Alaskan Perseverance Ale (Pilot Series) - Alaskan Brewing Co.

claaark13

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sent as an extra by a guy who likes the Raiders but also enjoys beer. Poured into a Founders snifter.

A - Pours fairly dark, not quite black, with a nice tan head. Doesn't seem to stick to the glass all that well. It looks alright though. It could certainly be a little darker.

S - Tons of roast with a slight amount of booze coming through. Sugary sweetness appears towards the end. That is likely the birch syrup and honey.

T - Roast throughout. Some brown sugar, bitter chocolate, mild vanilla, then more roast. The flavor seems gets a little airy for a moment on each sip. The sweetness and roast dominate the final flavors.

M - A little on the light side of medium.

O - Not a bad one at all. Reminds me a lot of Stone IRS. It is a solid, presumably off-the-shelf RIS.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 01:58:47 | More by claaark13

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bomber to CBS Snifter.

A - Black with half a finger of brown head.

S - Big hit of smoke up front followed by roasted malts, chocolate and a big sweetness (likely from the honey and birch sap but I don't get those aromas specifically). Some licorice and molasses in the background.

T - Roasted malts and smoke up front that give way to chocolate, coffee and molasses. A very faint dark fruit taste is evident in the background. The big sweetness is present in the palate as well, but is certainly not overwhelming; again the honey and birch sap aren't specifically detected. The ABV is very well hidden.

M - Medium body with a nice chew. Moderate carbonation; a little less carbonation would be preferred.

O - A very good imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 03:18:48 | More by TheSevenDuffs

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Ebon pour and glossy. Nary a foam approaches the lift as it hits a slim tiny crown of tanned foam. A few light patches of lace are stuck about the glass.

Aroma is sweet and tangy with a milky chocolateyness and slim roasty dark fruityness tosseed about with maple and rum soaked dark dates. Yup, its got some boozy little nose kick that's nice and warm to the nose. There's a certain earthy wood tone to it that's indecipherable but its detectable in its own right. Unique and likeable.

Flavors are a tad thin for an RIS, but pretty interesting and complex in its character. Perhaps its the body that's just not pulling it in the right direction, cuz it really seems more porter-esque than RIS. Has some light smokey tones of dark fruity tang;raisin/date; and milk chocolate sweetness as a stretched out wood themed herbalness flecks about within its dark tangy sweetness. Rests a sliver of warmth and cocoa dustings in the finish as it keeps a lightly firmed tang of dark malt.

Feel's a tad thin and weakened, as noted in the taste - it does pull in some lengthy malty tang and slimming warmth that sits on the palate well enough for thorough enjoyment. But seemingly more like a milk stout or standard porter in bodyness. But just with a bit more complexity in it's flavor profile for what it offers.

A very likeable brew, enjoyable with some nice complexity that has some earthy tones and malty tanged mixing well together with a slight warming of yummyness. Not quite a RIS in my book, but that may be splitting some brewing style hairs?

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 03:09:26 | More by tavernjef

Mahlik

Oregon

3.3/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber from Bailey's Taproom. Poured into snifter. Reviewed from notes.

A - Pours an opaque black with an thin mocha head. Head dissipates quickly. Minimal amount of lacing. Appears viscous.

S - Roasted malts, coffee, hints of vanilla and chocolate. Some sweetness from the syrup. A faint oak aroma exists. Some smokiness.

T - Coffee, roasted malts and molasses. Some chocolate on the back end. Don't pick up any of the syrup or honey. Not bad for a ordinary stout but really lackluster for an anniversary beer.

M - The body is a bit thin IMO. Good amount of carbonation. A nice creamy mouthfeel. Alcohol is hidden well.

O - Disappointed with this. For an anniversary beer, I was expecting this big, complex imperial stout. Instead, I got an average, forgettable stout. Try it if you are a fan of Alaskan brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 20:24:50 | More by Mahlik

morimech

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark black color with two fingers of head that had excellant retention before settling to a thick cap. Moderate amount of sticky lacing is left down the glass.

