Cryptical Imperial Stout | Starr Hill Brewery

1/5  rDev -73.5%

2/5  rDev -46.9%

2/5  rDev -46.9%

2.5/5  rDev -33.7%

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%

3/5  rDev -20.4%

3/5  rDev -20.4%

3/5  rDev -20.4%

3/5  rDev -20.4%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

3.27/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Bomber poured into stone snifter.

Appearence is decent - might be the best thing about this beer. Nose has some good roast, char, and some coffee. Taste unfortunately is not as good and is seriously lacking. Lots of IBU but not done well. I'd be curious to see if the BBA version is any better.

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3.36/5  rDev -10.9%

3.41/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this straight out of the bottle. This is labeled as am Imperial Stout/Americal Double. I'm sure black in color. I thinkBeer Advocate got it wrong calling it 7.52% abv while on the label of the bottle it says only a flat 7%. My first impression by reading the label is that "this is a bit on the lower side of ABV" for an imperial beer. I thought this beer didn't really have a lot to offer. I thought for an imperial stout it was overly hoppy. Sky high 70 IBU rating. You hop heads will enjoy it. Upon checking the Starr Hill site it states that this beer uses Simcoe hops which are thought to have a cult following. Doesn't stack up against the really good imperial stouts such as Old Ras and Yeti.

All and all, if you're a hop head you'll like it, if not, I'd pass on this one.

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