to want to let go. Ribbons of thick and sticky lacing cling to the glass and slip down. Looks like still black coffee with a touch of foam on the top. Not a sign of carbonation anywhere.

S- WOW! Coffee, bitter dark cocoa, touches of vanilla, raisin, figs and orange peel. This has real depth. Really digging the dark fruit and bitter cocoa mix.

T- Amazing creamy milk and bitter 80% chocolate with fresh squeezed orange. Huge espresso and charred malts without tasting burnt. Light notes of toasted grains and pumpernickel.

M- Thicker than a fudge brownie! Really chewy and long lasting. It doesn't so much glide down your tongue as much as it flows down like lava. Really soft on the palate. No carbonation to speak of.

O- This is really nice. The orange peel and citrus really comes out as it warms up. Espresso, dark cocoa powder, brownies, with plenty of dark dried fruit and black coffee. It drinks fantastic now, but I can't wait to see what happens to this with some time on it.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 23:39:04 | More by Thickfreakness

Kendo

New York

4.29/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle (16.9 oz) says it was bottled in December of 2012. Consumed on March 21, 2013.

A: Poured from the bottle into a Piraat snifter/tulip-type glass. Body is black with a half-finger chocolate-brown head on top that reminds me of chocolate milk, only thicker (maybe I'm just used to the skim and I need to use whole milk). Leaves a good amount of lace behind all the way down the glass.

S: Coffee, roasted coffee beans, chocolate and something else that I can't quite put my finger on right now - wait, I think I have it now: burnt fudge brownies; you know, when you make brownies and leave them in the oven too long and the bottom gets a little burnt. That's what I smell. . . . Pretty strong nose, with good Imperial Stout-type scents.

T: First impression (other than the thinner-than-expected mouthfeel) is that it's roasty. Not quite Porter-roasty, but it's close. Roasted barley and coffee with milk chocolate early, then dark chocolate on the back end of the palate. A touch of anise is noted. Finishes with a charcoal/char-like burnt bitterness.

M: Like I said earliere, the heft is a bit thinner than expected. After a few sips, however, I'm over it. Call it medium in heft, with modest carbonation that's inoffensive.

O: Solid stuff. It grew on me after some initial hesitance.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 02:18:18 | More by Kendo

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.86/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

the beer pours a rich looking black with a thin halo of tan head. the nose is distinct with a big hoppy/boozy nose and very little roast/caramel. the taste is slightly roasty, but predominantly earthy bitter chocolate. the mouthfeel is relatively full bodied and sweet, but certainly not cloying, slightly bitter and a touch of cardboard. this is a tasty stout with good balance and relatively tame sweetness. good beer that's worth trying, but doesn't overpower.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 00:09:17 | More by ThePorterSorter

jeonseh

Indiana

2.5/5  rDev -40.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2010 bottle poured into a snifter

A - Dark brown with small mocha colored head

S- The smell is off as I keep getting pennies that overpower light coffee and slight dark fruit

T - Roasted coffee, slight vanilla, caramel, dark roasted coffee. Slight prune juice as well. It drinks better than it smells but it's not great

MF - Light carbonation with medium body that gives it a slight astringent and bitter lingering taste

O - Cool bottle but the beer is off as it has too much copper for a RIS

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:08:08 | More by jeonseh

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

thanks to egrace84 for the share!

poured into a hair of the dog tulip.

drank this side by side with BA IST!

Vintage 2012.

Appearance: black bodied beer with 1 finger of light brown head. A thin cap remains on the beer during the entire drink. A gentle swirl bring this beer right back to life!

Smell: Milk chocolates, cocoa beans, and light roast from the malts. Also getting graham crackers and cinnamon oddly enough; hints of vanilla! Sweet and malts nose overall.

Taste: Lots of milk chocolates and cocoa just like the nose. Hints of vanilla and cocoa beans. A hint of lactose notes and black licorice. Bit of roastiness and nuttiness blend effortlessely into the overall effect as well. As the beer warms up you can start to taste the hops, but its just a hint and the beer still stays semi sweet like milk chocolates.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Great carbonation levels; really nice and drinkable Imperial Stout! Smooth and soft feel with a little silky and creaminess to it!

