Smuttynose Imperial Stout (Big Beer Series) | Smuttynose Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Smuttynose Brewing Company
New Hampshire, United States | website
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.50%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
2007 - 10.0%
2009 - 8.9%
2010 - 9.8%
2014 - 9.4%
2015 - 10.5%
Added by Bierman9 on 05-05-1998
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 698 | Ratings: 1,222
4.08/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
with 1200 ratings, it's not worth it to give my $0.02, as usual. with beers like this, you just have to consider the brewery and whether you like the style. it's inky black and smells, and tastes, of dark fruit and cocoa and roasted malt.
it's familiar and easy to drink and not to be taken lightly.
★ 300 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
with 1200 ratings, it's not worth it to give my $0.02, as usual. with beers like this, you just have to consider the brewery and whether you like the style. it's inky black and smells, and tastes, of dark fruit and cocoa and roasted malt.
it's familiar and easy to drink and not to be taken lightly.
★ 300 characters
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2014 Bottle served at cellar temps in a snifter glass.
Appearance: thick and chewy, pitch black with a nice tan head, stains the glass brown
Nose: raisins, chocolate, coffee, muted malty flavors, rich and delicious, slight oxidation but nothing that takes away from it, soy sauce
Taste: follows the nose perfectly, nice balance and depth of character, bakers cocoa, coffee, ghost of hops past, umami, delicious
Overall: this was a real treat. I actually forgot that I had this beer in my cellar. Nice find. I'd drink this again.
★ 532 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2014 Bottle served at cellar temps in a snifter glass.
Appearance: thick and chewy, pitch black with a nice tan head, stains the glass brown
Nose: raisins, chocolate, coffee, muted malty flavors, rich and delicious, slight oxidation but nothing that takes away from it, soy sauce
Taste: follows the nose perfectly, nice balance and depth of character, bakers cocoa, coffee, ghost of hops past, umami, delicious
Overall: this was a real treat. I actually forgot that I had this beer in my cellar. Nice find. I'd drink this again.
★ 532 characters
3.82/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
2014 Vintage bomber. Poured nearly opaque, but thin. Thin whispy head reminiscent of seafoam reduces to tan, marbled lace. No hops left in this brew. Sickly sweat malts dull the chocolate and coffee notes. Doesn't hit the palate like a ton of bricks. The boomer goes down smooth. A great go-to stout. I'll catch a fresher batch next time.
★ 338 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
2014 Vintage bomber. Poured nearly opaque, but thin. Thin whispy head reminiscent of seafoam reduces to tan, marbled lace. No hops left in this brew. Sickly sweat malts dull the chocolate and coffee notes. Doesn't hit the palate like a ton of bricks. The boomer goes down smooth. A great go-to stout. I'll catch a fresher batch next time.
★ 338 characters
4.47/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black in color as the day is long. Gorgeous. There's a small head of light brown bubbles but it's thin. Decent legs with a spotty lace.
While not a coffee drinker, I love the smell of it in a beer and this is heavenly. Chocolate notes are in there but you've got to search for them.
Very pleasant taste of coffee and bittersweet chocolate. A malt bomb with a splash of alcohol in the finish.
Smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Nice balance of sweet and bitter. Faint heat. Full to medium-full body. Lingering bitter feel.
Stellar beer and easy to drink. 10.5 is well-hidden. I could drink this year round.
★ 616 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black in color as the day is long. Gorgeous. There's a small head of light brown bubbles but it's thin. Decent legs with a spotty lace.
While not a coffee drinker, I love the smell of it in a beer and this is heavenly. Chocolate notes are in there but you've got to search for them.
Very pleasant taste of coffee and bittersweet chocolate. A malt bomb with a splash of alcohol in the finish.
Smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Nice balance of sweet and bitter. Faint heat. Full to medium-full body. Lingering bitter feel.
Stellar beer and easy to drink. 10.5 is well-hidden. I could drink this year round.
