Wake Up Dead - Left Hand Brewing Company

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance –Served a deep dark black color with a very small brown head. The brew looks sticky just from the way it seems to cling to the glass when swirled. The head faded fast and gave way a decent lacing.

Smell – Roasted coffee and malt notes are the heaviest. There is also a nice presence of chocolate and nuttiness.

Taste – Just as the nose forebode, roasted malt and coffee are the most prevent flavors. The two together persist throughout the taste. More toward the middle some sweeter notes come into play; a little bit of vanilla and a bittersweet chocolate flavor mixed with some darker fruit flavors of prune and raisin. These flavors along with the coffee and roasted malt are met with some nuttiness more toward the end of the taste. Finally at the very end, a warming alcohol flavor comes to the tongue. Not too strong – it’s just enough to warm without overpowering any of the other flavors.

Mouthfeel – Nice and creamy with a lower level of carbonation. The beer coats the palette with a nice smoothness; allowing the dark roasty flavors to really permeate the tongue.

Overall - A rather nice imperial stout. A nice warming brew with a good roasty, but balanced taste as well as very pleasing mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 23:53:16 | More by Darkmagus82

57md

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance is black with a ruby hue. There is more than a finger of head that quickly dissipates, but leaves nice lacing in its wake. There is dark fruit in the nose of this offering. The taste is dry and roasty with the taste of raisins in the background. Finally, there is a mild alcohol finish to that is not unpleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 08:42:15 | More by 57md

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.13/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Wake Up Dead, on tap at Pony Bar in NYC, served in their eight-ounce glass.

Appearance: Beautiful crown, a lady's finger of mocha-colored head with soapy bubbles. Good retention, great lacing. The customary black-chestnut color of a big stout, with a shiny auburn tone when swirling.

Smell: Subtle, almost non-existent (aka: "underwhelming"). Chocolate powder, a hint of spice. Musty hops. Chock-full-o'-nuts kind of coffee, you know?

Taste: Strangely funky, with bitter cold coffee upfront and again a spicy backbone. Spoiled milk, soy sauce and Modena. Hoppy-dry aftertaste that lingers in the mouth.

Mouthfeel: Full body, medium flavor and carbonation. Not bad, but not great. Uncommon (for an Imperial Stout) dry, hoppy finish. Water, please!

Overall: Strange. Not so drinkable, not too pleasurable. More of a Black IPA, I would say...but it is at least better than the horrible barrel-aged version!

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 01:29:03 | More by DoubleSimcoe

SunDevilBeer

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap recently @ the Biltmore in Newton.

Poured pitch black with a decent head into a snifter glass. Strong black licorice & toffee on the nose with a bit of smoke.

As expected with an impy stout, assertive flavors present in the 1st sip. Smoky, chocolate, very smooth. Bit of raisin in the aftertaste. Alcohol is well-hidden, this is a pretty drinkable beer @10% ABV.

Glad I tried this, I'd like to try it again some time.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 17:07:05 | More by SunDevilBeer

mltobin

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap at Holy Smoke in Mahopac , NY.

Appearance is dark brown, tan head, some lacing going on. Its` nose contains brown sugar, licorice and caramel. The taste is some toffee, a bit of chocolate and roasted malts. Mouthfeel is medium-full. A good imperial stout, but nothing too special imho.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 03:27:29 | More by mltobin

jale

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Crunchy's in East Lansing.

A: Pours black with a finger of light brown head.

S: Dark roasted malt, raisins, licorice, roasted coffee and a hint of cherry.

T: Taste is raisins upfront followed by licorice and some oakiness. Mild alcohol heat. Finish is a dry bitter coffee and piney hop bitterness

M: Medium body with average carbonation.

O: A decent Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 22:12:07 | More by jale

claytong

Vermont

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance - medium head poured into a snifter from left hand, dark, a bit of brown/crimson but otherwise black dominates. opaque, small head with decent lacing.

smell - super sweet smelling, brown sugar, coffee, nut shells, minor hops

taste - coffee and brown sugar dominate with a nice nut touch. hops end it but not really bitter

mouthfeel - creamy, sugary, minor cloying, oily in the mouth. too much carbonation.

overall - for price and what not this is an exceptional brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 17:41:07 | More by claytong

csiewert

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer enjoyed at the abner pub in Norman, OK. The beer pours a dark brown/black color with a trace of tan head that laces well, buy has poor retention. The aroma has notes of chocolate, dark fruit and some coffee. The taste starts with dark fruit and then move to chocolate and finishes with coffee bitterness. The mouthfeel is nice and balanced with a slightly velvety feel. Overall a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 01:08:31 | More by csiewert

gatornation

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap in a pint glass

A-pours a very dark brown.black color with a 1 finger khaki head with nice lacing on side of glass