Overall: I have wanted to try this for a long time now. It did not dissapoint and i would say that this beer is better than what the average review says it is. Its a memorable stout for sure! Love the label too! NEBCO has a real winner here. No wonder it has been so difficult to get my hand on a bottle of this!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 05:53:28 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

smonice

New Jersey

4.59/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Wow this is a good Stout. Bottle makes it seems somewhat cheesy but wow does this deliver.

2012 vintage. 500 mL bottle LIF'd by ILOVESTOUTS.

A - Deep brown color with a nice mocha colored 1/2 inch head. Minimal lacing but solid retention.

S - Has a very strong roasty smell and not much else. I thought I got some chocolate in there but after trying again, didn't get it.

T - Cocoa, cocoa, and some more cocoa. Some roasty malts in there and subtle coffee bitterness. Really fantastic.

M - Creamy and smooth body. Super drinkable!

O - Wow I want some more right now. Really I do.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 23:12:50 | More by smonice

sentomaster

Connecticut

4.39/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- thick black oil coming out of the bottle. Looks like there's no way it can produce foam, but after the pour gets going a beautiful, thick head of light brown foam builds. It recedes and leaves fantastic sticky lacing all over the glass

S- Copious dark fruit and roasty aromas. Plums, raisins, licorice, anise, burnt toast, a touch of smoke. Really dark and foreboding.

T/M- starts with waves of dark fruit, licorice and anise- followed mid palate by huge roasty and toasted malt flavors. Bitter coffee and bitter sweet chocolate mingle with tart cherry and anise. everything comes through in a flurry on the finish with a smattering of citrus hops to dry it all out

O- In the mold of a true RIS with the influences of american double stout, a fantastic must try.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 03:52:52 | More by sentomaster

tehzachatak

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2012 vintage. 500 mL bottle poured into my 668 tulip. Hooked up with this bottle courtesy of naloxone - thanks dude!

Side by side with 2013 BA IST.

A - pours a completely opaque black with two fingers of frothy chocolate milkshake head. really couldn't look better.

S - roasty, burnt sugar, some fruit. a lot of burnt sugar. not as good as I remembered. not much cocoa/chocolate/coffee in the nose.

T - there's the cocoa! not so much burnt sugar flavor, although there still is some. a lot of dry roasty malts. tiny bit of coffee-esque flavor at the end.

M - a little bit drier than it could be. otherwise, nice and coating of the mouth, nicely carbonated, good end. as drinkable as any 9% RIS!

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 02:31:24 | More by tehzachatak

chugalug06

Colorado

4.26/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Nice large four-finger espresso colored head. Brew is black as night and roasty black. No lacing.

Roasty, smoky, nothing overwhelming... nutty, dry, chocolate, slightly musty...

Thin, watery, solid, well blended, roasty, super dark chocolaty, sweetness is precise and direct. Overly high carbonation is high, heat is well hidden and bitterness is great, light. Roasty is full and nutty.

A very solid brew, but IST is another example of a brew not worth all the hype it receives, especially at ^$20/bottle. Recommended, but don't buy into the hype..

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 21:29:02 | More by chugalug06

albertjr21

New York

4.63/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 bottled poured into a snifter yields a solid black body under a well maintained khaki colored head. Aroma is quite impressive and complex with notes of earthy and sweet notes of chocolate, coffee, nut, graham cracker and vanilla. A smooth and silky malty mouthfeel glides over the palate with resonating earthy hops, pungent cocoa, dark fruit, and perhaps tobacco flavors that harmonize nicely into a dry finish. I see a fully loaded beef cheeseburger pairing in this brew's future on my table...

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 20:36:46 | More by albertjr21

scottfrie

California

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010. 750ml bottle into snifter. Split with mjyoung. Thanks for sending me this a long while back, SneezyAchew.

