Berserker Imperial Stout - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

madvermin

California

4.97/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Vintage: Fall 2010, 12.7% abv

Pours a ridiculously dark black with a deeply shaded oak-brown one-finger head that lingers for a bit before becoming a cool looking coffee gum swirl. The beer is just so thick and viscous that the head is just icing on the cake.

The smell is saturated with vanilla and molasses with a touch of sugary sweet character. Roasted malt and slight bitter chocolate adds to the already intoxicating aroma, and perfectly balanced booze adds spice and warmth. A touch of licorice and a little bit of nuttiness just adds to the phenomenal smell. Flawless aroma.

The taste - wow. The words following are not enough to adequately put the scope of this beer together. A blend of the most delicious and delectable roasted malts offer a charred, toasted flavor that is unmatched in any beer I've had. Bitter chocolate and slight booze spice offers a tiny bit of cinnamon. Vanilla and molasses give it a sweetness that is not too strong, but just the right strength. Nuttiness and tobacco is very prevalent and rich - added to the already ridiculous malts, this beer has no match in terms of flavor. Coffee adds even more at the finish with a slightly bitter taste that is just what was needed at that point. The sweetness in this beer is so well done, perhaps due to the maple syrup the label says it was brewed with. I can't say enough about this beer - it's everything one could want in an RIS. Unreal.

Mouthfeel is a velvety smooth, thick viscous syrup that fits the style as perfectly as possible. Booze is hidden outside of a faint warmth it provides which happens to be balanced so that the alcohol never negatively affects anything. Creamy rich flavor just doesn't stop, and the slightly bitter coffee finish keeps it on an otherworldly level in this category. Drinkability = flawless. This is a 12.7% abv beer and I can't stop drinking it at all. I've been "working" on a full glass of this and it's going too fast for my liking.

Midnight Sun you are probably my favorite brewery. Alaskans I am envious of your proximity to them (although I feel bad for you guys being outside the continental 48). GETTHIS BEER AT ALL COSTS.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 14:00:40 | More by madvermin

doopiedoopiedoo

Netherlands

4.93/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Not very many days are like this day was. Not very many beers are this good. Not very many beers are this hard to come by. Not very meant people get to try a 2010 next to a 2005 vintage of the Beserker.

It was a good day anyways as I had just received an insane box of goodies from johnbjaeger. A couple of hours after opening Jeffo shows up bringing not one but two Beserkers. A 2010 and a 2005. How great can a day be? Great beer night Jeff!

After my heartrate slowed down to an acceptable level I poured this into a snifter.

Man, that is some thick stuff. In a beer heaven the roads are paved with this ultra dark and thick stuff. It leaves a decent size mocha head that has the appearance of tan whipped cream.

So I put my nose over it. BAM! Bourbon, vanilla, mollasses dark cherry like fruits, anise and a wee bit of booze are all crying out for attention.

The next logical thing seemed drinking it. Oh yes, drinking... Bourbon with a burn would be a summary but you'd not hear of the sweetness to biterness and back. You would miss out on the fruitlike flavors I can't identify but I do note sweet mollasses, roasted malts, chocolates and coffe flavors. It's insane.

The mouthfeel isn't as thick as I expected so I put the fork and knife back in the drawer. It's a bit airy, light even but still solid. Great neutral finish with a little alcohol burn.

The 05 version held up pretty well. The barrel seemed to be a whiskey one and there was more bitterness and no alcohol burn that I did find in the 2010.

This is one of the most memorable beers I have ever had. I'm going toleave Beserker on my wants list forever because one can never have enough of this stuff.
Jeffo, you are the man!!! Thanks again!!! This was epic!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 13:52:15 | More by doopiedoopiedoo

Lare453

Florida

4.91/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A black as night, khaki head, nice lacing, beautiful!

S vanilla, chocolate, bourbon, maple, light hop, caramel, white chocolate, sweet vermouth,

T vanilla, white chocolate, sweet vermouth, salted caramel, big bourbon and whiskey flavors, omg Is it good!

