Berserker Imperial Stout - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A mini vertical tasting of 2005 and 2008 Berserkers...Nice.

Vintage 2005 at 10.4% abv, 22oz bottle at 55 degrees.

Pours opaque black with a half inch head of light brown. Zero translucency in any part of the body when held to direct light. The dense froth fell a partial skim coat, with a solid ring around the edges, and plenty of broken ropes of lacework.

Aromatics lead off with dark fudge, charred oak, red fruit, espresso syrup and mocha-laced booze. A strong vinous component steps forward, along with shades of port, sherry, and bourbon.
As the beer breaths hints of red wine and grape jam arise.

Full bodied with an extremely creamy mouthfeel. Sticky and chewy with plenty of gription. Slick and velvety.

Charred malts, oaky booze, dark chocolate, and espresso dusted fruit start the palate. A balance of wine-like vinousity and oaky bourbon come forward and linger till the end.

Finishes with a generous amount of residual chocolate, char, fudge, port, and warming bourbon.

While I try not to reference other beers in a review, I can't help but mention how much the Port-like character reminds me of Kate the Great, and the red wine vinousity reminds me of a barrel-aged Posioden. The beer as a whole tops a bottled Black Albert, although it would be unfair to compare to the Batch 0 Black Albert fresh from the tap. They are totally different beasts.
I was really surprised how the Bourbon is somewhat subdued in relation to the other qualities of the brew. There is a layered complexity in the nose and palate which is quite remarkable, and I'm sure it's from three years in the cellar.

Vintage 2008 at 12.7% abv, 22oz bottle at 55 degrees.

Pours pure black, void of any color, with a one inch head of dark brown. Super dense and thick. A partial skim coat remained on the surface for the duration, as well as webbed lacework.

Aromatics lead off with black forest batter, nougat, charred cocoa, vanilla, and bourbon.
Hints of Kahlau, blackened oak, and Hershey's syrup follow through.

Full, chewy mouthfeel. Thick, viscous, and massive bodied.

Dark chocolate, espresso-steeped embers, and light bourbon start the palate. Fudge nuggets, brownie bits, and warming booze follow through.

Finishes with lingering lush chocolate, espresso reduction, nougat, and bourbon.

Certainly a bigger version of Berserker than the 2005 in many ways. Oddly though the alcohol does not seem to be any more apparent even at 2.3% abv greater.
Thicker, fuller, and more concentrated than the 2005, but the 2005 has a complexity which the 2008 is lacking.

We'll see how the 2008 fares in a few years.

The score reflects the 2005 version, and I would put the 2008 just a couple of points below that.

Megaprops out to my bro Tim in AK for another set of off the hook brews. Thanks man!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 21:35:24 | More by brewandbbq

gford217

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2008 bottle courtesy of alaskajoe and NoonanDBarbarian poured into a snifter.

Pours about as beautiful as I've seen in a stout, with a pitch black body and big two-finger mocha head that hangs around as cap for ages and leaves great lacing. Gorgeous.

The aroma is a mixture of sweetness and dark roasted malts. The sweetness takes the form of chocolate, licorice, dark fruits and hints of vanilla. There is a bit of roasted coffee in the nose as well, but the sweetness is dominant.

The big dark roasted malts really come to play in the taste and underpin everything else. There is the sweetness of the dark fruits with vanilla, caramel and lots of chocolate. The finish has the roasted coffee bitterness with a very, very slight woody character.

The mouthfeel is decadent - thick and creamy like a rich chocolate dessert. Sticks all over the palate.

This is one fantastic stout and one of the best beers I've had in quite a while. For such a massive beer, it's very drinkable and the ABV was hardly noticeable. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 03:18:28 | More by gford217

hopdog

Pennsylvania

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

22oz bottle acquired in trade with puzzl (thanks!!!). 2007 vintage.

Poured a dark black color with an averaged sized light brown head. Aromas of roast, vanilla, chocolate, oak, light coffee, and dark fruits. Tastes of roast, vanilla, wood, dark fruits, and chocolate. Creamy and smooth body. Alcohol content well hidden. Nice.

Notes from and tasted on 7/4/07

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 15:24:58 | More by hopdog

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

AKBelgianBeast

Alaska

4.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2008 release. 12.7% abv. Aged in whiskey and Cabernet barrels and blended. Released 10/3/08

Pours a deep dark thick black with a huge two layer dark tan head that lingers awhile and leaves very nice lace.

Nose is all roasted malt, slight coffee and some chocolate, alcohol, more roasted malt. A slight bit of smoke.

Taste follows. Big big sweet malt profile, with slight coffee, chocolate, molasses, alcohol. Smoke is present, but very slight, roasty sweetness dominates here. The barrel aging is done very very well here, as it often is at Midnight Sun. The Cabernet barrel taste comes through very noticeably towards the end, but whiskey is dominant throughout most of the taste. Very complex, and very interesting. Very smooth. Good but not overwhelming bitterness rides on the finish.

Mouthfeel is nice, thick, and viscous. Would like to see just a touch more viscosity actually, but quite good here. Carbonation is just right. Silky. Smooth.

Drinkability is very very good, especially for this years gigantic abv. Goes down way too easily, quite dangerous.

