25th Anniversary Imperial Stout - Lakefront Brewery, Inc.

guityler83

Wisconsin

3.99/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25

A: Motoroil black, not a speck of light shines through when held to a lamp. Dark chocolate head that pours a meager half finger in size and quickly falls away only leaving a ring around the edge of my snifter.

S: A subtle sweet mocha and gingerbread aroma comes first as the beer warms sour cherry comes out

T: Cocoa nibs, gram cracker and sweet cherry on my first impression. A small amount of spicy hop bitterness as well. Warming up the beer becomes more complex and the cherry becomes mellower. There is a roastyness in the beer aswell but with so much going on in the malt profile in this beer its hard to distinguish the flavors im tasting.

M: Very low carbonation with a big body and a wee bit of warming alcohol. Lingering cherry driven astringancy that comes of almost chalky (subtle however).

O: I think this beer will age well and the harsher flavors will mellow out even more then it did after warming it up. As is, the cherry vibe i'm getting is dominating my pallet and coming through as a bit astringant.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 02:19:21 | More by guityler83

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.86/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Picked this up at Top Hops a few weeks back, hoping that this would be as good as the Wisconsinite or the Local Acre Lager. Although there are so many beers in this category that stand out from the pack, this wasn't one of those particularly worth seeking out. With that being said, this was a good offering to enjoy if the high alcoholic content wasn't enough to seem offsetting!

The pour to this was dark with a pretty dark with a head that was present but not strong and hardly any lacing to be seen. Not much of an aroma here, which was odd given the prevalence of alcohol and espresso in the taste. That was backed up by a lot of dark fruit like cherry and fig, currant, pumpernickel-like spice, and grainy, powdery chocolate. The carbonation was present and light and the strong, boozy licorice-like mouthfeel stuck around for quite a while in the aftertaste. There was a lot here but it all worked together with the alcohol tying everything in together pretty nicely.

I only bought one bottle of this and that was enough for a sitting. It didn't have anything to do with the taste, but just with the overt strength of this beer. While it's not as roasted or thick as other American Double/Imperial Stouts, I was pleased with how this turned out and enjoyed sipping on it. It was creamy enough to be smooth and go down easily, even though there was quite a bit to ponder as I slowly sipped it. Worth a try for anyone who likes a dark beer with good Belgian notes to it.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 20:38:21 | More by JerzDevl2000

sweemzander

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Thanks for sharing Chris!

(A)- Pours practically pitch black in color with some good tan froth and minimal lacing behind it.

(S)- A nice and rich chocolatey and raisin profile. Ever so slight hints at roasted caramel.

(T)- A nicely rich raisin and piney citrus meets bitter cocoa and subtle sweet caramel.

(M)- A good carbonation level. A nice bittering effect meets roasted but sweet malts.

(O)- A really nice balance of bitterness meets sweet roasted malts with a nice carbonation level. Always been a fan of Lakefront and this definitely works for me!

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 17:32:08 | More by sweemzander

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours viscous, jet black and completely opaque with a half finger mocha head that immediately settles into a thin, lasting ring. Minimal spotty lacing left behind.

Slightly smokey, roasted dark malt aroma with strong chocolate and coffee character. Hints of ash, charcoal and burnt toast followed by dark chocolate powder, used coffee grinds, oatmeal and licorice. I usually like smokey aroma but this smells more burnt than anything with a bit of chocolate.

On the lighter end of medium body with a blend of smoke, deeply roasted malt and sweet chocolate. Very dry and bitter but never becomes overly acrid with ash, burnt toast, oatmeal and stale coffee beans. This is countered by a much sweeter chocolate presence than anticipated. Hints of caramel, toffee, silky dessert like chocolate and lactose sugar. There's also some licorice, dark fruit and boozy sweetness rounding things out in the finish. The high ABV is nicely masked and the sweetness in the finish make it easier to drink but its still a little heavy on the smoked/burnt malt for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 08:32:58 | More by corby112

