I-5 Imperial Brown Ale - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

AgentZero

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Berer pours a dark brown with some red highlights. Beige head has decent retention and leaves solid lacing making for a good looking brew.

S - A nice nutty smell with cocoa, molasses, and caramel malts. There are some nice earth tones as well.

T - Nice toasted malts and brown sugar with a little bit of alcohol burn. Coffee cuts into the sweetness a little bit and adds some nice bittering depth as does the nutty flavor.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation and a slightly dry and toasty finish.

O - Good beer in a style I don't have too many examples of. Not entirely sure how I feel about imperial browns but this is a solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 14:37:20 | More by AgentZero

soze47

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. This was one 4.5 oz. taster of a flight of four I sampled at PP Carlsbad.

Nice head on the pour, but it fades into a creamy swirl on the top. Clearish brown in color. Not a big nose on it, but the taste is quite good. I get an almost nutty, roasted, and woodiness to it too. That woodiness probably comes from the surprising earthiness that the hops bring out on the linger.

Nice brew. It was somewhat drinkable for its stats, so a pint of this would be good at almost anytime.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 23:21:15 | More by soze47

ehammond1

California

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Pizza Port
Carlsbad, CA

A deep dark brown with ruby highlights at the edges. Very thin tan head. Leaves sticky lines of lacing down the glass. A particularly beautiful brown ale.

The only place this beer really disappoints is in its aroma. At first I thought it was because the beer was served probably slightly too cold, but nothing really came out to shine even as I allowed it to warm. All I could really smell was the warm stinging bite of alcohol and little else; this beer was missing the nutty and roasted malt elements I'm familiar with and enjoy in other brown ales.

Although the beer was very tasty. Lots of roasted malt and a hint of sweetness. Very little alcohol presence in the mouth which is a pleasant surprise after finding it in the nose.

A rich, smooth, and full mouthfeel, unusually spectacular for a brown ale. Great!

A really delicious imperial brown ale; incredibly drinkable for a 9+% alcohol brew. Delicious! Just wish the aroma was better, but that's my only complaint.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 06:39:28 | More by ehammond1

MasterSki

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Haymarket. A nice choice for CCBW considering Matt Van Wyck's contributions to this brew. Served in a 4oz taster stange.

A - A finger of tan foam settles to a thin cap, leaving glass-coating lace. Transparent dark cherry wood brown body.

S - Chocolate, nuts, caramel, light earthy hops, a touch of tobacco, some doughy yeast character and light alcohol as it warms up.

T - Taste is heavier on molassess and milk chocolate, along with some toasted grains, nuts and berries, and caramel. Alcohol is significantly better hidden in the flavor.

M - Dry and roasty medium-full body, moderate carbonation, and a super sticky finish. There's a bit of tannic grit that lingers.

D - As far as Imperial Brown Ales go, this is one of the best I've had. It's not a go-to style for me, but if you're into malt-heavy beers this may be just the ticket.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 18:36:45 | More by MasterSki

womencantsail

California

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad

A: Pours a dark brown color with a creamy layer of khaki colored head.

S: A nice nuttiness up front along with plenty of toffee and a nice roasted malt aroma. Dark chocolate and mild coffee aromas are there, too, and a moderate level of booze is present.

T: Heavier on the coffee than I was anticipating. Lots of roasted malt and dark chocolate, a bit of cocoa powder, as well. There is a slight creaminess to the beer which is nice and it lacks the alcohol presence of the smell (another plus).

M: The body is medium with a smooth carbonation to it.

D: Decently strong in alcohol but quite enjoyable. I would gladly have another pour of this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 23:44:49 | More by womencantsail

HopHead84

California

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at O'Brien's. This Imperial Brown is a collaboration between Pizza Port Carlsbad and Oakshire.

A: Really dark brown with a faint dark red tinge. Head is beige and creamy.

S: Caramel, nutty quality, some pine, a dash of grapefruit, a little coffee, lightly toasted bread. Really nice aroma. Caramel is stellar.

T: Upper moderate bitterness with a toasted bread malt base and a nice caramel profile. There are distinct nutty notes and there's a lower moderate sweetness. I don't know the ABV on this but I would guess 8.5-9.5, and booze provides warming with little flavor. Finishes dry and toasted.

M: Upper medium in body with upper moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is awesome on this. It's smooth and sticky with a great creaminess.

Overall: A good hoppy Imperial Brown. Though it's not a style I think needs to be imperialized, this was enjoyable and well made. 

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 02:29:56 | More by HopHead84