S- was chocolate,toffee,raisins.licorice ,some herbal smells

T- was sublime ..semi-sweet chocolate is mixed with toffee and some roasted coffee..it followed by raisins and plums,some licorice and mint and pepper are present

M- was a somewhat bitter on the palate with medium carbonation, but a full robust taste i was not tasting the abv

O- is a solid double a touch bitter and is skewed on the dark fruit side ,but it was a pleasure on tap

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2011 00:02:26 | More by gatornation

CloudStrife

New York

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a snifter. Bottled on 11/12/12.

A: Pours very dark brownish black with a half finger khaki head. Leaves some nice lacing. Light gets through about 3/4".

S: Chocolate and malt are present. Not overwhelming. Hints of dark fruit as well.

T: Roasty body with ample chocolate notes. Lots of fermented fruit as well. Booze is fairly well hidden. Good overall flavor

M: Medium to full body with a creamy mouthfeel. Isnt too heavy on the palate though. Easy drinking for the abv.

Overall a very smooth and tasty stout. Doesnt blow you away with flavors most stouts now days try to do but thats not the point of an RIS.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 01:38:42 | More by CloudStrife

metter98

New York

3.69/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a short tan head that quickly died down, leaving only bits of bubbles on the surface and a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Initially, there are moderate aromas of licorice and raisins in the nose. These die down a bit and notes of dark roasted malts become apparent as the beer warms up.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but also has some notes of roasted malts and a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. Hints of warmth from the alcohol are detectable.
O: I thought this was an average beer compared to other Russian Imperial Stouts and could have used more roasted flavors and bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 04:41:52 | More by metter98

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Here is another Imperial Stout that I didn't have great expectations for, but ended up being very pleased! Compared to some more notable Imperial Stouts like Yeti and Old Rasputin, I found this to be just as good. I wasn't blown away by any one characteristic, but wasn't disappointed by one either. Very good beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 17:44:47 | More by DenverHopHead

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a snifter)
A- This beer pours an opaque deep brown body with a thick head that is a mass of microbubbles that takes on a milkshake quality. There is a microcarbonation that fights its way to the surface. The head leaves rings with each sip.

S- The faint smoky note to the full char of black malt has a soft bacon note that grows and some nice roasted raw grain notes aswell.

T- The leather and vinous flavors to the black roasted malt has some dark raisin to it and a slightly dry finish. There is a bacon smoke and leather hint that lingers and becomes a bit inky as it opens up. The bitterness in the finish turns to a green wood note as it warms.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a nice alcohol warmth to it.

O- Big complex dry beer with a unique character to the black malt. Leather and smoke hints and some dark dried fruit really make this a great sipper.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 21:12:43 | More by rhoadsrage

Wheelzie

Tennessee

4.39/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

straight from the bomber into an oversized wine glass,

wow the appearance is all that it should be, i was suprised by the khaki 1 finger head....in fact it made me giggle a little bit....yes sir i am a beer nerd that got my jollys kicked liked a school girl,

but this is not a school girl beer, in fact it is manly as hell! its toasty and roasty and even gives me hints of some of those barrel stouts!!.. probably because the bottle says that it lurks in their cellars for 4 months! love this beer at the moment!

it is very filling be careful with this hairy beast

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 06:49:52 | More by Wheelzie

YoDude

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Black and poured with a short deep brown head. Head is slightly retained with a dark brown ring and about half inch of loose lacing.

Smell: The nose is dark roasted coffee with a hint of dried fruit, very pleasant and welcoming.

Taste: Rich roasted malt and coffee up front with lingering flavors of black licorice and dark chocolate. There is also a spicy finish that I accredit to the malt as the hops have long faded.

Mouth feel: It has a full body and light carbonation, with a nice finish of alcohol warmth and dark chocolate flavor. The use of oatmeal gives a smooth mouth feel that has you anticipating your next sip.

Overall: This is a wonderful version of an American Imperial Stout. Left Hand Brewing rarely disappoints. The hops have faded with age, but the combination of malts and other grains have married nicely to make this a wonderful beverage. I will definitely purchase again. Next time I will not age so long to make sure I include hop flavors.