★ 616 characters
4.26/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 2/2014, listed at 9.4%ABV
Appearance - dark brown almost black body with tan head
Smell - molasses, roasted malts, black licorice, marshmallow
Taste - dark chocolate, molasses, roasted malts, black licorice, coffee in the aftertaste
Mouthfeel - full bodied, medium carbonation, roasted feel upfront, flavors coat the tongue and linger a good amount of time, hoppy on the back end
Overall - good RIS here, nice roasted flavors , rich, enjoyable on a chilly night.
Price Point - $ 6.99 / 22 oz bottle
★ 518 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 2/2014, listed at 9.4%ABV
Appearance - dark brown almost black body with tan head
Smell - molasses, roasted malts, black licorice, marshmallow
Taste - dark chocolate, molasses, roasted malts, black licorice, coffee in the aftertaste
Mouthfeel - full bodied, medium carbonation, roasted feel upfront, flavors coat the tongue and linger a good amount of time, hoppy on the back end
Overall - good RIS here, nice roasted flavors , rich, enjoyable on a chilly night.
Price Point - $ 6.99 / 22 oz bottle
★ 518 characters
3.7/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A hop-forward imperial stout, but it blends well with the dark chocolate/ smoke notes.
Not a fan of hoppy imperial stouts, but this isn't bad, IMO, considering it's very much that.
★ 181 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A hop-forward imperial stout, but it blends well with the dark chocolate/ smoke notes.
Not a fan of hoppy imperial stouts, but this isn't bad, IMO, considering it's very much that.
★ 181 characters
4.49/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
pours dark black with a nice 2 inch caramel head with lacing on glass. Notes of coffee and chocolate on the nose. Taste is pretty much dark chocolate and alcohol (not that there is anything wrong with that). Not the best imperial stout I've had but enjoyable.
★ 260 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
pours dark black with a nice 2 inch caramel head with lacing on glass. Notes of coffee and chocolate on the nose. Taste is pretty much dark chocolate and alcohol (not that there is anything wrong with that). Not the best imperial stout I've had but enjoyable.
★ 260 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
SMUTTYNOSE IMPERIAL STOUT 11/29/15
Bottled Feb 2015, aged till now, close to a year.
Poured from the 22 oz. bottle into a Samuel Smith English tulip.
a: Opaque black. Two and a half inch tan head receded amazingly quickly to patchy surface foam and spotty lacing.
s: Slight chocolate/coffee
t: Dark mocha coffee and alcohol on a roasty malt base. Some bitterness lingers a bit on the otherwise mixed sweet and bitter finish.
m: Medium, good body, some carbonation tingle.
o: A deceptively drinkable ten percenter, smooth and enjoyable, probably moreso due to the aging.
★ 579 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
SMUTTYNOSE IMPERIAL STOUT 11/29/15
Bottled Feb 2015, aged till now, close to a year.
Poured from the 22 oz. bottle into a Samuel Smith English tulip.
a: Opaque black. Two and a half inch tan head receded amazingly quickly to patchy surface foam and spotty lacing.
s: Slight chocolate/coffee
t: Dark mocha coffee and alcohol on a roasty malt base. Some bitterness lingers a bit on the otherwise mixed sweet and bitter finish.
m: Medium, good body, some carbonation tingle.
o: A deceptively drinkable ten percenter, smooth and enjoyable, probably moreso due to the aging.
★ 579 characters
3.59/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottled in Feb. 2015.
L-Dark and black with no light transference. Head is minimal and fades to a thin ring.
S-Dark Chocolate with a hint of dark fruit sweetness.
T-Dark chocolate bitterness is the dominant flavor. Pretty one dimensional at this point.
F- Light carbonation with only a medium mouthfeel, too light for a stout.
O- A bit too simple in the flavor profile. In other reviews hops had been noted, but they seem to have faded at this point. I have to admit I'm disappointed. Not Smuttynose's best effort.
★ 515 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottled in Feb. 2015.
L-Dark and black with no light transference. Head is minimal and fades to a thin ring.
S-Dark Chocolate with a hint of dark fruit sweetness.