Ego

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

eyes...
pours like oil, black with no foreseeable exit for light, epic black hole of a hue, dark tan head fades rather quickly converting into the familiar o ring, lacing is a bit spotty but this does leave a leggy trail of booze along the glass, not much else to report here

nose...
dark rum, sweet molasses, dry cocoa , vanilla extract, pretty subdued but very together, nice

taste etc...
moderately heavy mouthfeel with a nice kiss of carbonation spank, it motions in to coat your mouth in the after hours, slightly slick and oily, light booze infiltrates, slightly chocolate infused raisins and dry cocoa powder, very easy drinking, the real flavor seems to kick in on the aftertaste, a real feel of chocolate candy bar residue, this gets better by the sip

verdict?
damn tasty, sort of lulls you into non appreciation but then delivers in a stealth manner, really nice finish on this

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 04:14:11 | More by Ego

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured into Bruery tulip

Pour: Black beer with a two finger frothy light brown head. Lacing seems modest and alcohol legs are definitely visible.

Smell: Roast malts, dark fruits, some char, bitter dark chocolate like bakers chocolate. A faint whiff of vanilla and some molasses.

Taste: Up front I get the roasted malts, bitter chocolate with some bitter coffee and almost a hop like bitterness. There is some of the molasses and vanilla noted in the nose but what gives this a twist is the tartness that is tart cherry like. Finish is more bitterness with the roasted malts following through. This is almost like a chocolate covered cherry.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and creamy. Somewhat oily and slick.

Overall: I love me BA stouts but this is interesting and well done. Really find the tartness to make it more complex.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 01:02:52 | More by sleuthdog

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Didn't know what to expect from this, but was pleasantly surprised. Pours a great coffee-copper head, settling down with good lacing. Right away the nose is strong with cherries, brandy, and a hint of vanilla. Dried fruits and plums open up when tasted, with a nice, drawn-out espresso and dark chocolate finish. Beautiful deep black color, complimented nicely by the mocha froth. Good mouthfeel, nice carbonation. Overall a very good imperial stout, well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 18:50:28 | More by smooth_aleing

mdfb79

New York

4.01/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 04/21/13 notes. 8 oz. pour on tap 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 very nice.

s - Smells of chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, dark chocolate, light vanilla, and some toasted malts. Nice nose.

t - Tastes of dark chocolate, roasted malts, sweet dark fruits, cherries, caramel malts, burnt malts, toasted malts, and some light vanilla notes. Slight step up from the nose for me.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Very light alcohol present, would have liked it to be a little bit thicker.

o - Overall a pretty nice stout, and definitely the best beer I've had from Lakefront. The description sounded great and it is very good, though the cherries and vanilla are pretty light, though they are present. Worth checking out and would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2013 14:45:22 | More by mdfb79

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.24/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

No one at my local haunt knew much of anything about this beer, so I knew I had to take on the mantle of the guinea pig. It's a dirty job... This stuff pours a very deep black-brown topped by a finger of brown foam. The nose comprises perfume-y dark cocoa, a kiss of coffee, and a melange of raisin, Port, and plum that seems to wash o'er all in perpetual waves, allowing the usual stout notes only pockets of airy freedom. The taste starts off on a dash with the cocoa, some roasted malts, and a hint of vanilla. Still, with the heft of the beer, the taste is more of a marathon, with the prune-y and Port-y flavors holding tight with the early leaders near the finish line. It's better, but it's still odd, resulting in me thinking "It's just...lacking..." The body is a hefty medium, with a light carbonation and a thickly-creamy feel. Overall, this one just didn't do it for me. The weird fruity notes detract from what seems like something that could have been a pretty solid stout. This must be the liquid equivalent of those awkward anniversaries we often see on sitcoms and in classic comedy routines...

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 07:04:49 | More by TMoney2591

Mdog

Minnesota

3.96/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: Black, ok head.

Smell: Dark fruit, molasses, roasted notes, bit of chocolate. Lots going on, good smell.

Taste: Very fruity-dark fruits at first, then some sweetened chocolate, then back to fruity with a moderately dry chocolate finish. The fruit notes definitely take charge over chocolate and roasted notes in this beer.

