Kulshan Reisterbrau
Kulshan Brewing Company

 

 

This stout is underrated. I tried this because someone requested it in a trade, and I wanted to know what it was like. This was a surprising stout from a small brewery in a small town. The beer was pitch black with a light brown, wispy head. The smell was of roasted malt and background sweetness. The taste was, again surprising, with a balanced roasted malt taste, dark chocolate, coffe, and background hops. The mouthfeel was smooth and easy going. Smooth and drinkable.

Overall, I am very impressed. I am glad I live in the town where this is brewed.

 

 

10oz pour @ the brewery, paired with some Hawaiian pulled pork sammy

Ebony body - chocolatey cap. This was very impressive - silky smooth throughout with an impressive emphasis on delicate fruit and vanilla flavors rather than heavy roast. Alcohol is held in check well. This thing is also pretty aggressively hopped which also plays well. Very good.

 

 

 

Served in 10oz nonic. Poured a solid black color, with an inch of medium brown head that had very good retention and lacing.

There was a lot of roasted scents in the aroma, a noticeable alcohol presence, and a bit of earthy grain underneath. The flavors were about as expected, roast dominant, with the alcohol, grain and very soft hops playing support roles.

The body was the expected full, tongue thickness often found in the style, but there was a definite alcohol bite at the finish. Drinkability was very good for such a big beer, but I personally probably wouldn't have more than one at sitting very often, YMMV. Overall, a very good example of the style, a must try if you see it, and worth seeking out if you're a stout lover.

 

This one really surprised me. First, I was surprised to see an imperial stout at all at a fledgling brewery only a couple of weeks old. Second, the beer itself was a revelation. Deep black and creamy pour with a head that receded rather quickly to form a lasting ring. Not much lacing, but this beer had legs and a nose that was redolent of deep roasted and smoky chocolate, coffee, and plums.

The flavor carried these esters throughout, and there were also notable brown fruits (figs, raisins, and dates), and there was an alcoholic sharpness that translated everything into a young equivalent of a flavored armagnac..

The body was extremely syrupy, but in a very good way (a la Thomas Hardy), and the finish was extremely lengthy.

Overall, this RIS was very impressive, and with some extended aging, I think it might be almost world class.

Damn, it gets better living in Bellingham all the time.