T-Dark chocolate bitterness is the dominant flavor. Pretty one dimensional at this point.
F- Light carbonation with only a medium mouthfeel, too light for a stout.
O- A bit too simple in the flavor profile. In other reviews hops had been noted, but they seem to have faded at this point. I have to admit I'm disappointed. Not Smuttynose's best effort.
★ 515 characters
3.25/5 rDev -20.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
For a stout, too much focus on hops and alcohol. Not enough complicated flavors at the front to mask that. A little thin. Overall disappointed as this is frequently listed as the best stout from New Hampshire. I've had better from NH. Little to the nose beside the faintest hint of coffee. Virtually no head.
★ 308 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
For a stout, too much focus on hops and alcohol. Not enough complicated flavors at the front to mask that. A little thin. Overall disappointed as this is frequently listed as the best stout from New Hampshire. I've had better from NH. Little to the nose beside the faintest hint of coffee. Virtually no head.
★ 308 characters
4.09/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
What on earth is this?
Slick mouthfeel, not too oily, but not creamy.
Hops?! In a stout? I taste hops here, without the over crispness of many an ale.
The full bodied-ness of a stout but not the baked character - no cocoa or coffee here. Thick but not heavy.
This is a conundrum.
Light brown head disappeared after pours both rough and soft from the generous sized bottle.
Very little carbonation to speak of.
Smells like a cross between a pale ale and porter.
A standout stout - not typical of the genre, but an interesting choice for a cold fall night.
★ 555 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
What on earth is this?
Slick mouthfeel, not too oily, but not creamy.
Hops?! In a stout? I taste hops here, without the over crispness of many an ale.
The full bodied-ness of a stout but not the baked character - no cocoa or coffee here. Thick but not heavy.
This is a conundrum.
Light brown head disappeared after pours both rough and soft from the generous sized bottle.
Very little carbonation to speak of.
Smells like a cross between a pale ale and porter.
A standout stout - not typical of the genre, but an interesting choice for a cold fall night.
★ 555 characters
3.48/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This one opens with a heavy froth atop a pitch black body that looks like a glass of coal. Take a whiff: there is a subtle nose of malt and coffee. Take a sip: there is a resinous lather of baking chocolate along with some bitter toastiness, all of which is overwhelmed by a boozy finish.
The body is light, too light for a beer of this style. I would have expected something heavier, more breadier, but this was not to be. Still ... not bad, but not great. (This is no Old Rasputin.) ahowever, it makes for a decent quaff on a cold, rainy night.
★ 547 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This one opens with a heavy froth atop a pitch black body that looks like a glass of coal. Take a whiff: there is a subtle nose of malt and coffee. Take a sip: there is a resinous lather of baking chocolate along with some bitter toastiness, all of which is overwhelmed by a boozy finish.
The body is light, too light for a beer of this style. I would have expected something heavier, more breadier, but this was not to be. Still ... not bad, but not great. (This is no Old Rasputin.) ahowever, it makes for a decent quaff on a cold, rainy night.
★ 547 characters
3.9/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a black body with two finger khaki head and small lace patches. Aroma is comprised of mostly roasted and burnt malts along with hints of wood, biscuit and chocolate. Smooth, fuller heavy bodied beer with emphasis on roasted and toasted coffee malts with just touch of sticky sweetness in background and hidden ABV.
★ 322 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a black body with two finger khaki head and small lace patches. Aroma is comprised of mostly roasted and burnt malts along with hints of wood, biscuit and chocolate. Smooth, fuller heavy bodied beer with emphasis on roasted and toasted coffee malts with just touch of sticky sweetness in background and hidden ABV.
★ 322 characters
4.5/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22oz (bottle conditioned Feb 2015) while watching the Ohio state vs Virginia tech game ;) pitch black with a one inch tan head that fades quickly. Moderate retention that doesn't dissipate and slowly slides down the glass. Smell is malt and coffee. Taste is an ipa lovers dream if they had to drink a stout. Hoppy/bitter with Coffee and slight chocolate. decent carbonation but still balanced mouthfeel. Overall another great beer from smuttynose! Cheers!
