Sloth - Belgian-Style Imperial Stout
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Sloth - Belgian-Style Imperial StoutSloth - Belgian-Style Imperial Stout
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From:
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
 
Alaska, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
10.2%
Score:
95
Avg:
4.31 | pDev: 9.05%
Reviews:
67
Ratings:
132
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 30, 2021
Added:
Nov 03, 2007
Wants:
  350
Gots:
  16
SLOTH Belgian-style Imperial Stout is deliberately dark as hell. The pour is slow and sluggish. Its head is menacing, becoming torn and tattered Belgian lace on the sides of the glass as you cautiously consume this brew—sip by insidious sip.

The aroma is sweet from heavy malt and big alcohol with notes of vanilla, coconut and whiskey from the oak. The depth & breadth of roasted malt flavors loiters on the palate while the robust finish lingers, well, forever.

20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BillHilly:
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Rated by BillHilly from Washington

5/5  rDev +16%

Mar 04, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of BourbonForBeer
Reviewed by BourbonForBeer from Illinois

3.34/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Meh, it's good but not anything that exiceting imo. Kind of like, alright ehhhh, I'm ready for the next of something else tbh. Thin, smells not very good, tastes better than it smells, meh.
Jan 30, 2021
Photo of mmilyko
Reviewed by mmilyko from Nevada

3.5/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Not sure I know what a Belgian-Style Imperial Stout is, but despite the claim of ale aged in bourbon oak barrels, I didn't find this in any way "Belgian-Style" or particularly barrel aged. A very good Imperial Stout, no doubt, but seemingly built up to be something more. This is my first experience with this brewery, and based on other reviews, I look forward to trying some of their other offerings.
Sep 13, 2020
Photo of Jeffo
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands

3.27/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Got this one from rutger this past summer. Cheers! Huge longtime want so really happy to see they’ve decided to fire up the mash tun and re-brew this one.

From a bomber into a snifter
IBU: 20
Belgian style imperial stout aged in bourbon oak barrels

APPEARANCE: Clear dark brown pour yields a 1+ finger, medium looking, foamy tan head with okay retention. Clear black body with higher levels of carbonation for the style. Head recedes to a half wisp and ring. Dots of wisp and a ring remain leaving touches of lacing down the glass. Kind of lighter than others and a slightly foamy head.

SMELL: Oak and wood aromas, bourbon, some vanilla and milk chocolate, toffee notes, and some tart cherries and barnyard character as well. Some roasted notes and alcohol there too. Bold.

TASTE: Oak, wood and bourbon flavors with some alcohol and light tartness at the swallow. A bold finish of milk chocolate, vanilla, woody flavors, bourbon, oak, some tart cherries and dark fruits linger on the palate. Some decent wood, tartness, roasted flavors and booze round out the show. Roasted Belgian funkiness and a bourbon forward bed of booze. Surprised this is only 10% ABV.

PALATE: Medium, lighter body and slightly higher levels of carbonation. Semi-creamy but also a little foamy as well, goes down okay with a bit of a burn and finishes rather sticky on the palate. A good dose of heat lingers.

OVERALL: This is okay but not quite the decadent treat I was hoping for. In a way, I’m not quite sure what I was hoping for in a Belgian style imperial stout in bourbon barrels. I’ve always loved every big black Midnight Sun that’s ever crossed my lips, from Berzsrker to Bar Fly and Moscow, so I guess I had super high expectations for this one. I hate to admit that it’s just alright. If Belgian style imperial stouts are your thing then you’ll definitely like this, but if you’re hoping for something that fits in the same category as their other big stouts, this might not do the trick. In any case, thanks heap for the brew, rutger. Really happy to finally have the chance to try this sucker. Cheers!
Nov 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.96 by Nunya from Ohio

May 16, 2019
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Reviewed by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This has an almost cherry tartness, which I'm fond of for a stout on the lighter side of imperial. Not my favorite Midnight Sun beer but for the price I've come back to it several times. If you like a Belgian stout - try this version.
Apr 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.04 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Feb 25, 2019
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Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.9/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is described as "Ale aged in Bourbon oak barrels." The aroma is strange and interesting, with a pineapple fruitiness and even a sourish edge. There is something boozy but Bourbon is not what comes to mind. Deep dark color and viscuous on the tongue. Hot with alcohol and I taste a bit of cinnamon.

Moderately sweet and a little chalky. Lots of licorice and a deep funky note. The Belgian yeast is the secret weapon but it does have some odd flavors. Why do I think of piña colada with a sloe gin chaser? From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Elizabeth Station in Bellingham.
Dec 06, 2018
 
Rated: 4.07 by Bunuelian from Minnesota

Sep 20, 2018
 
Rated: 4.62 by Brent619 from California

Jun 24, 2018
Photo of Radcpa
Reviewed by Radcpa from Washington

4.29/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Very dark appearance with tan head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is a malt with some slight vanilla and coconut accent. Taste is similar to aroma and must add a very nice feel
Jun 21, 2018
Photo of rkarimi
Rated by rkarimi from Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
6-10
Jun 11, 2018
Photo of beergoot
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

3.97/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Brown coal colored body; thin yet lasting brow head. Sweet caramel smell; fruity with cocoa tones. Nicely balanced flavors of cocoa, brown sugar, toffee. Heavy body; some softness; mildly warm.

An all-around, nicely balanced beer with lots of nifty hints and nuances.
Mar 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4.38 by rarigney from Washington

Feb 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 02, 2018
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Reviewed by VashonGuy from Washington

4.31/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
2016 bomber, poured into a snifter.

Appearance: very dark, minimal head. Aroma is rich, complex, and balanced. Which is a way of saying that nothing really dominates: not the bourbon, not the vanilla, not the roasted malts. Instead, it's a good balance of a lot of stuff, and I suppose some of that is the Belgian yeast. The taste is again, quite balanced. There's bourbon there, but this is no bourbon bomb. There's vanilla, and there's a zillion other flavors. It's a little tart on the finish. The mouthfeel is super smooth.

I've had a lot of stouts, a lot of imperial stouts, a lot of Russian Imperial Stouts. I'm not sure exactly what makes this a Belgian style stout, but it's really good, and one of the best imperial stouts that I've had.
Nov 12, 2017
 
Rated: 4.76 by CraftFan5 from New Jersey

Nov 06, 2017
 
Rated: 4.19 by billab914 from Virginia

Sep 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.39 by impending from California

Aug 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.28 by IrishColonial from Texas

Apr 17, 2017
Sloth - Belgian-Style Imperial Stout from Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 132 ratings