My hick, viscous, delicious!

O holy shot. This is amazing! One of the best liquids ever.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:23:31 | More by Lare453

brentk56

North Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2009 bottling

Appearance: Black as midnight with a very modest mocha head that fritters away to a ringlet in short order, while leaving a streak of lacing

Smell: Rich and velvety dark chocolate, dark fruit, tobacco and molasses

Taste: Rich dark chocolate tones, up front, joined by a hint of maple and a vinous fruity character that morphs by adding a touch of bourbon at mid-palate; the alcohol also adds character and there is a tobacco-esque hoppy element, as well; the finish is lengthy and smooth

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation; subtle heat in the finish

Overall: A superb beverage that is as good as any RIS I have tasted

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 00:51:18 | More by brentk56

martyl1000

Wisconsin

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at City Beer Store, SF. Beautiful pour into a narrow goblet. Brownish-black, with a chocolate meringue head. Massively complex aroma. Oak, bourbon, and a tangy fruit that would've been indecipherBle had I not known about the red wine barrels.

Oh man. In the mouth add milk chocolate, sweet alcohol, and a bell-ringing blood-iron metallic brightness that might be hop bitterness transformed by all the other immensities.

The only drawback is the oak seems a bit overwrought in the aroma--makes for an odd savoeiness bringing to mind fried pencil eraser.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2012 23:41:09 | More by martyl1000

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.88/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A big thanks to Frank for sending this one my way. I have waited to try this one for literally forever. Served chilled to about 55 and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 04/11/2009.

The pour was fantastic. Rich dark brown, nearly black with a huge tan head that rose up nearly three inches over the top and only slightly settled down as the session passed Tons of rich foam swirling around the glass coated everything in sight with a rich chocolate haze. Intense looking for sure. The aroma was equally as impressive. Tons of molasses, rich roasted malts steeped in coffee. As it warms a load of cocoa just rises up and sucks you in. This one is as intense as it gets for me. I go in for the taste and I am floored. Such a rich, smooth, full bodied explosion of flavor, I am unsure how to even describe it. Chocolate and coffe melded seemlessly together in a huge milkshake like consitency. This is one of the best tasting stouts I have had. Roasted malts just fluttering through and huge notes of molasses and woody like flavors as it fades away leaving vanilla infused coffee notes along my tongue. Soo good. I almost did not want to finish this one it was soo good. Alcohol a mere afterthought as the smoothness of this blows everything out of the water.

I have had nearly every big, bad stout out there, but this one is easily in my top 5. Just such a sweet flavor and smooth feel to it, I really did not think it was going to be this good. Needless to say I am impressed.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 15:25:43 | More by mikesgroove

rudylaw

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Huge thanks to alaskajoe for finally ending my long search for this! 2009 vintage, poured into my North Coast snifter. Sampled first in a 10 stout tasting and finished first.

A nearly black pour with a solid 1-2 inch tan head.

Tons of maple, molasses, vanilla and roasted malts in the nose.

All that and then some in the taste. Chocolate and coffee mingle with all of the sweet smells. This is so amazingly smooth and creamy. Reminds me of Kate in terms of mouthfeel and an overwhelming desire to drink this way too fast.

This is easily among my favorite RIS and will be saving my other bottles for special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 13:52:25 | More by rudylaw

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

An unexpected late addition to the epic tasting, this arrived in Kyle's "Farewell Alaska" package that arrived on my doorstep right before the tasting started, with just enough time to get the beers to cellar temp. Thanks, Kyle!

Bottle from 2009 with 12.7% ABV

The pour is dark, viscous, and creamy. There is a dense dark foam that caps the opaque liquid in my glass. After pouring it into my snifter to get a nice swirl, lacing comes in spots and a delicate pattern.

