Drake's Drakonic Imperial Stout - Drake's Brewing Co.

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.38/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

650 mL bottle poured into a snifter.

Appearance - Pours nearly black. Small off white head. Just a few surface wisps.

Smell - Caramel malt, some roast, not much though. Hops and grain are pretty prevalent.

Taste - Really caramely. The grain and bitterness come through more than the dark malts. Background gives more of that roast. Not a ton though.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. High carbonation. Might be a little too thin.

Overall - Poor beer suffers having been consumed after Bourbon County Coffee. Nothing by comparison.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 02:48:21 | More by Alieniloquium

lighthabit

Oregon

3.86/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

bomber poured into a sniffer. dark, dark, dark . . . barely lets any light through near the bottom. thick head dies down a bit quicker than i'd like. nose shows a nice hint of molasses. taste is classic stout, with a bit of licorice and molasses. mouth feel is a tad thin for my taste on this style, carbonation is low, but work just right for this style, imo. not boozy, which is nice considering its abv.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 06:47:37 | More by lighthabit

scottfrie

California

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

4.25/3.75/4.25/4/4.25
22oz bottle into snifter.

A: Pours black with three fingers of dense mocha colored, fluffy, long lasting head that slowly faded into a thin film leaving rings of lace down the glass.
S: Roasted malt dominates, light coffee, bitter black chocolate, touch of vanilla. Smells good but pretty standard.
T: Follows the nose. Creamy rich chocolate, deep roasted malts, char, bitter black coffee, roasted coconut finish, toasted marshmallow and a bitter aftertaste. Anise is in there with the roast, too.
M: Light booze, fuzzy carbonation, smooth mouth, heavy, viscous full body but not motor oil.
O: A very solid stout. Straight forward, clean, but complex enough to be interesting. Drinks well, nothing too overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 22:57:12 | More by scottfrie

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into a snifter. The brew appears black in color with a thin line of lighter brown clarity around the edges when held to the light. A webby lace of tan sticks to the glass.

The smell is roasty with a hint of nutty grain. A light grassy to herbal hop element is also present breaking things up a bit. By no means is this a bold smelling brew, sort of middle of the road and without fault.

The taste is roasty with a hint of nuttiness and bitterness of earthy roast instead of hops. There is a mild character of stale coffee and herbal hop aftertaste that lingers. Not the best tasting imperial stout but not bad either.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is pretty fair across the board and without fault. I appreciate the chance to try this brew but it holds nothing memorable about it to warrent me ever wanting to purchase or try it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 16:31:55 | More by stakem

beagle75

Iowa

2.9/5  rDev -27%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber into a short tumbler.

A: Opaque, dark brown color with over one finger of mocha-tinted foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Dull ashy malt, herbaceous hops, and carbon dioxide account for an understated and clean smell. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins off-dry, with refined brown malt and aggressive acidity that brings out persistent scorched flavors in the middle. Other qualities associated with the second act include scant medicinal anise and weak, isolated alcohol. The finish retains some pure alcohol influence and also reveals moderate pure bitterness. Some relatively appealing chocolate pudding lingers on the palate.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, acidic on the palate, with brisk carbonation.

D/O: This stout is an unfortunate misfire from a normally-underrated brewery. If given a series of choices regarding desirable qualities it seems to make the wrong choice at every turn. Furthermore, the cleanliness seems too revealing, showing off the blemishes and pock marks.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 20:44:02 | More by beagle75

TheSixthRing

California

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Final Gravity Taproom in Roseville, CA

Appearance - Served opaque black with a half finger, cocoa powder colored head. Fair retention. Nice, sticky lacing.

Smell - Aroma is faint, but becomes a tad more prominent as it warms. Mostly subtle notes of chocolate and a touch of heat.

Taste - Flavor hits on loads of sweet chocolate, and lesser notes of dark chocolate. Hits on earth and briefly on faint black liquorice mid-taste, then finishes with a lingering roasted coffee bitterness and a lesser bittersweet chocolate character.

Mouthfeel - Medium in body, with soft carbonation. Smooth and drinkable.

Overall - Big fan of the flavor; love the array of chocolate character this imperial stout presents, then finishes with that nice touch of roastiness on the back end. It was a bit cold to start, so much of the flavor was subdued at first, but all flavor came out in full force once the brew reached closer to room temp. I'd love to see this beer offered in sixers, otherwise the bomber may be a once or twice a year purchase.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 22:38:11 | More by TheSixthRing

CommanderOfAwesome

California

3.45/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a snifter glass.

A: Pours a dark black color with little to no head to speak of. The little bit of head after sloshing around a bit is a caramel color. Very thin.

