The Snow
Community Beer Works

Dark, opaque brown body; one-finger thick+ head, tan, long-lasting; excellent sheets of foam stick to the glass. Rich cocoa and dark chocolate aroma; malty and sweet; roasted grain. Great taste; chocolate and roasted grains blended with a touch of bourbon undertones; mild overall sweetness. Heavy body; smooth and silky; low-key boozy warmth.

A nice, balanced barrel aged imperial stout that strikes a good balance with the flavor between the beer and the bourbon barrel aging.

Pouring temperature: 40 F; canning info: unreadable
Source: @micada (BA Stout / Barleywine BIF #1)

 

big thanks to my buddy for sending this can, really awesome to see a no frills stout at this level, no vanilla or barrels or milk sugar from what i can gather, just straight up, need more of these in the game, a dying breed in recent years. this is inky black and thick as motor oil in my glass, leggy and dense, intimidating, not much head after it settles a few minutes in. almost a russian imperial vibe to me, i get that persistent bitterness and a little baked or bready character to the yeast, its not totally neutral, and i mean that in a good way. huge roasted notes in nose and taste, bitter all the way through, seemingly with layers of black licorice, burnt oak, and heady espresso beans fresh from the grinder, there is something warm rather than cold about it too, and i dont just mean the alcohol, it has like radiant heat as a feeling, hard to articulate but i really dig it. got to be some oats in here too i would think, the body is massive, palate coating, i feel it everywhere in my mouth, on my teeth, and it goes down soothing. as it warms i get more licorice, a hint of smoke, none of the fruity raisin or fig layering some of these have, and an assertive just short of burnt low end thats there the whole time. love how smooth it is, doesnt need any more carbonation than it has, and the alcohol is not a distraction. sometimes less is more, in this case less trend chasing additives. delicious, professionally made, and right in that zone where id crack a second can if i had one. impressive release here! the quality and simplicity make it stand out, i see why this one has won awards...

Reprised for 2021. GABF Gold medal winner in 2020. First time having it. Poured cold to a tulip glass. Color is deep chestnut, very clean looking, unlike the floaty world if some stouts. A half-finger, tight-cell head that burns to some residuals low lacing.

Aroma is strong dark malt with an oaky vibe.

First sips are solid dark chocolate malt foundation with a distinct roastiness. Not sure if it has actual coffee in the mix, but it has that espresso vibe. Very smooth from beginning to end. No alcohol bite, maybe a subtle warming. Nothing is out of place with this.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy. Slight stickiness, with a long lingering smorgasbord of dark malts, roast, and coffee.

 

 

The appearance was a dark brown color with a finger and a half’s worth of foamy eggshell white head. Light stringy lace. The aroma had some roasted malts, coffee beans and grounds, some molasses/somewhat like maple syrup (slightly), some milk chocolate, light amount of dark chocolate, and some leather. The flavor moderated between the roast and the sweet, bringing in a little bit of bitter and striding nicely together on into the aftertaste guiding into the finish. The palate was medium bodied with a good sipping quality about it. Carbonation felt fine. ABV felt good, seemed as projected but also seemed a bit hidden. Overall, really nice imperial stout, I’d have again if I could get it.

 

On tap at Swiftwater Brewing Company in Rochester, NY.

This one pours a fairly dark black, with a small off-white head, and a good level of lacing.

Smells like rich roasted malt, vanilla, and hint of dark fruit sweetness, and lots of fudgy chocolate.

This is a straightforward, no frills, mighty tasty imperial stout. It's got all you want out of the style- chocolate and roast, with some nice raisiny dark fruit sweetness, and just a hint of vanilla. I dug it.

This is medium bodied, with a fairly chewy and enjoyable mouthfeel, and a normal level of carbonation.

This drinks bigger than it's *slightly) lower than typical ABV for the style. It was very nice.