Black Flag Imperial Stout (Hop Harvest Edition)
Beer Valley Brewing Co.
- From:
- Beer Valley Brewing Co.
- Oregon, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 89
- Avg:
- 4.01 | pDev: 9.23%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 33
- Status:
- Inactive
- Rated:
- Oct 18, 2016
- Added:
- Oct 26, 2008
- Wants:
- 15
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
No description / notes.
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Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.94/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Draft at the Taphouse. Inky black pour with small, bubbly beige head. Aroma comes off as normal stout (kind of), but taste brings in the hops to radically change the character of this brew. Half stout, half CDA. Sharp bitterness finishes this. Way cool!
Oct 18, 2016
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin
3.43/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
3.43/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Even five years later, my friend still swears by this beer. However, when we came across the Hop Harvest Edition at the Pizza Port Bottle Shop, I knew I couldn't resist the temptation. This one is for you Richie. Coming out of a 22 ounce bottle, on to the beer:
A good start in the glass. The foam is two fingers thick and showing good retention. Below that is the black as ink body. Chunks of creamy lace stick around the glass, whcih further makes this beer a looker. It's tough to not like the aroma of this beer. Chocolate fudge aromas take the nose, and the "hop harvest" monikor comes through, providing pine, touch of orange, and grassy aromas to compliment the massive malt.
It's all about the hops. While that aspect doesn't dissapoint, those malts aren't worked as much as one would hope. There is some toasted cocoa and roast upfront, but that quickly dissolves and makes way for the barrage of hops. With the hops come bitter tea, pine, orange, and lots of lingering bitterness. If only the malt backbone were properly excecuted, this would be a fun drink. On the contrary, this one is rather bitter and dominated of hops, and this drink more like a bitter, strong Double India Dark Ale than a stout. The alcohol is hidden quite well. The body is full and silky, with the chink being a very bitter aftertaste.
I was glad to get the hop experience, but I was not glad to come across a dissapointing malt bill. I'm not going to finish the bomber on my own (not that I would anyway), so it looks that the second half of the bottle will be used for cooking in the future.
Apr 12, 2012A good start in the glass. The foam is two fingers thick and showing good retention. Below that is the black as ink body. Chunks of creamy lace stick around the glass, whcih further makes this beer a looker. It's tough to not like the aroma of this beer. Chocolate fudge aromas take the nose, and the "hop harvest" monikor comes through, providing pine, touch of orange, and grassy aromas to compliment the massive malt.
It's all about the hops. While that aspect doesn't dissapoint, those malts aren't worked as much as one would hope. There is some toasted cocoa and roast upfront, but that quickly dissolves and makes way for the barrage of hops. With the hops come bitter tea, pine, orange, and lots of lingering bitterness. If only the malt backbone were properly excecuted, this would be a fun drink. On the contrary, this one is rather bitter and dominated of hops, and this drink more like a bitter, strong Double India Dark Ale than a stout. The alcohol is hidden quite well. The body is full and silky, with the chink being a very bitter aftertaste.
I was glad to get the hop experience, but I was not glad to come across a dissapointing malt bill. I'm not going to finish the bomber on my own (not that I would anyway), so it looks that the second half of the bottle will be used for cooking in the future.
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington
4.12/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark brown, appearing pitch black. Half finger fine light brown head, dissipates quickly, leaving lots of lacing. Nice aroma of roasted and sweet malt and chocolate. Taste is dominated by roasted malt, chocolate and coffee, finishing with bitter espresso and a hint of smoke. Lingering bitterness from the hops. Nice medium to heavy body. This was fun to drink, but I liked my last 2 year old bottle so much that I think the fresh hopping is wasted for me. The hops kick in too late to be well integrated, but still a nice hopped stout.
Feb 04, 2012
Reviewed by suncrust from Washington
4.42/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Naked City Taphouse, served in a schooner.
A: Poured a dark black hue from which no light escapes. Midnight black. Virtually no head, with some toasted marshmallow swirling bubbles near the top. Sticky lacing.
