Scratch Beer 83 - 2012 (¿Impending Descent?) - Tröegs Brewing Company

tectactoe

Michigan

2.74/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to robieobie1 for this extra. Black-ish, dark, dark brown pour with a head that's on the darker side of "tan". It builds up slowly and recedes pretty quickly, and even with some aggressive swirling, it's hard to coax back to life.

The aroma is different; slightly nutty and seemingly very sweet, almost even to the point of being cloying on the nostrils. Some sweet cocoa and what seems to be lots of molasses as well. There's kind of a weird off-aroma that I'm picking up, too, but can't quite put my finger on. I wanna say soy, but I'm not 100% positive. It's definitely weird, though. Aside from the possible off-aroma, the nose still seems a bit too sweet and abrasive from the start.

Impending Descent rolls across my palate, thick and oily - I get a huge diabetes-like jolt in my senses. Very, very sweet, syrupy, and cloying out of the gate. It's got almost a sickeningly sweet quality to it, but in a borderline unacceptable way. Some "sweeter" stouts (Dark Lord, Darkness, etc) control the sweetness better, but it just seems unbalanced, unwanted, and over the top here. The flavor compound is strange, too. I'm picking up lots of molasses and anise, a weird-ass vegetal flavor that doesn't play well with the others, and a strange soy sauce-like salty finish. Maybe some very light chocolates, but these other flavors are too distracting to get anything else out of it.

Hmm, not sure if I got a funky bottle or if this is really how it was supposed to be. Weird collaboration of flavors; anise, soy, molasses, and way too unbalanced on the sweetness. Maybe this one just isn't for me. Thanks again to robie for the bottle, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 02:11:47 | More by tectactoe

stakem

Pennsylvania

2.88/5  rDev -31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Standard scratch series 12oz brown bottle into a Troeg's cervoise. The brew appears black in color with a frothy 3 finger cap of mocha colored head when poured down the center of the glass. As the cap fades, it leaves a webbing of patchy lacing effect sticking to the glass. It holds with a solid finger of uneven froth on the surface. When held to the light it is opaque. Except when swirled, the finest line of lighter brown is shown around the edges.

The aroma is quite interesting and perplexing initially with some mineral quality that swirls out. The expected roasted grain inclusion is present with notes of coffee and earth that immediately step to the side and give way to a bolder impact of hops. There are some indistinguishable notes of citrus present mingled with a vegetative aspect that is very similar to the characteristics found in many of the wet hopped brews this year. A hint of fruit and a woodsy note reminding me of fuggles blends into that mineral and vegetative component. When swirled, sulfur and something along the lines of stinky cheese emit from the glass instead of roast and alcohol like you might expect. This does not smell like a RIS.

The taste is primarily burnt grain imparting flavors of char, ash and just and overall acrid feel. Some pleasant roast elements try to emerge as the palate becomes accustomed with hints of coffee and 100% cacao. There is a solvent sting of alcohol mid palate that draws out almost a tannic dryness into the finish that is a bit harsh. As more sips are taken, the bitterness of this brew is obviously not just driven by the dark kiln of the grain. There is plenty of hop impact making this feel almost like an imperialized version of a black IPA or american black ale. The hops have a flavor that is vegetative and somewhat fruity with some pine thrown into the mix just for good measure. Towards the finish it even gets a little dank and catty. Once the brew goes beyond ideal temperature, the aftertaste goes back and has a bit more focus on roast which is nice instead of the hops.

This is a full bodied brew that is borderline chewy but the solvent alcohol thins it out a bit. There is plenty of carbonation keeping the flavors moving across the tongue. Despite it's aggressive alcohol inclusion, it still has a smoothness about the way it feels in the mouth. I had huge expectations for this brew after hearing good things from people who tasted it prior to me. I think it is a bit of a train wreck. I love imperial stouts and dont really care for black ipas. This unfortunately was more of the later than the former. Understandably, Troegs has lived up to their reputation of placing a big focus on the hops with this brew. I just think it is a bit out of place. However, this beer does have all the indicators of showing some serious aging potential. I have high hopes for the alcohol to mellow out and those hops to fade. Will revisit again in the future but for now this beer isn't for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:00:35 | More by stakem

oline73

Maryland

3.41/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter.

Appearance: The beer is quite dark with just a touch of red at the edge when the light hits it. There is a layer of tan head that fades to a ring around the pour.