Aromas pour forth from the mouth of the snifter, imparting red wine barrel aromas, nicely balanced with molasses, tobacco, oakey vanilla, and some slight booziness. Surprisingly, the bourbon aromas are nearly imperceptible. The molasses and tobacco really take a big roll in the flavor profile against a roasted malt foundation. Woody vanilla brings with it some of the bourbon notes that are understated and beautifully subtle. Toffee and vinous grape notes round out the flavor. Alcohol is nearly imperceptible.

Sticky and resinous and yet somewhat smooth. The feeling left on the palate is really incredible. Deep and complex, this is one of the best imperial stouts and barrel-aged beers that I have ever had the pleasure of consuming.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2010 04:30:16 | More by NittanyBeerFan

AwYeh

California

4.83/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2010 vintage, 12.7% ABV. 22oz bomber poured into snifter; huge thanks to madvermin for picking this up to share with me, as it has been one of my biggest wants... and it did not disappoint.

A: Pours an opaque dark brown/black, with a finger of extremely thick, frothy brown head. Great retention and spotty lacing, a good looking beer for certain.

S: Huge molasses aroma kicks things off, with a good deal of brown sugar on the side. I'm also picking up great quantities of bittersweet chocolate and hints of coffee; all around, this is a very well balanced smell.

T: Roasted, toasted malts all over the place, along with a ton of sweet chocolate flavors- I don't want to say this quite has a milk chocolate flavor (there is a good deal of bitterness in there), but it's quite sweet for sure. Long, lingering, bittersweet, malty, nutty, chocolate finish is simply outstanding; one of the best finishes I've ever encountered, which is both hugely enjoyable in itself and begs me to take another sip. After a while, the finish devolves into a straight up roasted flavor- wholly enjoyable, and a rarity, even among imperial stouts. Light coffee and moderately strong vanilla flavors also show up in the flavor... wow, this is good.

M: Medium-bodied, especially so for an RIS. Moderate carbonation leads to a very creamy, very smooth texture, that leaves a dry, but just barely sticky finish behind.

O: Amazing. Outstanding. I'm running short on descriptors for this beer; I am having a hard time rationing this glass for myself. Can't wait until I get a chance to try it again; very, VERY highly recommended if you ever get a chance to pick it up, or trade for it. Definitely worth a trade for some of the more highly touted beers (Dark Lord, Darkness, etc.).

After finishing my glass, I can honestly say this is one of the finest beers I've ever had (at the time of this review, second only to Mikkeler Beer Geek Brunch Weasel, which will definitely need a re-review after this). I highly, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this; trade for it, or buy it, if at all possible. Outstanding beer all around.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 13:50:11 | More by AwYeh

CoolJosh

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip. Pours a really sexy, velvety, motor oil black. Vicious and thick per the appearance. Really gorgeous 1 finger head, dark khaki in color, that sits pleasantly on top of the luscious black body of this beer. Lacing drapes the sides of the glass rather nicely.

This beer smells nice, tons of cream and a pronounced Kentucky mash or reminiscent of Jameson Irish whiskey. There is also a nice slight oak scent, and some subtle sweetness that lies in the form of darker fruits.

The taste is near perfect. Tons of roasted bitter malts, predominately chocolate. some chewy raisins, cherry, very well done Kentucky mash, nice oak dryness that bites the tongue rather aggressively. A little bit of a molasses flavor creeps through all of the other flavors and adds to a nice touch of vanilla and some light toffee. Very rich and delectable, and the complexity is there. Awesome beer with a relatively light and creamy mouthfeel.

Rereview 3-28-09
The 'Most Epic F'in Tasting Ever'

Wow, this had to be rereviewed after trying the 09 vintage. Th taste and mouthfeel on this are superb. So silky smooth, without the slightest trace of alcohol. The wine barrel shows a little bit more in this vintage. The smell is remarkable, with the maple syrup adding very nicely. The roastiness in the taste is awesome. I. NEED. MORE.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2009 01:41:57 | More by CoolJosh

bmanning

Virginia

4.78/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks akbeerfiend for this 2009 bottle (12.7%, cool label too).
A: Pours a thick, oily black like motor oil with a thin, dark brown head that sticks around for a very long time.

