Churchill's Finest Hour (2011)
Port Brewing

Churchill's Finest Hour (2011)Churchill's Finest Hour (2011)
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Port Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
11%
Score:
96
Avg:
4.36 | pDev: 7.8%
Reviews:
36
Ratings:
89
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 01, 2019
Added:
Mar 09, 2011
Wants:
  233
Gots:
  24
Silver Wax
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by eawolff99:
Photo of eawolff99
Rated by eawolff99 from Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

Jan 27, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

4.18/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
When did we drink this one? March Madness 2015? Right out the gate, the best thing about this compared to other Lost Abbey/Port brews is that it is fully carbonated. None of that not even plausible deniability 'dUrR iT iS sUpPoSsEd tO b tHaT wAy' excuses, just finally, a properly carbonated barrel aged stout from these guys.

Pours black, good tan head 3/5" deep. Good no frills bourbon aroma and roasted malt. I think this is a blend of a few of their products, but I like how there isn't a cardboard like presence to the aroma, just all neat and tight. A lighter current of caramel underneath it, not bitter, not hoppy, not overly roasted, just bourbon and caramel for the most part. Its not as roasty as the Santa's Little Helper barrel aged beer that no doubt makes up part of this blend, I think there might be some Serpent's Stout and Deliverance in this one as well. The 11% abv is there, but it isn't problematic.

Its a good beer, but I don't ever plan on going to one of these shitshow one day only events, especially now that there are multiple world class barrel aged stouts that sit on shelves at my grocery store practically year round now.
Jan 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4.29 by StoutSnob40 from California

Mar 05, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by spycow from Illinois

Oct 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.4 by wethorseblanket from California

Oct 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Axnjxn from North Carolina

Aug 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by MastaShonuf from California

Aug 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by POTABLE83 from New York

Mar 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by zestar from California

Nov 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by BMart from Pennsylvania

Sep 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by dvsbizzyb from California

Sep 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by dfhhead25 from Pennsylvania

Aug 27, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by Zbeetleman from California

Jul 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by aasher from Indiana

Jul 05, 2013
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

3.84/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Served on-draught at the 2013 Churchill's Finest Hour release at Churchill's pub. Reviewed side by side with the 2012 vintage. The pub was crowded and I reviewed while standing, so I couldn't go into as much detail as I usually like to in my reviews. Reviewed from notes.

Vessel was a 4 oz taster glass.

A: Pours no head whatsoever. Body colour is an opaque nontransparent dark solid black. There's a khaki colour floater ring about the edges of the glass.

Rich and inviting. Vibrant, silky, and attractive. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Apt for the style.

Sm: Licorice, dark malts, chocolate. Refined caramel. Lovely and appealing. A bit of alcohol/warmth. No yeast character comes through. Hop character is minimal. A moderate strength aroma. Aroma is better than that of the 2012 vintage.

T/Mf: A bit of smooth vanilla. Chocolate and dark malts. Rich caramel. Delightfully subtle. Not as boozy as the 2012 vintage. I also don't get the licorice/anise of the 2012. Very tasty. Coarsens and dries right on the finish to encourage the next sip. Balanced and enjoyable. Complex and full-bodied. There's a lot going on here. It does get a bit too dry, even taking on a vinous scratchy quality. The chocolate notes are lovely.

Smooth and wet. Lighter on the palate than the 2012. Unrefreshing, but enjoyable. Suits the flavours well. Good palate presence. Perfect carbonation.

Dr: Quite drinkable. I think the age has mellowed it out; the alcohol is quite restrained compared to the 2012 vintage. More drinkable than the 2012. I quite fancy it. It's a nice little sipper, and I imagine it would pair well with cigars. I prefer this to the 2012 vintage. I'd like to revisit it in a better environment to really review to the degree of depth it deserves. Another success from Port.

B+
Jun 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by CheapBeerBuzz from California

Apr 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by xgeneralzodx from California

Apr 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by StarRaptor from California

Mar 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Pecan from Arizona

Mar 05, 2013
Churchill's Finest Hour (2011) from Port Brewing
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 89 ratings