S: Aromas of light smoke and sugary sweetness hit the nose, jam-packed with leafy, piney hops. The smoke/sugar combo packs a punch reminiscent of hickory BBQ sauce. Fresh, intriguing, and complex. Undertones of earthy bark, molasses, and more rich, dark chocolate. Hops are really pleasant and sticky smelling!
T: Earthy, leafy hops hit the tongue immediately followed by a swarm of rich, rich chocolate. Complex chocolate characteristics comparable to dark chocolate truffles, with a smooth, creamy finish and a bitterness similar to powdered cocoa nibs. Not as sweet as the nose would suggest.
Detectable flavors of roasted cashews, molasses, and bark amid the explosion of syrupy chocolate, light smoke and char. Not an overly roasted beer, adding to its appreciable balance. Finish is smooth. Super tasty….
MF: The mouthfeel is killer. Rich, full-body with insane drinkability. Smooth, creamy, complex and big, but not filling, allowing you to drink a few of these without getting a gut ache. A bit chewy with lingering hops. Medium carbonation.
O: The fresh, piney, earthy hops match superbly with the dry chocolate bitterness. Unbelievable balance and character to this beer. For a whopping 11% ABV, you can't even tell.
This beer blew me away. The fresh hop addition took the original Black Flag to a whole different dimension. If you haven't had this beer, like imperial stouts, chocolate, and hops- you are missing out. Track it down.
Dec 25, 2011A: Poured a dark black hue from which no light escapes. Midnight black. Virtually no head, with some toasted marshmallow swirling bubbles near the top. Sticky lacing.
S: Aromas of light smoke and sugary sweetness hit the nose, jam-packed with leafy, piney hops. The smoke/sugar combo packs a punch reminiscent of hickory BBQ sauce. Fresh, intriguing, and complex. Undertones of earthy bark, molasses, and more rich, dark chocolate. Hops are really pleasant and sticky smelling!
T: Earthy, leafy hops hit the tongue immediately followed by a swarm of rich, rich chocolate. Complex chocolate characteristics comparable to dark chocolate truffles, with a smooth, creamy finish and a bitterness similar to powdered cocoa nibs. Not as sweet as the nose would suggest.
Detectable flavors of roasted cashews, molasses, and bark amid the explosion of syrupy chocolate, light smoke and char. Not an overly roasted beer, adding to its appreciable balance. Finish is smooth. Super tasty….
MF: The mouthfeel is killer. Rich, full-body with insane drinkability. Smooth, creamy, complex and big, but not filling, allowing you to drink a few of these without getting a gut ache. A bit chewy with lingering hops. Medium carbonation.
O: The fresh, piney, earthy hops match superbly with the dry chocolate bitterness. Unbelievable balance and character to this beer. For a whopping 11% ABV, you can't even tell.
This beer blew me away. The fresh hop addition took the original Black Flag to a whole different dimension. If you haven't had this beer, like imperial stouts, chocolate, and hops- you are missing out. Track it down.
Reviewed by colts9016 from Idaho
3.97/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a nonic at 47 degrees.
Appearance: A one finger head that has poor retention. The head is a medium tan color and is creamy with a touch of foam. The color the beer is dark brown nearer to black (used motor oil). The clarity of the beer is opaque. A few carbonation bubble are on the side of glass in the beer.
Nose: A deep roasted malt that gives off chocolate, molasses, espresso, and solvents. Other notes are toasted bread, yeast, floral esters, oak, and phenols.
Taste: A very dark roasted malt that is chocolate, espresso, toasted malt, and burnt. Other flavors. are toasted bread, yeast, floral esters, resin, oak, phenols. solvent, and grainy.
The mouth feel of the beer is chewy, coating slightly astringent, and carbonated.
Overall: The body of the beer is thick and the finish is full. This double is just okay, the same run of mill flavors with nothing really standing out. The flavors are a typical to a double stout, nothing in the beer stands out that say yes drink me. The flavor profile need to be more defined.
Aug 02, 2011Appearance: A one finger head that has poor retention. The head is a medium tan color and is creamy with a touch of foam. The color the beer is dark brown nearer to black (used motor oil). The clarity of the beer is opaque. A few carbonation bubble are on the side of glass in the beer.
