Czar Of Texas
Texas Big Beer

Catch up rating from last night's RIS tasting. I brought this monstrosity back from Austin. Should have left it there. All around weak and finishes very funky, mild, tastes somehow off. Very disappointing, but then again I wasn't expecting much for $5.99 a bottle.

 

A - Pours a jet black and looks like motor oil. Little to no carbonation surfaces during the pour and no lace on the glass.

S - Aroma is very subdued with only hints of some malt and what smells like wet wood (earthy).

T - Taste is better but still not there. Some chocolate up front, but no roasted malts, coffee notes, or hop presence.

M - Heavy bodied and smooth, but I feel like the smoothness comes from the lack of enough carbonation.

O - Not a bad beer, just not an RIS in my opinion.

 

Appearance:
One finger thick head that’s a dark tan color, I thought the head would dissipate right away but it stuck for about three minutes. While it is around, it’s dense and looks very creamy; after it dissipates, it turns into a thin silk like covering. The body is a very dark brown color, almost black.
Smell:
Mildly sweet with hints of coffee and roasted malts, a bit of chocolate too.
Taste:
It is slightly bitter as it hits the back of your throat. The aftertaste is just a bit bitter followed by a lingering sweet alcohol taste.
Mouthfeel:
Medium bodied
Overall:
Not bad overall, very smooth and cream. You have to really swish this ale to get the smoky malt flavor out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well It's rare you'll find any imperial stout with a big, lasting head, but here's one. The beer is standard black in color, with just a tinge of brown along the edges in the light. Lacing is pretty good too.

Aroma and flavor are a bit more portery than stouty, but it's still quite enjoyable. Coffee, roasted and burnt malts, chocolate notes round out a simple yet tasty brew.

Body is medium and not super thick, but again somewhat porter like. Finish is roasty and coffee/chocolate. Some hop bitterness comes through but it's balancing, not forward.

So far I've liked every one of TBB's beers, this one is no exception.

22 oz bottle courtesy of fthomasl pours a thick black color with a small cap of mocha head. Retention is just average and no lacing.

Nose is chocolate syrup with low fruit and hops. Smells pretty good, alcohol seems to be well integrated.

Taste is smooth and chocolaty. A little thin and the flavors are real simplistic - chocolate and roast - but they are tasty and a time-tested stout flavor combo. The ABV is hidden real well. If I had this blind I would guess Buried Hatchet, has the same smoothness and malt driven flavor. It says it has smoked malt, maybe upon further inspection but I wouldnt have guessed without reading the bottle. Waaay better than the last TBB brew I had, I think I might actually buy a couple more of these, I would think tickers would enjoy getting one of these. Its not mind-blowing, but it is a solid, easy-drinking little impy stout.