Good stout aromas of roasted malt, chocolate, and a touch of smoke. A little bit of an underlying sweetness permeates through the aroma that I attribute to the honey.

The flavor is heavily influenced by the roasted malt. More minor flavors include a sweet chocolate and some smoke. A little heavy handed in execution. Not picking up anything from the "special" ingrediants.

Solid imperial stout body. Nice creamy, smooth texture.

The flavor was a little too one dimensional and the honey and syrup did not add much. Still a good stout and one of Alaskan Brewing better beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 18:18:40 | More by morimech

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.6/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Purchased at The Liquor Shed in Casper for $8.99 with a sticker underneath for $12.99. Good move.

It has a timeline on the bottle:

1986-First Alaskan beer sold
1988-Alaskan Amber voted best beer in the nation (GABF)
1990-First Alaskan beer sold in lower 48
1995-New 10 barrel brewhouse
2002-Alaskan picks up 25th medal at GABF
2005-Alaskan hits 100,00 barrels
2011-Cheers to the next 25 years

On to the beer...

It pours a pitch black with a 2 finger head of tan foam and it leaves some nice lacing.

It smells roasty, bitter, sweet, getting some notes of coffee, kind of a light nose despite the diversity.

The taste is complex as hell. There's a lot of sweet notes some spice, I'm assuming the fireweed honey is coming into play here; big roasted and burnt malts, almost like charcoal that you get off of a bbq, and coffee grounds, with a strange flavour that must be the birch syrup..I googled it and that spice IS from the birch. Quite a unique array of different tastes that at various times during the session sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.

I've got mixed feelings about this beer and it's going to be tough for me to rate it properly.

Medium, close to full bodied with low levels of carbonation, it certainly has a nice mouthfeel but the ample alcohol is now kicking in and the sips are getting slower and slower. I think I'll cellar my other 2 bottles and see what happens.

Overall, worth picking up and giving it a go now and down the road..

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 15:42:02 | More by Bitterbill

Jason

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber with a anniversary date on the bottle of 25 years. Cheers to that!!

LOOK: Pitch black, thick tan lacing

SMELL: Chocolate syrup, birch sap, burnt sugar, espresso, charcoal, booze, nougat, ripe figs

TASTE: Sweet, full body, mocha, tree sap, charcoal, coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, taffy, faint honey, modest hopping, rich, sweet finish

Good use of birch syrup as that is a flavor that can take over real quick, solid for the style with the whole Russian Imp. Stout and such. Great to see some flare added to it, seems to work better since the cooler weather has arrived.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 04:38:19 | More by Jason

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.05/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a solid black color with a stingy tan head that dissipates to a ring on top. Smells like a foreign extra stout at first whiff. Restrained roasted grains, caramel and brown sugar, a hint of wintergreen, slightly herbal and earthy aromas. Really not smelling like an Imperial stout at this point. Taste is sugary with that herbal earthy flavor to it. It's kind of a mix of wintergreen and anise wrapped up in chocolate and coffee. Finish is fairly dry with a long lingering wintergreen and sweet roasty stickiness coating my mouth. Medium to thick body with a low to moderate level of carbonation and a thick sweet sticky mouthfeel. I love how this is different and kind of outside the box, but I also hate the flavor the birch sap gives it. The herbal wintergreen flavor just doesn't agree with me or my sense of stout. Glad I got to try it, probably one and done for this guy.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 01:41:15 | More by johnnnniee

tbern007

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the 22oz 25th anniver. bomber.
Very dark dark brown/black. No light coming through even the edges. Tan head, lasts, good lace.
Smells of roasted malt, coffee, bitter chocolate, mild hops.
Tastes like bold, malt, roast, wood, coffee with dark chocolate.
Smooth, not as heavy as it appears. The alcohol is hidden and not very apparent.
Very very drinkable. Tasty, not heavy/filling.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 03:59:55 | More by tbern007

