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22nd Anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout
Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- From:
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 86
- Avg:
- 3.81 | pDev: 12.07%
- Reviews:
- 63
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- May 09, 2015
- Added:
- Feb 03, 2011
- Wants:
- 15
- Gots:
- 26
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SirRuss:
Reviewed by SirRuss from California
3.6/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.6/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Black body fading into a red/brown hue, with a moderate-thin chocolatey head. Mediocre retention is outdone by the relatively robust lacing.
S - Soft breezes of vanilla and coffee - simple and mild.
T - Roasted malts feature distinct espresso and cocoa nib notes, while the caramel and vanilla expressions form a fitting backdrop. The Hops povide a sharp cleansing spine, and faint wisps of cinnamon and spice work well with the sweetness of the bourbon and contrasting charred expressions of oak. Despite a good level of complexity, the flavors are somewhat disenfranchised, and a disappointing void of wateriness prematurely interrupts each aspect of the profile before it can fully flourish.
M - The perceived dilution on the palate translates in the mouthfeel to a thinness that is unexpected for an IS, and the carbonation is reasonable, if not a little on the high side. On the finish the malts manage to produce a mildly cloying residue, and an alcohol burn reminiscent of the previous tenant of this brew's barrels is no shrinking violet.
O - Definitely worth a try, and fairly priced. Good complexity, poor integration, and a little wobbly in its overall balance. I would like to think that the 22nd anniversary vIS might drastically benefit from being cellared until KS' 23rd anniversary, but I think that's probably being a little optimistic. Happy Birthday all the same.
Feb 19, 2011S - Soft breezes of vanilla and coffee - simple and mild.
T - Roasted malts feature distinct espresso and cocoa nib notes, while the caramel and vanilla expressions form a fitting backdrop. The Hops povide a sharp cleansing spine, and faint wisps of cinnamon and spice work well with the sweetness of the bourbon and contrasting charred expressions of oak. Despite a good level of complexity, the flavors are somewhat disenfranchised, and a disappointing void of wateriness prematurely interrupts each aspect of the profile before it can fully flourish.
M - The perceived dilution on the palate translates in the mouthfeel to a thinness that is unexpected for an IS, and the carbonation is reasonable, if not a little on the high side. On the finish the malts manage to produce a mildly cloying residue, and an alcohol burn reminiscent of the previous tenant of this brew's barrels is no shrinking violet.
O - Definitely worth a try, and fairly priced. Good complexity, poor integration, and a little wobbly in its overall balance. I would like to think that the 22nd anniversary vIS might drastically benefit from being cellared until KS' 23rd anniversary, but I think that's probably being a little optimistic. Happy Birthday all the same.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by xnicknj from Pennsylvania
3.55/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.55/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle poured into tulip - thanks pat
Pours a viscous, opaque blacked out color with a layering of tanned head. Slowly fades into a coating of filmy retention with some spotty lacing left behind on the glass.
A nice marriage of chocolate and vanilla in the nose, followed by undertones of oak, bourbon and warmth. Roasted malts, leather and sweetness with cocoa.
Plenty of vanilla right up front, matched with dark chocolate and cocoa. Sweet, but not cloying, riding a wave of roasted malts with a hint of roasted coffee beans. Continuing layers of dark malt with vanilla, oak and soft bourbon notes. Finishes a bit sweet and warm.
Fuller body, slightly lower carbonation, creamy and slick on the tongue. Drinks pretty nice considering the age, and the 25% barrel aged portion of the blend adds a decent depth of flavor.
Nov 06, 2012Pours a viscous, opaque blacked out color with a layering of tanned head. Slowly fades into a coating of filmy retention with some spotty lacing left behind on the glass.
A nice marriage of chocolate and vanilla in the nose, followed by undertones of oak, bourbon and warmth. Roasted malts, leather and sweetness with cocoa.
Plenty of vanilla right up front, matched with dark chocolate and cocoa. Sweet, but not cloying, riding a wave of roasted malts with a hint of roasted coffee beans. Continuing layers of dark malt with vanilla, oak and soft bourbon notes. Finishes a bit sweet and warm.
Fuller body, slightly lower carbonation, creamy and slick on the tongue. Drinks pretty nice considering the age, and the 25% barrel aged portion of the blend adds a decent depth of flavor.
Reviewed by BrewTasting from Nevada
4.77/5 rDev +25.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
4.77/5 rDev +25.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Opened on 10/17/12 WOW, this is what I have been waiting for!
Open it up and enjoy! I've had this beer a couple times now, once last Christmas, and just shared this bottle at my local beer store.
Like you, I was scared to open it... afterall it's been about 2 years. Last Christrmas was good, but right now, whoa.. so perfect.
-Poured a very smooth black, with a khaki head
-The nose brings you in immediately, the vanilla is tremendous now! SO glad I waited.
-The flavor is spot on now, just the perfect ammount of oak, with loads of vanilla. Little bit of chocolate. It is poetic, I hate you Strauss, ha ha. We tasted Bourbon Boris, Lady in the Woods, and Pelican Tsunami tonight... All great beers... 22nd Strauss won our vote.
-Overall - Fantastic beer. I've rested it on its side for a good year, and also stood it for a year.. It's flawless right now. Enjoy!
Oct 18, 2012Open it up and enjoy! I've had this beer a couple times now, once last Christmas, and just shared this bottle at my local beer store.
Like you, I was scared to open it... afterall it's been about 2 years. Last Christrmas was good, but right now, whoa.. so perfect.
-Poured a very smooth black, with a khaki head
-The nose brings you in immediately, the vanilla is tremendous now! SO glad I waited.
-The flavor is spot on now, just the perfect ammount of oak, with loads of vanilla. Little bit of chocolate. It is poetic, I hate you Strauss, ha ha. We tasted Bourbon Boris, Lady in the Woods, and Pelican Tsunami tonight... All great beers... 22nd Strauss won our vote.
-Overall - Fantastic beer. I've rested it on its side for a good year, and also stood it for a year.. It's flawless right now. Enjoy!
Reviewed by Orca from Washington
3.72/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.72/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle into a snifter. Pours a pretty thin cola brown w/ a fizzy mocha head that settles to a thin film.
Aroma is very faint - and this beer is not cold. Subtle hints of vanilla and bourbon, but even that is almost a guess. Let it warm & give it a swirl - a nice earthiness emerges, but overall aroma is still less powerful than expected or desired.
Taste is roasty and sweet - again though, both bourbon and vanilla are weak. Some cocoa too.
Mouthfeel is smooth and light. A little thin.
Overall, everything is there - just less of it than I was expecting or hoping for. Almost feel like this was watered down.
Jun 08, 2012Aroma is very faint - and this beer is not cold. Subtle hints of vanilla and bourbon, but even that is almost a guess. Let it warm & give it a swirl - a nice earthiness emerges, but overall aroma is still less powerful than expected or desired.
Taste is roasty and sweet - again though, both bourbon and vanilla are weak. Some cocoa too.
Mouthfeel is smooth and light. A little thin.
Overall, everything is there - just less of it than I was expecting or hoping for. Almost feel like this was watered down.
22nd Anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout from Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
102 ratings
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