★ 469 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22oz (bottle conditioned Feb 2015) while watching the Ohio state vs Virginia tech game ;) pitch black with a one inch tan head that fades quickly. Moderate retention that doesn't dissipate and slowly slides down the glass. Smell is malt and coffee. Taste is an ipa lovers dream if they had to drink a stout. Hoppy/bitter with Coffee and slight chocolate. decent carbonation but still balanced mouthfeel. Overall another great beer from smuttynose! Cheers!
★ 469 characters
3.84/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
bottled conditioned feb/2015. opened 8/21/15
A: pours black with a very thin (surprisingly so, especially for an imperial stout), tan head. fades quickly. little retention
S: earthy hops upfront, slight roasted malts. a bit of coffee
T: big earthy hops up front. followed by roasted, maybe even charred malt (likely a high number chocolate malt very present in the grain bill), bitter chocolate. alcohol hidden very well.
M: thick, creamy. wonderful
O: delicious beer. interesting take on the style. very hoppy, especially considering it's 6 months old at the time of drinking. delicious, but i think i might like it more with a litle more age to fade the hops a bit and bring out more malt characteristics.
★ 712 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
bottled conditioned feb/2015. opened 8/21/15
A: pours black with a very thin (surprisingly so, especially for an imperial stout), tan head. fades quickly. little retention
S: earthy hops upfront, slight roasted malts. a bit of coffee
T: big earthy hops up front. followed by roasted, maybe even charred malt (likely a high number chocolate malt very present in the grain bill), bitter chocolate. alcohol hidden very well.
M: thick, creamy. wonderful
O: delicious beer. interesting take on the style. very hoppy, especially considering it's 6 months old at the time of drinking. delicious, but i think i might like it more with a litle more age to fade the hops a bit and bring out more malt characteristics.
★ 712 characters
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: very dark nearly opaque brown. Pretty full mocha head on the pour that settles to a ring around the rim and a smattering on top.
smell: A bit of charred RIS roastiness, but a healthy dose of hops. Espresso and dark bittersweet chocolate.
taste: Surprisingly mellow espresso milkshake up front with a bitter finish.
★ 320 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: very dark nearly opaque brown. Pretty full mocha head on the pour that settles to a ring around the rim and a smattering on top.
smell: A bit of charred RIS roastiness, but a healthy dose of hops. Espresso and dark bittersweet chocolate.
taste: Surprisingly mellow espresso milkshake up front with a bitter finish.
★ 320 characters
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours nice and dark, has a a thick sort of syrupy feel, not a lot of chocolate or coffee notes one expects from a stout. Kind of overly sweet, but in a good way. Too bad the nose is incredibly light, also what's not expected from a stout of this nature. Finishes like a sweet caramel apple sort of a feel.
★ 305 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours nice and dark, has a a thick sort of syrupy feel, not a lot of chocolate or coffee notes one expects from a stout. Kind of overly sweet, but in a good way. Too bad the nose is incredibly light, also what's not expected from a stout of this nature. Finishes like a sweet caramel apple sort of a feel.
★ 305 characters
4.09/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look is pitch black with a full, thick brown head. Smell is chocolate, bitter roasted coffee and slightly earthy. Taste is much the same, very bitter, and some booziness on the back end. This is a full bodied beer that coats the tongue. Overall I really like this stout. My only complaint would be that the hop bitterness stands out a bit too much and overshadows the other flavors.
★ 382 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look is pitch black with a full, thick brown head. Smell is chocolate, bitter roasted coffee and slightly earthy. Taste is much the same, very bitter, and some booziness on the back end. This is a full bodied beer that coats the tongue. Overall I really like this stout. My only complaint would be that the hop bitterness stands out a bit too much and overshadows the other flavors.