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz bottle, with snazzy looking silkscreen printed on design.

appears black, with very thin tan head, but fades very fast. I can smell the birch syrup. also quite smokey flavor in the aroma.

not much roasted malt in the taste. but good balance though of the bittering birch, and sweetness of the honey. actually quite thin for the style. low carbonation, the beer stays on the tongue.

overall - a bit of a disapointment. for the style, I expected a bolder, thicker beer for a big bad Anniversary RIS.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 03:41:18 | More by jmdrpi

harrymel

Washington

2.33/5  rDev -39.2%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

a: pours black with a little foam patch and ring. no lace. Plain appearance.
S: smells sweet with esters. Hints of acetone and little else. Reminds me of a RIS I did that fermented entirely too hot.
T: Smoky. Is there smoked malt in this? (reads bottle, doesn't say). It's gotta have some smoke in it. Then some molasses tones. A sweet and dark malt profile with an interesting spice tone, must be the birch.
M: Surprisingly thin IMO with moderate carb and a semi dry finish.
O: Really disappointed with the overall structure of this beer. I think they missed the spot as their beers are typically robust and this one is delicate and sweet; a poor showing for their 25th anny.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 11:01:11 | More by harrymel

Metalmonk

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brewed with birch syrup and fireweed honey. Neat! Thanks a million (oh heck, a billion) to msubulldog25 for this bottle.

Pours a head of dark brown that unfortunately doesn't stay long. The color is somewhere between the darkest brown possible and black. Whatever...it's freakin' dark, ok?

The smell is wonderful. Various succulent dark fruits, sweet herbs, and toffee/caramel wrapped in a thin blanket of smoke. Hints of gooey chocolate and coffee.

Take all that the nose offers, and add brown sugar, cola and black liquorice to summarize the taste. And while that makes for a long list of flavor impressions, it's really not that complex, or quite that mindblowing. Something's stopping it from reaching godly heights, and I think it's mostly the feel. Which is not bad, but if this had an uber-smooth, super-round, thicker feel like, say, Bell's Expedition stout (a paragon of awesome texture) this would've been tremendous. Instead it's a couple hairs thinner and more carbonated than it should be. But still, it's tremendous enough, and not as sweet as you might think, considering the syrup/honey additions. Does really well with some warming too. Of course, most stouts do, and Perseverance is no exception to the rule. Alaskan does big dark beers best, don't they?

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 23:52:44 | More by Metalmonk

JohnnyP3

Alaska

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber into a beer goblet. Pours a pitch-tar black with about 2 fingers of thick sand colored head. Produces some decent lacing on the glass. The head simmers down to a crown that nicely caps the RIS.

The nose on this is quite complex as it warms. Here are some of the smells I picked up at various points while making my way through the bomber: birch, smoke, honey, sweet malts, dark chocolate, roasted/toasted malts, tobacco, dark fruit (plum), leather, and some booze heat from the alcohol.

The taste is similarly complex and intriguing. At the start, I got some dark fruit, such as plum, raison and prune, followed up by dark chocolate. The dark chocolate is complemented by smoked malts and some coffee/roasted malts flavors. I think the birch syrup comes through towards the end. Finishes up with a mix of sweet honey-like flavors and bitter-sweet chocolate flavors. Some lingering smoke as well.

Mouthfeel is smooth as velvet. Medium-bodied and lightly carbonated. A little like syrup at the finish with some alcohol heat.

Overall, a very fitting brew to commemorate 25 years. Has a great Alaskan frontier taste to it. Drinks very well now and I plan to cellar several to taste over the next few years.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 03:00:03 | More by JohnnyP3

arizcards

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a bomber October 1st at Total Wine for $7.49.

Brew poured black with a nice brown head that has been leaving lacing behind.

Nose is slight hint of smoked malts and not much else.

Taste is dominated by the smoked malts, but is balanced nicely by a hint of sweetness and decent hopping.

