Broad-ranging lactic full body allows ‘vampire killing stakes,’ malt-smoked hickory and ashen resin to promulgate wood-burnt bittering contrasted by everlasting milk-sugared dark chocolate theme. Relaxing bourbon vanilla and Jack Daniels whiskey tones waver beside dried-fruited black cherry, raisin and fig snip as well as wispy anise, cardomom and black currant nuances. Mild espresso tinge fortifies rich molasses-sweetened mocha finish.
Tag Archives: imperial stout
CISCO ISLAND RESERVE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Dissuasive full-bodied stout unconvincingly blends deep anise richness into molasses-buttered pumpernickel breading, Tootsie Roll-like sweetness and mild dark-roasted coffee bittering. Furthermore, despite its softly creamed Godiva chocolate froth and tertiary brown-sugared cola-hazelnut roast, the expansive flavonoids don’t mesh as well as more regimented and stylistically specific Imperials marketed towards mocha lovers.
BLUE POINT SOUR CHERRY IMPERIAL STOUT (2012)
On tap at Copper Mine, ‘majestic’ 2012 version enjoins the creamiest brown chocolate sweetness with an ‘extremely complex’ black-roasted coffee richness that settles above serenely soured black cherry tartness. Beautiful molasses-soaked creme brulee, sherry, espresso and hazelnut undertones cut across its cocoa-buttered black chocolate finish. Light wood-smoked charcoal burn deepens mocha penetration. Tertiary red grape, black grape and blackberry tannins offer latent sour ruse. A marvelous dessert treat perfect for Valentine’s Day.
CENTRAL WATERS SATIN SOLSTICE IMPERIAL STOUT
Coveted black velvety medium-to-full body maintains lingering dark chocolate richness and everlasting black coffee roast, balancing bitter hop-charred nuttiness with sweet mocha-molasses malting quite efficiently. Fluffy carbolic froth nearly prohibits creamy eclair subsidy, mild cocoa bean niche and fleeting vanilla variance. Try for dessert instead of Hershey’s Chocolate.
CLOWN SHOES BLAECORN UNIDRAGON RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Domineering full-bodied Imperial Stout with impressive 12.5% alcohol range, gooey anise spicing and indelible vanilla-creamed mocha malting given hop-charred wood burn. Chewy caramel-sugared cookie dough yeast, bittersweet dark-roasted chocolate serenade and coconut buttering saturate ascending coffee bean bitterness. Aggressive bourbon-burgundy rush, syrupy Scotch motif and chocolate liqueur nip linger through illustrious maple-syrupy Blackstrap molasses richness.
KEUKA RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Anomalous (limited edition) 2011 Imperial Stout (from Adirondack Mountains’ Finger Lakes region) forgoes stylistic sweet mocha malting for sourer varietal. Vinous dried fruiting secures dank cocoa-powdered Baker’s chocolate bittering as sour cherry, prune, plum and raisin undertones find space next to burnt coffee remnant. Even the black currant reminder beats out any noticeable brown chocolate sweetness.
(THORNBRIDGE) SAINT PETERSBURG IMPERIAL RUSSIAN STOUT
Convincing lactic-soured cocoa malt entry pushed aside for chewy brown chocolate creaminess and soy-milked coffee splash. Sturdy mocha theme reinforced by molasses-draped oats, peanut-shelled walnut and mossy peat as well as tertiary dark-fruited raisin, fig and black cherry nuances.
JOLLY PUMPKIN MADRUGADA OBSCURA DARK DAWN IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap at Cloverleaf, amiable oak barrel-aged dark ale brings acidic brettanomyces funk and pungent sour fruiting to rawest Blackstrap molasses inclination. Oaken cherry, white grape, green grape and cranberry tartness deepens acrid barnyard-horsehide parch. Briny salting saturates ancillary wood burnt hop char, depleting powdered cocoa drift.
LOST ABBEY SERPENT’S IMPERIAL STOUT
Wonderfully robust dessert treat places creamy molasses-like dark chocolate richness, chewy burnt caramel sweetness, vanilla bean bittering and variable cocoa-dried dusting above moderate tarry cedar-charred hop roast. French-roasted coffee, milked cappuccino and espresso underscore rich mocha theme. Ancillary black cherry puree, bourbon, annisette, black licorice and cookie dough illusions keep viscous full body even more interesting. Chocolate brownie finish seals the deal.
LEINENKUGEL BIG EDDY IMPERIAL STOUT
Richly viscous full body goes beyond stylistic mocha theme with its oaken bourbon-burgundy wining, coffee-roasted dried fruiting and cocoa-dried butterscotch notch. Creamy dark chocolate expectancy, sinewy molasses-smoked maple malting and luscious vanilla sweetness sidle prune-soured black cherry tartness. Tertiary blackberry, black grape and boysenberry illusions tilt Big Eddy towards sour end. Cedar-burnt wood tone reinforces caramelized brown sugar glaze.
POINT WHOLE HOG RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Worthy 2011 limited release brings rich chocolate-caked creaminess and molasses-sapped toffee sweetness to roasted hop char. Brown-sugared Belgian chocolate spicing, variable vanilla verve and minor coffee roasting affect ancillary bourbon-barleywine boozing.
CRICKET HILL BARREL AGED RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap, marvelous sweet-toothed chocolate-vanilla conflux saturates wafting bourbon, burgundy and barleywine illusions over contrasting hop-roasted charcoal bittering. Black cherry-bruised raisin puree center thickens sinewy mocha resolve. Serve for dessert in lieu of chocolate cake-filled bon-bons.