Overall: Picked up one of these to try. It's probably the most dark fruit-forward imperial stout (that wasn't Belgian-inspired) that I've had. Chocolate covered cherries with very mild chocolate and strongly flavored cherries. Pretty good, interesting stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 16:33:23 | More by Mdog

ksimons

New York

4.16/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-almost black in color with a very thin layer of tan head that disappears quickly to leave a bit of lace around the top

S-roasted malt, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and caramel and vanilla sweetness as the beer warms

T-roasted bitter coffee, roasted malt, caramel, and then finishes with an interesting dark chocolate covered cherry tartness

M-medium body, light to medium carbonation, dry roasty finish

Overall a pretty good Imperial Stout that I am glad I got to try. Cherry tartness makes this beer different from most other IS's out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 19:30:19 | More by ksimons

wyatt13

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Bottled on date of 12/26/12. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my Half Acre snifter.

A - Pours a deep, dark black, utterly impenetrable by any light whatsoever. A dark mocha head erupts instantly, but then dissipates to form a small ring around the outside of the glass. Substantial alcohol legs, but negligible lacing.

S - Lots of roasted coffee and bitter chocolate aromas. Vanilla and caramel begin to emerge as it continues to warm in the glass.

T - Starts with a much milder chocolate note than what I was expecting with a bit of hop bitterness. Transitions into a really interesting bit of tart fruit, with cherries asserting a presence. Finishes with a toasty espresso note that really lingers in a great way. Plenty of sweetness and vanilla on the finish, which makes up for the lack of it on the front and really helps to balance everything.

M - Disappointingly thin for a 10% imperial stout. A good amount of carbonation, but I would really prefer a big chewy presence that makes me take more time with this beer.

O - This definitely surpassed my expectations -- certainly an underrated beer, since I had never even heard of it until my dad gave me this bottle a couple weeks ago. Very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 02:15:27 | More by wyatt13

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours almost black, not quite FIS black but close, half finger of a deep brown head

Smell is bitter chocolate, roasted malt, a sweet dark fruit.

Taste is bitter bakers chocolate all over the front of this one, dark chocolate cover cherry, roasty in the finish,

Mouthfeel is medium full, creamy and coating with a light carbonation

Wow this caught me off gaurd!, really good stuff here, for 10% I got no alcohol.

Very unique, chocolate lovers dream, I hated Souther Tiers Chocolate beers but Lakefront nailed this one with the bakers chocolate flavor!

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 00:46:36 | More by nickapalooza86

drpimento

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big beer. Poured at a good temperature with a light brown, thick, foamy head that settle to an island and ring and a little lace. Aroma is malt, roast, molasses, old leather. Color is an opaque black brown. Flavor's like nose with more going on. Cocoa really comes out and sits on the fence between bitter and bittersweet. Also is a little soy, licorice, and medicine. Body is good; ditto carbonation. Finish is very long, a little boozy, and memorable.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 03:35:40 | More by drpimento

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

3.69/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle purchased as part of a four pack at Willy St. Co op Middleton.

Nice inky black pour with a heady cinnamon puff that bubbles to the surface and moderate sticky lace. Honestly was a bit taken aback by how nice this looked in the glass. A pleasant greeting.

Rather soft on the nose with some dark malt, molasses, and the whisper of cherry purée. Upon vigorous swirling, the cherry flashes.

Molasses and dark malts seem to dominate the base. The cherry never really dominates, but seems just ever present, from front to back. Touch of vanilla is light but complimentary, which is welcomed considering I find vanilla a fickle bitch that can overwhelm a beer and taste extracts and artificial. This avoids that particular pitfall. My biggest complaint, if you can call it that, is that the cherry purée seems to mask many of the base stout favors, making it good but somewhat non descript. It seems to ride atop the base and strangle out any real nuances while not really integrating itself.

Medium bodied and appropriately carbonated. Actually, it quite oily.

