Christmas Eve At A New York City Hotel Room | Evil Twin Brewing




Brewed by:
Evil Twin Brewing
New York, United States
eviltwin.dk
Style: American Double / Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by timtim on 12-06-2011
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 810 | Reviews: 184
4.21/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 231-14 so it had almost 4 years to settle down, picked up the single 12oz for $4.99
Hard pour, it’s thick like motor oil with a light brown head, maybe inch or so that settles into a nice film with a decent collar, minimal lacing
Aroma is licorice root, sweet dark fruit like some sugar plums, hint of leather and tobacco make this decently phenolic, slight sharpie alcohol burn but after agitation it brings out a sweet milk chocolate
Taste is slightly bitter at first but mostly sweet black licorice prune juice that turns to a slightly metallic copper acidity, hint of grape and oaky tobacco in the finish
Mouthfeel is a tad light, proper carbonation but most notable the finish is extremely bold and long, this thing stains the mouth so be ready, slight alcohol warmth is still present but enjoyable
Overall another solid offering from EvilTwin, I’m surprised I ever found one but if you get the chance it’s definitely worth a try, more along the lines of a Russian imperial then American imperial but awesome nonetheless
1,044 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 231-14 so it had almost 4 years to settle down, picked up the single 12oz for $4.99
Hard pour, it’s thick like motor oil with a light brown head, maybe inch or so that settles into a nice film with a decent collar, minimal lacing
Aroma is licorice root, sweet dark fruit like some sugar plums, hint of leather and tobacco make this decently phenolic, slight sharpie alcohol burn but after agitation it brings out a sweet milk chocolate
Taste is slightly bitter at first but mostly sweet black licorice prune juice that turns to a slightly metallic copper acidity, hint of grape and oaky tobacco in the finish
Mouthfeel is a tad light, proper carbonation but most notable the finish is extremely bold and long, this thing stains the mouth so be ready, slight alcohol warmth is still present but enjoyable
Overall another solid offering from EvilTwin, I’m surprised I ever found one but if you get the chance it’s definitely worth a try, more along the lines of a Russian imperial then American imperial but awesome nonetheless
1,044 characters
3.94/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 12 fl. oz. bottle with a Julian bottled on date of 23215, meaning it was bottled on 20th August 2015, so aged for about 2.5 years. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Black in colour with a half finger brown head that dissipated fairly quickly while leaving some sparse spotty lacing.
Aroma: Roasted malts, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, raisins and dark fruit with hints of char and leather.
Taste: Peppery spice and woody beginning, followed by roasted malts, cocoa, chocolate and molasses. There is a touch of dark fruit and hints of smoke on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with moderate to low carbonation.
Overall: My first impression wasn’t so good, but the more I drank it, the more I grew to like it. Perhaps partly it was because it got better as it warmed.
791 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 12 fl. oz. bottle with a Julian bottled on date of 23215, meaning it was bottled on 20th August 2015, so aged for about 2.5 years. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Black in colour with a half finger brown head that dissipated fairly quickly while leaving some sparse spotty lacing.
Aroma: Roasted malts, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, raisins and dark fruit with hints of char and leather.
Taste: Peppery spice and woody beginning, followed by roasted malts, cocoa, chocolate and molasses. There is a touch of dark fruit and hints of smoke on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with moderate to low carbonation.
Overall: My first impression wasn’t so good, but the more I drank it, the more I grew to like it. Perhaps partly it was because it got better as it warmed.
791 characters
3.5/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.16/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2014 Bottle poured into a Founders Brewing Co snifter
A: Pours nearly black with a frothy milk chocolate head that settles to a thin layer and leaves few spots of lacing.
S: Roasted malt, dark chocolate, molasses, earthy, faint fruity notes, a touch of spice, and a hint of alcohol as it warms.
T: Roasty, earthy, the lightest hint of smoke, rich dark chocolate, molasses, a touch of spice, a little dark fruit, fig, with a little alcohol coming out as it warms, though not harsh or unpleasant.
M: Full body, moderate carbonation, a little alcohol warmth as it goes down.
O: I've been meaning to drink this one for a while, and now I finally get a chance on the appropriate night. For once my procrastination has paid off. Age has treated this one very well.
767 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2014 Bottle poured into a Founders Brewing Co snifter
A: Pours nearly black with a frothy milk chocolate head that settles to a thin layer and leaves few spots of lacing.
S: Roasted malt, dark chocolate, molasses, earthy, faint fruity notes, a touch of spice, and a hint of alcohol as it warms.
