Imperial Stout Trooper - New England Brewing Co.

CharlatanSin

Connecticut

4.44/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a growler filled at NEBCO to a tulip (a few times). I've had this year's batch a few times now, time to review.

A: Jet black, like motor oil. A little bit of a fizzy dark tan head. No lacing.

S: Dark roasted malt, milk chocolate, and licorice. Raisins. Fruitier than I remember. Very nice.

T/M: Delicious milk chocolate dominates. Toffee. Sweet and smooth. A little dark roast and a bit of a hop presence makes for a somewhat bitter finish. Not much of the dark fruit from the nose. Not a hint of booze. Dangerously drinkable. Mouthfeel is smooth and slick with low carbonation. (I remember carbonation being higher in the bottle.)

O: NEBCO continues to crush it this year. Well done boys.

Serving type: growler

02-27-2013 13:03:07 | More by CharlatanSin

alexgash

Connecticut

4.48/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

64 oz. growler. Filled on 12/18/12.

Inky dark brown to black, viscous body. Small, half finger of dense, dark khaki head. Some retention and lacing. Lots of roasted malts on the nose. Dark chocolate covered fruit. Licorice. Sumatran coffee funk. Nice.

Roasted malt and coffee bitterness up front. Swells with dark fruit, semi-sweet chocolate, and rum raisins. Peaty, with Sumatran funk and bitterness comes through, along with licorice and some molasses. More roasted bitterness in the finish with plenty of lingering sweet peaty malt and chocolate. Slightly warming, but very drinkable. Full bodied with a lush, velvety feel. Very nice, especially once it hits cellar temperature.

Serving type: growler

12-25-2012 20:12:21 | More by alexgash

claspada

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler courtesy of montrose79 at my recent tasting.

Pours a fairly thick, viscous black body with dark brown head, that foams up to a large bubbly head.

Aromas begin quite full and rich, initially sweet smell coming off of it, almost akin to a milk stout but much stronger and with a much greater depth to it. Rich chocolate notes were rotating in and out and mingling with roasted coffee and vanilla, really becoming quite full. Some light soy sauce emerges more as it warms. No hint of alcohol in the aroma what so ever. There was a touch of a grainy and earthy like back that could be found hiding deep underneath a well and slight hints of dark caramel.

The tastes begin very, very roasty. Lots of coffee, and some more roasted malts for good measure, bordering charred maltiness. A good earthiness and bitterness and just a hint of chocolate and vanilla. The intense char interacts with that same soy sauce element I was getting in the nose. Not offensive as it sounds but a big flavored beer for sure.

The mouthfeel is medium to heavy with a medium amount of carbonation, thank goodness, otherwise this would be like sludge on your palate. The finish is dry and roasty and bitter from all the dark malt additions here.

Overall, I am kinda over big boy stouts like this one, and I thought I was going to hate this but I actually enjoyed my small pour decently. 4 oz is all I really needed as this beer is packed with massive roast, char and dark chocolate flavors. Not for the faint of heart and worth a go if you like extremely dark roasty stouts.

Serving type: growler

02-19-2012 15:40:27 | More by claspada

henskejk

California

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler bought from the brewery and poured into a pint glass

A - Looks thick and syrupy as it was poured into the glass and is black, such that no light shines through.

S - Some coffee and chocolate aroma, with also some detectable maltiness.

T - Big sweet, roasted flavor, with coffee and chocolate.

M - heavy body and thick, but also pleasantly carbonated so it feels slightly creamy when swished in the mouth.

O - Delicious brew, big sweetness and flavor cover up the alcohol in this very well, with very little if any booziness detected.

Serving type: growler

01-05-2012 23:44:13 | More by henskejk

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

16 oz swing top bottle into an oversized tulip glass. Big thanks go to Stakem for filling this off a personal keg that he had of this rarity. We’ll effectively consider this a growler serving.

Pours black as night in the glass, topped with a finger of rich and burnt looking mocha colored head. This retains with a tight ¼ finger of foam, leaving back a robust cascade of spotty forth and dark oils. The aroma has a LOT of power going on with it, with a assertive mix of chocolate, roast, and green citrus in the nose, but it’s probably the spicy alcohol sweetness from the ABV that dominates this the most. This has some presence to it.

