Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brandy Barrel Blend
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brandy Barrel BlendImperial Eclipse Stout - Brandy Barrel Blend
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.17 | pDev: 8.87%
Reviews:
71
Ratings:
207
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 02, 2020
Added:
Dec 08, 2011
Wants:
  59
Gots:
  106
Burgandy wax.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Beerandraiderfan:
Photo of Beerandraiderfan
Reviewed by Beerandraiderfan from Nevada

4.54/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Got to have a sneak peak of this while helping out with bottling. Then had 2-3 samples the night of, one of my favorites (the brandy always is). Dark pour, tan head, 1/2" in height.

Aroma was just awesome. Best smelling Eclipse, even better than last year's. More complex, higher on the chocolate, vanilla and smoke, less on the brandy sweetness. This was chunkier.

Taste, pretty damn good, easy to drink, silky without the sweetness. There's still sweetness, and probably more than any other version other than the rye, but its more of a brown sugar kind of sweetness, which is a little more tolerable with the other flavors in this kind of beer. The base beer (Totality) seems like its roasted qualities are on better display in this barrel. That is one base beer that doesn't get enough stroking.

When I want to convert or expose people to something they wouldn't think they might be into dark beer wise (you know the I don't drink any dark beer types) I break this out, tell them I hate Brandy, but I love what it does here. More often than not, people have their eyes opened. Can't wait to open a bottle of this. Possibly even better than last year's (a tough burden to overcome).
Jan 02, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of edthehead
Reviewed by edthehead from Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Not my favorite of the eclipse series, but still eclipse and better than a lot. Black viscous appearance with little head and little lacing. Rich earthy brandy tones throughout, faint port notes, and barrel. Thick body, mild carbonation, smooth mouthfeel.
Apr 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.13 by cp45 from New Jersey

Jun 07, 2019
Photo of SHODriver
Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer topped by a dense finger and a half of light tan head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing.
S: Smells of strong brandy barrel on the nose with some oak and chocolate with some slight roasted malts
T: Taste is sweet brandy up front followed by some fudgy chocolate, chocolate covered espresso beans, with some roasted malts and slight oxidation. Nice oak and brandy toward the back end as well. On the swallow this beer is more chocolate and brandy with some slight lingering coffee and roasted malts.
M: This beer is definitely full bodied with a creamy and silky feel on the palate. Carbonation is somewhat low but it is definitely adequate while the beer has a drying finish which is consistent with the style and ABV.
O: Overall this is an outstanding beer. The brandy barrel adds some nice flavor dimensions that just aren't there with a bourbon barrel. This one is definitely on the sweeter side but that's to be expected. This one is probably a little bit beyond its prime but it still tastes amazing.
Nov 08, 2018
 
Rated: 3.96 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Mar 03, 2017
 
Rated: 4.23 by Beerbom from California

Feb 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by calcnerd from Pennsylvania

Jun 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by MDDMD from Pennsylvania

Apr 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.43 by arlingtonjoe from Illinois

Feb 18, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

4.52/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dark brown and black pour, beige head over/around half an inch in depth. Aroma was really unique, the brandy makes for a very different, sweeter, less roasty eclipse, brings out elements of smoke unique to this barrel, but still has the dark chocolate, vanilla and oak impressions.

Taste is smooth, the sweet nose dies off and makes for a dark mild brown sugar vibe, roasted malt comes through harder without bourbon notes to drown them out.

One of those weird things, I am not a fan of Rebel Yell whiskey or brandy in any form, but here, put a beer in those barrels, and the product is definitely greater than the sum of its individual parts. Extremely well done.
Jan 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by mportnoy from Pennsylvania

Dec 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.21 by kingmaker from Louisiana

Oct 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by fredmugs from Indiana

Jul 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.13 by More_betterness from California

Jun 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.12 by trxxpaxxs from New York

Jun 06, 2015
Photo of Rutager
Rated by Rutager from Canada (BC)

4.47/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2011 bottle shared by Simon. Cheers man!! Flavours are so well integrated, awesome stuff.
Apr 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Dicers from California

Mar 01, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by dfhhead25 from Pennsylvania

Feb 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.74 by Rothobinide from California

Jan 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by GRG1313 from California

Dec 07, 2014
Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brandy Barrel Blend from FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 207 ratings