Overall a very enticing RIS. A great blending of flavors, and an incredible drinkability. I cant wait to see what a couple years will do to this batch. The alcohol heat is already so tame for the abv. A great job of barrel aging here, not too strong, but right where it should be. Certainly one worth seeking out, priveleged to have this one on hand.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2008 05:23:09 | More by AKBelgianBeast

khiasmus

South Carolina

4.18/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Perfectly black. Only a bit of brown highlights when held to the light. Head is rich and thick, but no lacing :-(

S- Tons of dark fruits and alcohol. A hint of grassy hops in the back, which is overridden by the fruity, cherry, port-like malt character.

T- Initially malty with dates, then drops almost immediately to tons of burnt malt and roasted grain character, which interacts with the hops for a fairly bitter finish. Alcohol comes in just a bit at the end... yummy.

M- Thick, chewy, medium-low carbonation, and a slightly astringent finish.

D- Very good. Like a lighter version of dark lord, dare I say it.. not as good, but still... I'll have it every chance I get.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2007 01:37:54 | More by khiasmus

alexgash

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2007 Edition, served at 55 degrees F.

Viscous, inky black body supports a dense, concave, dark brown head. Good lacing. Sweet and tart fruits: plums, grapes, dates, figs. Smoke, leather, and light oak mix with creme brulee, cocoa, milk sugar, alcohol, and light espresso. Complex and inviting.

Singed, roasted bitterness greets the tongue. Smoky, peaty roasted malt base meets dark fruit sweetness and alcohol. Light chocolate notes follow into a bitter, hoppy finish. Warming. Alcohol sting is a little too noticeable/hot. Otherwise not bad. Body is a tad thin for the style with a little too much carbonation (i.e. not creamy enough feel). Still, a pretty good tasting and drinking RIS.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2007 05:21:14 | More by alexgash

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Much thanks to hopdog for sharing this beauty. 2007 version...
Appears black with caramel brown edges and a dark tan head. Scattered streaks of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of raisins, cocoa, vanilla, mocha, and oak.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with a peanut flavor that is also standing out in the complex flavors.
Mouthfeel is smooth, chewy, raisiny, bourbony, and outright beautiful. This one is a winner. Seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2007 19:59:12 | More by weeare138

grumpy

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My tastebuds inform me that this stuff is up there with Dark Lord and The Abyss – the best of the best. It’s all there in large quantities. Nice dark, thick appearance. Wonderful aroma of sweet malt, coffee, chocolate, molasses, raisins. Flavors of the same. Nicely hopped and roasty, but with a definite sweetness in the finish. Full-bodied, and just enough carbonation. A reasonable alcohol bite at the end. No need to say more. Just fabulous.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2007 15:36:21 | More by grumpy

SacoDeToro

California

4/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Vintage 2007 and 2005 bottles opened and shared with fellow BAs.

Both beers poured a darker than dark coal black with very little head. There was no pop when this beer was opened and it appeared flat.

The aroma of the two vintages was very similar and full of rich coffee, roasted malts, dark chocolate, and some faint vanilla. The high alcohol helped carry the aroma brilliantly.

The flavor of both vintages was full of intense flavors that seamlessly transitioned from one to another. Coffee - Chocolate - Rich roasted malts. There were also flavors of some rum soaked fruits, like plums, raisins, and figs. The hops were very subdued and in the background. The 2007 seemed slightly dryer and a touch less malty than the 2005 version, which for me, made it a better beer. The 2007 also had some slight smoky notes in the finish.

The mouthfeel was thick and heavy. It coated your mouth with a ton of flavor. The beer had a great creaminess to it that helped all the flavors blend together very smoothly.

Both vintages were solid examples of Russian imperial stouts. The 2007 version seems to have been slightly tweaked and the flavors are more evenly dialed in.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2007 22:08:20 | More by SacoDeToro

Crosling

Colorado

2.68/5  rDev -38.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Cool name. 2007. Bomber. Pours back alley black with ample light brown creamy froth. Nose is uninspiring, fruity with hints of blackening banana peel. Very little roast, chocolate, coffee or barrel character in the nose at all. On the palate, everything falls apart even more. Very little character overall. Nothing that I desire in a whiskey barrel aged stout is here. No oak, no roast, no chocolate, no coconut, no vanilla. It’s sweet fruity, with hints of dark fruits and banana. I can see why others like this, but this beer is not for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2007 05:24:27 | More by Crosling

juzy

Alaska

4.05/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This limited brew from Midnight Sun has promise.

It pours opaque, you cannot see a thing through this. A tight, dark tan (bordering on brown) head piles up about an inch or two at the top of my glass. It settles down rather quickly and doesn't leave much in the way of lace.

At first whiff there is spicy alcohol, some whiskey and oak notes. I find molasses, a bit of homemade fudge in the middle. It reminds me of the scent of those liquor-filled Belgian chocolates.

I taste and discover molasses up front, vanilla too. Not sure of the brand of whiskey that the oak casks originally housed, but I'm picking up a bit of it's flavor. Again with the alcohol spice, a touch of smoke on the finish.

At 10.4 ABV, you wouldn't want too many in a row, but it makes for a nice finish to dinner on a cold night. I would suggest some lay-down time on this one, as I believe it will smooth out and mellow some of the alcohol notes.

Overall another great offering from Midnight Sun.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2006 17:56:57 | More by juzy