Smell: Sweet and roasty. There was a note that surprised me, reminded me a little bit of green apple. Sweet roast dominates throughout, but the apple note made this one a bit different.

Taste: The apple notes from the nose are much lighter here, but there is still a fruity component to it. Lots of roasted malt sweetness and dark chocolate. The finish is bitter and a touch burnt. The alcohol isn't overwhelming at all.

Mouthfeel: The body is thick and syrupy with just a few tingles of carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I liked this beer enough, but the fruit note wasn't my favorite. I'd say this one was close, but I don't need more.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 23:48:27 | More by oline73

FosterJM

California

3.55/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

1719th Review on BA
Bottle to Woodshop Snifter
12 oz

Thanks to TroyG2352 for this one

App- When this pours out it was a huge inky black color with a small 1/4" head, A big dense center without much color loss around the outsides of the edges. The head was a bit of a darker brow with some decent cling and a couple bubbles.

Smell- This was a very hoppy stout. This was along the lines of a CDA as well. At times the smells are very creamy and bakers chocolate with some dark fruits and a bit of citrus zest to balance it all out.

Taste- This was a flavorful stout with a good amount of hops and bitter behind it. The flavors were good but for some reason the hops/bitter got in the way for me. I am more along the lines of a creamy stout guy. This had some chocolate and some roast to balance it out, but just needed it.

Mouth- A nice and creamy medium body with a medium and less bubbly carbonation then the bubbles would let on. Residual flavors of hops, roast and bitter carry this one on.

Drink- This was good. I have enjoyed most of the beers I have had from Troegs and this was no different. I wouldve liked to save a bottle. But sadly I drank them all.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 00:44:13 | More by FosterJM

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

They had this on tap at Champions in Middletown PA, enjoyed from a pint chilled.

The color is dark walnut bordering on onyx with a thick sandstone cap, it has the look of something viscous with ringlets of lace sticking all the way down and tight bead pattern with great retention and totally opaque clarity. The smell is very good, lots of piney hop odors which are augmented by a slight coffee and char in the malt with mild alcohol odor. The feel is decent with moderately full body and slight sweetness which collapses under an onslaught of bitterness and mild alcohol comes in as a moderate carbonation level helps easy the heaviness with slight roasted and tannic tinges which comes full circle to a lasting residual grain astringency mixed with some hop bite in the mostly dry finish.

This beer is perplexing in a good way - it is kind of the best of two worlds - strong stout and imperial IPA with some mild cocoa and coffee but the pine hop flavor is dominant with slight peppery notes and light charred tinges in the dark malt with only a sliver of caramel for good measure and in the later sips the grapefruit aspect comes forward in the hop flavor with mild alcohol in the finish as a slight sticky dark cocoa taste lingers. Overall I like the concept and was intrigued by all the intensity, but it could use some time for the flavors to marry as the hops really are more assertive than I would like in this style and the cocoa element gets a little lost.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2013 14:58:48 | More by Slatetank

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Chocolate Pils. Really good thick chocolate on a lighter body and decent hop that shows through. Great drinkability. Thick brown coloured body, with minimal head. Roasted chocolate sell. Smooth mouthfeel.Bottle from Capone's.Sweet but not too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 03:18:03 | More by northyorksammy

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer is dark brown with an oily beige head. The aroma brings dark roast, chocolate, malt. Smells nice. The flavor offers charred malt and a healthy dose of milk chocolate and dark chocolate in the back half. Low carbonation and medium to full in body. A bit of heat in the finish. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 01:17:48 | More by Huhzubendah

thain709

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Catching up on my reviews.

A - Pitch black body that had a creamy, mocha colored head...the head was two fingers tall and slowly fell to a thin cap...some lacing was left behind

S - The nose had a lot going on...a huge roasty presence with dark chocolate and coffee grounds leading the way...there was a touch of sweetness with some vanilla...a big citrus hop presence pokes through as well

T - It takes a while for everything to come together...this one needed to warm up...the dark chocolate and coffee really stand out...they give off a bitterness that pairs with that big dose of hops...the roasted malt flavor adds depth and a strong backbone to the beer...just a touch of sweetness from some vanilla, would have liked a little more...the alcohol is hot at the end and brings a lot of warmth

M - Full bodied...thick and creamy...big roast with some bitterness...alcohol heat

O - As I said, this one needed time to warm up...I enjoyed everything going on, but the alcohol level gets in the way...I wish I would have picked up some bottles because this one will get better with age

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2013 16:54:33 | More by thain709

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.01/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle received via Growling at the Moon. Thanks for the brew, Dan!