T: Roasty, earthy, the lightest hint of smoke, rich dark chocolate, molasses, a touch of spice, a little dark fruit, fig, with a little alcohol coming out as it warms, though not harsh or unpleasant.
M: Full body, moderate carbonation, a little alcohol warmth as it goes down.
O: I've been meaning to drink this one for a while, and now I finally get a chance on the appropriate night. For once my procrastination has paid off. Age has treated this one very well.
767 characters
4.17/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a thick black with scant brown head. Aroma of dark fruits, burnt caramel, and licorice. Taste is moderately boozy coffee, licorice, raisin/dark fruits, molasses - mild bitterness but finish is smooth and sweet. Very good - not quite as good as some Evil Twin offerings - but high standard to live up to.
309 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a thick black with scant brown head. Aroma of dark fruits, burnt caramel, and licorice. Taste is moderately boozy coffee, licorice, raisin/dark fruits, molasses - mild bitterness but finish is smooth and sweet. Very good - not quite as good as some Evil Twin offerings - but high standard to live up to.
309 characters
4.19/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.98/5 rDev +26.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Christmas Eve At A New York City Hotel Room has a thin, beige head, a very dark brown (essentially black) appearance, and no glass lacing. The aroma is of metal, raisins, dark fruit, black strap molasses, leather, dark malt, and brown bread crust. Taste is of chocolate, malt, raisin, dark bread crust, and just a touch of acrid bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and velvety, and CEAANYCHR finishes sweet and strong.
RJT
429 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Christmas Eve At A New York City Hotel Room has a thin, beige head, a very dark brown (essentially black) appearance, and no glass lacing. The aroma is of metal, raisins, dark fruit, black strap molasses, leather, dark malt, and brown bread crust. Taste is of chocolate, malt, raisin, dark bread crust, and just a touch of acrid bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and velvety, and CEAANYCHR finishes sweet and strong.
RJT
429 characters
3.83/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A black body has a slow to show dense tan creamy finger of foam that grows and dies in an unusually steady manner shortly after the pour is completed.
Smell is cocoa and woody, cedary hops with salted, smoked almonds and molasses. I get a hint of vanilla as it warms.
Spicy, woody peppery hops bite the tongue first, which then transitions into nutty cocoa, molasses and wafer. As it warms, cola and blueberry flavors develop, but hops definitely are at the fore with this beer.
Feel is not as thick as you’d think, with a moderate body, mild carbonation, and semi-wet finish.
581 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A black body has a slow to show dense tan creamy finger of foam that grows and dies in an unusually steady manner shortly after the pour is completed.
Smell is cocoa and woody, cedary hops with salted, smoked almonds and molasses. I get a hint of vanilla as it warms.
Spicy, woody peppery hops bite the tongue first, which then transitions into nutty cocoa, molasses and wafer. As it warms, cola and blueberry flavors develop, but hops definitely are at the fore with this beer.
Feel is not as thick as you’d think, with a moderate body, mild carbonation, and semi-wet finish.
581 characters
4.37/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Small tan head even with an aggressive pour. Aromas are subtle coffee, roast malt and slightly woodsy. Flavour is quite roasty with coffee, sawdust, tobacco and a subtle berry note. Flavours open up more as it warms but head dissipates quickly
243 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Small tan head even with an aggressive pour. Aromas are subtle coffee, roast malt and slightly woodsy. Flavour is quite roasty with coffee, sawdust, tobacco and a subtle berry note. Flavours open up more as it warms but head dissipates quickly
243 characters
3.9/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.68/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle from back in the middle of 2015 - thankfully, stouts keep quite well! Pours a deep black shade with a minimal layer of tan froth. Aroma is strongly dominated by dark chocolate and roasted malt, with hardly any trace of hops. Taste follows the nose, rich draft chocolates and roasty malts, sweet to the taste with a absolutely divine chewiness and thickness in the mouthfeel. Carbonation is average which nicely balances out the thickness and smoothness of the mouthfeel with its buzziness.
502 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle from back in the middle of 2015 - thankfully, stouts keep quite well! Pours a deep black shade with a minimal layer of tan froth. Aroma is strongly dominated by dark chocolate and roasted malt, with hardly any trace of hops. Taste follows the nose, rich draft chocolates and roasty malts, sweet to the taste with a absolutely divine chewiness and thickness in the mouthfeel. Carbonation is average which nicely balances out the thickness and smoothness of the mouthfeel with its buzziness.
502 characters
3.85/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Purchased some time last year, didn't check the bottle dating, and not too concerned about it either, with this being a 10% ABV imperial stout.