★ 382 characters
4.28/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours jet black, like engine oil, as a proper Imperial stout should. Beige/mocha head that dissipates quickly, as expected. The nose smells like baker's chocolate, espresso, cacao nibs, decadent chocolate mousse. I pick up some toffee/treacle notes too. Earthy and herbal hops have a heavy presence, almost a resiny quality reminiscent of a black IPA/ Cascadian dark ale. I get some dark fruit, chiefly figs and prunes. Lots of charred and roast character.
Upon tasting, I get bold coffee and chocolate flavours, full, creamy and rich, true to the RIS style. Some molasses, and burnt sugar coats the palate. Taste is reminiscent of crème brulee, or a thoroughly caramelized butter tart. Robust bitterness and roastiness all around- stemming from the hops, the coffee notes, the dark chocolate notes.. I'm slowly unravelling layers as the stout warms up. Very bold, very complex, right up my alley. Smattering of dark fruits are present, dark cherries, figs, raisins and prunes. There is a distinct earthiness or woodiness/oakiness that I get at the back of the palate. Finish is savoury, again featuring prolonged bitter herbal hops. Throughout the palate there is a residual spiciness which I can't place. I'm not sure if it's licorice, anise or cinnamon.
Beautifully crafted stout. Truly complex, I love the depth the hop profile adds. I really enjoy the heavy roast and coffee taste. Roasty and savoury, brilliant combination. This brew is solid component of Smuttynose's portfolio. Fall seasonal, but something about this beer just suits the brutal northern winters, be it here in Ontario or throughout New England, where it is meticulously brewed.
★ 1,659 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours jet black, like engine oil, as a proper Imperial stout should. Beige/mocha head that dissipates quickly, as expected. The nose smells like baker's chocolate, espresso, cacao nibs, decadent chocolate mousse. I pick up some toffee/treacle notes too. Earthy and herbal hops have a heavy presence, almost a resiny quality reminiscent of a black IPA/ Cascadian dark ale. I get some dark fruit, chiefly figs and prunes. Lots of charred and roast character.
Upon tasting, I get bold coffee and chocolate flavours, full, creamy and rich, true to the RIS style. Some molasses, and burnt sugar coats the palate. Taste is reminiscent of crème brulee, or a thoroughly caramelized butter tart. Robust bitterness and roastiness all around- stemming from the hops, the coffee notes, the dark chocolate notes.. I'm slowly unravelling layers as the stout warms up. Very bold, very complex, right up my alley. Smattering of dark fruits are present, dark cherries, figs, raisins and prunes. There is a distinct earthiness or woodiness/oakiness that I get at the back of the palate. Finish is savoury, again featuring prolonged bitter herbal hops. Throughout the palate there is a residual spiciness which I can't place. I'm not sure if it's licorice, anise or cinnamon.
Beautifully crafted stout. Truly complex, I love the depth the hop profile adds. I really enjoy the heavy roast and coffee taste. Roasty and savoury, brilliant combination. This brew is solid component of Smuttynose's portfolio. Fall seasonal, but something about this beer just suits the brutal northern winters, be it here in Ontario or throughout New England, where it is meticulously brewed.
★ 1,659 characters
4.94/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
l. Brownish black
s. Excellent with the roast coming trough strong
t. Tremendous mouthfeel and warm notes with every sip
F. Same as above
O. Just a well balanced great imperial
★ 176 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
l. Brownish black
s. Excellent with the roast coming trough strong
t. Tremendous mouthfeel and warm notes with every sip
F. Same as above
O. Just a well balanced great imperial
★ 176 characters
4.47/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a chalice.
Appearance: Pours pitch black with a moderate amount of carbonation. Solid finger of tan head which settles into a thin creamy layer.
Smell: A roasty and rich dark malt forward aroma with big hints of bitter chocolate, coffee, and hops. Dark roasted barley malt with big hints of dark chocolate, coffee, burnt toast, biscuit, caramel, and yeast. Sweet hints of molasses along with some hints of anise. Lots of hop presence for a stout with good earthy and herbal hints. A very solid aroma.