Overall, this is a nice effort from Lakefront and I look forward to their other Anniversary beers. I would like to see if time allows the flavors to mesh. Love affordable experimental four packs though. Keep it up Lakefront.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 02:19:29 | More by BarrytheBear

TheSSG

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a HUGE, dense, dark tan head that collapses into a nice, persistent head, with a touch of lacing. Nice, soft, coffee-like aroma is toasted and floral, and a touch tart. Black. Flavor is intense, deep, roasted, slightly tart, and a flash of booze. There are notes of cocoa early in. The hops build to a medium, floral bitterness, then the finish becomes very toasty and roasted where the floral hops linger, and the warming alcohol eminates from it. As the finish lingers, it takes on a black olive flavor which is very enjoyable!

A nice, medium-thick body. This is really good. The aroma is surprisingly subtle. There is a nice acidity to this (and I'm not a fan of acidic brews) that enhances the coffee-like character of it as the floral hops blend with cocoa. Really nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 02:03:18 | More by TheSSG

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into. 8 oz snifter.

A- pours black with a 1 finger dark cola head. Blotches and some trails of lacing remain on the glass.

S- roast, chocolate, molasses and dark fruits.

T- chocolate, roasted malts, molasses with just some bitterness, and dark fruits near the finish.

M- full body and medium carbonation. Very smooth and creamy, and drinks amazing at 10%

O- very solid RIS. Body of this beer is great and has nice roast and molasses notes.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 03:13:47 | More by kawilliams81

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.29/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Black with ruby edges and a mocha head. Little lacing.

S - Starts big and roasty with almost burnt malt that slowly gives way to bittersweet cocoa nibs. As it warms the burnt goes away and leaves raw cocoa nibs and cherry. Some vanilla is also noticeable.

T - Cocoa nibs and chocolate followed by roasty malt and a toffee, caramel sweetness. The burnt like malt and chocolate create coffee and tobacco notes that are quickly smoothed out with tart cherry.

M - Medium to full bodied, smooth, sweet malt fighting with roasted bitterness and raw cocoa.

D - I very nice 25th anniversary beer. I can't wait to try the other beers in the 25th anniversary release. This one disappeared quick off the shelves. I hope to see more of it.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 01:57:05 | More by brewcrew76

Ri0

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A – A nice deep almost obsidian hue with no light coming through. A nice rich dark almond head sits atop and dissipates into a thin ring around my snifter. No noticeable amount of lacing.

S – A good wiff gives me baker’s chocolate, cocoa nibs, and a very faint fruit smell. Hints of vanilla and malts also present.

T – The taste surprised me as I wasn’t expecting it to be so rich with chocolate cover cherry flavor. I really enjoyed drinking this and the cherry became even more noticeable as the beer warmed and calmed the chocolate bitterness. It is not dominate cherry flavor, but it tastes great with the chocolate.

M – A nice rich creamy mouth feel. I didn’t find it too thin for a stout. I did not pick up any booze for a 10% ABV beer.

O – This was a very nice surprise from LFB, and is a very nice attempt at a stout. I wish they would make this a winter seasonal as another beer I would buy from them.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 23:58:52 | More by Ri0

InVinoVeritas

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Appearance was also rather good, dark nearly opaque. If I recall right, reasonability good head, tan with appropriate thickness.

S: It had a great smell, with a lot going on. You pick up roasted malts, toffee, and some dark fruit, plum being what I remember most.

T: Pretty complex. Leads with the toffee / roasted malts and finishes with the dark fruits. I didn't particularly like the finish, the cherries / plum on the finish wasn't pleasing to me and was why I didn't order a glass. It's by no means bad, don't get me wrong; just wasn't for me.

M: Mouthfeel was good, with a medium to heavy, as is typical for the style.

O: Overall pretty good. The taste would keep me from really falling in love with this. I would certainly try a full pour to be fair. Also bringing in price point, I'd say this offers a pretty good value.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2013 04:11:44 | More by InVinoVeritas

bound4er

Wisconsin

4.09/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A. Pours to a near black appearance with a frothy dark tan head that breaks fairly quickly.