Mouthfeel is thinner than hoped but there is a degree of smoothness that enhances the sipping experience.

Overall this is a pretty decent brew. The taste has that rough smokey edge to it. The alcohol is pretty well disguised.

If you like the RIS style check this one out!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 02:01:55 | More by arizcards

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to the generous JohnGalt1 for this as an extra in our most recent trade. Poured into a standard pint glass, this brew appears black in color with a dark tan head displaying a finger's strength atop. When held to the light, it shows a thin ring of brown clarity and ruby coloration more towards the middle. As the cap slowly fades, it leaves some patches of lace sticking to the glass. A rough swirl revives a quick dissolving head back to the surface.

The smell of this brew has an atypical sweetness about it that I can only assume is from the combination of birch syrup and the honey addition. That sweetness to the nose integrates very well with the overall roasted quality of the dark grains. It displays a strong coffee scent, chocolate and somewhat of a smoked aspect from the char of the grain. All the while, there is a bit of a dark fruited sweetness like plum/raisins/prunes included towards the back that integrates with a light touch of alcohol.

The taste of this brew runs the entire gauntlet of character forewarned in the aroma. The dark grain quality provides a solid burnt bitterness that is lightly smokey mixed with a strong coffee bitterness, unsweetened chocolate and a bit of licorice. There are some fruity alcohol esters present that provide a flavoring of prunes or plums across the backend. Throughout the experience, small amounts of birch flavoring are present which is a very nice touch that creates an interesting distinction for this brew.

This is a medium to full bodied brew with a moderate amount of carbonation. It is a well balanced offering that I found quite enjoyable. Off the top of my head, I can only think of 2 other brews I have enjoyed that had birch syrup included and I think this one had it included in such a unique way that it was subtle yet very readily identifiable (if that makes any sense?) This is worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 02:40:15 | More by stakem

TCMike

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It is a very dark brown, bordering on black. The head was a dense, 3 fingers, and tan.

The aroma was of dark fruits, wood, and spices.

The taste is very similar to smell, but with the addition of alcohol, and sweetness. Thick mouth-feel, and low carbonation.

Good Ris. I haven't had many, but reminds me of Surly's Darkness.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 22:50:03 | More by TCMike

Satchboogie

New Hampshire

3.35/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours black with just a little head.

S: Smoked malts, a touch of wood, chocolate, dark fruits.

T: Similar to the nose, chocolate with a good helping of dark fruits, light caramel, a little floral hop character. Lots of similarities to a BSDA.

M: Medium to slightly light bodied, moderate to high carbonation. Too thin and weak for the style.

O: Not terrible, but not all that memorable.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 23:45:11 | More by Satchboogie

DarthKostrizer

California

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Look: Black as night with a 1/2 inch head and good retention

Smell: The nose carries some nice licorice and dark fruits

Taste: Plums and figs that a tad sweet present themselves right away the back end has a nice roasted malt character and a hint of chocolate

Mouthfeel: Is a bit thin and over carbonated for the style

Overall: The beer is ok right now but I think that this one will do well with some age. I bought 5 so I can try one every year on the same day just to see how the beer changes

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 22:43:30 | More by DarthKostrizer

Heavenisbeer

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Mug.

A: Midnight black, with a dense and frothy cappuccino head. Some excellent lacing with uncanny retention, much like said cappuccino. Just gorgeous (gave this one a 5, and rarely do on looks).

S: Mocha coffee, some burnt malts, and caramel.

T: The birch and honey come through at first, fused with some very mild hop bitters. Toffee touches, a coffee core, and some woodsy, cedar-y lingerings. Wonderfully balanced and superbly mild.

M: The feel really follows the appearance; no false advertising here. And the feel is as great as the look. It coats, without oiling-up, and its subtlety is its strength. Another 5.

