Little Tugboats
Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- From:
- Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 13.3%
- Score:
- +4 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 7.35%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 10, 2025
- Added:
- Apr 19, 2024
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Cognac Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
Little Tugboats is a big beer. We are proud to offer you this curated blend of deeply cognac barrel aged imperial stout. This beer offers up notes of espresso, German chocolate cake, date, raisin, and vanillin.
At 13.3% ABV there's a gentle, enjoyable warming sensation - not unlike a good cognac.
Sometimes it takes a lot of little tugboats to move a big barge. It takes a lot of people working together to brew a big beer - or any beer! Thus, this blend was named by our crew member, Ron.
Little Tugboats is a big beer. We are proud to offer you this curated blend of deeply cognac barrel aged imperial stout. This beer offers up notes of espresso, German chocolate cake, date, raisin, and vanillin.
At 13.3% ABV there's a gentle, enjoyable warming sensation - not unlike a good cognac.
Sometimes it takes a lot of little tugboats to move a big barge. It takes a lot of people working together to brew a big beer - or any beer! Thus, this blend was named by our crew member, Ron.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.79/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Undated can (probably from fall 2024); drank 2/22/25 @ the Yarchives.
Black/brown appearance.
An even pour yielded a minimal dark tan head; minimal lacing remained.
Leather, cognac, chocolate syrup & booze heat notes in the nose.
Medium thick, sticky mouthfeel.
Chocolate syrup, wood & cognac flavors; leather & booze heat notes on the finish.
A bit too syrup-y for me. It's drinkable but I wouldn't seek it out again.
Feb 23, 2025Black/brown appearance.
An even pour yielded a minimal dark tan head; minimal lacing remained.
Leather, cognac, chocolate syrup & booze heat notes in the nose.
Medium thick, sticky mouthfeel.
Chocolate syrup, wood & cognac flavors; leather & booze heat notes on the finish.
A bit too syrup-y for me. It's drinkable but I wouldn't seek it out again.
Reviewed by ChicagoJ from Illinois
3.66/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.66/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
11/29/24 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased a single can for $11.01 with tax on August 23, 2024 at the Pipeworks Dojo, refrigerated at home until this morning. 16 oz can without a legible date stamped released earlier in the year. 13.3% ABV. Tales From the Oak. Cognac Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. Label Art by Beejay Olson. 2024 Pipeworks Brewing Company. Brewed and Canned in Chicago, Illinois.
Appearance: Poured about 10 oz the can into a 12 oz snifter. Still near black colored pour, rich dark tan bubbly head lasts about before leaving a nice dark tan ring around the glass. Nominal carbonation noted. 4.25
Aroma: After letting warm for 20 minutes, plums leads, raisins and other dark fruits follow. Not familiar with cognac, but this smells like a fruited barrel aged bourbon offering. Smells strong and a bit harsh. Need more experience with cognac, if I like this, before being able to give a more educated take. It's good for what I know, but not overly enticing. 3.75
Taste: Pretty much all barrel / cognac. Raisins, plums, sweet liquor. Thinking I'm not a cognac fan. 3.5
Mouthfeel: Gooey, syrupy body, but that could be enhanced by perceived sweetness. Very strong from go, drinks above the ABV. Cognac and sweet malt the primary taste sensation through the plums and likely cognac finish. 3.5
Overall: I can't speak to the cognac aspect because this is my first time drinking this flavor, but the beer overall is too sweet for my tastes. Tastes like a quad with cognac poured in. If you like cognac, this may be one you will enjoy, but I will avoid cognac barrels in the future. I'm about halfway done, and will finish but need to pair with food in the oven as this is too intimidating to drink the whole 16 oz without a food pairing. Still glad I tried, taking a big nap after this. 3.75
Nov 29, 2024Appearance: Poured about 10 oz the can into a 12 oz snifter. Still near black colored pour, rich dark tan bubbly head lasts about before leaving a nice dark tan ring around the glass. Nominal carbonation noted. 4.25
Aroma: After letting warm for 20 minutes, plums leads, raisins and other dark fruits follow. Not familiar with cognac, but this smells like a fruited barrel aged bourbon offering. Smells strong and a bit harsh. Need more experience with cognac, if I like this, before being able to give a more educated take. It's good for what I know, but not overly enticing. 3.75
Taste: Pretty much all barrel / cognac. Raisins, plums, sweet liquor. Thinking I'm not a cognac fan. 3.5
Mouthfeel: Gooey, syrupy body, but that could be enhanced by perceived sweetness. Very strong from go, drinks above the ABV. Cognac and sweet malt the primary taste sensation through the plums and likely cognac finish. 3.5
Overall: I can't speak to the cognac aspect because this is my first time drinking this flavor, but the beer overall is too sweet for my tastes. Tastes like a quad with cognac poured in. If you like cognac, this may be one you will enjoy, but I will avoid cognac barrels in the future. I'm about halfway done, and will finish but need to pair with food in the oven as this is too intimidating to drink the whole 16 oz without a food pairing. Still glad I tried, taking a big nap after this. 3.75
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.45/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
16 ounce can into a snifter. Had 5/17/24.
Pours near black and opaque, with a brief head of darker foam and a lightly speckled oily smear on the glass. Aromas of cognac, roasted malt, oak, some vanilla and chocolate, grapes when warmed. Flavors of cognac, vanilla, roasted malt, some grapes, light chocolate, light oak. Smooth, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.
Barrel forward- almost dominant, but they are really tasty barrels. The solid base stands up pretty well to them, though. Vanilla notes show well, too. Not sure why I get notes of grapes, but at least I found it to be a good note. Really enjoyable.
Aug 29, 2024Pours near black and opaque, with a brief head of darker foam and a lightly speckled oily smear on the glass. Aromas of cognac, roasted malt, oak, some vanilla and chocolate, grapes when warmed. Flavors of cognac, vanilla, roasted malt, some grapes, light chocolate, light oak. Smooth, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.
Barrel forward- almost dominant, but they are really tasty barrels. The solid base stands up pretty well to them, though. Vanilla notes show well, too. Not sure why I get notes of grapes, but at least I found it to be a good note. Really enjoyable.
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