Nose: A deep roasted malt that gives off chocolate, molasses, espresso, and solvents. Other notes are toasted bread, yeast, floral esters, oak, and phenols.
Taste: A very dark roasted malt that is chocolate, espresso, toasted malt, and burnt. Other flavors. are toasted bread, yeast, floral esters, resin, oak, phenols. solvent, and grainy.
The mouth feel of the beer is chewy, coating slightly astringent, and carbonated.
Overall: The body of the beer is thick and the finish is full. This double is just okay, the same run of mill flavors with nothing really standing out. The flavors are a typical to a double stout, nothing in the beer stands out that say yes drink me. The flavor profile need to be more defined.
Reviewed by harrymel from Washington
2.85/5 rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
2.85/5 rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Vintage 2010
A: Pours a black beer of ultimate opaqueness, and a single to two finger, thick and whipped tan head. Falls slowly and leave a quilt of the same. The beer also leaves halos of lacing.
S: Oaty. Toasted oats, tea like hops, graham. Cocoa, toffee. Nice. Very nice. I figured it's about six months out for this beer, and the hops should have balanced out nicely in this. I think another couple months will only help.
T: Alcohol comes thru a bit strong. Beyond that, we've got charcoal, cocoa, nuts, soil, tea like hops. Bitter and creamy. A near chalky finish. Still plenty of sweet cinnaon and graham flavors. The alcohol is too high and the hops are too aggressive. The beer tastes a bit burnt as well.
M: Thick, warm and sticky with low carbonation. Excellent mouthfeel.
O: Primary compaint is that on the flavor, the beer is a bit too bitter. I would like a little less hop power on this beer. Fresh hops can be appreciated without a severe increase in the hop approach - it can be done tastefully. Otherwise, the beer is crafted with likely decent shelf/cellar life, and the beer has a nice nose.
Apr 29, 2011A: Pours a black beer of ultimate opaqueness, and a single to two finger, thick and whipped tan head. Falls slowly and leave a quilt of the same. The beer also leaves halos of lacing.
S: Oaty. Toasted oats, tea like hops, graham. Cocoa, toffee. Nice. Very nice. I figured it's about six months out for this beer, and the hops should have balanced out nicely in this. I think another couple months will only help.
T: Alcohol comes thru a bit strong. Beyond that, we've got charcoal, cocoa, nuts, soil, tea like hops. Bitter and creamy. A near chalky finish. Still plenty of sweet cinnaon and graham flavors. The alcohol is too high and the hops are too aggressive. The beer tastes a bit burnt as well.
M: Thick, warm and sticky with low carbonation. Excellent mouthfeel.
O: Primary compaint is that on the flavor, the beer is a bit too bitter. I would like a little less hop power on this beer. Fresh hops can be appreciated without a severe increase in the hop approach - it can be done tastefully. Otherwise, the beer is crafted with likely decent shelf/cellar life, and the beer has a nice nose.
Reviewed by grittybrews from Washington
4.3/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.3/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured a deep black into a pint glass with a finger of long-lasting eggshell head. Nice roasty dark chocolate aroma with hints of coffee and spicy hops.
Moderate carbonation and a thick, creamy mouthfeel. Nice balance between slightly sweet coffee and chocolate notes with a very nice hop presence on the lingering finish. Very balanced, flavorful, and easy-drinking (had no idea the ABV was 11% until later).
Nov 28, 2010Moderate carbonation and a thick, creamy mouthfeel. Nice balance between slightly sweet coffee and chocolate notes with a very nice hop presence on the lingering finish. Very balanced, flavorful, and easy-drinking (had no idea the ABV was 11% until later).
Reviewed by uturn from Florida
4.15/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.15/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz capped bomber poured into a Piraat tulip.
A: This beer poured a dark brown with a tan 2 finger head which left a minimal lacing on the glass.
S: The nose had hints of chocolate, roasted coffee and a mild hop aroma.