S. Quite rich on the nose with chocolate, vanilla, roasted grain and faint cherry.

T. Dark roasted malt and chocolate upon entry. Finishes with good bitterness and a lingering cherry aftertaste.

M. Rich and full bodied with just enough carbonation to keep things from becoming too heavy.

O. This is a strong effort and worth seeking out. The cocoa nibs add a nice flavor dimension with the Door County cherries adding a unique but somewhat odd dimension. I will be buying more of this beer as it goes perfectly with our January weather.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 23:45:16 | More by bound4er

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

3.91/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I picked up a single bottle of this in Madison and my friend who lives in Milwaukee was surprised I was able to find it as he had struck out in his search. I split the bottle between myself and two other people so I only got a few ounces. I will most likely pick up another to get a better feel for this.

The beer was very dark and looked like an impressive imperial stout. It smelled like cherries, chocolate along with some of the typical smells from an imperial stout (liquorice, fruits) but the smell wasn't overly powerful. The taste was much the same and I also got some vanilla when I took a sip.

Comparing this to the other other cherry stout I have had (Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Cherry), this was better but still not as great as some other imperial stouts. But like I said, I want to try this again and it was definitely a good enough beer to warrant another buy.

EDIT-I found a 4 pack in the Madison area so I was able to have this beer again. On second thought, this isn't quite as good as I thought it was. The cherry taste doesn't come through as much as I'd like and overall I thought the beer was rather bitter masking some of the good Imperial Stout flavors. I initially thought that I liked this better than CW Cherry Stout but I think I am changing my mind.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 03:47:27 | More by mjpolzin

Diotima

Wisconsin

4.09/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle, purchased in a 4-pack from Whole Foods.

Pours jet black with ruby edges. This beer has a modest but thick head, with a dark color that reminds me of Ten Fidy. There isn't too much of an aroma to speak of. Traces of fruit and roasted malt come through upon closer inspection. The first thing I noticed upon sipping the beer was how highly carbonated it was. Cherries and faint vanilla make themselves apparent at first, leading to the backbone of dark chocolate. As I said, this beer is highly carbonated for the style, but the carbonation becomes less apparent with every sip. The mouthfeel is very full, not incredibly thick, but it coats the mouth nicely. As the beer warms cherries become more apparent throughout. Finishes clean, with some of that semi-bitter chocolate flavor hanging around. Alcohol is hidden incredibly well. Overall a very good effort from Lakefront.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 05:29:27 | More by Diotima

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
10% ABV, Bottled on 12/26/12 on shoulder.

A - Clarity is visible through the pour but this beer is a rich dark chocolate black in the glass. Creamy, thick dark mocha foam tops the beer and resides there for quite a while before deflating to a thin skim leaving lace clutching the glass in it's wake.

S - Lakefront's 25th Anniversary imperial stout has a big nose of dark malt but is by no means overly roasted. Mellow milk chocolate and cocoa flourish with a smooth, voluptuous creamy aroma that's trailed by notes of tart Door County cherries. Smooth notes of alcohol barely seem to poke through, aiding in the beers rich and creamy appeal.

T - A near perfect reflection of the beer's aroma, the flavor showcases cocoa nibs and chocolate flavor first and foremost with smooth caramel sweetness balanced by a touch of coffee roast bitterness on the finish. Tart cherries peek though but seem a bit disjointed from the rest of the beer, almost like an afterthought.

M - If I had to describe the feel of this beer in one word; heavenly. Rich and smooth, almost throat-coating but supple carbonation keeps this voluptuous beer lively. Bold malt sweetness meets balance with a touch of roasted bitterness and tart cherry skins on the finish.

O - Besides the somewhat odd and faint use of tart cherries in this beer, this first installment of Lakefront's Anniversary Series beers is a smash hit! Wonderful chocolate maltiness is soothing with suggestions of coffee, all wrapped up in one full-bodied and rich package, surprisingly void of alcohol perception!

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 00:39:58 | More by BeerFMAndy