Poured into an imperial pint, formed a 3/4"dark brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Thick head fades ever so slowly, with leggy slow-falling lace. Aroma is green hops, dark sweetness, and alcohol.

Taste starts rich and darkly sweet, a peek of fruit in the middle, and aggressive hop bitterness and boozy alcohol through the close. That said, the flavors, which assertive, do all blend together nicely. Mouthfeel is slickerly smooth, and drinkability is way too easy for what this brew is. Scary good brew, a pleasant treat.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 00:15:02 | More by ppoitras

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-12-28 in Hershey, PA at the brewery. Note, this firkin is part of the Full Moon series. From the Troeg's website:

"Well folks, it appears that the Mayans were full of it. Yes indeed, the planet is still intact, so what better way to celebrate than with a few firkins of our Doomsday beer? We will tap the first firkin of ¿Impending Descent? at 3 p.m. on Friday, December 28. We’ve doused this already outlandish beer with even more goodies to intensify the flavor profile – vanilla beans, Mexican cinnamon, and a fruit blend of cherries and raisins prepared especially by our chef. Don’t wait for another Mayan faux pas. The earth survived… and so did the moon!"

A - Very dark brown with a 1.5 finger fluffy brown head and good lacing.

S - Quite different than the original batch with a big dollop of raisin bread added to the abundant aromas of dark bitter chocolate, dark roasted grain, and hop spiciness.

T - Toasted raisin bread plus cherries and vanilla to compliment the original dark and semi-sweet chocolate, very dark roasted grain, vegetal, char, figgy pudding, molasses, expresso, and roasted bitterness. Finish is quite a bit sweeter than the original.

M - Thick body and light-medium carbonation. Creamy, rich, a bit too syrupy.

O - I enjoyed this holiday-themed twist but preferred the original significantly more.

Serving type: cask

12-29-2012 21:49:12 | More by Tucquan

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. Black with a angry looking dark mocha head. This maintains a big robust look to it. Smells of chocolate, vanila, acrid roast, dark fruit and spicy alcohol sweetness. The nose is very heavy with that dark fruit character. The taste is similar, with an aggressive mix of citric bitterness, burnt roasted coffee and pithy dark fruits. Sticky notes of chocolate, vanilla and caramel add a bold balancing nature to this. Feel is medium bodied with a firm carb that blows up a bit but is undercut by some chewiness. Alcohol adds a warm spicy sweetness to the flavor profile but is never overly hot feeling. That 11% is really well hid here and adds just the right amount of character to this. This is definitely brash and a bit unrefined with its flavors (especially that roast) but it still managed to stay mostly smooth and balanced for the size and aggressiveness of it. This is an interesting take on an Imperial Stout that seems to change every time I have it.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 17:58:14 | More by Kegatron

GregSVT

Texas

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a tulip

A: Pours a dark brown with a big brown head that fades to a ring and leaves a good amount of lacing on the glass.

S: The nose has a nice amount of cocoa, molasses, and citrus from the hops.

T: The taste is similar with nice notes of cocoa/chocolate, molasses, a bit of vanilla, and some citrus on the finish.

M: The feel is creamy and on the fuller side of medium.

O: Decent beer but could use a bit less citrus from the hops. The mouthfeel is really excellent on this one though which makes the chocolate flavors come forward a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 22:41:32 | More by GregSVT

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.11/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint at south park tavern Dayton. Pours a deep black with tan lacing. Nice roasted malt and chocolate vanilla aromas
Taste is silky chocolate and roasted malts. Hints of vanilla and a slight hop bitter finish. Its really smooth and easy drinker but hits hard. Nice brew id get this again for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2013 21:20:17 | More by DrinkSlurm

russwbeck

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer pours out jet black with a finger or so of brown head. The head lasts a long time, coating the inside of my glass as it goes down. 4

S: The smell is very sweet, and much more complex than I was expecting from a Scratch offering. Sweet chocolate, licorice, dark fruits, some roasted malts, and even a faint citrus aroma from the hops. It's very inviting and I have a hard time taking a sip because all I want to do is smell it. 4

T: The taste does not disappoint either. The sweetness is kicked up even more, with a bit of heat from the alcohol at the end. Chocolate helps the beer ride into the sunset on your palate, apparently like our existence as the name would exist. Roasted malt makes an appearance as does some molasses. The roast really attacks the palate right in the middle and lingers throughout. 4

MF: Full bodied and carbonated well. The hit of booze reminds you that this is not a beer to be messed with, but doesn't hurt the drinkability. 4.5

O: Best Scratch beer since the #55 Double IPA. Really knocked this one out of the park Troegs. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 02:48:56 | More by russwbeck

TWStandley

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on draft at The Grill Next Door - Haverhill, MA.

