22nd Anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

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BA SCORE
86
very good
-
93 Ratings

rAvg: 3.83
pDev: 12.01%
Reviews: 63
Hads: 30

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Karl Strauss Brewing Company

California, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 9.00% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once). bottle (56), on-tap (7).

Notes:
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

No notes at this time.

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Reviews

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Reviews by Gobzilla:

Gobzilla

California

3.6/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: poured a very dark brown just about black in color with maroonish highlights and had a tight half finger of brown head, good retention leaving a little lacing sticking to the glass.

S: noticeable coffee upfront with some roastiness, oat grains, hints of chocolate and faint vanilla. the bourbon to me was pretty muted but thought it had very little cherry notes to it.

T: the roastiness, mild bourbon, and vanilla were more apparent on the taste alongside some oat grains but had slight hop character. it did have chocolate accents and a touch booze.

M: the brew was medium in body with a good amount of carbonation which had a sweet, bourbon, mild hoppy, and silky finish.

D: it was just a decent imperial stout that was pretty good all around and to me would have liked more bourbon character; oh well.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2011 04:14:20 | More by Gobzilla

More User Reviews:

danwho

California

4.25/5 rDev +11%

02-24-2013 17:24:04 | More by danwho

SeaOfShells

California

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

01-15-2013 02:32:10 | More by SeaOfShells

jdmandel

California

4.75/5 rDev +24%

12-04-2012 06:43:13 | More by jdmandel

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.55/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into tulip - thanks pat

Pours a viscous, opaque blacked out color with a layering of tanned head. Slowly fades into a coating of filmy retention with some spotty lacing left behind on the glass.

A nice marriage of chocolate and vanilla in the nose, followed by undertones of oak, bourbon and warmth. Roasted malts, leather and sweetness with cocoa.

Plenty of vanilla right up front, matched with dark chocolate and cocoa. Sweet, but not cloying, riding a wave of roasted malts with a hint of roasted coffee beans. Continuing layers of dark malt with vanilla, oak and soft bourbon notes. Finishes a bit sweet and warm.

Fuller body, slightly lower carbonation, creamy and slick on the tongue. Drinks pretty nice considering the age, and the 25% barrel aged portion of the blend adds a decent depth of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 13:50:38 | More by xnicknj

marine1975

North Carolina

4.25/5 rDev +11%

10-20-2012 03:44:00 | More by marine1975

BrewTasting

Nevada

4.8/5 rDev +25.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Opened on 10/17/12 WOW, this is what I have been waiting for!

Open it up and enjoy! I've had this beer a couple times now, once last Christmas, and just shared this bottle at my local beer store.

Like you, I was scared to open it... afterall it's been about 2 years. Last Christrmas was good, but right now, whoa.. so perfect.

-Poured a very smooth black, with a khaki head

-The nose brings you in immediately, the vanilla is tremendous now! SO glad I waited.

-The flavor is spot on now, just the perfect ammount of oak, with loads of vanilla. Little bit of chocolate. It is poetic, I hate you Strauss, ha ha. We tasted Bourbon Boris, Lady in the Woods, and Pelican Tsunami tonight... All great beers... 22nd Strauss won our vote.

-Overall - Fantastic beer. I've rested it on its side for a good year, and also stood it for a year.. It's flawless right now. Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 07:01:34 | More by BrewTasting

t0rin0

California

4.25/5 rDev +11%

10-17-2012 02:41:41 | More by t0rin0

abeerdude

California

4/5 rDev +4.4%

08-14-2012 20:25:24 | More by abeerdude

draheim

Washington

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle into a snifter. Pours a pretty thin cola brown w/ a fizzy mocha head that settles to a thin film.

Aroma is very faint - and this beer is not cold. Subtle hints of vanilla and bourbon, but even that is almost a guess. Let it warm & give it a swirl - a nice earthiness emerges, but overall aroma is still less powerful than expected or desired.

Taste is roasty and sweet - again though, both bourbon and vanilla are weak. Some cocoa too.

Mouthfeel is smooth and light. A little thin.

Overall, everything is there - just less of it than I was expecting or hoping for. Almost feel like this was watered down.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 05:01:51 | More by draheim

Zaphog

Michigan

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%

05-27-2012 19:24:06 | More by Zaphog

acurtis

New Jersey

4/5 rDev +4.4%

05-12-2012 21:50:15 | More by acurtis

djrn2

New Jersey

3.5/5 rDev -8.6%

05-12-2012 21:18:28 | More by djrn2

mdfb79

New York

4/5 rDev +4.4%

03-23-2012 18:47:50 | More by mdfb79

Jparkanzky

Ohio

4/5 rDev +4.4%

03-04-2012 04:41:47 | More by Jparkanzky

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Waaay too much wax. I thought I was going to sever a finger trying to get it off. I understand it's special and everything, but consumers actually need to be able to access the product inside.

Pours a deep brown almost black with a big 3 finger off-white head fading into a ring after a minute or so. Spotty lacing down the glass.

Smells of sweet malts with a heavy dose of vanilla obviously and some bourbon characteristics but they are muted. Chocolate and cream also. This one smells sweet.

Flavor starts out with a rich chocolate creaminess. Vanilla is present, but not overpowering. A little bit of roasted malt, but then a touch of bourbon pulls at the back end with just a subtle hint of booze.

Fairly creamy mouthfeel although it is a bit too carbonated for the style.

I have a lot of issues with this beer. Taste is absolutely not one of them though. I really dig the flavors and thought the bourbon was well done. Had it not been for the slight overcarbonation, this one would've probably been a 4.5. Very drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 00:53:04 | More by jmarsh123