Phil N. Topemov's Imperial Stout
Carolina Brewery

 

Pours a finger of dark brown head that quickly settles to a thin ring around the pitch liquid. Dark brown edgings when held to light. Smells roast, mild chocolate, anise, dry grassy hops, some cream, and clean stinging alcohol. Northern Brewer hops.

Tastes roast with mild fruit, some hop grassiness, and cleansing alcohol. Very dry. Later tastes reveal baker's chocolate character and some dark fruit (prune and raisin). Wonderful hop flavor of blackberry accompanied by a mild hop grassiness. The alcohol is well disguised in flavor but tingles my tongue. Aftertaste lingers of a drying dry baker's chocolate. Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. Some creamy character to the mouthfeel. Pretty good drinking for such a dry beer (I much prefer sweeter beers).