Poured a jet black color with a burnt mocha one-finger head.

Smell is dominated by dark fruits and sweetness. A bit of chocolate and licorice mixed in as well.

Almost identical to the smell is the taste. Very sweet yet hearty. Lots of dark fruit tastes backed by some hop bitterness and chocolate notes.

ABV is not apparent in the taste. Thick but not too syrupy.

Overall, a treat. Would like to see this bottled.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2012 02:14:59 | More by TWStandley

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.24/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Piper's Pub the other day.

The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is attractive and impressive as well, as I get a considerable amount of vanilla, coffee grounds and dark chocolate, along with a hint of licorise. The flavor profile replicates trhe nose pretty closely in this moderate sweet stout, though there's some bitterness and light licorise in the finish that helps to counter that sweetness somewhat. Mouthfeel is fairly full, with a long, soft, almost creamy finish. Alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell it's up there.

A very nice effort from Troegs. Very tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2013 17:01:23 | More by johnmichaelsen

mdanberg

Delaware

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

FIrst review written here, so forgive me for not going into too much detail.

A - Jet black, very light, tan head.

S- Very strong, dark chocolate notes.

T- Lots of chocolate here up front followed by darker chocolate. The alcohol hits a little bit near the end.

M- Fairly smooth.

O- This one is a fairly interesting beer for me. Definitely feels like the Troegs style. First one of the scratch series I've tried and I'd definitely recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 03:11:01 | More by mdanberg

mdfb79

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From 02/20/13 notes. Been wanting to try this one for a while, glad to see it on tap. 8 oz. pour at Pony Bar in NYC on the UES.

a - Pours a pitch black color with one inch of dark tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks great like a big RIS should.

s - Smells of bakers chocolate, sweet milk chocolate, roasted malts, dark fruits, coffee, toasted malts, light smokey malts, caramel, and burnt malts. Very nice nose; loads of chocolate to it. I like it a lot.

t - Tastes of milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, roasted malts, alcohol, toasted malts, licorice, smokey malts, burnt malts, caramel, some sweet dark fruits. Taste is a little sweeter and more milk chocolate which I like, and some more alcohol is present as well.

m - Full bodied stout and low to moderare carbonation. Thick and chewy; very nice mouthfeel. The only thing holding it back from a higher score is that the alcohol is still a bit present in the taste.

o - Overall I really liked this RIS; one of the better new Troegs beers I've had in a while. Loads of chocolate to it and a nice sweet taste. It is a strong beer, and the alcohol is present in the taste, so it is a sipper for sure, but it is very good. Would definitely get it again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2013 18:04:57 | More by mdfb79

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – The beer is served a black color with a one finger cola brown head. The head fades relatively fast to give a good level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is a sweet blend of light chocolate, vanilla and molasses. Mixed with these smells are notes of a a earthy and citrus hop , some coffee and a very light bourbon smell.

Taste – The taste is on the sweeter side overall, but is nicely balanced by roasted and malty flavors as well. It begins with flavors of a dark brown bread mixed with molasses and brown sugar sweetness. A sweet chocolate cake flavor mixed with vanilla come to the tongue. Some more roasted malt accompanied by a lighter earthy hop flavor as well as a good bourbon alcohol flavor come to the tongue at the end, and with the sweet leave a very satisfying roasted boozy sweet flavor to linger on in the mouth.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the creamier side with a rather average carbonation level . The creamy body is nice for the darker, sweet and bourbon flavors of the brew allowing them all to linger and be fully sensed by the tongue.

Overall –This is one fantastic imperial stout. It has a nice blend of sweet, malt, roast, booze and hop. I hop they make this more then just a rotation. Troegs needs a good permanent imperial stout and I think they have it with this one. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2012 01:09:22 | More by Darkmagus82

BeerIsland

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a very tasty beer that kept its act together right through room temp warming. Rich, dark, and roastytoasty; this is an extremely drinkable beer for all its heft. The Thursday evening crowd was enthusiastically enjoying the "Trips" and Descent on a clear, cold night. These guys can make anything they want. Let 'er rip.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 00:20:15 | More by BeerIsland

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle served into a tulip glass.