S: Smell has huge bourbon, vanilla, oak, caramel, molasses, licorice, chocolate chip cookie dough, and a hint of a bold, napa cab with a hint of pepper. Simply divine and I can't wait for the first sip!

T: Wow! Wonderfully complex flavors of dark chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, tobacco, and a hint of spice in the finish. Also, the flavors of the wine barrel (blackberry, blueberry, leather, pepper) really come through strong and match harmoniously with the bourbon barrel qualities.

M: Pretty thick mouthfeel with the perfect amount of carbonation, only knock is that it could be a bit thicker like Dark Lord.

D: I can't put this beer down it's so good. The 12.7% is very well hidden, as it's not hot at all. I want to warm it up a bit, but I find myself drinking so damn fast! Must....wait...a bit...longer....

Nice, it only gets better and better as it warms. This is a world class stout and definitely a top 5 barrel aged Imperial Stout in my opinion. I will be seeking more bottles of this in the future!

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 01:35:00 | More by bmanning

dragonWhale

New York

4.78/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2010 on tap at Big Wood.

Waiting and waiting and waiting. Finally, after many a brusque "no, it's not on yet" from a harassed bartender, it appeared, black, cavernous, a hole to the center of the earth. Very low carbonation, swirled thickly, begrudgingly. I have been wanting to try this forever and failed in Alaska this summer (of course) but here it was, before me, spewing strong and volatile alcohols like spittle from my grandfathers mouth. The molasses and maple make themselves known, though I got a great deal more of the maple myself. Some roast and some chocolate. I didn't really get much of the wine barrel influence, but perhaps that just added to the well-roundedness of the beer. Exceptional with a very long tender finish when warm, warming the soul with a war story from the good old days.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2010 10:24:05 | More by dragonWhale

ant880

New York

4.76/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Knocking out this long-time want courtesy of huskermike12, who sent it along with a box of awesomeness in the Super Bowl XLVII Squares BIF...

A: Fairly aggresive pour into a CBS snifter produces a thick, 2-finger light brown head. Head retention is excellent, especially compared to most barrel-aged stouts that pour with little to no head to begin with. Body is deep black, which makes the pour look like a slice of chocolate cake with whipped chocolate mousse on top.

S: First sniff is HUGE chocolate with a wisp of bourbon on the tail end. Reminds me of a warm chocolate lava cake. Cant wait to dive into this.

T: With chocolate still assaulting my nose, the first sip is dominated by cocoa, followed by the slightest cameo appearance of maple and finishing with a restrained dose of bourbon. Taste definitely delivers on what the nose promised. The barrel adds the perfect amount of bourbon, complementing the chocolate without ever dominating the taste. This is like a bourbon spiked hot cocoa. Touches of coffee, molasses ad fudge throughout. The one drawback, the maple never made a reappearance after the first sip.

M: Thick as a brick. Coats the tongue, tastebuds and everything in between. Not sure if this is part of what the molasses adds, but if so, it should be a requirement for every imperial stout.

O: Loved it! The one disappointment was the absence of the maple, but I have yet to find a beer that fully delivers on the maple promise (going to have to find me some Lawsons next). Other than that, I would stockpile this if it was readily available. Going to have to steal some of my son's Nestle Quick, toss it in a coffee mug, microwave it and spike it with some bourbon to hold me over til the next time I can get my hands on some of this.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 03:17:55 | More by ant880

aerozeppl

New York

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

demadows went to the cellar for this one. 2008 bottling. Thanks for the share.

A: Super dark. Jet black. Very nice rich and deepcoffee colored head.

S: Oak and vanilla. A little bit of coconut. Chocolate. Roast. Little bit of oak. A touch of boooze in the back. An insanely complex nose.

T: The taste was just like the nose. That little bit of coconut I got just put this one over the top for me. This had everything you want in a Russian Imperial Stout. Very smooth.

M: Full bodied and well carbonated.

