Imperial Stout Trooper - New England Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appreciated super-extra, thanks dave (drmeadows). Pours a fairly thick black body with dark brown head, that foams up to a large bubbly head. Aroma, after it airs out, is roasty and chocolate, attractive. Drinks above-average, smooth, with good chocolate and roast. A superior RIS among many good RIS out there,glad I tried. The booziness seems higher than listed. Much licorice in there as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2009 02:48:13 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2006 vintage 12oz plastic wrapped and capped bottle served at cellar temperature and poured into a snifter glass

A - Poured a very dark and thick ink colored black with just the ever so slightest touch of a dark chocolate colored brown peaking in around the top bottom and sides of the glass. A very nice, and very full three finger high head of tan colored lace and foam then rose up from the bottom and formed a nice delicate pillow across the top of the glass. Very nice retention managed to let this one keep itself around for a good couple of minutes before finally settling down and relenting to just a thin layer of tan across the top, that was perhaps a half inch high and very nice residual side glass lace that left a stringy and foamy mess of tan webs all along the inside of the glass. Very classic look for a big stout.

S - The aroma was very full and rich, just what I would expect it to be. The first thing I noticed was very 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. 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 caramel. Overall pretty typical for your top of the line big stout, this is to say a whole lot better then average!

T - The flavor matched the aroma beautifully, and provided a very full and balanced, if not a tad mellow profile. The first thing that I noticed was a nice touch of coffee in the flavor, not really deep roasted coffee but more of just a general flavor which was used to let everything else build off of. The notes of chocolate went very well with this, really giving a great amount of depth and darkness, which was balanced out very well by some light notes of sugar and vanilla, perhaps even some cookie dough like flavors swirling around. Nothing really dominating this that you could say it was fit into a sub type, rather it was just a very nice all around big stout flavor. Very mellow as far as the alcohol goes, and in fact I am not entirely sure even now how much was in it, as other then a slight note of brandy like quality in the first sip, there was really no touch of it at all throughout the rest of the session. The finish was very nice and strong, blending well the coffee and caramel notes with a fresh earthy hoppiness that provided some much needed bitter relief towards the end and helped to dry everything out and stretch the flavor until you were ready for a little more.

M - The feel was very nice, I will make a remark that it could have been a little bit thicker, but that is more of a personal preference then anything else, as I always tend to think every big RIS I have should have the consistency of a chocolate shake and have really no room for any thinness at all. Now that aside this was still excellent, as it was very smooth and creamy and rich, with more the adequate carbonation and a very nice finish.

D - An excellent sipper, but to be honest it was a little bit more then that. It was soo mellow and smooth that I found myself taking bigger and bigger sips as the night went on and I honestly could have sessioned this one it was that smooth. There was just no hint of alcohol in this one at all and it was just perfect to keep going on this over and over. Really very nice quality here completely.

Overall I thought this was very good. I would not put it up in the call of an Older Viscosity, or the Abyss, but aside from those it was excellent and I could easily see myself having this one again. Now I did not mention it in the appearance, but this has to be the coolest bottle I have ever seen. I am a huge Star Wars geek and this one just made my night. One of the few bottles that I will be keeping around for a while. I would say if you can get this one, definitely check it out, it is worth it, a very high quality stout that was remarkably smooth and consistent.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2008 11:29:26 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.65/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to both Jeff and Steve for hooking me up with bottles of this one. I've been waiting to try it for quite some time now.

A: The pour is a nice looking dark brown, nearly black color with a finger's worth of brown head.

S: A slight acidity to the nose, which is unfortunate. A very strong roasted character without too much in the way of sweetness. Perhaps a touch of coffee and bitter chocolate.

T: Very, very roasty. Lots of coffee, and some more roasted malts for good measure. A good bitterness and just a hint of chocolate and vanilla.

M: The body is medium with medium carbonation, but it's a little high for an RIS.

D: Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this one. I enjoyed the roastiness of it, but there wasn't really anything else going on.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 17:15:05 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark coffee color with a good-sized dark tan head. Aromas of coffee, dark sugars, a bit of burnt toast, chocolate, and traces of vanilla. The taste complements the nose, with everything shining through with a nice balance. Mouthfeel was fairly thick, but somehow not quite thick enough for the beer behind it. Not too much alcohol presence, but not very much was expected given that the abv is in the low end of the range for the style. Drinkability is quite nice, and I'm glad I got to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2010 12:03:06 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

4.22/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

300th review!

