Imperial Stout
Machine House Brewery

 

 

This is just a great example of it's type. If you like a slightly-smokey imperial stout, you'll like this. It's a dark, heavy beer; probably better suited to a cold evening than a warm day. But I loved it.

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque black in the glass with a half finger dark khaki head with great retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cocoa, graham crackers and mild dark dried fruit. Flavor is dark toasted malt, graham crackers, molasses, cocoa, raisins and a slight vinousness to the finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Although this has apparently been brewed for quite a few years, this is the first time I've seen it, perhaps because the first time bottled. A rich, flavorful imperial stout that has both a light dryness and faint fruit/wine note that sets it apart from the crowd. Not surprisingly from this brewery, it's a very English profile. Basically a dry English stout on steroids and a delightful one. Quite a bit bigger than anything else I've had from Machine House, but still tastes quite traditional. Nice base malt with chocolate notes and interesting lighter fruit character. Now one of my favorite offerings from Machine House and a nice, distinct change from my usual domestic style stouts.