Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brewmaster’s Grand Cru Blend 2011
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brewmaster’s Grand Cru Blend 2011Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brewmaster’s Grand Cru Blend 2011
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From:
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.19 | pDev: 10.02%
Reviews:
72
Ratings:
210
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 28, 2020
Added:
Dec 08, 2011
Wants:
  48
Gots:
  125
Copper wax.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by olradetbalder:
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Rated by olradetbalder from Sweden

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

Dec 01, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of GRG1313
Reviewed by GRG1313 from California

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
While not the recipient of lots of cool hype, FiftyFifty continues to make wonderful stouts that can age and are very drinkable and true to style with nice barrel qualities.
Apr 28, 2020
Photo of SHODriver
Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer topped by a dense finger and a half of tan head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of intense dark chocolate with a little coffee. There's also some oak and caramel on the nose with some slight roasted malts
T: Taste is milk chocolate up front that turns into dark chocolate and cocoa powder with a nice shot of espresso. Hints of fruitiness, charred wood, and oak along with some smooth vanilla and caramel help to round things out. The finish on this beer is somewhat barrel forward with oak, slight fruitiness, caramel and vanilla with some chocolate and coffee in the very back end.
M: This beer is smooth and decadent on the palate. Carbonation is low but adequate for the style while the beer has a drying finish.
O: Overall this beer is pretty special. It has some really nice flavors and complexity which make it a joy to drink. It may be a bit past its prime but it hasn't fallen of by much. Definitely one to sip and savor.
Nov 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4.54 by Tman889 from Nevada

Oct 18, 2018
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Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2011 bottle consumed along side the 2016 grand cru for science. Bomber into matching eclipse snifter appears black in color with a khaki head.

Aroma of chocolate, vanilla, honey and very mild oxidation creeping in.

Tastes sweet yet roadty and boozy. Bitter to milky chocolate, coffee, honey, vanilla and caramel. A little dusty oxidation settles in as it breathes.

Medium body with modest carbonation. Pretty darn good. I wish any eclipse that was released in the last 3-4 years was half as good as this gem of yesteryear.
Mar 30, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by calcnerd from Pennsylvania

Jun 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts

Apr 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.14 by rab53 from Washington

Apr 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by CorkandCageAllentown from Pennsylvania

Mar 11, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by JRod1969 from New York

Feb 11, 2016
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Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

4.57/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black and brown pour, dark tan head, 1/5". Aroma was just chalk full of chocolate (dark), bourbon, oak, and a little bit of vanilla.

Taste had just a very mild undercurrent of sweetness. Its got a sturdy, chewy, smooth, not hot mouthfeel, little bits of vanilla, coconut, dark chocolate come in waves.

Elite, 1st tier bourbon barrel stout. Just shockingly good stuff. High price tag though, but you really should buy at least 1 grand cru every year, they're reliable as can be.
Jan 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.67 by clabarbera

Aug 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.43 by vande from Illinois

Jul 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.02 by trxxpaxxs from New York

Jun 06, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by CraftFan5 from New Jersey

May 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4.71 by dfhhead25 from Pennsylvania

Feb 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.41 by Rothobinide from California

Jan 18, 2015
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Reviewed by rand from California

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%
...getting better with age. See my past Eclipse reviews for details, but as the years pass these beers are getting increasingly rounded and singular, pushing chocolate essence and a chewy complexion front-and-center. Decadent, heavenly, copiously quaffable - pick your descriptor - this is a benchmark to how far craft beer has pushed a brew's utter deliciousness.
Oct 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by wethorseblanket from California

Sep 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by MastaShonuf from California

Aug 07, 2014
Imperial Eclipse Stout - Brewmaster’s Grand Cru Blend 2011 from FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 210 ratings