Thanks to J2Brew2 for sending me this one!

Pours an opaque black with a 1 inch dark khaki head that fades to a spotty cap of bubbles. Thin rings of foamy rings coat the glass on the drink down. Smells of dark roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate, and some citrus zest hops. Taste is roasted malts, dark chocolate, and some citrus zest flavors on the finish. There is a slight alcohol taste as well. Medium bitterness on the palate after each sip. Lower carbonation level makes for a creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good stout and my first from NEBCO. I would get this one again if I had the chance. Very nice roast and chocolate flavors with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 02:01:46 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

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

Appearance: Pours an inky black color with a somewhat unimpressive head; still, the beer has legs and leaves streaks of lace

Smell: Chocolate fudge, dark fruit and licorice

Taste: Chocolate fudge, from the outset, with a hoppy bitterness that develops by mid-palate, bringing along currants, charcoal and licorice; coffee elements appear after the swallow, though it is ultimately dominated by the roasty char and hoppy bitterness

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation; surprisingly thin

Drinkability: With the domination of the more subtle flavors by the roasty char and hoppy bitterness, this beer lacks some of the balance I seek in a hoppier style stout

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 00:58:00 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

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

A hearty "thanks" is due to UncleJedi for sharing this one and to the New England Brewing Co. for blurring the line between beer and Star Wars.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown, near black body with a thin, dark tan head that dissipated fairly quickly.

Smell: Largely roasty nose with plenty of sweet-scented wafts and rich notes of black coffee spiked with booze, chocolate, toasted almonds, candied dates, and, what the hell, more roast.

Taste: Dark malts rolled up with plenty of smokey roast and semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Splash of almond syrup tossed with some dark fruits. Yeah, the alcohol is noticeable, but it's fairly well-integrated. Earthy hops, along with the roasted qualities, provide a medium bitterness to counter the sweetness. The tongue-coating mouthfeel really allows the flavors to persist and linger. Sweetish, roasty finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Rather thick mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Tasty. Should you ever decide to live your beer-drinking life to the fullest, then grab up a bottle of the Imperial Stout Trooper and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 17:30:57 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a deep black color stout with a nice thick brown foamy head with good retention and some good lacing. Aroma of light roasted malt with light coffee notes and light black chocolate. Taste is an underwhelming taste of light roasted notes with light black chocolate and light dry coffee. Body is quite full though average for style with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Good but I guess I might have caught in hype and was expecting a lot more complexity from this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 02:38:28 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Now that the expectations and availability have met the hype, I am happy to try this renowned beer for the first time.

Viscous and velvety look to the pour with a froathy mocha colored head that rises comfortably to the top of the glass. The head laces a bit and falls sooner than expected into a still and heavy beer.

Strong, strong roasted coffees and chocolates meet the forefront, leaving a heavy lactose sweetness to flavor and feel. Obviously taking clues from Sweet or Milk stouts, this beer favors sweetness over robust. The sweet character amplifies the cocoa notes and gives them a milk chocolate aroma and taste while suppressing the coffee and charred character of the beer. Lightly fruity with grapes, apples, and cherries but allowing the malts to shine.

Hops try to balance the beer but don't make any real impact to flavor or aroma. At times the beer reminds me a bit of cola or Dr. Pepper but does not deter from the sweet maltiness of the Stout.

A very nice beer that shys away from Mackeson's and toward Big Black Voodoo Daddy.

Thanks Conneticutpoet!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 14:15:42 | More by BEERchitect

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a Rogue shaker pint glass.

Big thanks to jl28r1 for this bottle!

2010 vintage. Gotta love those glasses, baby. This stuff pours a straight onyx topped by a finger or so of dark tan foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, chocolate powder, light brown sugar, and toasted caramel. The taste brings in more of the same, with the usual stout notes of roast and chocolate coming to the fore, taking charge without o'erwhelming everything else. The body is a light heavy, with a light moderate carbonation and a generally smooth and lightly chewy feel. Overall, a very nice impy stout. That's all I can say. I think I was expecting something exceptional, though, and got something only really good. I hope that makes sense...

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 22:36:13 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

Big ol' Bomber. Storm trooper mask with stout in the goggles, ...how much did they have to pay Lucasfilm, to keep this gig going?