Taste: Like it smells, a rich, roasty, and bitter dark malt driven taste with notes of chocolate, coffee, and hops. Dark roasted barley malt with notes of bitter dark chocolate, coffee, toast, caramel, biscuit, smoke, and yeast. Big hop presence as well with earthy and herbal notes of grass. Sweet taste of molasses. Also some black licorice anise notes. A very good taste.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy, chewy, and drying on the finish. Some alcohol heat is felt but it’s still smooth.
Overall: A very good take on an Imperial Stout. Huge dark malt flavor with a pretty big hop presence as well.
★ 1,182 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a chalice.
Appearance: Pours pitch black with a moderate amount of carbonation. Solid finger of tan head which settles into a thin creamy layer.
Smell: A roasty and rich dark malt forward aroma with big hints of bitter chocolate, coffee, and hops. Dark roasted barley malt with big hints of dark chocolate, coffee, burnt toast, biscuit, caramel, and yeast. Sweet hints of molasses along with some hints of anise. Lots of hop presence for a stout with good earthy and herbal hints. A very solid aroma.
Taste: Like it smells, a rich, roasty, and bitter dark malt driven taste with notes of chocolate, coffee, and hops. Dark roasted barley malt with notes of bitter dark chocolate, coffee, toast, caramel, biscuit, smoke, and yeast. Big hop presence as well with earthy and herbal notes of grass. Sweet taste of molasses. Also some black licorice anise notes. A very good taste.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy, chewy, and drying on the finish. Some alcohol heat is felt but it’s still smooth.
Overall: A very good take on an Imperial Stout. Huge dark malt flavor with a pretty big hop presence as well.
★ 1,182 characters
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2014 9.4% abv version drinks great mild alcohol burn lots of chocolate mild coffee flavors blended nicely would definitely drink again it's right up there with the likes of big bad baptist IMO grab a few of these if you find them
★ 230 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2014 9.4% abv version drinks great mild alcohol burn lots of chocolate mild coffee flavors blended nicely would definitely drink again it's right up there with the likes of big bad baptist IMO grab a few of these if you find them
★ 230 characters
4.48/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
650 mL bottle from the LCBO; best before Oct 28 2015, listed at an even 10.0% and served barely chilled.
Pours jet black, generating two fingers of frothy, beige-coloured head - great big bubbles, too; it looks like a slab of sponge toffee is floating on top of my beer. It seeps away slowly but surely over the next five minutes or so, resulting in a bubbly cap and collar taking its place, and depositing a doily pattern of sticky lacing. The aroma is quite rich, offering up sweet notes of treacle and toffee, in addition to a serious slam of roasted malts - lots of baker's chocolate and dark-roasted coffee, with vanilla, some charry, earthy notes, a bit of ethanol and a good whiff of licorice/anise. Dark, fruity notes of raisin and black cherry also begin to open up as the glass warms.
This is an excellent, prototypical strong stout with no major surprises. The flavour profile is decadently rich - heaps of toffee and molasses sweetness, along with big flavours of roasted barley, milk chocolate, cocoa and dark-roasted coffee beans. The hop profile seems quite sturdy, too, with hints of citrus and pine resin surfacing as you near the earthy, bitter finish, which holds plenty of herbal anise/licorice flavour. There's a noticeable dose of boozy sweetness in the aftertaste, as well as a lingering charry astringency. Full-bodied, with an oily, almost viscous feel on the palate - the carbonation levels are minimal, producing a stout of exceptional silky-smoothness. Very satisfying to sip; just a pleasurable beer all-around.
Final Grade: 4.48, an awesome A grade. I've been holding on to this bottle of Smuttynose Imperial Stout for a few months now, and the anticipation I felt toward opening it has now been completely validated. This is a fabulous imperial stout - I can think of no serious criticism to level here, because there just isn't anything of consequence that I can find wrong with it. Beautiful stuff - a must-try, in my opinion, and I'll definitely be trying to procure another bottle or two before the local stock runs dry.
★ 2,061 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
650 mL bottle from the LCBO; best before Oct 28 2015, listed at an even 10.0% and served barely chilled.