S: Getting a boozy, chocolate, coffee aroma. Not over powering, but solid and standard for the style.

T: Hides the alcohol very well. Getting chocolate, along with some vanilla. Slight creamy-ness as well.

M: Surprised by this, find it to be very thin for an Imperial Stout. Has the mouthfeel on a normal stout or porter.

O: Overall pretty solid offering without standing out. Doesn't do anything great, but hits about what you'd expect. Solid, but for the price point I think better RIS are out there. Worth a shot to give a try though. Would love to find it on tap.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 04:42:27 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap as a guest beer at 21st Admendment in San Fransico. Poured a semi-thick, syrupy black and brown hues with a big, lumpy tan head that left a simple ring of lace on the snifter.
Aroma of coffee beans, some bittersweet chocolate, a hint of raisins and smoky caramel note emanate up from the glass. Flavor had a rich, dominant chocolate note that was tempered with a some solid coffee bittering and just a tinge of smoky peat.
Mouthfeel was a bit too thin for style but overall is had excellent progressions of flavors and was really a joy to feel, especially as it warmed a bit.
Drinkability was really solid. Relatively high ABV was hidden by all the delicious flavors and really produced a well-rounded, very approachable RIS. Nothing to scare anyone away here just a solid example of style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 04:16:15 | More by ExtraStout

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bomber into Founders snifter. Served at cellar temp.

I think I got this from sideswipe a long time ago... Just getting around to it.
Gave myself a pour and after a quick smell/taste/look, the rest went into my chilli pot.

Looks thin.
Feels thin.
Smells surprisingly boozy for the relatively low ABV...

Lots of chocolate and roasty malt notes. No hops. Very little bitterness. The malt profile (and body!) remind me of Sierra Nevada Porter?!
The profile is missing something. I don't know exactly what-- I just know that I find this to be pretty mediocre.

Big chalky feel-- especially on the finish. Little boozy heat.

Overall-- meh. It isn't bad, but it it isn't very good either. Hopefully it works better in my chilli than in my glass.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 22:01:18 | More by AleWatcher

FosterJM

California

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

1549th Review on BA
Tap to Taster

@Drakes Brewing, San Leandro, CA

App- A highly thick and dense stout with a good head behind it. The edges retain a bit of browns and lightness. The beer is very dense as mentioned and doesn't show any light through. A good amount of cling and lace down the sides.

Smell- This was a straightforward stout and didnt pull any punches. Big and creamy on the nose with a lot of chocolate and malts. The columbus hops did add a nice layer on the nose and didnt overpower.

Taste- This was a nice stout. Like the nose it was creamy and rich and then it added in the malts and kept the chocolate levels very high. Just needs another layer to it to make it really pop.

Mouth- A big medium dense body with good rich malts and chocolate on the finish. The carbonation is spot on as well. Residual chocolate makes this like a chocolate dessert. Very decedant and smooth.

Drink- Very nice beer. I will have to pick up some bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 19:20:08 | More by FosterJM

jegross2

Illinois

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

Reviewing the Drakonic Imperial Stout from Drake's Brewing Company out of California.
Score: 92

Unknown bottle date. Served in a wine chalice and enjoyed on 08/18/12. Thank you Jeff for sharing this bottle at our tasting.

Appearance: Jet black with one finger of khaki head at pour that settles to a ring around the glass. Absolutely amazing lacing and retention. Gorgeous looking imperial stout. 5/5

Smell: Coffee, cocoa, roasted malt and a light amount of vanilla with an underlying aroma of brown sugar. A little dark fruit too. The aroma elements are extremely well incorporated. 4.5/5

Taste: Less balanced and incorporated than the aroma. Cocoa and coffee primarily. Less burnt roast flavor than the nose led on. Smooth malt backbone. No booziness whatsoever. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, low carbonation. Creamy, malty mouthfeel. 4/5

Overall: Really solid imperial stout here. I had never heard of this beer or the brewery before my friend Jeff brought a bottle of this over to a tasting, but I will be seeking it out again sometime in the future for sure.

Recommendation: Seek a bottle of this out. I feel like it would make a great starter imperial stout for casual drinkers.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $12 for a 22 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 19:34:32 | More by jegross2

maximum12

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to dfernandez77 for this bottle, the last survivor of a brown box that arrived via our friends at FedEx. 22 oz. bomber split with my wife to celebrate her giving her two-week notice to a grumpyfuckwadofaboss. Yippee!

Pour is black as the banner of Mordor. Smell is lovely rich malts, big chocolate, smaller shot of coffee.

