Blue Point (Sour) Cherry Imperial Stout - Blue Point Brewing Company

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.81/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Rattle N Hum in New York, NY

A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with minimal amounts of visible carbonation and some light amounts of cola brown highlights. The beer has a half finger tall off-white head that reduces rather quickly to a medium patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of dark and roasted malts along with sour cherries.

T: Upfront there are light to moderate flavors of dark malts and roasted malts. Moderate flavors of sour cherries which get a little stronger as the beer warms up. Light hints of alcohol.

M: Medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth.

O: I really enjoyed the flavors of sour cherries in the imperial stout style - I found it to be interesting and a touch unique but enjoyable. Alcohol is well hidden and this one is easy to enjoy sipping on for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 19:58:07 | More by dbrauneis

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

4.55/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Farmhouse tap and grill, Burlington, VT. 9.0% ABV.

A - Pitch black color with light brown creamy head. Excellent lacing and medium retention.
S - Very balanced between malt (roasted and toasted) and cherries with a hint of floral hop which completes perfectly the blend. I would keep my nose into it forever.
T - Flavors start with aromatic hops and sour cherry. Then come coffee and chocolate notes and finishes with roasted malt which adds a certain dryness that lingers forever.
M - Slightly tart from the cherry. Was expecting a stronger sweetness along with the assertive bitterness. Very smooth overall.
O - Cherry is not overpowering as it could be in other similar brews. Great balance and well thought out. Would have liked more residual sugar but that being said this IS is close to perfection!

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 02:15:12 | More by duracell

Tschnab

New York

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- the pour is a pretty classic RIS pour, black with a mocha brown head.

S- dark malts and raisin come out the most, as well as dark chocolate and cherries.

T- It is a medium bodied RIS, not as much coffee as I would like, but the rest is on point. Sweet raisin, sweet malt, sweet raisin, dark chocolate. Coffee flavors are sort of there but more would make this beer even better.

O- a nice RIS here. Unfortunately, this is a type of beer with some fierce competition, and it falls right in the middle of the pack.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2012 14:21:38 | More by Tschnab

alexkeil

New York

2.63/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This is a very nice looking beer. Overall it didn't work for me. I was hoping the sour cherry would help balance the sweetness of the malts used for the stout; however, the cherry added more sweetness and reminded me of sweet stout with cough medicene. I think it needed more bittering hops and maybe a different type of cherry if fresh cherries were used.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 14:07:46 | More by alexkeil

One2Remeber

Florida

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Creamy, khaki colored head sits for several minutes after pour. Leaves silky film after each sip. Body is black with a dark brown hue.

S: Potent aroma of real cherry, so heavy it blankets any other smells. There is a medicinal, cough drop presence.

T: Cherry through out, with hint of milk chocolate on the back end. Straight forward in taste, not complex by any means.

M: Full bodied with a silky smooth touch. A slight bubbly carbonation feel lets the flavors shine.

O: Not in love but still impressed. For the style it is spot on. Rich body with full flavor, smooth and drinkable, not filling.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 02:14:49 | More by One2Remeber

DapperGrowler

District of Columbia

4.35/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I tried this beer on tap at the Blue Point Brewery on Long Island.

A: The beer was black. It truly had a “Imperial” vibe.

S: Malt, taste of chocolate and coffee

T: Dark malt taste with a slight cherry taste on the back of pallet.

M: This is a great beer, nice heavy (full) mouthfeel.

O: This is a unique beer. I really enjoyed it, although the cherry taste tasted slightly like syrup.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 16:33:54 | More by DapperGrowler

merc7186

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

darkI had this beer on tap at Crabapples in Cheektowaga NY, poured into a pint glass.

A: Dark Opaque Hue, Passes No Light, Great Foamy Brown Head, Great Lacing

S: Dark Roasty Malts, Milk Chocolate

T: Dark Roasted Malts, Light Cherry Syrup, Chocolate

M: Great Carbonation, Full Bodied, Smokey, Dry

Overall, a really good Stout that isnt boozy or overly fruity, nice balanced flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2012 04:03:09 | More by merc7186

angelogarcia3

New York

4.88/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this beer at Bobbique in a pint glass. The beer is dark as midnight with a slight reddish tinge. The head is tan with again a slight reddish tinge. The aroma is of chocolate with a hint of cherry. The first sip is heavy and thick with flavors of milk chocolate, cocoa, and a hint of cherry. Don't let the name fool you, this beer is not sour or bitter at all. Making it a fantastic beer that went very well with the BBQ combo platter we had.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2012 23:38:41 | More by angelogarcia3

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at the Pour House, Westmont, NJ

Poured into a stem glass, dark black with a small brownish head. Aroma of dark, roasted malts, and some chocolate. Not too much cherry in the nose. Roasty caramel malts in the taste, some dark chocolate, and disappointingly very little cherry flavor to the point where it was almost unnoticeable. A little sourness I guess, but nothing distinct. Almost makes me think I was poured the wrong beer, but it's what the tap handle said. Still a fine stout, heavy-medium mouthfeel and average drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 03:18:21 | More by Rifugium

cosmicevan

New York

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Swung by the brewery after work to check things out and it was hopping. Beer was as dark as you would expect and tasted of roasted malts with a tingle of cherry. Alc was present as was a touch of sourness. Smell was also dominated by roasted malts and a touch of cherry. Great beer & glad I got a sample. Beer was smooth and left a tingle in my mouth.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 20:03:02 | More by cosmicevan

SkunkWorks

New York

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap, fresh at the brewery. Had it in those tasting cups the brewery provides. I had about a pints worth, so I think this is enough to review.

