Bitches' Bank
18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #30 - ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #481 - Avg:
- 4.43 | pDev: 7%
- Reviews:
- 27
- Ratings:
- From:
- 18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom
- Indiana, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 125
- Gots
- 70
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class
Notes:
Reviews: 27
| Ratings: 236
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3.8/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap.
L: Pours black with one finger of light brown head. Something looks off with the carbonation and bubbles are sticking to the sides of the glass-not sure if that’s a problem with the tap or the beer. After sitting for a couple minutes, the head settles down into light foam around the rim with minimal lacing.
S: picking up traces of cinnamon.
T: notes of cinnamon and vanilla, with some chocolate, coffee toasty malts and peppers on the finish. Taste is good and masked the alcohol well. I’m not a big fan of the peppers, but that’s personal preference.
F: a bit light mouthfeel for the style and lacking carbonation.
O: this is a solid beer, but too unbalanced and thin to be truly great.
717 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap.
L: Pours black with one finger of light brown head. Something looks off with the carbonation and bubbles are sticking to the sides of the glass-not sure if that’s a problem with the tap or the beer. After sitting for a couple minutes, the head settles down into light foam around the rim with minimal lacing.
S: picking up traces of cinnamon.
T: notes of cinnamon and vanilla, with some chocolate, coffee toasty malts and peppers on the finish. Taste is good and masked the alcohol well. I’m not a big fan of the peppers, but that’s personal preference.
F: a bit light mouthfeel for the style and lacking carbonation.
O: this is a solid beer, but too unbalanced and thin to be truly great.
717 characters
4.1/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Had on tap. Pours jet black with some mocha brown bubbles and lacing. Smells strongly of cinnamon, coffee and vanilla, with some chocolate and peppers. Taste features the cinnamon is an intense way with lots of roasted malt too. Vanilla, chocolate, and other spices take the backseat along with the addition of glazed nuts. A tad unbalanced in the roasted feel, disagree with the ba masses, I think barrel aged is clearly better
433 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Had on tap. Pours jet black with some mocha brown bubbles and lacing. Smells strongly of cinnamon, coffee and vanilla, with some chocolate and peppers. Taste features the cinnamon is an intense way with lots of roasted malt too. Vanilla, chocolate, and other spices take the backseat along with the addition of glazed nuts. A tad unbalanced in the roasted feel, disagree with the ba masses, I think barrel aged is clearly better
433 characters
4.29/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours deep black with a one-finger foamy khaki head, short retention
S- smells of coffee, cinnamon, green pepper skin, chocolate and roasted malt
T- plenty of cinnamon infused coffee up front, m followed by a green pepper flavor that doesn't bring any heat. The finish is roast with some alcohol heat lingering
M- medium body with low carbonation leads to a slightly thin mouthfeel that continues into the finish
O- solid Mexican style stout that has equal influences of cinnamon, pepper and coffee
542 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours deep black with a one-finger foamy khaki head, short retention
S- smells of coffee, cinnamon, green pepper skin, chocolate and roasted malt
T- plenty of cinnamon infused coffee up front, m followed by a green pepper flavor that doesn't bring any heat. The finish is roast with some alcohol heat lingering
M- medium body with low carbonation leads to a slightly thin mouthfeel that continues into the finish
O- solid Mexican style stout that has equal influences of cinnamon, pepper and coffee
542 characters
3.9/5 rDev -12%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
8 ball black with a thick, light tan foam.
Smell has a toasty roastiness running along chocolate and some stale nuts. Additionally, I'm so used to this aroma profile in beer that I must be getting fooled into smelling some smoky chili peppers...but it really seems like it's there!
Taste is sticky maple glazed roasted nuts and cinnamon with cocoa...and there's those peppers again, giving off a red fruit-like note, leaning sweet. A woody sharpness suggests some hops, or else that's the rye.
A light froth is present in this medium bodied ale, finishing sticky and semi-dry
578 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
8 ball black with a thick, light tan foam.
Smell has a toasty roastiness running along chocolate and some stale nuts. Additionally, I'm so used to this aroma profile in beer that I must be getting fooled into smelling some smoky chili peppers...but it really seems like it's there!
Taste is sticky maple glazed roasted nuts and cinnamon with cocoa...and there's those peppers again, giving off a red fruit-like note, leaning sweet. A woody sharpness suggests some hops, or else that's the rye.
A light froth is present in this medium bodied ale, finishing sticky and semi-dry
578 characters
4.55/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Hunahpu's 2015 vintage vs Bitches' Bank 2016.