Aroma leaps out, it's a massive cacophony of dark delights, rich, bittersweet chocolate, espresso, molasses, ends on a dry note.

Look: Total darkness, with a nice toasted tan head.

Taste: Mmmm, a dark ale lover's dream. Warm, smooth, smokey, supple. Licks the palate with licorice whips, and tosses back chocolate frosting. Not too anything, in any way. Mmm, yummy. Gets deeper as we go, nice and whiskey-ish, smokey, dark and deep.

Dry, malty, smooth, and, did I say yum, yet? I'll say it again.
Yum.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 01:02:17 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a pitch black color with a thick and creamy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is outstanding! It has a rich, black and roasted malt scent along with some mild chocolate notes. It has that beautiful, bitter, black malt character. The taste is very good. It's damn smooth with a stiff patent malt flavor. It's bitter and bold with a nice roasted/chocolate character. The hops are quite noticeable and really integrate well with the black malt character. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a great beer. The hype was justified. Major thanks to my friend Arpit for the opportunity to try this gem.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2010 00:10:41 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

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

Big thanks to Huhzubendah for knocking this one off my wants, seriously.

Poured from a bottle into a becher glass. Beer is black and forms a thin brown head of small bubbles.

Aroma is really weak. No roast really, slight lactic, slight sweetness. There is a hint of alcohol.

There is a lot of coffee / roast in the back of the mouth. Makes the beer pretty bitter. There is no carbonation in the mouth but the beer is medium bodied. Mouthfeel is good and drinkability is good.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 23:50:44 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4.05/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Exiled for sharing this beer. Sampled Feb, 16, 2010.

The beer pours dark brown to black with a decent-sized brown head. The aroma is roasted malt along with coffee and chocolate. The flavor is more of the same with chocolate standing out more than the coffee or malts. Creamy mouthfeel, which is the best part of the beer. Low carbonation. Not sure what I was expecting, but I was a little disappointed. A very good beer, but I expected a little more.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2010 15:57:49 | More by Mora2000

MasterSki

Illinois

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

Thanks to Reagan1984 for this one. Shared with my wife - served in a FOBAB mini-pint taster.

A - Pitch black with only the tiniest hint of brown at the bottom edge. One and half fingers of dark tan foam with excellent retention that slowly dissolves to a solid cap and ring. Plenty of spotty lacing. The only thing holding this one back is head volume.

S - Super roasty malt flavor mixed with booze-soaked dark fruits. There is also some light coffee flavor mixed with dark chocolate and burnt sugars/molasses. It's a very nice RIS and the smell is quite potent, but it isn't particularly unique - see my Kate the Great review on indistinct, yet good, stouts.

T - The taste is super roasty, with some burnt sugar and molasses mid-palate, and then a bitter espresso finish and aftertaste. There's less of the dark fruit sweetness and more dark chocolate bitterness in there as well. This one is somewhere between Founders RIS and Plead the 5th, and I wish I could give it a 4.25 in taste. However, since it's better than a 4.0 I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

M - The carbonation is kind of high on this one, with some lip and palate burn going on. There's a bit of warming going on and there's lots of bitter roastiness to accompany the slightly sticky finish. I wish there was less CO2 though, as it makes the texture a little more harsh and gritty than it should be.

D - A nice RIS, but somehow feels bigger than 8.5%. The slight over-carbonation is forgivable in the 6oz pour I had, but might have got a little irritating over a full bottle. I think a bomber would be too much of a good thing here.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2009 03:06:37 | More by MasterSki

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

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

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

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

T: The taste is exactly what you want in an RIS, rich chocolate, hearty roasted dark malts, well-masked alcohol and not overly sweet. There's a very mild hops presence that brings a good balance. There is a slightly bitter-sweet dark chocolate after-taste.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is quite clean for the style.

D: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, good kick, excellent representation of style, this is a well-made, flavorful and highly drinkable RIS and is one of the best that I've had in its style.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 02:41:15 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cheers to HopStoopid129 for this one!