300th review!

Look: black bodied with some creamy, fluffy off white head with excellent retention and good lacing. Held to the light, it appears closer to brown than black with some red highlights.

Smell: roasted grain, caramel and a bit of cherry along with a hint of alcohol.

Taste: hints of chocolate, coffee, alcohol warmth, and a mild cherry finish. Since I'm not a huge fan of cherry, the amount of cherry works nicely. Its very sweet though and I think this could benefit from some more attenuation.

Feel: smooth, warm from the alcohol, full bodied, a little cloying, and mildly carbonated.

Drinkability: fairly easy drinking. I don't think I would get more than a pint of this though.

Overall Impression: decent but nothing about this is exceptional and nothing about it really makes me want to try it again. Its worth a try though and I wouldn't be put off by the cherry taste, since its kind of subdued. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 15:10:19 | More by SkunkWorks

metter98

New York

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a thin off white head.
S: There are light aromas of dark malts in the nose along with some hints of cherries.
T: The taste has flavors of dark malts with a slight amount of roasted malts. There are notes of sour cherries in the finish along with some hints of alcohol.
M: It feels medium-bodied, smooth and somewhat thick on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is easy to drink considering its strength and the subtle flavors of sour cherries make the taste rather interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2011 04:02:25 | More by metter98

RiverheadBev

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

We were fortunate enough to get our hands on a half-barrel of this stout at my job. I was decently impressed and it seems to be a hit with our growler customers.

Appearance: Very, very dark brown (almost, but not quite black) with a light tan head that sticks around for a bit.

Smell: I get a very faint impression from the cherry, but mainly chocolates and a bit of toffee. Not overly aromatic which disappointed me a bit.

Taste: At first sip I was surprised by an almost NyQuil-like cherry flavor that was almost suddenly masked by rich chocolate and roasted barley. It is enjoyable, don't get me wrong, but I would have suggested that the brewers focused more on the cherry flavors... where's the 'sour'? Overall a nice stout- not too sweet, which is a problem that I have with a lot of Russian Imperial Stouts.

Mouthfeel: Thinner than I normally like a Russian Imperial Stout, but by no means watered down. Not syrupy like some beers of the same style, which I like.

Drinkability: Pretty good! I could see myself bringing this to a friend's house to enjoy after dinner. Decent taste (as long as you weren't hoping for a huge cherry sensation). It wouldn't be a regular choice of RIS for me, but I'd definitely give it another go.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2010 20:00:10 | More by RiverheadBev

david18

New York

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a twelve ounce glass of this at the Amsterdam Ale House in New York City. I really didn't detect any cherry or sourness at all. I think one gets the impression that it's supposed to be a sour beer/stout? But I think the sour refers to the cherry and not the beer. Anyway, pretty much a standard imperial stout and not up there with the best of them in my opinion.

Dark brown/black color with a dark (ok, maybe reddish) head. Aroma is roasty with a little hops. Flavor, again, roasty with some bitterness. Overall, not a bad stout. Just not a favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2010 18:08:31 | More by david18

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at River Street Alehouse. Served in a shaker "pint" glass at happy hour for $2. Way too cold, allowed to warm for about half an hour. Appears a deep brown color with about an inch of tan foam. Smells and tastes of rich roasted grains, caramel, molasses, bitter cherry skins, sour cherry juice, bittersweet cocoa, mocha and very minimal cherry cough syrup notes. Alcohol is barely noticeable here. Rich and full bodied with medium carbonation. One glass was plenty for me in a single session.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2009 03:18:39 | More by ClockworkOrange

erosier

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

L: Pours a deep black color with a short and medium bodied tan colored head that laces the glass nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of deep roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and a sweet cherry aroma that I was expecting to be more sour from the name.
T: A nice roasty, chocolaty, coffee base and then a sweet and a little bit sour cherry flavor that lingers and gets more sour as the taste fades.
M: Smooth, rich, warming, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Pretty drinkable, I think I would have liked it better if it was sweet, but I can't knock it because I knew what I was getting into. Really interesting and I really enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2009 11:54:58 | More by erosier

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 8/9/08. On tap at the brewery. Pours black with a small tan head. Aroma of sweet roasted malt. Flavor of roasted malt, parmesean cheese, faint sweet medicinal cherries, and nuts. A bit heavy with a roasty finish. Not bad, actually, and much tastier than the regular stout.
6/4/7/3/13 (3.3/5)

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2008 16:40:23 | More by LilBeerDoctor

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap and labeled 'Sour Cherry Stout'.

