Saranac Imperial Stout - Matt Brewing Company

sraimondi

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured with a HUGE deep tan head. Very good spot lacing throughout outing. Completely black, opaque; even up against a bright light.

Roasted, dark chocolate aroma; very nice.

The taste with this one is superb. Very complex layers of flavors. Roasted/toasted malt dominates at start, but the hops influence balances the finish. Some vinous/sherry-like notes also present. Chocolate is also there, but not overwhelming.

The mouthfeel cannot be improved upon, IMO. Perfect; seems like oats have been added to smooth things out. The carbonation is without flaw.

The ABV is pretty well masked, but there, for sure. Given that the sixer cost me less than $9.00, this may be the BEST beer I have had at its price point, bar none. Upon further consideration, this is the best beer I have EVER had where the sixer costs less than $10.00. The folks in Utica should indeed be proud.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2008 23:20:06 | More by sraimondi

blknikon

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

05-07-2013 23:44:08 | More by blknikon

EricReynolds

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

04-20-2013 03:30:49 | More by EricReynolds

sajaffe1

Alabama

3.69/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

This beer was poured from the bottle into a pint glass.
This stout is black with no light penetration. There is a short lived head that dissapates quickly.
On the nose there are bits of dark fruits, chocolate, coffee as well as some hops. Good smelling ale.
The taste was more bitter than expected with fairly assertive hops and alcohol. Still notice the dark fruit.
This stout was pretty smooth with light carbonation.

Not the best imperial stout I ever had, but not bad. I am glad I gave it a go, but do not plan on buying again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:11:20 | More by sajaffe1

brheuer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%

03-24-2013 16:08:51 | More by brheuer

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%

01-17-2013 20:03:20 | More by RblWthACoz

Danflurry

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%

12-28-2012 16:19:21 | More by Danflurry

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

12-21-2012 04:45:28 | More by grahamboudreaux

h4ger

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +2.3%

10-14-2012 02:27:12 | More by h4ger

cbord459

New York

4/5  rDev +2.3%

09-10-2012 13:29:02 | More by cbord459

danthehopslamman

4/5  rDev +2.3%

08-15-2012 04:15:54 | More by danthehopslamman

wmc0005

Alabama

4/5  rDev +2.3%

07-27-2012 00:29:36 | More by wmc0005

Japple

New York

4/5  rDev +2.3%

07-22-2012 21:15:04 | More by Japple

Chugs13

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

07-17-2012 00:04:43 | More by Chugs13

bluntedboywonder

New York

4/5  rDev +2.3%

07-13-2012 20:40:45 | More by bluntedboywonder

PrimScrewhead

Rhode Island

3/5  rDev -23.3%

06-02-2012 21:10:37 | More by PrimScrewhead

thestar30

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

03-12-2012 18:19:42 | More by thestar30

donunrue

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

03-06-2012 02:26:37 | More by donunrue

craftbeer31

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

02-25-2012 18:27:51 | More by craftbeer31

chrispoint

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

02-18-2012 20:27:57 | More by chrispoint

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured as dark as night from a 12 oz bottle, with a freshness code on the bottle. Absolutely no light penetrates through this stout.
One finger tan colored head that dissipated very slowly.
Aroma is all chocolate, with hints of some sweet malt, licorice and dark fruits coming through.
Taste surprisingly is more on the bitter side. Right upfront there is a distinct bitterness on the tongue which slowly subsides towards the finish ending with a gentle lingering bitterness.
This is quite a robust and full-bodied stout.
Easy to drink with very nice mouthfeel.
Perhaps the second best beer from Saranac after their Black Forest. I was pleasantly surprised by this one and will even go on to say that it can hold it's own against any good imperial stout.
Overall, this is a very good imperial stout and is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 05:38:44 | More by CaptDavyJones

jfcaa193

Connecticut

2.5/5  rDev -36.1%

02-05-2012 19:26:58 | More by jfcaa193

tiltedglass

New York

4.72/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

For me this is the best stout made. I've tasted only 20 or so, not including flavored stouts, and this, like the Guinness Export, is powerful but with a balanced punch. Terrific full taste that is somehow both sharp and round. Great stuff. Getting harder to find for some reason, so get yours if you see it. Try a blind taste against another stout or two and you'll see what I mean.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 16:27:10 | More by tiltedglass

coachdonovan

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

01-08-2012 13:39:37 | More by coachdonovan

Ryneb

New York

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

12-31-2011 00:27:18 | More by Ryneb