Serving type: 22 oz. bottle aged 18 months in my beer cellar and poured into a Hamm's goblet

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 04:17:42 | More by YoDude

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75

Bomber into 34oz mug. Black with a thick tan head. Smell is malty, a bit of yeast, and coffee. Taste is big, smooth coffee and chocolate at first, bittering out at the end and finishing relatively cleanly. Mouthfeel is full, could be a little smoother though. Still a great RIS, very drinkable for 10.2%. Love it!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 03:23:34 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3.94/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle.

The beer poured a very dark brown, almost black. The smell is quite mellow, sweet malts, slight coffee, chocolate, and toasti-ness. The taste is not as strong as most imperial stouts. It was a little bitter with a very creamy, malty, slight coffee notes and hints of chocolate. Pretty modest for an imperial stout and quite drinkeable, despite the 10.2% ABV.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 05:56:33 | More by NilocRellim

joefuzz

New York

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours deep brown with a tiny ring of bubbles surrounding the brim of the glass. Smells of raisins plums and black cherry. Tastes is dominated by dark fruit and mellows out to a nice cherry chocolate flavor. Mouthfeel is on the thin side with only slight carbonatin. Overall very good effort but not the best of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 05:45:17 | More by joefuzz

MaximalC

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

*Note: This bottle was aged nearly a year before consuming.

Pours seal brown with a thin khaki head that dissipates in short order, leaving behind an uncommon microscopic froth. Aroma oozes dark fruit, with a thick, sticky raisin aroma complemented by caramel with a touch of chocolate and alcohol. The essence of raisin really is remarkably present in the nose.

The flavors are at least as audacious as the nose, with plenty of sweet, dark fruit, molasses, anise, cherry, and an alcohol that takes no prisoners. Herbal hops maintain a tentative detente with the huge malt flavors--a quaky balance to say the least. I'm sure the discerning palate could distinguish even finer complexities. The melange takes on a medicinal character that is only accentuated by the slick, oily mouthfeel, while the molasses lingers long into the finish. The alcohol becomes a little too ferocious as it warms, however.

Overall, this is a flavorful and powerful brew that keeps the palate on its toes. I wouldn't describe it as a traditional RIS however, as the body is a little lighter than ideal, and the mouthfeel a shade too slick. It almost comes off as more of a hybrid between a stout and baltic porter. With that said, you can't fault Left Hand for crafting a brew with some attitude.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 01:09:56 | More by MaximalC

JK4Stout

Virginia

3.94/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I'm keeping this short as I have to get on the road in meer seconds but here we go...Delicious as it warms, worth every penny, and very flavorful to enjoy on a quite night by the fire.
I am somewhat dismayed at the price depending on which location I visit. One place I see 8.99 another 6.75...i chose the later as I once learned math long ago.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 00:05:24 | More by JK4Stout

RuEXP1

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours dark brown with a minor amount of coffee colored foam. Decent/slightly thin lacing.

S: Has a sweet and roasted malt smell. Also pick up on some chocolate/vanilla tones. Does not smell overly strong.

T: Not overly heavy. Strongest flavors are roasted malts and chocolate. Nothing is overpowering, but does taste more alcoholic than expected upon smell. Well balanced and smooth throughout sip.

M: Low to moderate carbonation. On the thin side of stouts, but still a very pleasurable feel in the mouth.

O: Overall a very solid stout. Well balanced flavor that is pleasurable throughout each sip. Light enough to enjoy at all times of the year, where a lot of stouts can be overwhelming (especially on hot days). Only real downside (for my preference) was the lack of head when pouring. Though this could be different on tap. Definitely recommended if you haven't had a chance yet.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 03:36:01 | More by RuEXP1

Sunnanek

Sweden

3.33/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A: Pours dark reddish brown with a medium tall brown, very compact head. Decent lacings.

S: Tart; dark dried fruits, sweet. Some faint vanilla and smoky notes. A bit alcholic. Vineous and salty.

T: Loads of dark dried fruits, very sweet. Smoke and vanilla from the smell is still present. Some coffe and faint licorice.

M: Aftertaste fades quickly, mainly sweet. Chewy full body and very low carbonation.

O: Not bad, but not one of the better in this style. I lack a better balance; the sweetness dominates.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 18:26:09 | More by Sunnanek

Moose90

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz Bomber
Dated 12/21/12
Tasted 2/19/13

A – Dark dark brown liquid that forms a very thin coffee colored head that leaves similarly thin lacing down the inside of the glass.

S – Big on the roasted malts. Chocolates and vanilla abound as well. Some light sweet fruit notes, figs, dates. But my favorite part is the strong black licorice tone, awesome.