Poured a dark, dark brown color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of roast, chocolate, caramel, smoke, and some dark cherries. Tastes of dark fruits (cherries), roast, and chocolate. Medium alcohol finish. Lacing left on the glass.

Notes from 4/9/07

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2008 14:26:38 | More by hopdog

maddogruss

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got a tulip glass of this at Cloverleaf Tavern.

A: Pours a dark, brown body with a thick, tan head with excellent retention and lacing.

S: Smells of roasted, robust barley with some sweet, maraschino cherry and slight alcohol notes.

T: An interesting, roasted, robust taste with a slight, sour cherry note. A sour, chocolate covered cherry aftertaste that actually did well to compliment the beer.

M: A pretty smooth mouthfeel, but did seem a bit on the thin side for the style.

D: Definitely a solid, drinkable beer with a nice mouthfeel and taste combination. Definitely worth a go if you come across it. A bit of a kick from the alcohol that did well to warm you later on. I did give a sip to my girlfriend, and she was a little blown away from the sour cherry taste and the alcohol presence.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2008 01:05:15 | More by maddogruss

Zenon

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown, blackish body with slight tan, cream colored head. Lacing was fairly good with defined lacing rings.

S: Strong alcoholic smell with nuances of coffee and dark chocolate.

T: Overwhelming taste of alcohol with taste of chocolate with vague hints of cherry, far less that I would have expected.

M: Light to medium bodied, average carbonation for stout.

D: Fairly easy beer to drink, though it takes a few sips of the beer to fully appreciate what you are drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2008 12:37:52 | More by Zenon

doho95fu

California

2.53/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I always hate giving bad reviews to breweries that, only in my opinion, are solid. Others may like this brew, but if I am being honest - and that is the point - this beer is way short of their standard.

Upon first taste I thought I had been given the wrong beer - not even close to what I was expecting.

The appearence was dark with a minimal head. The smell was very smoky - so much so that it was all I got. The smokiness continued in the taste department. Maybe the amount of that flavor overwhelmed the cherry flavor, but I picked up zero, zilch in the way of cherry flavor. Mouthfeel was bland, almost oily. Not drinkable at all. Sorry, but I look forward to more solid offerings from Blue Point.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2008 18:38:28 | More by doho95fu

treyrab

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Surprised to find this on tap at Bocktown in Pittsburgh.

A: Poured a dark oil black with a nice brown head. You can tell this is not a syrupy beer, as it is a little lighter, but it is definitely dark.

S: The smell is of dark roasted coffee, chocolate malts, black malt, and hops

T: I was surprised that there was not much cherry in this brew. With a name like it has, I was expecting more. Don't get me wrong, there is a slight hint...but there is a ton of chocolate and cocoa, which makes up for it. Very strong taste for how light the beer seems.

Overall, this is a great brew...just not as much cherry as I would have thought.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2008 02:24:12 | More by treyrab

aerozeppl

New York

4.28/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Black with some hints of ruby when held up to the light. A tad bit lighter than the cask version I had a little while ago. Nice thick finger of mocha head. Good amount of lacing.

S: The nose was more subdued than the cask version. Roast and chocolate and a hint of cherries when it warmed up a bit.

T: Again followed my cask review which was "Damn this was good. It was a chocolate covered cherry in beer form and I hate those but loved this. The roast character is fairly strong. The cherry it very subtle and you get about a second of it before the bitter roast finish. Complex while being able to pick it apart." Only a little bit less so. Now quite as complex but still really great.

M: Either version the mouthfeel is just about perfect.

D: I think this one is still being made and it should continue to be made. Best beer I have had from Blue Point. Totally underated and a hidden gem.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2008 02:21:24 | More by aerozeppl

drseamus

New York

4.45/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark black with a nice ruby glow when held to the light. Great thick light mocha head that is perfectly uniform and creamy

S: Chocolate and coffee but not much cherry. Still, a great stout aroma.

T: Very tasty indeed but not really any cherry in the main flavor. The cherry enters more as a feeling reminiscent of the skins. Chocolate is big and bold.

M: Damn smooth and creamy. Perfect body for a impy stout.

D: Damn good beer. Perfect mouthfeel, amazing drinkability all around.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2008 01:08:37 | More by drseamus

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A. Served on tap into a glass. Dark brown with a light light brown head. Some lace.

S. Weak roasted malts, some alcohal. Fruity estesrs.

T. Like a low grade stout. The cherry flavor is missing, which I saw as a plus actually. It would be more memorable if there was a stronger cherry taste. A slight alcohal presence is noted. Roasted coffee.

M. Full bodied and thick.

D. Pretty good, but there are much better examples of the style. At such a high ABV, its kind of a waste of face.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2008 18:52:12 | More by Stinkypuss