Black Powder Imperial Stout
Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co.

Black Powder Imperial StoutBlack Powder Imperial Stout
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co.
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #445
ABV:
8.4%
Score:
84
Ranked #21,962
Avg:
3.71 | pDev: 8.09%
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
40
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 16, 2024
Added:
Feb 06, 2006
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  3
Russian Imperial Stout with strong malt presence, full mouthfeel from flaked oats and a roasted, chocolaty flavor.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by atsprings:
Photo of atsprings
Reviewed by atsprings from North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had this on site during my first visit to the pub. Does not rank that high on my list of Imperial stouts, but a good attempt by a small pub. All the typical characteristics were there, they were just a little too under toned my taste. Not quite sure what it was missing, but it was missing something. Maybe if they added real cocoa and made it a chocolate stout it would be better.
Jan 25, 2007
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.92 by dbrauneis from North Carolina

Mar 16, 2024
Photo of Buckeye55
Reviewed by Buckeye55 from North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another one that I haven't had in several years. I know it sounds like several other reviews, but it's true. Brewed here in Gboro, it's always good to have one or many when it's cold outside. This one has a kick too, at 8.4abv, it will sneak up on you.
Jan 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by bigred89 from Maryland

Mar 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by Whsrickqb12 from North Carolina

May 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jak from North Carolina

Apr 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by mattsmith413 from North Carolina

Jan 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Jason_Quad from Kentucky

Jul 10, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by mechamifune from North Carolina

Mar 21, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by wchasse222 from Oregon

Mar 12, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by whartontallboy from New York

Jan 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by EasyReader from North Carolina

Nov 16, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by eerbayman from South Carolina

Nov 15, 2011
Photo of Mavajo
Reviewed by Mavajo from Georgia

2.94/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Nearly-black body with a light tan/cream head. Not quite opaque, and looks kind of thin.

Aroma is disappointing. Malt, grain and perhaps a hint of booze. One of the weakest noses I've ever encountered on an imperial stout, although it does open up more as it warms (I started at cellar temp). Taste is sub-par. Malt, grain, a kiss of roast...and not much else. As it warms, licorice/tobacco starts to emerge. Body is medium with reasonably brisk carbonation.

Honestly, one of the least interesting examples of an imperial stout that I've ever encountered. I will say that it's exceptionally easy-drinking -- but to me, that's a flaw in an *imperial* stout.
May 14, 2011
Photo of dfclav
Reviewed by dfclav from New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a snifter

Thanks to n2185 for this one..

A - pours a fairly dark black with ruby highlights. The 1 1/2 finger head on my aggressive pour fell rather quickly, but held half a finger head pretty well and left creamy lacing on the glass.

S - bakers chocolate, licorice, vanilla, and a bit of booze. There are pretty heavy smoke and oaky notes in this beer which surprised me. As it warms, stale coffee grinds make an unfortunate appearance.

T - first sip brings huge earthy and licorice notes. The flavors act big at first but the malt base really dwindles them away rather quickly leaving a pretty big roasted oat taste. Alcohol taste breaks down and approaches an almost bourbon-like quality which is pretty appealing to me. Very smoky / dry finish that definitely has that goldings aftertaste. 

M - huge malt base really takes away from any hop twang here, though the bittering hops do a fantastic job at holding up their end. Solidly medium bodied.

O - this is a pretty neat take on an imperial stout and while it probably isn't for everyone it has some very appealing qualities for stout lovers. I'd say this is worth a try to a stout fan looking for a good tick...but not someone getting into the style.
Apr 27, 2011
Photo of BirdsandHops
Reviewed by BirdsandHops from Oregon

3.66/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Pours black with a finger of light tan head that recedes into a thin cap with an almost solid sheet of lacing down the glass.

S: Dark fruit up front--prunes, raisins, etc.--followed by molasses and a yeasty aroma. Very little roasted malt in the aroma, surprisingly.

T: Similar to the aroma, I get dark fruit flavors first along with some molasses. The roasted malts kick in at the end along with a hearty bread flavor. The finish is slightly bitter and bready.

M: Medium-thick body with light carbonation and an overall fairly creamy feel.

D: Somewhat creamy with not much bitterness or sweetness to it, so it goes down fairly smooth.

Overall, a pretty unique RIS. It's almost more like a dark doppelbock with its strong bready flavors. Still, an enjoyable beer.
Feb 21, 2011
Photo of wcudwight
Reviewed by wcudwight from North Carolina

3.97/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Pitch black beer with a thin tan head. Very interesting aroma. I smell rum and kind of a earthy burnt ash or smoke aroma. Flavor is a bit different for the style too. Lots of roasted flavors hints of bitter chocolate and coffee but this is the most roasted flavored beer I've had. I also taste some fudge. Kuddos to Natty's for thinking outside the box. Mouthfeel is thing for the style but it's also less filling than other big stouts, which means you can drink more. It's a good beer. Doesn't rank up there with the best of them but it's good to drink when you want a differnt take on the style.
Dec 18, 2010
Photo of EgadBananas
Reviewed by EgadBananas from Louisiana

3.87/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Nearly black. A little bit of brown/red on the edge of the edges. A finger of tan head sits on top and dissipates quickly.

The aroma is nice, will loads of roasted malts, and some cocoa. Sweetness is not overdone.

The taste is definitely the best part. Heaps of roasted malts, bitter chocolate and hints of espresso. There is a touch of alcohol, but does well to just give a bit of warming, not taking away the taste.

Feel is good, creamy, and medium to full in body. Little to no carbonation.

Fairly good drinkability. Definitely something I would drink a couple in a sitting.
Nov 04, 2010
Photo of berkey
Reviewed by berkey from California

2.66/5  rDev -28.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12 oz bottle poured into a tulip. Didn't find a freshness date. From notes 07/06/10.

Formed a large mocha colored head, decent retention typical of the style, good lacing. Body is coal black.

Aroma is almost jarringly sweet to start. An initial wave of berries, sugar, and straight up alcohol almost overshadows the expected chocolate notes. Surprisingly little roast here.

The sugar and fruity character continues and seems out of place. It doesn't work well with an otherwise unremarkable flavor profile. Average for the style ABV isn't particularly well hidden either. Some toasted marshmallow and chalky cocoa in the aftertaste especially once it reaches room temperature.

I've heard it said that it's relatively easy to brew decent Imperial stout compared to other styles. Not sure if that's true but this one certainly manages to miss the mark. Gives me renewed respect for some of the great versions of the style that are out there.
Jul 08, 2010
Photo of mntlover
Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a black some brown around edges when held up to light smaller brownish head falls to ring with some lace.

Aroma is roasted malts, some caramel, light liquorice, hints of chocolate sweet variety. Some hints of fruits under neath along with touches of peat. Overall pretty good just not as full or in our face as most bigger stouts.

Taste is like aroma actually little bigger then the aroma nice roasted malts, caramel notes even toffee hints. Good supply of liquorice notes lead into fruit and the earthy peat i was getting from the nose. Hops in finish are minty herbal and earthy that add a decent does of bitterness.

Mouthfeel is big medium not quite hitting full per say but smooth and goes down easy nice mellow carbonation.

Drinkability is hell its not bad, drinkable enough but would i go out and buy more if i was in mood for a RIS, nah kind of doubt it unless I could get it on tap at brewery. Defiantly worth a try might not be world class but it's not bad either.
Jun 30, 2010
Black Powder Imperial Stout from Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 40 ratings