L: BB=Hunahpu’s.
S: BB= Hunahpu’s. It is the strongest side of this stuff.
T: BB< Hunahpu’s. Lots of the spice and an excess of chocolate.
F: BB< Hunahpu’s. Medium bodied.
O: BB< Hunahpu’s. Good.
253 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Hunahpu's 2015 vintage vs Bitches' Bank 2016.
L: BB=Hunahpu’s.
S: BB= Hunahpu’s. It is the strongest side of this stuff.
T: BB< Hunahpu’s. Lots of the spice and an excess of chocolate.
F: BB< Hunahpu’s. Medium bodied.
O: BB< Hunahpu’s. Good.
253 characters
4.34/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Taste: Big rye malt, hints of vanilla, cacao nibs, spiced licorice,complex roasted sweet sticky mouth-feel. Intense malt, molasses nose. Black, opaque, dark tan head. Full in not heavy body. Alcohol comes to bite you.
217 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Taste: Big rye malt, hints of vanilla, cacao nibs, spiced licorice,complex roasted sweet sticky mouth-feel. Intense malt, molasses nose. Black, opaque, dark tan head. Full in not heavy body. Alcohol comes to bite you.
217 characters
4.74/5 rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
The brewery says this is a 12% beer now. Went to the recent release. Pours pitch black with a nice brown head. Smells of cinnamon and dark chocolate. Tatse is cinnamon, chocolate and a hint of vanilla. Somewhat sweet, but not too sweet. I'd say its just right. Good roasty flavors. It's not like Marshall Zhukov, but it definitely has good body to it. It'll leave you with a nice brown glass. 12% it should be a sipper, but it's hard to slow down. It's just so darn good. A 750 ml bottle runs $20 from the brewery with a limit of 3. Not a bad deal. Overall, it's my favorite non-BA stout.
588 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
The brewery says this is a 12% beer now. Went to the recent release. Pours pitch black with a nice brown head. Smells of cinnamon and dark chocolate. Tatse is cinnamon, chocolate and a hint of vanilla. Somewhat sweet, but not too sweet. I'd say its just right. Good roasty flavors. It's not like Marshall Zhukov, but it definitely has good body to it. It'll leave you with a nice brown glass. 12% it should be a sipper, but it's hard to slow down. It's just so darn good. A 750 ml bottle runs $20 from the brewery with a limit of 3. Not a bad deal. Overall, it's my favorite non-BA stout.
588 characters
4.16/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Large shared bottle.
Sweet aroma followed by a sweet and very fruity flavor.
This would be cloying but some balancing bitterness from dark roasted grains kicks in at the finish.
Very full body; slick and smooth.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Large shared bottle.
Sweet aroma followed by a sweet and very fruity flavor.
This would be cloying but some balancing bitterness from dark roasted grains kicks in at the finish.
Very full body; slick and smooth.
211 characters
4.31/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great nose of this one with cinnamon as the dominant smell and taste. Subtle on the chocolate and chili and not as balanced. Finish it very nice and smooth with cinnamon still the primary note. Kinda reminded me of Abraxas but not quite to that level. Still solid beer.
269 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great nose of this one with cinnamon as the dominant smell and taste. Subtle on the chocolate and chili and not as balanced. Finish it very nice and smooth with cinnamon still the primary note. Kinda reminded me of Abraxas but not quite to that level. Still solid beer.
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4.88/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
L - Poured into a tulip a nice dark oily black.
S - Aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, chili, chocolate.
T - Taste is just like the nose, super delicious, good chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, good.
M - Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy.
O - Overall this beer was awesome.
271 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
L - Poured into a tulip a nice dark oily black.
S - Aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, chili, chocolate.
T - Taste is just like the nose, super delicious, good chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, good.
M - Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy.
O - Overall this beer was awesome.
271 characters
4.25/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Drank from bottle fresh. Very high in cinnamon flavor. Cocoa and vanilla blend nicely to form a secondary flavor that I note after the cinnamon. Slightly thin. Great offering I would compare to Abraxas. Medium body. I personally prefer the straight up cinnamon flavor of Abraxas, but this is a must try. Great beer!
315 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Drank from bottle fresh. Very high in cinnamon flavor. Cocoa and vanilla blend nicely to form a secondary flavor that I note after the cinnamon. Slightly thin. Great offering I would compare to Abraxas. Medium body. I personally prefer the straight up cinnamon flavor of Abraxas, but this is a must try. Great beer!