D: An amazing beer. World class. I really enjoyed this beer a ton. Highly recommended. Thanks again to dmeadows.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2010 22:42:18 | More by aerozeppl

jminsc76

California

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Courtesy of alexd3191.

Pours a brownish head atop a black impenetrable body. Not much head, considering its level of ABV; looks a lot like oil.

Dude, smells like a smore. Seriously, smells like I am roasting a smore by the fireplace. And that is good. Aromas are intense; love them.

Flavors range with so much good stuff. Plenty of chocolate, tobacco, MOLASSES, graham cracker, marshmallows, and some good smooth coffee notes. As I breath it in, exhibits a little booze, but quite minuscule. Pretty much flawless.

Mouthfeel is soft and viscous, with a marshmallow consistency caressing the palate so lovely. It's hearty, and yet so silky smooth. Wow.

Overall, this is a masterpiece of an RIS. Everything checks out, with a bit of innovation on the flavor profile. Yep, I would drink this repeatedly. With smores if I had them. :-)

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2010 06:04:14 | More by jminsc76

jdense

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

22 oz bomber 2001 (!) vintage supplied by the awesome Shawn Kelso at inaugural DONG (Dudes of Northwest Grog) tasting in The Big, 5.21.11, multiple samples-didn't want to hog this, but what a treat!

Brown head small bubbles, slow dissipation with above average lacing over dark brown/almost jet black body, no visible carbonation, one big dark brew. A truly phenomenal and complex smelling brew, vanilla, some chocolate and coffee, dark stone fruit (figs and prunes), alcohol smell has certainly mellowed as have the hops. The taste is complex and sublime, as it warmed the beer changed character like a chameleon, a bit of cocoa nibs upfront, vanilla goodness in the middle, leading to a finish that kept changing as it warmed, truly a beer to contemplate the meaning of life and beer over. Slick and coating mouthfeel, not a lot of effervescence, no oxidation to speak of. I had a a younger vintage at my first HOTD dock sale several years ago (thanks, Akfaust), but this beer was a true tour de force, one of the best beers I've ever had. If you have the patience to cellar for this long, you will be rewarded. An amazing experience.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 22:56:35 | More by jdense

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

2008 Berserker. I think this came from Beerzebub. He is the man, regardless.

A - It pours black as a crow with ruby edges and is capped with a persistent film of dark khaki froth.

S - The nose is just so luxurious and decadent. Cinnamon ice cream, streusel topping, dark fruit, dates and figs, vanilla, cardamom, caramelized sugar, fudge, pipe tobacco and oatmeal are all noted. Delicious.

T - This beer tastes fantastic. Maple, molasses and barrel notes are heavily integrated, also something like chocolate-covered prunes. Some oxidation is noted; it is well-integrated though. Oak is present in appreciable quantities, however, it is subtly applied. There is a lot of dark-fruity character. As it airs out, some herbal hops come out and there is an increased sweetness on the finish. Hugely complex and very delicious.

M - The feel is a bit lighter than I expected, but it makes up for it with a silky texture and soft micro-bubbles.

O - Great stuff. Breaking news: Midnight Sun makes great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 20:43:11 | More by ktrillionaire

beerandcycling88

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

From tasting notes

A Pours a black color topped off with a decent brown head.

S Lots going on with molasses, some wood, and chocolate. Pretty sweet smelling.

T Follows the nose with molasses and chocolate,followed by some wine like fruit and some tobacco.

M Very smooth.

Overall this is an amazing stout that is one of my all time favorites.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 03:05:49 | More by beerandcycling88

DaveHS

California

4.72/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours viscous black with almost no head. Leaves milky coffee colored lacing.

S-Molasses, caramel, toffee, fresh ground black pepper, dulche de leche.

T/M- WOW. Smooth, gorgeous, complex. Dulche de leche, molasses, cold coffee, vanilla bean, oak. Luxurious and impressive.Full bodied with low carbonation and a rich, lush mouthfeel.