A: Pours black with a rather large, dense, yet fluffy dark mocha colored head. Head slowly faded into a thick and greasy film that left streaks of lace down the glass.
S: Big chocolate and coffee on the nose. Very mellow and smooth smelling.
T: Follows the nose with dominating notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and dark roasted malts. Dark fruits are in there too, with hints of dates, raisins, and slight vanilla. The finish is fairly bitter for the style (in a good way), and the aftertaste is roasted and chocolatey.
M: Full body, although not motor oil, with a very smooth but bitter mouthfeel. The carbonation is mellow and adds to the smoothness.
O: I was surprised how good this was. Definitely flavorful and super easy to drink. This could be aged even longer. Thanks again Michael!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:06:25 | More by scottfrie

abraxel

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed blind as part of Blind BIF 7, courtesy of ShogoKawada.

A - Super black, with a mocha-colored head which drops kinda quickly, but leaves a persistent film and pretty good lacing.

S - Sweet plums and raisins, brown sugar, and a touch of sharp molasses. There's a little something more, but I can't place it. Could it be chilis? Not sure. Regardless, I really like it.

T - This is tough to describe. It's rather sweet, with plums and raisins and such, with just a little roastiness, and I'm becoming increasingly convinced that there's just a little bit of chili in the aftertaste... but there's so much else in the flavor that I just can't put into words. Part of it reminds me of that slight twinge of sourness in baltic porters. Quite tasty.

M - Full, thick, smooth, lowish carbonation. Almost no hint of alcohol.

Overall, I like this a whole lot, but I have no idea what it is. An imperial stout, obviously, but beyond that I haven't a clue. It has something else going on in there that I haven't been able to place and which brings in a whole bunch of flavor.

Non-blind comments: This was vintage 2011

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 15:01:57 | More by abraxel

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from NEBCO bomber into a perfect pint glass. 2010 bottling, so aged somewhat.

Pours jet black, like oil, with thick head of brown foam. Sits a top like a foam cap. Coffee rich roasted nose. Dark chocolate too. Powerful. Smooth creamy taste, with loads of dark chocolate, hint of coffee. The bitter is buried deep in the back. Mouthfeel is quite smooth. Soft, even. Top notch. Phenominal.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 18:15:45 | More by KTCamm

Homebrew35

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2011 vintage 750ml
Pours a hint mocha head that is easily roused to a half fingers worth. Alcohol legs are present with some wisps of head and some lacing. Black body with deep brown/red around the edges.

Roasted malts, coco powder and some earthy hops. I can also smell some burnt sugar, sweet sugary malts and alcohol.

Tastes like a solid Russian Imp Stout with some ashy, smokey and roast quality. A good bit of coco, dark chocolate, raisins and earthy hops. A bit of alcohol in the taste with a definite warmth as it goes down.

Medium full bodied. Low carbonation. Fairly oily and coating.

Overall this is an good beer. The steep price tag of this one may keep me from trying it again. I can't see myself spending $20 for another bottle for this coming release. I know it's cheaper at other stores but I have buyers remorse for this one. Maybe if I see it on draft coming up I'll get a taste to see if it's worth it.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 21:59:21 | More by Homebrew35

Arbitrator

California

3.38/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Chilled bottle into a glass. I can't remember who shared it, and my notes don't say.

A: Pours a dark brown body with some mild edge clarity. The center of the body becomes clear in smaller quantities. Tan head (small, short-lived) becomes a thin collar.

S: Roasty coffee, grain, some mild chocolate. Light anise. A pleasant, though not overwhelming, aroma.

T: Begins with roasted coffee, segueing into milk chocolate in the center taste. There is definitely an undercurrent of either anise or dark fruit, but it's so light that I can't really tell which it is. It finishes with some roasted grain aftertaste.

M: Just under medium-bodied; a bit thin for the style, but not flawed.

O: I find this perfectly serviceable, but I'm not sure it would merit any more attention than Old Rasputin if it weren't for the label controversy.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 00:43:38 | More by Arbitrator

Gobzilla

California

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

A: poured a dark as night black in color with a half finger of brown head that left plenty of bubbly lacing sticking to the glass.