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4.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Shared by RussianDragon. Thanks Dave!
Dark brown, viscous body with an oily mocha head. Aromas of coffee, cinnamon, chocolate. Lovely flavor! Full bodied, complex, with elegant balance. Light spice with gentle heat. Outstanding.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Shared by RussianDragon. Thanks Dave!
Dark brown, viscous body with an oily mocha head. Aromas of coffee, cinnamon, chocolate. Lovely flavor! Full bodied, complex, with elegant balance. Light spice with gentle heat. Outstanding.
229 characters
4.45/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours motor oil black with a trace of a dark mocha head. Nose is predominantly cinnamon and spice. Taste is much more balanced between baker's chocolate, cinnamon, spice, and cacao. Moderately sweet but in no way cloying. Feel is medium heavy with almost no carbonation. Really enjoyed this RIS.....will seek out again.
323 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours motor oil black with a trace of a dark mocha head. Nose is predominantly cinnamon and spice. Taste is much more balanced between baker's chocolate, cinnamon, spice, and cacao. Moderately sweet but in no way cloying. Feel is medium heavy with almost no carbonation. Really enjoyed this RIS.....will seek out again.
323 characters
4.71/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Without question the best RIS I have ever had. Strong but not overpowering cinnamon with nice dark chocolate notes on the back end. I would highly recommend anyone in the area (or anyone who knows someone who can get them one) to seek this out, because I honestly think this will be one of the big boys when word gets out. If you don't know 18th Street, their beers are world class, and this beer is the leader of the pack as far as 18th Street goes. A+. If someone puts this in a barrel I will be a happy man.
510 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Without question the best RIS I have ever had. Strong but not overpowering cinnamon with nice dark chocolate notes on the back end. I would highly recommend anyone in the area (or anyone who knows someone who can get them one) to seek this out, because I honestly think this will be one of the big boys when word gets out. If you don't know 18th Street, their beers are world class, and this beer is the leader of the pack as far as 18th Street goes. A+. If someone puts this in a barrel I will be a happy man.
510 characters
4.66/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
This is sweet and slick. No carbonation, but that don't botha me. The cinnamon pops off the palate, and where I thought it would be overbearing, it was surprisingly gentle in the finish. Breakfast never tasted so good!
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look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
This is sweet and slick. No carbonation, but that don't botha me. The cinnamon pops off the palate, and where I thought it would be overbearing, it was surprisingly gentle in the finish. Breakfast never tasted so good!
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4.63/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Cinnamon beers are tough. There are a lot of bad ones out there, and it's super easy to screw up. I'm happy to say this is not one of them. While not Abraxas or Huna (as they have chilis) this is right up there with both those beers. The spice from the cinnamon is balanced, and it's just a really great beer.
309 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Cinnamon beers are tough. There are a lot of bad ones out there, and it's super easy to screw up. I'm happy to say this is not one of them. While not Abraxas or Huna (as they have chilis) this is right up there with both those beers. The spice from the cinnamon is balanced, and it's just a really great beer.
309 characters
4.09/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance is dark black with little head
Taste is Sweet cinnamon, earthy spice, dark chocolate, vanilla, cacao nibs
Overall it is tasty but not in the realm of other spiced stouts
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance is dark black with little head
Taste is Sweet cinnamon, earthy spice, dark chocolate, vanilla, cacao nibs
Overall it is tasty but not in the realm of other spiced stouts
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4.36/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a snifter. Pours a viscous looking black, with a half inch of brown head. Smell is cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar and roasted grains. Cinnamon is the dominant taste, but as it fades vanilla, milk chocolate a bit of burnt sugar and some dark fruits come in waves. Pretty complex, and well layered. Pretty substantial in the mouth, leaves a healthy coating with a nice bit of carbonation. Surprising lack of dryness. I am not a big cinnamon fan, but this is a pretty well put together beer. While showcasing the cinnamon, it doesn't overpower. Well done!
594 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a snifter. Pours a viscous looking black, with a half inch of brown head. Smell is cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar and roasted grains. Cinnamon is the dominant taste, but as it fades vanilla, milk chocolate a bit of burnt sugar and some dark fruits come in waves. Pretty complex, and well layered. Pretty substantial in the mouth, leaves a healthy coating with a nice bit of carbonation. Surprising lack of dryness. I am not a big cinnamon fan, but this is a pretty well put together beer. While showcasing the cinnamon, it doesn't overpower. Well done!