A: Deep black, thick on the pour with faint dark brown edges. Impressive rocky, foamy dark tan head forms and sticks around for the remainder of the drink. Great lacing and retention cap.

S: Dark chocolate, cocoa, heavily roasted malts, sampling of smoke and dark fruit. A sharp, bitter hop note comes through too giving the aroma nice cut.

T: Massive Russian Imperial Stout qualities up-front. Dark chocolate, roasted malt, smoke, stone fruits, and dark roast coffee. Mid-palate and the back end brings a wash of bitter hops over the palate completely changing course for the beer. It's extremely welcomed and integrated perhaps too well.

M: Highly drinkable with a thinner body than expected. Still a nice feel for the style but it could use a bit more body if we're nitpicking.

An impressive beer from Troegs, and I have to give credit where credit is due. They've been missing a beer like this from their portfolio. This would make a powerful contender to add to their year-round or seasonal line-up.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 18:23:14 | More by ShanePB

tipfortap

New York

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

5 words to describe it: Milk Chocolate, Chewy, Malty, Roasty, Brash

Paired it with: A second helping

Should have paired it with: Alone as dessert, or with chocolate dipped berries

Drink it if you like: Chocolate/coffee milkshakes, Kaluha & Coffee

A few other thoughts: They say they brewed it in anticipation of the possible end of the world, but now that that has passed, I would save it for the end of your meal. This is not going to pair well with food, and that is just fine, because you will want to sip it and stare into a fire. Or something. I don’t know your life! Just find this and drink it!

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 17:15:51 | More by tipfortap

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at the brewery.

A - Pours jet black with a nice one finger tall khaki colored tan head, dissipating down to a light film and then nothing at all, leaving small streaks of lace down parts of the glass.

S - Smells of milk chocolate, vanilla, coffee, a surprising amount of citric hops and plenty of dark roasted malt. The sweeter aromas die down as it warms up and more of the roasty aromas begin to take over, along with some whiffs of booze.

T - Starts off with plenty of dark roast, chocolate and vanilla slowly giving way to hints of coffee grounds, cocoa powder and the citric hop resin. The booze is ever present, less so at first, growing stronger and stronger as it sits in the glass. Finish is quite roasty with a decent amount of booze, lingering on the palate for quite awhile after each sip.

M - Heavy body with moderate carbonation. Smooth, roasty feel from start to finish. The booze is mild initially growing as it sits in the glass. Very nice balance throughout.

O - One of the best scratch beers in quite some time. It has all the right flavors and while the hops are stronger than average I thought they worked well with the darker base flavors. Get this one while you can, I doubt it will be around for very long.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 20:11:10 | More by orangesol

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Frisco's, served in a chalice.

Pours a viscous, opaque mocha black with a retentive dark tan head. Thick sheets of lace and a thick collar. Roasty, chocolate aroma, typical RIS. Flavor is chocolate, cocoa, light citrus, resin and roast malt; very balanced.. Chewy, thicker body, dry and roasty finish. Very little booze or heat. Reminds me of Old Rasputin, but a little less hoppy and a little more chocolate and roast malt? Enjoyed this a lot fresh on draft

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2012 21:30:19 | More by yourefragile

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

TROEGS : Scratch Beer #83 : Impending Descent

LOOK: Very dark brown, deep , ominous, imperial looking. worthy of a czar, or at least myself. Off white tan head forms and leaves some lace.

SMELL: Deeply roasted malt, smoke, hint of dark fruits, and alcohol. Very roasty and smoke filled aroma. Smells good.

TASTE: Char, roast, black coffee and alcohol flavor. Not too hot, there is a good depth of roasted and even dark chocolate notes. Moderate leafy, mildly citric hop character helping with the bitterness, but this is not a hop forward ale. Touch of vanilla as it warms. This is a beastly stout for beasts.

FEEL: Medium to full bodied, not too heavy given the strength. Oh so smooth and velvety with some roast, spicy booze and chocolate riding out the finish.

OVERALL: A rather enjoyable Russian Imperial Stout. Troegs needs this style in the regular lineup. I think this could be a suitor for a regular release.

Serving type: growler

01-01-2013 02:55:48 | More by Stinkypuss