Dark Force
HaandBryggeriet

Dark ForceDark Force
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
HaandBryggeriet
 
Norway
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
9%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.96 | pDev: 11.36%
Reviews:
326
Ratings:
530
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 14, 2020
Added:
Jun 17, 2007
Wants:
  32
Gots:
  52
From a country far, far away, comes the only imperial Wheat stout in the known universe. This Imperial really strikes back. Made with wheat malt and wheat yeast.
View: More Beers
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Gueuzedude:
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Batch 73, Brewed April 2007; Sampled November 2007
Very well carbonated, and as I pour it the aroma makes me think of Brettanomyces. The head is somewhat large bubbled in consistency, initially four-fingers thick and even flows over the rim of my glass a bit; it is a light brown color and is quite long lasting. The beer is almost black in color and is quit opaque. Aromas of dark malt, toasted grain, toasted bread crust, coffee, ample chocolate and perhaps a bit of traditional, sharp wheat aromatics are noticeable underneath all of dark, roast character. Once I get into it, the aroma is not nearly as funky as I thought it would be (at least from those initial Brett infused overtones); it is still here though, much more subtle, but with a distinct vinous character as well as some aromas of tart fruit. This mostly smells like a roasty stout, a touch of tartness and grain character that could be attributed to the wheat as well as a touch of funkiness.

Much more funky in the flavor than the aroma ended up being, though it is still somewhat subtle, or at least I could see how it could be missed given all of the roast grain flavors that are here. Fairly light bodied (definitely lightened by the Brett / funk), though it does retain a soft creaminess, that is able to show through the ample carbonation. A few quick swirls of my glass frees up some of the excess carbonation and softens the beer a bit more. The beer in the near finish has a light tartness to it that is contributed by burnt grain, the wheat and most likely some of the funk. This tartness is superseded in the finish though by a sharp, lingering, burnt bitterness. Funky notes of moldy cotton and musty wood also linger in the finish. Really though the roast grain is what dominates the flavor profile here; flavors of coffee, dark chocolate, chalky roast grain husks, well toasted whole wheat crust and sour / bitter espresso. This has some fruitiness to it as well, of course the fruit tastes like it has been well burnt underneath a broiler, but it does evoke taste memories of burnt prunes, roasted figs and perhaps a touch of raisin.

As the beer warms, the funk begins to pick up a sharpness, almost a harshness that can at times muck the finish up a bit. Still this is a pretty good brew. I'll have to see if I can get a fresher example of this brew to see what that is like (though for a beer of this type, seven months should be nothing).
Nov 24, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.61/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours an almost equal parts dark brown and black. Is it the wheat that is "lighter" than barley when roasted? Dunno, not really something comparable, this is like, the only example. 1/5" lighter brown head. Aroma just seemed like roasted malt and smoke, couldn't discern where the wheat had any different role aroma wise. I expected more of a dark fruit impression from the yeast, and given my idiosyncracies with the Russian Imperial Stout style, was kind of happy they weren't there.

Taste was nice, and right away, the taste mouthfeel combo showed me right away the difference going with a wheat imperial stout. You get a roastiness, but the sheer heft of it all wasn't there. Elements of smoke, tobacco, toffee in a minor way. Good dry finish. Well carbonated giving it a double dose of levity for a big RIS. I'd say it hid the alcohol decently.

I definitely like this more than most I've had from this brewery. Haandbic rules though.
May 14, 2020
Photo of puck1225
Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Picked this up in Santa Fe during a recent visit.

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Very dark brown color with a thin beige head and light lacing. Aroma of dark red wine and chocolate, carries to the taste. Slightly smokey and a bit earthy with a fairly dry finish. Flavors of nuts and dark berries come out as it warms, even a bit of vanilla and nutmeg. A tad thin for an imperial stout. . A very interesting and enjoyable beer!

Going very nicely with a patio fire for our first cool evening this fall!
Oct 13, 2019
 
Rated: 4.03 by desint from Belgium

Sep 16, 2019
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Unknown vintage; drank 7/12/19 @ the Beer Temple.

Black appearance. Small tan head; frothy lace.

Charred grain, dark chocolate & leather notes in the nose.

Creamy, thick, velvet-y mouthfeel.

Charred grain & dark chocolate flavors up front; dry leather & faint raspberry notes on the finish.

Robust, challenging & satisfying. A world class stout.
Jul 14, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by fosters9 from New York

Nov 05, 2018
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

4.42/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Brewed September 9th 2015, bottled October 13th 2015. No decoding required.

Wheat malt, wheat yeast? This should be interesting.

It pours black with a pretty big head of tannish foam..nah, it's tan. Good lacing. Once things settle down, there's just a ring of foam around the glass.

That smell! Roasted malt, dark chocolate, toffee, some coffee..3 years old. The years must have been very kind; never had this fresh so I pretty much don't know what I'm talking aboot.

The taste reflects the smell with no hidden surprises. Roasted malt rules the roost with bitter dark chocolate following closely behind. Some coffee, enough for you to know that it's there. Semi sweet/bitter overall and a real treat.

Medium bodied with light carbonation...there wasn't a sound when I popped the cap.

So darn good. A revisit is mandatory.
Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.24 by Kurmaraja from California

Jun 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4.15 by BarryMFBurton from Indiana

Jun 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by McBraniel from Virginia

Apr 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by Isarnan from Michigan

Apr 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 01, 2018
Photo of SABERG
Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

3.92/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle marked batch number 572 into the test glass, served at cellar temp of 54 deg.
A - Dark all light is lost in there, a rapid almost effervescent carbonation feeds the cap. Quick to dissipate the carbonation continues to feed upward in a champagne fashion.
S - Roast grains, but delicate. Elements include burnt sugar, alcohol driven by a bit of mint. (really like that part) Raspberry, a bit of bakers chocolate, and some anise.
T - More cocoa than the aromatics let on, that hint of anise and mint blend well with a bit of tobacco, ripe blackberry, and surprisingly a thin band of smoked meat.
M - Not a hefty offering, body is medium, the carbonation is prickly and quite effective moving that hint of oily texture through. The linger is forever, sweet flavors accentuated by alcohol evaporation feeling.
O - A double Wheat Stout, easy on the palate and quite flavorful. The body is deceiving, comes across as thin but incredibly rich, dances across the palate and leaves traces for what feels like weeks. Worth the effort
Nov 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4.37 by stephenlee from England

Oct 15, 2017
Photo of josanguapo
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Dont remember where i bought it. In Teku glass. Playing Brothers a Tale of Two Sons. Nicely roasted. Hints of smoke, but much softer and pleasant than in others of their beers. 50cl of impy enjoyable from beginning to end.
Jul 16, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania

Jun 18, 2017
Photo of igl
Rated by igl from Russian Federation

4.63/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Batch 943. One more nice rich stout from Norway.. very good)
Jun 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.73 by brewtalthrone from Ohio

Apr 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.9 by Chico1985 from Massachusetts

Apr 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.67 by whatname from Pennsylvania

Feb 24, 2017
Dark Force from HaandBryggeriet
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 530 ratings