594 characters
4.5/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Drank out of a snifter on tap at the brewery. This beer smelled so great! The cinnamon is there but not overpowering. It comes to reinforce the vanilla and the chocolate. I would love this in the winter but this works all year long!
232 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Drank out of a snifter on tap at the brewery. This beer smelled so great! The cinnamon is there but not overpowering. It comes to reinforce the vanilla and the chocolate. I would love this in the winter but this works all year long!
232 characters
4.74/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance - The beer was a fairly clear black color with a mocha colored head.
Smell - On the nose, chocolate and cinnamon are very detectable.
Taste - My initial impression is cinnamon chocolate. The cinnamon does not overwhelm, but knows its roll standing behind the chocolate. There spicy chocolate finish is appropriate, leading to a slightly dry impression.
Mouthfeel - The thickness allows the spice of the cinnamon to linger on the tongue and roof of the mouth.
Overall - I have a lot of favorite beers from 18th Street. This is on the list.
556 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance - The beer was a fairly clear black color with a mocha colored head.
Smell - On the nose, chocolate and cinnamon are very detectable.
Taste - My initial impression is cinnamon chocolate. The cinnamon does not overwhelm, but knows its roll standing behind the chocolate. There spicy chocolate finish is appropriate, leading to a slightly dry impression.
Mouthfeel - The thickness allows the spice of the cinnamon to linger on the tongue and roof of the mouth.
Overall - I have a lot of favorite beers from 18th Street. This is on the list.
556 characters
4.78/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is a very high quality Mexican style stout. I would put it on par with Abraxas, and slightly behind Huna for the style. It just got better as it warmed too. Excellent beer, and kind of a surprise that they had it on tap...
229 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is a very high quality Mexican style stout. I would put it on par with Abraxas, and slightly behind Huna for the style. It just got better as it warmed too. Excellent beer, and kind of a surprise that they had it on tap...
229 characters
4.99/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
hands down the best imperial stout (non BA) I have ever had. Even days after drinking, try sniffing the bottle. Day 3 smells the best! When drinking its like having the best dessert in a glass, ever. I will kill for the BA version.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
hands down the best imperial stout (non BA) I have ever had. Even days after drinking, try sniffing the bottle. Day 3 smells the best! When drinking its like having the best dessert in a glass, ever. I will kill for the BA version.
236 characters
4.84/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
From a tasting on 2-28-15. One of the highlights of the night. Really fantastic layers of flavors that open up as it warms in your glass. Cinnamon and vanilla are the stars on the nose and tongue. I have heard rumors that they will be barrel-aging this. If that is true, the BA version will be chased by anyone who knows anything.
336 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
From a tasting on 2-28-15. One of the highlights of the night. Really fantastic layers of flavors that open up as it warms in your glass. Cinnamon and vanilla are the stars on the nose and tongue. I have heard rumors that they will be barrel-aging this. If that is true, the BA version will be chased by anyone who knows anything.
336 characters
4.71/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I had heard good things about this beer before a friend brought it over for a couple of us to sample. I had an 8 ounce pour from a 750ml into a Hill Farmstead glass. Poured pitch black with very little head and minimal lacing. The aroma blew me away, it was loaded with cinnamon layered on top of a sweetness. The flavor followed the aroma and hit with cinnamon first before the chocolate and vanilla sweetness washed over my palate. The mouthfeel was great to boot. I would certainly enjoy having this brew again.
514 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
I had heard good things about this beer before a friend brought it over for a couple of us to sample. I had an 8 ounce pour from a 750ml into a Hill Farmstead glass. Poured pitch black with very little head and minimal lacing. The aroma blew me away, it was loaded with cinnamon layered on top of a sweetness. The flavor followed the aroma and hit with cinnamon first before the chocolate and vanilla sweetness washed over my palate. The mouthfeel was great to boot. I would certainly enjoy having this brew again.
514 characters
4.55/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
All kinds of delicious. The only negative thing I can say about this beer is that they went a little crazy with the cinnamon. Obscene amounts of cinnamon. If it wasn't for that this beer would be in my top 10. Still fantastic and definitely worth seeking out.
261 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
All kinds of delicious. The only negative thing I can say about this beer is that they went a little crazy with the cinnamon. Obscene amounts of cinnamon. If it wasn't for that this beer would be in my top 10. Still fantastic and definitely worth seeking out.
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Bitches' Bank from 18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
236 ratings
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