Drakonic is a solid, middle-o-the-road imperial stout. All the requisite ingredients are accounted for in the roll call: big, dark, sweet malts, some coffee. The heavy chocolate is a nice touch & along with the nice hop doping gives it a goose right at the end. I take it back. More like edge of the ditch. Good one. No water. Maybe blueberries. Roast really amps up once the beer warms.

Sehr gut bier. Enough nice perks to retain my interest & goes down easy.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 03:14:21 | More by maximum12

DocJitsu

California

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown. Nearly no light passes, even when held up to the sun. A narrow, but rich mocha colored head appears. The head fades almost as quickly as it forms. The nose is nice--chocolate liquer with spent coffee grounds that emerge from time to time. I like the thick, creaminess, but the scrubbiness on the back of the tongue disrupts the smoothness of the mouthfeel just a little too much. Large flavors of chocolate liquer and notes of a mildly sour wood. The beer finishes quite dry, almost with a coffee acidity. It's a big ole imperial, but not a stupendous effort. Drake's has better offerings.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 01:09:08 | More by DocJitsu

yamar68

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to schwartzoid for this one. Never sampled anything from Drake's so I'm excited to see what they're all about. Poured from 22oz bomber to snifter:

Pours big and black with an edge of clarity, not much. A medium brown finger of head sinks to a collar after a minute or two... fantastic lacing.

Nose is pretty basic - fudge and lots of it, chocolate chip cookies, creamy sweetness, no real bite to it which makes for a nice change-up.

The taste isn't what I was anticipating. I was thinking cavity inducer, but this isn't that at all. There are a few of those dessert notes but there are also bitter bits and smoky undertones. More balance than the nose would suggest.

Pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 04:27:40 | More by yamar68

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle courtesy of FunkyMacGrovin. It was allowed to warm before being poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

Drake's Drakonic Imperial Stout pours a solid black, with maybe three fingers of mocha foam. Head retention is decent, and the lacing falls a bit on the spotty side. The nose has a fair amount of anise, with dark chocolate providing support. As usual for me, I wish the relative intensities of the two aromas were switched. There's a good bit more balance between black licorice and chocolate. A nice roasty coffee note comes in on the back end to provide a nice finish. The body has a little bit of creaminess to it, and is firm. It's not as luscious as some of its bigger, more "imperial" brethren, but it works for this beer. The carbonation is appropriately subdued, not pulling the spotlight away from the malt. Drakonic Imperial Stout isn't one of my favorite Russian Imperial Stouts, but it's a very solid offering. And, according the the $6.99 sticker price on mine, it's a great value buy for California BAs.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 05:15:12 | More by axeman9182

t420o

California

4.33/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drake drakonic imperial stout

A-  roasted chocoalte malt, brown sugar, an earthy coffee flavor, a peaty smell. A malty goodness coming from this. 4

S- pour produces a 1-1/2 finger dark mocha head resting atop a jet black body. Decent retention. Nice lacing 4  

T- from the second it hit my lips I knew it was good. Dark chocolate and espresso upfront but not  overdone and actually refreshing. There are hints of milk chocoalte, mollasses, slight bitter hop taste, and and earthy tone. Very well done 4.5
 

M- very good mouthfeel. Good viscotity, creamy, and good carbonation. 4

O- honestly I came into this beer with slightly low expectations as nothing ive ever had from drakes (albeit only a few of them) has ever impressed me. This definitely wowed me and I will be buying it again. A excellent imperial stout. This barrel aged would probably be orgasmic 4.5

A

 

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 06:00:23 | More by t420o

elNopalero

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This pours a midnight black with a thin, tight layer of foam. The aroma is that of roasty coffee with some toffee and dark chocolate notes rounding it out. The Drakonic has a big roasty flavor, with some dark chocolate and espresso. There’s an evident bittering to it and a sharp flavor which brings everything in focus. I enjoyed the dark mushroom nuances which emerged gradually as it warmed. Delicious. I just wish it had a fuller body to develop and hold up to the strong flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 21:26:51 | More by elNopalero

czechsaaz

Washington

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks, dark. Then it's kind of dark. Held up to a light it's dark with a big foamy tan head that settles into a solid layer. There's nothing about the look to complain about.

Smells a lot like molasses. Swetish but with a sour note from roast malt. But I don't get a whole bunch of roast, just hints.

Starts off sweet lots of base malt and some dark roast malt. Decent bittering hop level but it stays on the sweet side which is fine for RIS. There's also a hint of sourness not from hops but from darker roast malts, black patent or chocolate maybe. Lots of fruity flavor from the yeast. Overall a pretty complex beer.

