Imperial Stout
Two Rows Restaurant & Brewery

Growler - it -forward

Not much head makes it to the second glass, just a tan table top. Body is midnight black with ruby highlights. A delightful nose of roasted malts, licorice, and a dollop of alcohol. A delightful medley across the tongue: dark chocolate, a hint of coffee, a twist of licorice, a kiss of hops, and the back half of a shot of bourbon at the end. Aftertaste reminds me of the warm glow of Jack Daniels, when Jack and I were still on speaking terms. Mouthfeel is thick and oily slick, lubing the tongue and mouth. While the alcohol is noticeable, it is not discouraging. This is my second glass tonight, and I'll be back for more tomorrow. This beer is a treat.

Vintage Summer 2003. Many of the beers offered by Two Rows may be only average, but not this! Pours a very dark brown color with a slight tint of red that has a creamy head. Nose is sweet roasted malts, dark caramel, and a bit of alcohol. Full in body and quite smooth yet slightly sticky in texture. Taste is sweet malt, bittersweet chocolate, and bourbon, followed by mild hops and spicy alcohol—simply delicious. This beer was aged for 2.5 months in whiskey barrels and has an ABV of 9.8%. The brew master told me that he only has room for 2 55-gallon barrels (about 7 kegs), so this is a limited beer made approximately once a year. It’s wonderful to have such a complex beer being made locally—a rare thing in these parts. If you’re in the area and this beer is on tap, it’s a must-try.