The taste is equally thick, with notes of bitter chocolate, some sweeter feeling caramel flavor, a firm and green tasting hop bitterness, and then finally some dark roasted coffee character that fills out the back of the profile. The flavors themselves here are pretty straight forward overall but like the nose, it’s the ABV that adds that little extra something here with a bold alcohol sweetness and spicy finish. The mouthfeel is naturally full bodied, with a solid chewy heft to it that sits underneath a bit of a softer and creamier feel to the carbonation. This definitely has some warmth to the body but it’s never overly hot or stinging, keeping most of my impression of the alcohol confined to that extra layer of complexity that it adds here.

While the complexity wasn’t quite there to get this up with some of the top Imperial Stouts out there, I still rather enjoyed this. It made great use of its ABV, with warm spicy flavors and a beefy attitude that kept me interested. I wouldn’t bank the farm to acquire a bottle or anything but I sure wouldn’t turn one down either. This is good one.

Serving type: growler

06-30-2011 14:50:34 | More by Kegatron

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to whoever brought this to the Inaugural "Imminent Liquidation Bottle Share" Event. I scored pours from both a bottle and a growler, but I got a bigger pour from the growler so...Growler poured into a taster glass.

A - Pours dark as night with a small half finger tall tan head, dissipating down to almost nothing, leaving light wisps of lacing down the glass.

S - Smells like your typical stout. Hints of dark roasted malt, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, light booze, and some hops sneaking in toward the end of the glass.

T - Starts off with some sweet roast up front giving way quickly to a mix of coffee and more chocolaty sweetness. Finish is a mix of sweet dark roasted malt and some light smokiness. Not bad but it really didn't blow me away.

M - Heavy body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Rich, full, bodied with plenty of lingering dark roast in the finish.

D - Pretty good. I liked this one for what it is but it left me wanting something more. I feel like I have had this beer multiple times before, yet this is the first time I have had it.

Serving type: growler

03-10-2011 22:10:32 | More by orangesol

begforme4484

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a growler and a few bottles right from the brewery. Great work on the new label, rofl.

Pours black. 1 1/2 fingers of light brown head that receded quickly to a nice ring on the edge. Lacing is sticky and spotty.

There are lots of roasted malts on the forefront of the nose. Nice hints of dark chocolate and some dark fruits too.

This is easily one of the best stouts that I've had. Great amount of malt sweetness. Roasted malts and a coffee flavor come in an bitter it up. A hint of raisins helps finish out the slightly bitter hoppiness in the end.

Full bodied, viscous, thick. Very nice feel for a stout.

The drinkability is very high. I split the growler between myself and family on Christmas. Each one that tried it, loved it. From a fellow craft beer enthusiast(brother), to a regular drinker/borderline alchoholic(father), and someone that hardly ever drinks beer(Bro's GF).. it was a hit.

Serving type: growler

12-28-2010 03:03:56 | More by begforme4484

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

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

64oz growler into pint glass. $24 w/ glass, filled @ the brewery.

A- 1 finger oatmeal cookie colored head that comes to life with a few swirls. Beer is dark brown, not black.

S- coffee, mild sweet cream, bitter chocolate. Some undefined dark fruit sweetness.

T- Bold and impressive at first sip. Very bitter chocolate, bitter coffee and some mild fruit sweetness on the finish. Malt is big and toasty/roasty. This beer is balls-to-the-walls with flavor. Not for the faint of heart. I'm diggin' the earthy bitter hops here. Good lingering bitterness and chocolate notes.

M- Fairly high carbonation, substantial heft in the body. Nice finish. No qualms here.

D- High. Great stuff. I will be popping bottles of this fresh, the hop/coffee/chocolate bitterness is really the bee's knees. Well done, NEBCO.

Serving type: growler

12-24-2010 23:21:06 | More by ShogoKawada

modernartblues

Connecticut

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a fresh growler into my newly purchased Duvel Tulip. 2010 Batch.

A- Darker than the deepest black. Decent size brown head. Sheets of lacing hold up on the glass throughout.

S- I mainly get chocolate, but also roastiness and just a touch of floral notes from the hops. The nose (like the rest of the beer) changes drastically as it warms. This is a beer to be savored with all the senses.

