Dark Age
Wicked Weed Brewing

Dark AgeDark Age
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From:
Wicked Weed Brewing
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #92
ABV:
13.9%
Score:
95
Ranked #1,319
Avg:
4.3 | pDev: 6.51%
Reviews:
100
Ratings:
571
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 30, 2022
Added:
Feb 16, 2013
Wants:
  108
Gots:
  113
Humanity's path out of the Dark Age is one without end. This path carries us away from the mystical to the measurable, from the magical to the mathematical, and is a meticulous tale of progress from madness to method. Yet, we still find wonder in the magic, and extraordinary potential in the mystery. Out of this yearning for the old ways, Dark Age Imperial Stout emerges from the Whisky Barrel, its dark malt complexity and bold, yet balanced, sweetness softened by its mystical evolution in oak.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Axnjxn:
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Reviewed by Axnjxn from North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
draft at beer study in chapel hill. into a FW tulip.

dark black pour with a very appropriate dark beige head. terrific looking pour. the smell is very big on bourbon and chocolate... but much more on the bourbon. the taste follows suit and is a big bourbon bomb but that is not a bad thing for me... chocolate too... abv not very apparent. big body, mild carbonation. sipper.

overall very good. each batch is aged in a different bourbon barrel too!
Jan 26, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.15 by howardnss from Pennsylvania

Aug 30, 2022
 
Rated: 3.36 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Jan 30, 2022
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Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas

4.31/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bought a bottle of this beer at the brewery last July in Asheville. Poured into a tulip glass. Rich dark brown color with thin brown head with good curtain lacing. Really nice smell of oak, roasted nuts, dark chocolate and whiskey. All this follows to the taste but at a bit lower level. Smooth, rich feel. Nice beer to celebrate a goal at hockey tonight!
Aug 19, 2021
 
Rated: 4.11 by mpolewan from Ohio

Jul 28, 2021
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Reviewed by DoctorZombies from Florida

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
At 54 degrees pours black with grayish/ruby edges; quick dark tan head recedes quickly leaving a small island of micro dots and a thin plus ring; some spotted lacing and thin legs upon agitation. Strong bourbon nose up front, followed by sweet prunes; chocolate as beer warms. Bourbon forward entry, then sweet caramel, chocolate and dark stone fruit; bourbon and oak middle; prunes and chocolate covered cherries middle; bittersweet dark chocolate and bourbon in aftertaste. Medium full body; moderate minus carbonation; medium warmth in mouth from 12.3% abv; smooth, almost silky mouthfeel; not adjuncty; slight phenolic bite; dry barrel finish. Overall outstanding; the barrel notes are well balanced with base; bourbon is front and center; a tad thin for abv, which makes this beer dangerously easy drinking, and I personally like the subtle booziness; well done!
Jun 13, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 03, 2021
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Rated by robotic_being from Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled on date: 9-19-2018.
Dec 03, 2020
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Rated by InternetDrunk from Colorado

3.57/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Bottled 10/25/16.. good color, a little thin. Taste of alcohol to be expected at 12%.
Oct 02, 2020
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Reviewed by stortore from Illinois

4.19/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
375 ml bottle into a snifter. Bottled 9/18/18, had 8/31/20.

Pours dark brown and opaque, with a half inch foamy head and some spotty cling. Aromas of chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, malt, char, oak, fudge, light bourbon, some cola and coffee, light toffee. Has a light, sweet aroma, a little like honey. Bourbon leads the flavor, then chocolate, caramel, vanilla, malt, oak, fudge, light coffee, light brown sugar. Mostly smooth, a good full body, well carbonated.

The flavor is definitely the strong point, with great barrels and lots of chocolate. Well balanced between the barrels and base. Best fully warmed. Very enjoyable.
Sep 16, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by Beer-A-Lot from Virginia

Aug 22, 2020
 
Rated: 4.19 by Vivs85 from New York

Aug 16, 2020
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Reviewed by EnderFett11 from Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured moderately hard from a bottle into a snifter glass, forming a couple fingers of brown head. Deep dark brown color, effectively opaque. Smells mildly of bourbon, pleasant and not overpowering. Tastes like you would expect a bourbon aged Russian Imperial stout, with dark fruit followed by bourbon. Not too intense, some sweetness. Definitely doesn't taste like 13.9%. medium bodied with light carbonation. Straightforward and good bourbon aged stout, just wish it was more affordable.
Jun 22, 2020
Photo of StoutElk_92
Reviewed by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts

4.67/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Date Bottled: 10.25.16

Notes of rich dark chocolate, espresso black coffee, char, licorice, anise, tobacco, mild smoke, oak barrel, sweet bourbon, marshmallowy vanilla, caramel, toffee, molasses, dark fruits, ash, with some earthy piney hops.
May 10, 2020
Photo of ryan1788a5
Reviewed by ryan1788a5 from Massachusetts

4.27/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12.7oz bottle poured into a snifter. 2016 vintage.

A: Deep black pour with two fingers of brown head. Decent retention. Tiny dots of lacing.

S: Fudge sauce, plenty of roast, woody char. The barrel is all over the nose as well, bringing a nice vanilla/marshmallow aroma, oak, and a whiff of spicy bourbon.

T: Semi sweet dark chocolate up front. Thick caramel fudge. Mocha. Loads of roast with a bit of a smokey impression too. Subtle black pepper. Faint suggestion of red fruit at its core. Big barrel influence creates flavors of bourbon ball candy, nougat and marshmallows, oak, and sweet bourbon. Finish is long, barrel-heavy, and wonderful.

M: Heavy bodied and thick, rich and full. Chewy and mildly coating with a creamy texture. Very mild wood tannin and alcohol warmth. Carbonation is fine and firmly gentle. Awesome.

O: This is one very well put together bourbon barrel aged stout. In fact, I’d consider it in the same breath as some of the elites. This 2016 vintage saw extended time in the back of the fridge, but I’d say it was plucked at its absolute peak.
Apr 11, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by JLK7299 from North Carolina

Feb 23, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by TheRock7755 from Georgia

Feb 15, 2020
 
Rated: 3.77 by BrutisDestructus from Indiana

Jan 11, 2020
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Rated by pkalix from California

3.77/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2018 version and doesnt taste like it was kept in good condition until now...
Dec 30, 2019
 
Rated: 4.16 by Richter525 from Michigan

Dec 26, 2019
Dark Age from Wicked Weed Brewing
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 571 ratings