Pours an effervescent pitch black with dark head that falls away after a while. Nice viscosity to this, but no head retention, but some lacing

S: Dark fruit & chocolate, figs & traces of booze

T: Follows the nose with some wet charred grain thrown in up front. Coffee comes through as this warms, along with oak & vanilla, plus some boozey figs & dryness. Finishes dry, fruitty & with some more vanilla

MF: Medium bodied with smooth carbonation & fairly warming, but lacking malt depth

Drinks fairly easy, a good take on the style, but not upper echelon IMO, was still happy to try it

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2009 03:09:51 | More by russpowell

jwc215

New Jersey

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

Thanks to jcwattsrugger for bringing this one back from the brewery. "Bottled in 2006" (Acc. to John/jcwattsrugger a brewer there said that it was in Dec.)

Pours black with a brown head - looks like espresso with a darker head.

The smell is of licorice/anise with a berry-like fruitiness, woodiness, alcohol, chocolate and a touch of tar.

The taste is wonderful - the alcohol and acidity quickly subsided to mild, revealing chocolate, roasty dark maltiness and licorice. Woody, fruity notes intertwine and blend in nicely. Sweetish, long finish.

The feel is superb - creamy, rich, velvety and lingering.

The alcohol sneaks up, but for style is so drinkable because of the luscious taste and rich, silky feel. Try pairing with dark chocolate - It's a real treat!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2008 23:39:48 | More by jwc215

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 12 oz bottle courtesy of cooperrip. Shared with Deuane.

A: The stout is pitch black, a moonless night in a glass. A tan-colored head, tinted with some redness, pools at the top of the glass.

S: The nose is complex, full of dark flavors. I pick up chocolate licquer, cocoa, charred toast, espresso and nuttiness. The nose is pretty darn good.

T: Much like the nose, the taste is unafraid to pull punches. Booziness is pervasive, adding a warm depth to the chocolate and roasted bread flavors. Coffee and caramel flavors, along with some lactose tartness, further highlights the intensity of the stout. This beer has held up nicely for being 2+ years old.

M: The ale has a full flavor that improves as it warms. A well-made imperial stout that has a wide-ranging profile.

D: The stout tastes heavy, boozy and warm. This was a good one to split.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2008 22:42:11 | More by akorsak

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours pitch black with a tan head. Nose is mild. Malts and very mild coffee. Flavor has a noticeable sweet character but its just smooth as silk. Great balances. Very smooth liquid feel and a low but appreciable carbonation. This is a great RIS. So easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2008 15:53:18 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.7/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep black with little caronation and small brown head. Nose was faint with some roasted malt, coffee and cocoa coming through but not very robust at all. Taste had a funky sourness to it, notoverpowering but I did notice it but diminshed as it got warmer. Cocoa, roasted malt, some dark fruits as well. A big sweetness, bog on mouthfeel and a hardy beer. Got totry it thanks to Far333.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2009 17:48:43 | More by barleywinefiend

Wasatch

Utah

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

2008 Vintage
Revisited: 20 Nov 2010
At Least 2 Years On This Bottle

Poured into a chalice a thick black color, some nice carbonation still, almost a one-finger creamy tan head, some oil slicks and sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is malty, chocolate/toffee notes, roasted, slight vanilla. The taste is very nice, malty, nice touch of roastyness, and slightly vanilla (sweetness), lots of very nice chocolate/toffee notes. The finish is slightly dry, the alcohol is hidden very well. Full body. Very Drinkable, this one is stilling holding up pretty well.

2009 Vintage
22oz. Bomber

Poured into a chalice a thick black color, nice carbonation, small tan head, with some oil slicks and sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, chocolate/toffee notes, roasted, slight vanilla. The taste is very nice, malty, nice touch of roastyness, and slightly vanilla (sweetness), lots of very nice chocolate/toffee notes. The finish is slightly dry, the alcohol is hidden very well. Full body. Very Drinkable, this is another awesome brew from New England Brewing. Highly Recommended.

2008 Vintage

Thanks to ybnorml for this brew.

Poured into a chalice a thick black color, nice carbonation, almost a one-finger creamy tan head, some oil slicks and sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is malty, chocolate/toffee notes, roasted, slight vanilla. The taste is very nice, malty, nice touch of roastyness, and slightly vanilla (sweetness), lots of very nice chocolate/toffee notes. The finish is slightly dry, the alcohol is hidden very well. Full body. Very drinkable, this is another awesome brew from New England Brewing. Highly Recommended.

2006 Vintage

Thanks to TheManiacalOne, ampzilla, and UncleJimbo for this brew.