S: Definitely was able to detect plenty of milk chocolate in the aroma with some slightly muted coffee notes, hints of roasty malts, caramel undertones, and maybe very little brown sugar it seems like.

T: like the aroma the milk chocolate character also dominated the palate alongside slight roasty malts, some earthy woody notes, hints of dark fruits barely coming through but with caramel and coffee accents,

M: the brew was medium in body with fair amount of carbonation which had a sweet, slightly roasty, earthy, mild fruity, and slight bitter finish.

O: I honestly thought it was going to be a lot better from all the hype it has gotten over the years. It was just an OK RIS, nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 22:56:07 | More by Gobzilla

sukwonee

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Black body with 1 finger head.

S: Roasted malt, floral hops noted (roses maybe?) - this floral aroma dominates other subtle aroma

T: Roasted malt, coffee, dark fruits, dark chocolate, floral hops coming through again, tastes sweeter than it smells. Hop bitterness in the end. Very good. Tastes better than it smells, imo.

M: Thick and chewy. Good amount of carbonation (perhaps a tad bit too much carbonation).

O: Very solid stout. Not my favorite, but it's quite good and subtlely unique.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 02:49:42 | More by sukwonee

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured right out of the fridge from the bottle right into an Ithaca tulip. Thanks to goblinmunkey7 for sending this my way!

A: deep black color with a huge tan to brown head that just stays forever as a layer of froth. I poured a bit hard, but it was cold - huge head and retention, great looking beer.

S: rich sweet notes with some toffee, but also has the roasted coffee smell and some earthy tones.

T: very earthy and a bit bitter, but the roasted notes allow for that. Not much of the sweetness, but there's very little alcohol if any.

M: good thickness in the body, but the carbonation is just too much and tears it apart just a bit. Still very good, but it was noticeably overcarbonated for me.

O: very good beer, but the carbonation kills it. Not sure if it was intentional or not. Overall still work seeking - maybe some age on this one would do it some good.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 00:01:14 | More by Holland

zhanson88

Montana

3.63/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

2010 750mL bottle. Got this one in a trade quite some time ago and figured it was time to pop it.

Appearance: Pours out pretty much pitch black and pretty viscous-looking. About 1/2" of medium khaki colored head forms that has pretty good lacing and retention. Pretty good looking stout.

Smell: Smells of some coffee, milk chocolate, a hint of roast and possibly a few dark fruits. Good smell, but it takes a bit for me to get much out of it. A little muted.

Taste: A hint of roast, coffee, milk chocolate, with some nice dark fruit character coming out as it warms. Again, I'd say it's comparable to the smell; good flavors, but just not enough of them.

Mouthfeel/Overall: Medium-full mouthfeel with a perfect amount of carbonation. The carbonation really makes the mouthfeel. Overall, a good stout, but not something I was super impressed with. When I try this next I'd like to try it fresher to see if some of the flavors come out more.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 01:36:04 | More by zhanson88

SneezyAchew

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I have had this beer a number of times on draft and from the bottle. This review is from a tasting where a couple of friends and I drank 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008. Mostly I took notes during the 2010, but each year was better than the last.

a: Looks like black coffee just poured from a keurig, you know, considering the foam that sticks around for a bit and all.

s: Really sweet and chocolatey with a smidge of bitter coffee. Personally, I'm also getting a lot of meat here, too. Kielbasa?

t: Caramel, coffee, and more chocolate. Huge taste here. After having a number of Stone IRS' the night before, I greatly prefer the huge, bold flavors you get here. The 2010 was much more balanced than the '11, but the flavors haven't completely melded yet. However, it's undeniably delicious.

m: Medium to heavy mouthfeel. Not too viscus.

o: One of my favorite imperial stouts. Enjoyed these during Episode 3, and the beers continued to get more epic as the story did the same.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 23:11:33 | More by SneezyAchew