D-An exceptional imperial stout. Highly reccomended.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 17:16:32 | More by DaveHS

lakersfan16

Alaska

4.72/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle.

Pours extremely dense and viscous, absolutely no light coming through this one, with a dark brown head. The taste is extremely complex, very chewy, malty, and syrupy. Hints of vanilla, brown sugar, molasses, cocoa. Midnight sun usually produces great imperial stouts, and this one is one of the best that I've tried anywhere. I eagerly await it's release every year!

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 16:30:07 | More by lakersfan16

tpd975

Florida

4.7/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge Thanks to Gillard for bringing completing a trade to bring this one from the great white north.

A: Pours a very dark black hue with a small creamy head. Very oily, it coats the glass with each swirl. The retention is low, but it does manage some spotty lace.

S: Bold chocolate aromas waft from the glass. Hints of creamy milk, vanilla, and coffee.

T: MMM good. Bold chocolate upfront, with a nice sugary sweetness, almost browine like. Roasted malt are there as well along with a dash of creamy butter milk. Light oak makes an appearence with a bit of earthiness.

M: Full bodied, rich, smooth, and creamy. What a wonderful brew.

D: If I had the chance I would put a bomber down all by myself, but this one is hard to come by, and is to be shared which I am indebted to Ryan for doing.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2008 20:07:30 | More by tpd975

ipafool

Oregon

4.7/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours nice and dark with a two finger creamy head. Nice lacing as well. Smells of oak, redwine, bourbon, espresso and roasty malt. Taste is nice and roasty no touch of the 12% found at all. Bourbon comes thru on the finish. Mouthfell is great in this beer the carbonation is spot on for the style and nice and thick. Overall this is one of my favorite stouts. I think it could head to head with the Abyss anyday of the week.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2010 00:06:02 | More by ipafool

OakedCanuck

Washington

4.7/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz poured into tulip. from notes

I have been waiting to get this for a long time and was finally able to land one. Thought this would be suiting for my 100th.

This pitch black beer pours with a medium, tan to straight brown head, lacing was minimal. The nose is mostly molasses with some dark fruits. Taste is incredible, molasses, maple, vanilla, oak. If taste could represent inanimate objects, this would be a log cabin. Mouthfeel is very heavy, creamy and balanced. This is a sipper but a sipper I would love to drink everyday. Amazing beer from an amazing brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 20:30:13 | More by OakedCanuck

RodneyX

Missouri

4.7/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is an imposing looking black beer that had a brown head that left nothing behind. Head rose up about 1/4 inch and looked good while it was there. Smell was some awesome roasted malts with great barrel flavors like bourbon, oak, and vanilla. There's even some great sweet fruit taste at the end. It's thick and viscous and there isn't really any alcohol detectable here. Really like this one and got through the bottle pretty easily.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 22:05:32 | More by RodneyX

Wetpaperbag

Washington

4.68/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Frank is the man!

A- Well I would say this pours like crude oil from the AK pipeline. I had some Borris the Crusher and thought it was thick. Wow the head on this is like a clogged drain. I would say this almost looks like a super thick chocolate syrup. And talk about dark, the head is super dark brown as well. Amazing!

S- Chocolate, vanilla, anise, roasted malts and everything that is dark and tasty is having a great time in this winner from Midnight Sun. This smells like a thick chocolate pudding made over the stove. Very great smelling.

T- This is very light tasting for a thick looking beer. This has a nice woody taste mixed in with some great roasted smoky malt taste. Despite being aged in Whiskey casks there isn't a strong whiskey taste. According to Frank he said this is also aged in Cabernet barrels which is a more prevalent taste. This is a very nice and complex RIS. The aging and blending process adds very unique levels to this beer.

M- The beer is thick, but not as thick as I would have thought. It is very tasty in the mouth.

D- Oh yeah, I wish this was sold in Washington as well. I bet if Midnight Sun sold more of their beers outside of Alaska they would be very popular, this one being a top seller, after all they are brewing more as I type this.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2008 03:12:58 | More by Wetpaperbag