Poured into a chalice a thick black color, nice carbonation, small brown head, some oil slicks and sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is malty, chocolate/toffee, roasted, maybe some vanilla. The taste is fabulous, malty, nice touch of roastyness, and slightly vanilla (sweetness). The finish is slightly dry, the alcohol is hidden very well. Full body. Very Drinkable, this is another awesome RIS people should seek out, Highly Recommended. Glad to have 2 more bottles left.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2007 23:59:29 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Armsby Abbey. Finally got around to posting the review. I was going to wait to crack a bottle and go over my review again, but since LucasArts asked for a cease and desist on the label, the bottle value skyrocketed and I don't think I'll be cracking one anytime soon.

A: Incredibly dark with a small but super rich, thick, and dark creamy head that slowly fades. I can almost feel the darkness of space sucking me into it. No light can escape from it, either from being a vaccuum of light or the dark side of the force is strong in it (OK, not more Star Wars jokes).

N: Roast up the wazzoo! I feel like my nose is roasting itself just from the aroma. Some black patent malt aromas also stick out, with hints of dark chocolate and some almost spicy hop character.

T: Again loaded with roast. It has some stouty earthy bitter dry char and scorched malt flavors. Some rich dark fruit flavors, but still thick and kinda velvety. Some bitterness that probably comes from the stout taste combined with a little hop character, that adds a little spiciness. Some sweetness with a little bakers chocolate and a little creamy milk chocolate. HInts of coffee come with the roast that is so strong is almost feels like my tongue is being roasted (same joke twice, lame but whatever). More sweet malt flavors, but no boozy taste at all.

M: very thick with some velvety feel, lower carbonation but good for the style.

F: Semi dry actually, mostly from the bitter earthy dry roasted char from the crazy roasted malt flavors and bitter black patent malt. The bitter earthy "stout" taste seems to linger with it, and a little more chocolate and dark fruit come out late on the finish. The taste also sticks with me for hours after I'm done drinking as it seems to have filled all the pours in my mouth and acted like concrete to just settle and never leave. It's a delicious beer that lives up to the hype. I can only imagine how smooth it'll be after a couple years of aging.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 18:13:50 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

4.18/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 01/21/11 notes. Shared at a small tasting by BigSexy410; thanks! 2010 vintage.

a - Pours a jet black color with one inch of tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of chocolate, roasted malts, hops, and some pine. Also hints of caramel or toffee. Lots of hops in the smell, much more than I was expecting.

t - Tastes of chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, vanilla, and light pine hops again. Not as much hops as the smell, but a step up from it. Roasted malts come through a lot in the taste.

m - Medium to full body and low carbonation, smooth and creamy body. Very nice mouthfeel for a RIS.

d - A very nice, easy to drink RIS. It was a hoppier stout than I was expecting, especially in the nose, as some pine comes through, but I still really liked it. Glad I have a bottle of this; going to hold onto it for a bit and see how it ages.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 19:05:40 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

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

750ml bottle purchased somewhere localish. Funny trademark workaround on the label, can't believe that satisfied the powers that be, plastic/foiled cap.

Poured into a DFH snifter, slowly formed a 1/4" dark brown head above the opaque dark brown/black brew. Head sees the bubbles quickly retreat to the rim, with small bubbled skim holding down the fort most areas, with leggy lasting lace. Aroma is potent sweet yet acrid dark malts, tinged with anise.

Taste starts sweet, goes bittersweet chocolate in the middle, closes with some burnt coffee and lingering warmth. Mouthfeel is velvety, could use a bit more carbonation, and drinkability is pretty good as well. Price point is a bit prohibitive, but as a treat it'll work.

5/2/07 - 4.5/4.5/4.5/5/5
12oz bottle from gpcollen1 via trade. Thanks for the opportunity. Plastic/foiled cap.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice, formed a 1/4" dark brown head above the totally opaque dark brown/black brew. Head recedes ever so slowly, with plenty of lasting dark lace. Aroma is rich bittersweet chocolate, with an alcoholic undercurrent. Taste follows the nose, but finds some hop bitterness coming on throughout, and the mixture of flavors lingers in the mouth. Not much alcohol in the flavor, seems to be hidden well here. Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, easy over the tongue, and drinkability is stunningly beautiful for the style. Wow.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 00:59:46 | More by ppoitras