T: The taste was like the smell; it started off with mild chocolate and coffee notes, some mild sweetness from the malts then finished dry and mildly hoppy.
M: The mouthfeel was a medium body with a nice texture.
D: The drinkability was very good, as this was a well balanced imperial stout with the 11.0%abv not easily detected.
I last had this beer in May 2010 and since it was fresher the hops had much more of a presence, however I like it much better today, with the hops slightly muted, as it lets the full imperial stout flavor come through.
Nov 16, 2010A: This beer poured a dark brown with a tan 2 finger head which left a minimal lacing on the glass.
S: The nose had hints of chocolate, roasted coffee and a mild hop aroma.
T: The taste was like the smell; it started off with mild chocolate and coffee notes, some mild sweetness from the malts then finished dry and mildly hoppy.
M: The mouthfeel was a medium body with a nice texture.
D: The drinkability was very good, as this was a well balanced imperial stout with the 11.0%abv not easily detected.
I last had this beer in May 2010 and since it was fresher the hops had much more of a presence, however I like it much better today, with the hops slightly muted, as it lets the full imperial stout flavor come through.
Reviewed by Lazerlobe from Washington
3.83/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.83/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Solid cap of foam, taking its time to recede. Dense pillows on top. Pours a deep brown but this is not as dark as old engine oil.
S: For being last year's harvest, this still has a huge amount of hop character. Intermingled with the stout body, I pick up some more citrus hops, chocolate baking powder, unground coffee. Pleasant but not overpowering.
T: Big hoppy bitterness mixes with char, over-baked brownie, and coffee liqueur.
M: A little light on the mouthfeel but enough viscosity that it holds this together. Some of the hoppiness would likely be covered and increase the palatability were the body thickened.
D: As my palate adjusts, it tastes like I have been chewing on dangerous and possible deadly plants. The bitterness is a bit off putting.
Oct 06, 2010S: For being last year's harvest, this still has a huge amount of hop character. Intermingled with the stout body, I pick up some more citrus hops, chocolate baking powder, unground coffee. Pleasant but not overpowering.
T: Big hoppy bitterness mixes with char, over-baked brownie, and coffee liqueur.
M: A little light on the mouthfeel but enough viscosity that it holds this together. Some of the hoppiness would likely be covered and increase the palatability were the body thickened.
D: As my palate adjusts, it tastes like I have been chewing on dangerous and possible deadly plants. The bitterness is a bit off putting.
Reviewed by GRG1313 from California
4.53/5 rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.53/5 rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2009 Fresh Hop Edition.
Super dark brown with thick and very firm tan head and the nicest full lacing I've ever seen.
Nose is hershey's chocolate syrup, light whisky-cherries and assertive sweet dried fruit. "Cherry filled chocolates" comes most to mind in the nose.
Mouth is rich and full, bold and creamy. Need more than one taste to fully get this one but it's a great mouth-creamy and rich.
Flavors are complex in the extreme. Flavors are an initial hit of sweet milk chocolate that quikly goes to huge bitter black chocolate; bitter dark espresso and simply very rich, thick and layered roasted grain. This is like a perfect stout mixed with a big hopped brew, but it marries really well.
Finish is bitter grapefruit oil that goes to a very long "chewed espresso bean" bitter.
All around much better than the regular edition; a real winner.
Jan 07, 2010Super dark brown with thick and very firm tan head and the nicest full lacing I've ever seen.
Nose is hershey's chocolate syrup, light whisky-cherries and assertive sweet dried fruit. "Cherry filled chocolates" comes most to mind in the nose.
Mouth is rich and full, bold and creamy. Need more than one taste to fully get this one but it's a great mouth-creamy and rich.
Flavors are complex in the extreme. Flavors are an initial hit of sweet milk chocolate that quikly goes to huge bitter black chocolate; bitter dark espresso and simply very rich, thick and layered roasted grain. This is like a perfect stout mixed with a big hopped brew, but it marries really well.
Finish is bitter grapefruit oil that goes to a very long "chewed espresso bean" bitter.
All around much better than the regular edition; a real winner.