I truly enjoyed this RIS, and will go back to it.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 04:31:32 | More by Heavenisbeer

gatornation

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap in a 10 oz goblet

A- pours a nice dark black/brown color with a tan head and lacing

S- was roasted malts with chocolate, and faint maple syrup smells some cocoa

T followed the nose sweet toffee with semi-sweet chocolate,caramel and coffee note

M- was ok smooth with a sweet malt and syrup taste it was a bit thin an taste

O- a 25th anniversary brew that is good but not representative of that award its tasty and good but nit one i was wowed by

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2011 01:20:47 | More by gatornation

hooliganlife

Missouri

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

pours a thick jet black with about a half inch of cocoa creamy head. light retention.

nose is a bit weak. some faint sweet dark fruit and roasted malt.

lots of roasted malt with a bit of a charcoal flavor. very faint syrup in here. nice sweetness though. faint alcohol. some bitterness.

fairly thick with a bit of bite from the carbonation.

not bad but could use some more depth and complexity. a nice try for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 23:54:30 | More by hooliganlife

MADhombrewer

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a HOTD tulip.

Appearance- Black with a small tan head. No lacing at all. 3.5/5

Smell- Earth and smoke notes with a maple center. Some roasted malt aroma as well. 3.5/5

Taste- Earthly and smoke flavors abound. Some earthy bitterness in the end. Bits of maple. Definite wood characteristics. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel- Medium to thick. I have had RIS that were thicker, but this isn't exactly thin by any means. 3.5/5

Overall- I didn't expect the smokiness. Don't really know if that takes away from this beer but I am not a big smoke in my beer fan. This is definitely interesting. The smoke flavor subsides after awhile (or I am getting use to it). 3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 04:21:07 | More by MADhombrewer

lackenhauser

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very, very dark in color-bordering on black with a decent sized tan head. Pours somewhat still but quickly becomes a nice, lively looking beer. Mild molasses and deep dried fruit aroma with notes of plums and port. Strong dark roasted flavors. A tad sweet tasting. Slight smoke flavor, an almost mesquite taste. Sharp hop and roasted bite in the finish. Nice and smooth body-again a touch sweetness. The roasted grains and smoke quality leave a slight dryness but it is still more sweet then dry. Really an enjoyable beer. Complex yet basic for my money. Makes no bones about what it is trying to be. Yummy.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 01:22:25 | More by lackenhauser

Zorro

California

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Very dark brown colored beer that is essentially light proof. Tall brown colored head.

Smell malty with lots of patent malt in the smell. Chocolate and coffee aromas. Herbal hop aroma but not one I can ID.

Starts out sweet and creamy in the mouth. Lots of patent malt flavor with a spearmint flavor. Tasty chocolate flavor, despite the strength of this beer it tastes like a Milk Stout with about 1/2 this alcohol level.

Mouthfeel is good, but not as thick as it seemed at first.

Overall this is a damn tasty beer. Body could be thicker but I would not hesitate to buy and drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 00:15:09 | More by Zorro

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a snifter on 11/12/11

Inky brown pour; not quite black in the glass. Cherry singes around the edges. One finger cap of foam doesn't last long; a thin layer and collar retention remain. not much lace either, save a drippy trail across part of the glass.

The aroma is rather sweet. The honey doesn't seem distinctly appreciable, but there is a tangy, herbal sweetness that I'm chalking up to the birch syrup. Dark roast sits underneath with hints of chocolate and toasty grains. Hint of earth and wood. Not much booze at all.

The base stout is a bit more assertive to taste, but the additions still obscure it too much. Roasted chocolate and coffee bitterness provide a much needed dryness, lest the sweetness of the birch and honey residuals totally take over. I find that the flavor blend together a little better as it warms. As with the nose, the abv is pretty much hidden.

The feel falls somewhere between full and medium, perhaps a bit more toward the former; perhaps. Nimble viscosity. Carbonation is a bit higher than I prefer, but it calms a bit over time.

Perseverance isn't bad by any means but it isn't amazing either. I'll have no problem finishing my half of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 00:49:14 | More by Ryan011235