Camera Obscura
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

fobab 2023

 

 

a total monster, not the first like it ive had from crooked stave, they have done a few massive barrel aged stouts like this over the years, their clean beer continues to get better and better. this is a mega blend, different ageing times in different barrels, but a very cohesive end result, high end bourbon all through this, strong molasses, vanilla, and wet oak character, with a ton of roast but never any bitter harshness from it, this is luxurious, full, and nice and sweet. slick and high gloss shiny looking, leggy and viscous in the glass, not a lot of head on it but not quite still either, just real thick. the aroma and flavor on this are great, a rich base with some brown sugar sweetness and the richness of all the whiskey, but its got great nuance too, good espresso, organic dark chocolate, licorice, and cohesive warming alcohol the whole way that makes this wintery and regal. some tobacco as it warms, treacle syrup, cola, and heady vanilla bean. big bodied and palate coating but not sloppy or exposed in any way, this is highly refined for its size and the barrel maturity is impressive. i like the lack of frills here, this is expert. beer for sharing to be sure, a cold weather sipper of the highest order. likely to age extremely well, wish i grabbed a bottle, but it was awesome to score this on tap!

Released August 2023; drank 9/1/23 @ the Yarchives.

Black appearance.

A rough pour yielded a small dark tan head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lacing remained.

Dark chocolate, blackberry, oak & salted caramel notes in the nose. Impressive!

Thick, creamy mouthfeel.

Dark chocolate & blackberry flavors up front; oak & mild sea salt notes on the finish. Booze heat emerged as this warmed.

Big, bold and relatively simple; a damn fine Imperial Stout. I'd love another!