Reviewed by dqderrick from California
4.35/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.35/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I didn't know the 2008 Hop Harvest Edition was any different until I searched here and found this unique listing. On the right side of the label I see a faint stamp looking impression that states 2008 Hop Harvest Edition. Huh!
A - 4.5
Black, black with a nice creamy brown 1/4" head. Soapy bubbles appeared where I poured. Swirling leaves nice lacing along the sides of my New Belgium goblet. I'm going to say this looks pretty good.
S - 4.5
Very fresh smelling. I know I bought this bottle over 4 months ago... maybe 6. I cellared it at 50°F and chilled it to 35° before serving. I know.... too cold... but I like to start it off nice and cold and then do a slow review while it warms up.
I'm loving the complex smell... dark grains, some wood scent, chocolate malt, smells a bit of some high end chocolate milk. Mmmm, some coffee. Last whiff picked up a unique malt scent... slightly separate from the previous chocolate malt. Just a hint of hops. I wish I had this fresh to experience the full assault of hops.
T - 4.5
Alright! Dark grain and oak flavor hit me. Coffee! Chocolate! But not a lot. Very smooth and balanced. Not harsh at all. I was expecting some harshness... maybe the label made me think that...? This is a VERY good tasting Imperial Stout. It stands out to me by lacking a prominent sweet characteristic. I'm glad I wasn't expecting much... it would not have stood a chance of getting 4 to 6 months aging on it if I had.
Thank you for the hops! I detect them in the bitter finish.
Very little alcohol burn. By this time, I'm at 53°F (measured with my CDN digital thermometer.
http://amazon.com/dp/B00064BCPM
MF - 4.0
Overall good with nothing super notable on either spectrum. It feels about right with a nice carbonation and a pleasant aftertaste that is both hop bitter and sweet. A good balance indeed.
D - 4.0
Drinkability is good for 11%. I am really enjoying this 22oz bottle. However, I'd move onto something else next if I was still thirsty. However, tis expected. A 4.0 seems right considering the style and my other scores.
If you didn't get one of these... you are missing out. I am wondering how different this 2008 Hop Harvest Edition is compared to the standard Black Flag...
Arrr matey.
Jun 25, 2009A - 4.5
Black, black with a nice creamy brown 1/4" head. Soapy bubbles appeared where I poured. Swirling leaves nice lacing along the sides of my New Belgium goblet. I'm going to say this looks pretty good.
S - 4.5
Very fresh smelling. I know I bought this bottle over 4 months ago... maybe 6. I cellared it at 50°F and chilled it to 35° before serving. I know.... too cold... but I like to start it off nice and cold and then do a slow review while it warms up.
I'm loving the complex smell... dark grains, some wood scent, chocolate malt, smells a bit of some high end chocolate milk. Mmmm, some coffee. Last whiff picked up a unique malt scent... slightly separate from the previous chocolate malt. Just a hint of hops. I wish I had this fresh to experience the full assault of hops.
T - 4.5
Alright! Dark grain and oak flavor hit me. Coffee! Chocolate! But not a lot. Very smooth and balanced. Not harsh at all. I was expecting some harshness... maybe the label made me think that...? This is a VERY good tasting Imperial Stout. It stands out to me by lacking a prominent sweet characteristic. I'm glad I wasn't expecting much... it would not have stood a chance of getting 4 to 6 months aging on it if I had.
Thank you for the hops! I detect them in the bitter finish.
Very little alcohol burn. By this time, I'm at 53°F (measured with my CDN digital thermometer.
http://amazon.com/dp/B00064BCPM
MF - 4.0
Overall good with nothing super notable on either spectrum. It feels about right with a nice carbonation and a pleasant aftertaste that is both hop bitter and sweet. A good balance indeed.
D - 4.0
Drinkability is good for 11%. I am really enjoying this 22oz bottle. However, I'd move onto something else next if I was still thirsty. However, tis expected. A 4.0 seems right considering the style and my other scores.
If you didn't get one of these... you are missing out. I am wondering how different this 2008 Hop Harvest Edition is compared to the standard Black Flag...
Arrr matey.
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