A - Given my prior experience with evil twin beers, I poured this one hard and bang into the center of my $ store pokal. It generated a wispy half a finger width of mocha head that quickly dissipated. Yes, I've come to expect this of evil twin beers.
S - Very very subdued. Very light coffee, roasted malts and dark fruit. There is a bit of a woody/vanilla note in there somewhere.
T - Better than the smell for sure. Opens with a milk chocolate vibe, plenty of sweetness, and prickly carbonation that highlights the fruity aspects of the beer. There's a blend of dark fruits, and something much lighter, like a pomegranate or grapes even. There is a certain cola-like flavor to it, and the finish is much brighter and drier perhaps even slight oxidation. The roasty, coffee aspects are completely overshadowed by the aforementioned notes.
M - Heavy-medium and prickly. Not a fan.
O - Not a bad beer, but not a memorable one either. Worth a single purchase, but unlikely to be a repeat buy.
1,134 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Purchased some time last year, didn't check the bottle dating, and not too concerned about it either, with this being a 10% ABV imperial stout.
A - Given my prior experience with evil twin beers, I poured this one hard and bang into the center of my $ store pokal. It generated a wispy half a finger width of mocha head that quickly dissipated. Yes, I've come to expect this of evil twin beers.
S - Very very subdued. Very light coffee, roasted malts and dark fruit. There is a bit of a woody/vanilla note in there somewhere.
T - Better than the smell for sure. Opens with a milk chocolate vibe, plenty of sweetness, and prickly carbonation that highlights the fruity aspects of the beer. There's a blend of dark fruits, and something much lighter, like a pomegranate or grapes even. There is a certain cola-like flavor to it, and the finish is much brighter and drier perhaps even slight oxidation. The roasty, coffee aspects are completely overshadowed by the aforementioned notes.
M - Heavy-medium and prickly. Not a fan.
O - Not a bad beer, but not a memorable one either. Worth a single purchase, but unlikely to be a repeat buy.
1,134 characters
4.22/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 12oz bottle into a tulip.
Appearance: totally, completely black with a finger of dark brown, frothy, creamy foam. Outstanding.
Smell: big, sweet malt; dark fruit; deep roast and -- is that a little wood? Very good indeed.
Taste: roasty, sweet, deep and dark. Starts of with fruitiness, moves into a bit of alcohol heat and finishes with a great roastiness. There is a little bit of a lingering vegetal character but that is acceptable given its other hugenesses.
Mouthfeel: medium-rich body but with a bit of a restrained carbonation and a decent creaminess, if a bit light considering this beer's otherwise plenty of heft.
Overall: I enjoy the heck out of this beer. A great example of the style.
722 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 12oz bottle into a tulip.
Appearance: totally, completely black with a finger of dark brown, frothy, creamy foam. Outstanding.
Smell: big, sweet malt; dark fruit; deep roast and -- is that a little wood? Very good indeed.
Taste: roasty, sweet, deep and dark. Starts of with fruitiness, moves into a bit of alcohol heat and finishes with a great roastiness. There is a little bit of a lingering vegetal character but that is acceptable given its other hugenesses.
Mouthfeel: medium-rich body but with a bit of a restrained carbonation and a decent creaminess, if a bit light considering this beer's otherwise plenty of heft.
Overall: I enjoy the heck out of this beer. A great example of the style.
722 characters
3.83/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.95/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours black with a finger of caramel colored, fizzy head. Head retention is so-so, with no lacing. Roasted malts, caramel, and holiday spices peep through in the aroma. Flavor profile is roasted malts, caramel, with a holiday spicy finish. A bit of an alcohol, boozy finish lingers after the beer warms up a bit. Mouth feel is medium-thin and smooth. Overall, a so-so imperial stout. Some pleasant holiday notes, but otherwise a solid imperial stout.
Served in a 12oz snifter.
478 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours black with a finger of caramel colored, fizzy head. Head retention is so-so, with no lacing. Roasted malts, caramel, and holiday spices peep through in the aroma. Flavor profile is roasted malts, caramel, with a holiday spicy finish. A bit of an alcohol, boozy finish lingers after the beer warms up a bit. Mouth feel is medium-thin and smooth. Overall, a so-so imperial stout. Some pleasant holiday notes, but otherwise a solid imperial stout.
Served in a 12oz snifter.
478 characters
Christmas Eve At A New York City Hotel Room from Evil Twin Brewing
Beer rating:
3.95 out of
5 with
810 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
In English, explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.