T – Quite complex, but well balanced. Notes of rich dark cocoa and charred malts, as well as sweet fresh licorice and dark fruits. Some light hoppiness to keep things from being too heavy.

M – Moderate-to-low carbonation level, good sticky sweetness to this one, but not heavy like some others of the style. Leaves a nice long and lingering finish that allows the flavor complexities to develop. Quite smooth.

O – Just awesome, has an unmatched balance and is quite easy to drink considering it's imperial nature. Best part of this one is all the licorice, chocolate, and roasted notes.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 01:21:37 | More by Moose90

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

4.69/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

22oz bomber from Provisions in Northampton, MA. I forget how much I paid but it was reasonable... $6-7? "Vintage 12/21/12 356:16:18 153-54" stamped on the bottle. FINALLY, a code that makes sense!!!! So this is only a couple months old.

Served cold in a tulip, but I intend to make it last well long enough for it to warm up significantly.

A: Pitch black brew puts up 1/2" of thick creamy taupe head from a vigorous pour. The foam condenses into ever-larger bubbles before settling to a whispy layer across the surface. Large bubbles cling to the glass. When held to a bright light, the brew reveals minimal very dark cherry red highlights. Some nice thick creamy lace, but not a ton.

S: Super thick biscuity malt and warm dutch chocolate backbone. As it warms some bright candied cherry aroma develops, along with dried figs or prunes, a little charred malt, and a good clean dose of black licorice. The licorice note is very true and distinct, no mistaking it. Warming further develops a really unexpected note of cantaloupe . This stuff is awfully dynamic, that's for sure.

T/M: First impression is very well balanced: it has a lot of everything, but not too much of any one thing. Thick enough to have a great viscosity, but not too thick to be syrupy or overly filling. Black but not acrid. Sweet but not cloying. Just enough hops, just enough carbo, and just enough EtOH burn to let you know that it's there without being overpowering. This is a supremely well balanced brew.

I have a hard time holding this in my mouth long enough to analyze it without letting it slide down and reaching for another sip. Taste starts with rich cocoa and biscuit, bready sweetness on the tip of the tongue. Then a nice dose of bitter charred malt and bitter chocolate mid-palate, mixing with a bit of dried fruits (prunes, figs?), then generic hoppiness, licorice, cola, and some welcomed EtOH heat on the back end. The charred malt kind of lays under everything from the mid-palate backward. Licorice and EtOH blend in toward the very back and it all lingers very long into the finish. As it warms a bit of melon and menthol develop in the mid-palate and finish as well.

O: Superb, stunning, superfluous. So well balanced, goes down so smoothly, that it's hard to just sip this even though it should be a slow sipping brew. A good dose of black charred malt and licorice lingers long into the finish with a healthy portion of slow burning EtOH. I find it appealing, but those with more sensitive palates might feel overwhelmed.

Update: the LH website informs me that this brew is aged on site for at least 12 months before bottling. Nice!

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 04:27:46 | More by BeerNinja007

ThomasAWilson2

Virginia

3.89/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Left Hand caught my attention strangely with a cider, not a beer. After gobbling up bottles of Original Sin hard cider on a dinner date one evening, finding their imperial stout was high on the priority list. IS’s are my favorite style of beer so Wake Up Dead got the proper treatment, poured into a goblet at the prescribed 55 degrees. This left a firm 2 1/2 finger head that slowly dissipated without too much lacing. As for the rest of the appearance, this is one dark stout. Black, opaque and very difficult to find light through even as my glass emptied.

Wake Up Dead has a pretty standard imperial stout nose; you can’t miss the charred grains, dark fruits (mainly raisin) and deep, woodsy hops. Don’t get suckered into being a label reader though. This stout may have the expected dark chocolate and dark fruit smells and tastes but the real surprise is in the black licorice which doesn’t hide. You won’t get the wormwood hints one expects with most black licorice flavored food and drink or the popular liquor absinthe, but the taste is recognizable and a welcome break from the imperial stout pack.

As the brew warms, Wake Up Dead’s earthy hops, charred grains and the alcoholic burn of 10.20% ABV bully their way to the front and meld the other flavors together properly underfoot. Carbonation keeps things lively in the mouth and helps to create a thick and chewy mouthfeel. Overall, I am pleased with this one. What WUD lacks in strong flavors, it makes up in balancing the flavors it does have very well without the watered down characteristics of many a brewery’s attempt at this style of beer. Not overly expensive and pretty available in my experience, coughing up a few bucks for a bomber won’t hurt.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 01:45:06 | More by ThomasAWilson2