Imperial Stout - Anise
Cheshire Valley Brewing Company

Notes taken from three separate 4 oz pours at the Cask Days tent at Beau's Oktoberfest 2011. It was about 7 C outside, but it still tasted a bit too cold.

Opaque black with a dark tan coloured collar.

Spicy chocolate, toffee and vanilla aroma.

Sort of a red wine taste with a buttery and sweet strawberry jam on toast feeling behind it before it goes bitter. Like red cherries and strong coffee.

The mouthfeel is a bit thin for the style, more similar to a porter, but this really let the tastes come through. Coffee and herbs come through in a mellow medicinal aftertaste that reminded me of Jagermeister.

This was the standout of the 10 or so casks I sampled at the event and the first one I wanted to write about. Great beer, probably the best Ontario-brewed example I've tried.