Pours jet black, generating two fingers of frothy, beige-coloured head - great big bubbles, too; it looks like a slab of sponge toffee is floating on top of my beer. It seeps away slowly but surely over the next five minutes or so, resulting in a bubbly cap and collar taking its place, and depositing a doily pattern of sticky lacing. The aroma is quite rich, offering up sweet notes of treacle and toffee, in addition to a serious slam of roasted malts - lots of baker's chocolate and dark-roasted coffee, with vanilla, some charry, earthy notes, a bit of ethanol and a good whiff of licorice/anise. Dark, fruity notes of raisin and black cherry also begin to open up as the glass warms.
This is an excellent, prototypical strong stout with no major surprises. The flavour profile is decadently rich - heaps of toffee and molasses sweetness, along with big flavours of roasted barley, milk chocolate, cocoa and dark-roasted coffee beans. The hop profile seems quite sturdy, too, with hints of citrus and pine resin surfacing as you near the earthy, bitter finish, which holds plenty of herbal anise/licorice flavour. There's a noticeable dose of boozy sweetness in the aftertaste, as well as a lingering charry astringency. Full-bodied, with an oily, almost viscous feel on the palate - the carbonation levels are minimal, producing a stout of exceptional silky-smoothness. Very satisfying to sip; just a pleasurable beer all-around.
Final Grade: 4.48, an awesome A grade. I've been holding on to this bottle of Smuttynose Imperial Stout for a few months now, and the anticipation I felt toward opening it has now been completely validated. This is a fabulous imperial stout - I can think of no serious criticism to level here, because there just isn't anything of consequence that I can find wrong with it. Beautiful stuff - a must-try, in my opinion, and I'll definitely be trying to procure another bottle or two before the local stock runs dry.
★ 2,061 characters
3.97/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle into snifter; bottled in 2/2015, 10.5%. Pours pitch black color with a 2 finger fairly dense dark brown head with solid retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toast, dark bread, molasses, raisin, cherry, licorice, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, light smoke/char, and herbal/roasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/roasted/bready malt and moderate citrus/piney hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toast, dark bread, molasses, raisin, cherry, licorice, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, light smoke/char, and herbal/roasted earthiness. Good amount of roast/char and piney bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toast, dark bread, molasses, raisin, cherry, licorice, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, light smoke/char, and herbal/roasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice complexity and robustness of big dark/roasted/bready malt and citrus/piney hop flavors; with a good roasted bitterness/sweetness and hop balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very smooth, creamy, and fairly sticky/chalky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warmth lingering after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice fresh Russian imperial stout style. All around great robustness, complexity, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt and citrus/piney hop flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the big ABV. A very enjoyable offering.
★ 1,713 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle into snifter; bottled in 2/2015, 10.5%. Pours pitch black color with a 2 finger fairly dense dark brown head with solid retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toast, dark bread, molasses, raisin, cherry, licorice, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, light smoke/char, and herbal/roasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/roasted/bready malt and moderate citrus/piney hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toast, dark bread, molasses, raisin, cherry, licorice, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, light smoke/char, and herbal/roasted earthiness. Good amount of roast/char and piney bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toast, dark bread, molasses, raisin, cherry, licorice, grapefruit, citrus rind, pine, light smoke/char, and herbal/roasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice complexity and robustness of big dark/roasted/bready malt and citrus/piney hop flavors; with a good roasted bitterness/sweetness and hop balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very smooth, creamy, and fairly sticky/chalky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warmth lingering after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice fresh Russian imperial stout style. All around great robustness, complexity, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt and citrus/piney hop flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the big ABV. A very enjoyable offering.
★ 1,713 characters
Smuttynose Imperial Stout (Big Beer Series) from Smuttynose Brewing Company
4.07
out of 5
based on 1,222 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Black color with brown head. Aroma and taste are quite subdued. Some roasted malt and dark fruits, quite classic. Heavy body, light carbonation. To simple for my taste.
★ 168 characters