T- Like I noted previously, chocolate is the biggest flavor for me, but as the beer warms I get a kaleidoscope of flavors including coffee, chocolate, black licorice, dark fruits, and more. Each sip seems to reveal something different.

M- Full bodied without being ridiculously overbearing, creamy and delicious, Perhaps perfect....

D- Stupidly drinkable. Make sure you have some friends to help drink the growler or 750ml or you are gonna get drunk quick. The only downside to this beer is the empty glass at the end of it.

Had several samples at the brewery and then the growler the same night. This beer is stupendous. I was only able to split a bottle last year (while I was sick) and had a hazy memory of the beer. This years batch blew me away. Right up there with the Abyss in my mind. One of my top favorite beers ever.

Serving type: growler

12-23-2010 19:43:38 | More by modernartblues

jimmy82063

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler at the brewery. Thanks Matt & Rob for your hospitality once again. Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

A - Jet black, medium head.

S - Here comes the coffee!

T - Really get the coffe and chocolate. Great coffee bitterness afterwards.

M - Medium carbonation

D - Very easy.

Nice to get the holidays going with a good local beer. Happy to have had a growler rather than a bottle which will be snatched up shortly next week!

Serving type: growler

12-19-2010 00:31:31 | More by jimmy82063

BranfordBound

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

My 100th beer review. (Yay!)

Poured from a growler that contained this stout which was still in the packaging tank at the brewery itself, literally a day or two old. Pours black, plain and simple, a one finger head of tiny bubbles takes awhile to form as this beer appears super thick. Leaves tons of little lacing spots. This beer has "legs", super thick.

Smells of piney hops, chocolate, and slight molasses.

Wow! Very strong, super malty, tons of stout goodness, chocolate, molasses, roasted malts, coffee, etc. Ends with a nice roasted note in combination with a strong hop presence. Bitter. Aftertaste lingers. Like a strong Old Rasputin.

Mouthfeel is thick, viscous, and smooth. Heavy bodied.

Well, if Imperial Stouts is your thing, then IST is the beer for you. Perfect for those who love Old Raspy, but crave a little more. About as drinkable as it could be.

"Drink it. It's good." - NEBCo

Serving type: growler

12-18-2010 19:22:44 | More by BranfordBound

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.65/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

1000 review so had to make it a local favorite of mine!

Poured from a growler filled from an aged cask at the brewery. Leftover from a recent caskfest at the time of the growler fill.

I sampled at room temp poured into a pint glass, split the 2L growler with a friend so I could end the nite on a coherent note.

The beer pours motor oil thick and the color of chocolate syrup. Minimal tan head foams up and fades quickly to a wispy edge layer.

The aroma is heavy roasted malt with espresso beans dipped in dark chocolate, some molasses notes make an appearance too. Very rich and inviting. No hop presence to speak of and alcohol is fairly well masked, but you know this beer is serious.

First sip reveals a thick chewy body with slightly syrupy texture and very mild spacious carbonation. The beer leaves sticky residue on my lips after each sip. Flavor is as the nose advertised. Very rich malt flavor, roasted malt and molasses mix together effortlessly. There is mild coffee bite and a hint of booze on the finish, not really warm more of a hearty overall feel to the beer. Not really a lot of cask qualities, like oaky toothpick hits, or vanilla notes, maybe a little drier on the finish than the bottles, but otherwise fairly similar.

Again I dont get any hops but I dont miss em while drinkin this treat.

The beer drinks very easy for its size. As others have said this is probably one of the coolest names/labels for a beer out there. Definitely worth seeking out.
A well crafted brew from a great brewery close to home!

Serving type: growler

05-01-2009 02:05:03 | More by sulldaddy

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

merc7186

New York

4.19/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

4oz sampler.

A: Dark Opaque Hue, Passes No Light, Brown Head Ring, Decent Lacing

S: Dark Chocolate, Licorice, Mild Coffee

T: Licorice, Anise, Chocolate, Mild Coffee

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Mildly Sweet, Mildly Bitter

Overall, a pretty solid Imperial Stout, a little different with the anise, licorice taste I thought.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2013 23:55:14 | More by merc7186

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