Impeccable ’16 collaboration between Italy’s Brewfist and Oklahoma’s Prairie Artisan Ales stays thick and creamy as dark-roasted coffee assault gains cocoa nibs upsurge, fudgy chocolate sweetness and vanilla bean richness over tarry hop-charred molasses bittering. Caramelized espresso, creme brulee and caffe mocha illusions as well as distant cherry, blueberry, blackberry and raisin fruiting stay recessive.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, impressive cocoa nibs-embellished Imperial Stout gains plentiful dark-roast coffee richness, creamy black chocolate decadence and latent black cherry reminder above moderate nut-toasted hop bittering.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, creamy (11% ABV) Imperial Stout brings richly smooth bourbon-sugared brown chocolate and vanilla sweetness to cedar-smoked hop roast. Molasses-sapped dark cocoa, medium-roast coffee and scurried black cherry add depth as bourbon vanilla warmth soothes the soul.
On tap at River Of Beer, kaleidoscopic middleweight Imperial Stout dances on the tongue like a Bolshoi ballerina as molasses-enriched brown chocolate spicing and fudgy toffee sweetness gain ancillary brown-sugared fig and raisin sentiment. Chocolate-caked coffee, cocoa and vanilla illusions deepen sweet mocha theme.
On tap at Dogfish Head – Rehoboth Beach, dry Shiraz-wined sour stout goes for it all as black chocolate-roasted malts combat dark-spiced red wining, oak-aged vanilla tannins and stewed plum-cherry-prune illusions to the bustling burgundy-tinged rye wheat base.
Rich Danish royalty proves to be provocative 10% ABV dynamo with its syrupy brown chocolate creaming, milked coffee scamper and sticky anise goo leading the way over sweet-grained Maris Otter malts and lightly-charred hop bittering. Fudgy molasses, cocoa, vanilla, toffee and caramel illusions add chewy texture to mighty mocha imperialism.
“Majestic” 3rd anniversary Imperial Stout (2016), aged in Heaven Hill and Wild Turkey bourbon barrels, drapes Mexican-styled chocolate malting and mild chipotle peppering over rum-spiced bourbon vanilla warmth. Mild coconut-toasted cinnamon, black cherry and almond illusions sweetly contrast light pepper heat below the mocha surface. A perfect nightcap.
On tap at Ambulance, densely full-bodied Imperial Stout gathers syrupy black chocolate creaming and black coffee-sugared black licorice overtones to rally against tarry Blackstrap molasses bittering. Wispy dark-spiced black cherry nuances and latent burgundy-port snips make cameos.
“Luscious” full-bodied Imperial Stout brings dark-roasted coffee and chocolate tones to dark molasses sugaring and light hop bittering. Ancillary caramel, vanilla and fig illusions add color to rich mocha complexity.
Underwhelming limited edition 2016 Imperial Stout (with quiet 9.7% ABV) brings moderately creamy brown chocolate frontage, bitter coffee followup and brown-sugared dried fruiting to barley-roasted caramel malting. Oats-charred earthen peat saturates ancillary raisin-fig-plum conflux and latent cola-hazelnut whims.
Enticing 2015 bourbon-barreled Imperial Stout brings creamy bourbon chocolate sweetness to the fore above brown-sugared dried fruiting, burnt caramel piquancy and oaken vanilla scurry. Boozy sherry propensity crowds mighty dark chocolate, coffee and cocoa contingent. Tertiary marshmallow, molasses and chicory undertones deepen overall intensity.
Bodacious bourbon chocolate stout retains creamy mocha molasses richness. Syrupy chocolate-vanilla fudging nudges Jack Daniels whiskey sweetness and dark cherry tartness as well as light smoked oak char, creating heavy dessert luster. Distant burgundy, black grape and raisin illusions bring mild sweet ‘n sour sideswipe to engaging chocolate whiskey finish.