Thick and creamy in the mouth but not harsh or alcoholic at all. It's not the hugest RIS I've had which might make it seem a little more approachable that some of them.

Definitely worth having again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 03:22:20 | More by czechsaaz

mkotsayfan

California

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a snifter. Pours a dark black with a nice one finger mocha colored head w/tight bubbles. The aroma is primarily dark chocolate with a little bit of some roasted malts and coffee. The taste opens up with the chocolate and hits with the coffee on the back end. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with good carbonation, but comes through a little thinner and more watery than an imperial stout should. It is still nice and smooth, and the alcohol is decently hidden.

Overall a solid stout from Drake's, wouldn't mind seeking it out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 06:25:31 | More by mkotsayfan

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.7/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a St. Bernardus goblet.

A: Two fingers of delicate, light brown head top a black, dark, opaque beer. Great lacing.

S: Roasted malts, slightly thin, with a hint of coffee but not much else.

T: Above average, nothing more. A rather disappointing imperial stout. The most superlative quality is the drying, citrus-bitter Columbus hops that offer superlative balance. Otherwise, it's sweetish chocolate malt; light, roasted bitterness; and nutty coffee on the very endtaste. The aftertaste is creamy.

M: Smooth, full-bodied, and, at times, hoppy dry. Nice.

O: Very well balanced and mild. A very well put-together beer. A gentler, if not subtler, imperial stout that comes moderately recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 06:49:14 | More by AgentMunky

arizcards

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a single at JV Wine & Sprits in Napa today for $5.99. I was in the mood for an impy stout after a day of wine tasting.

Beer poured black with a nice brown head that is hanging pretty well.

Nose is hints of coffee and mocha.

Taste is dark chocolate, roasted coffee, mocha, with a nice hop oil finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly smooth, not as chewy as hoped.

Overall this is a real tasty brew, love the flavors going on, not as viscous as hoped but good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 00:45:12 | More by arizcards

areich6

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoying with my good friend pschul4

A: Pours with about an inch and a half of head. The beer itself is quite dark but the head retains a light tan color. Appears less heavy than many other Imperial Stouts out there.

S: Honestly, it smells like a quad to me, or other comparable Belgian beers. I can detect dark fruits such as black cherries, and a slight bit of roastiness.

T: There is definitely some good hoppy bitterness along with some nice roastiness. I cannnot detect any of the dark fruits I could detect in the smell.

M: Fairly light, but also a little pleasantly creamy. Personally I prefer my stouts to be thicker than this but it definitely isn't watery by any means. There is no bight from the alcohol at all.

O: For a Russian Imperial Stout, I would call this above average. My idea of a great Imerial Stout is a little bit stronger than this, but overall it is satisfying brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 03:59:17 | More by areich6

pschul4

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to LeChupacabra for the bottle!

A- Rather dark even compared to other stouts. Almost 2 fingers of dark tan head let you know Drake ain't here to mess around.

S- Sweet malts and surprisingly citrusy hops in the nose. Some roast notes balance everything nicely in this realm

T- Very sweet with some beautiful hops but mostly malt that steal the show. Chocolate peaks through in the roast flavors and perfects this taste.

M- Not thick as a stout should be but it works better for this beer's flavor.

O- "Glass full I perfer the better things" Drake said it best himself. Enjoy this as often as possible which for me is extra rarely

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 03:55:41 | More by pschul4

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours black with enormous spicy mocha head. Baker's chocolate, slightly roast aroma. Artistic spider web of lace. Smooth mouthfeel, bitter and dry more than sweet, chocolate, mild coffee, quite nice though bitter edge not for everybody. Some vanilla, ginger, anise, drop of cayenne and black pepper. To be consumed slowly and appreciated, with most a great dessert.
Thanks Augustgarage.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 01:51:13 | More by northyorksammy

emerge077

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Ben for sharing this one, review from written notes.
Bottle stored in temperature-controlled, zero light conditions. Undetermined vintage, silkscreened fliptop bottle. Served in a goblet.

Pours black with a thick tan ring of foam around the edges. Glassy obsidian surface with a spray of wispy skim across the surface, spotty lacing on the sides of the glass.

Light oxidation apparent in the aroma, along with rich dark chocolate, nearly burnt toast, and chocolate syrup. Flavors are similarly rich and fudgy, chewy chocolate, light tobacco and barely noticeable oxidation. Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. Dry finish, creamy and smooth texture that puts it into ambrosial territory. Overall its pretty nice considering it's likely a few years old. Thanks again Ben!

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 03:09:54 | More by emerge077