10 Year Anniversary
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Black with brown edges, good initial head fading to not much

Roasty and malty, dark grains, molasses, rye

Malt, dark chocolate, plum, dark bread in the taste

Mouthfeel smooth, a hair on the thin side for an imperial, easy drinking

This was a very solid and enjoyable stout. I didn't get the sort of big bombastic imperial vibe off it, but as a regular american stout it was doing it right.

 

Appearance: Pours a completely dark, black color with a strong tan head. SRM of 23. (4.00)

Aroma: Strong aromas of dark chocolate, dark fruit, some molasses and dark grains. (3.75)

Flavor: Flavors of rich chocolate, dark grains, dark fruit, and hints of tobacco and molasses and grains. Mildly sweet. (4.00)

Feel: Medium-body, low carbonation. Finish is only mildly sweet and somewhat clean. (4.00)

Overall: A 10th year anniversary from Bent Paddle with an American Imperial Stout. Dark chocolate, dark fruit and some earthy grain notes. A bit flat, but not overly sweet, hides the alcohol well and drinks clean. Not monumental, but enjoyable. (Rating: 3.94)

Black body with a thick frothy brown cap. Lace is pretty full. Aroma is all about malted milk balls, chocolate lava cake and cocoa powder. Really nice even though it's chocolate dominated. Palate is more of the same with bittersweet baker's chocolate fairly prominent. A little java. Some rum soaked raisin booziness rounds it out. Flavor is nice, but not as nice as the aroma was foreshadowing. Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Alcoholic bitterness lingers. Solid beer but not spectacular by any means.

L-Dark brown with rub highlights and a small tan head..

S-I'm getting some dark fruit esters from the aroma...(plums,raisins)..additional lighter notes of dark chocolate and burnt malts

T-Flavor brings in more caramel, toffee and a touch of molasses along with the dark chocolate...lighter dark fruity notes also evident..

F-Not immense.....creamy texture....more medium full than full bodied...a little bitter dark chocolate on the finish....

O-While not the all-time great I was hoping for this is a solid, enjoyable Imperial Stout that is well made and has a lot of redeeming characteristics..

 

Poured from crowler into shaker pint glass.
A: Pours a very dark brown hue with a thin skim of dark mocha head with good retention.
S: Dark chocolate, dark roast coffee with cream, roasted malt, and a subtle nutty note with vanilla.
T: Smooth dark chocolate, dark roast coffee with cream, roasted malt, almond, and caramel.
M: Medium body. Very smooth and slightly velvety feel. Mild bitterness throughout. Layers of dark sweetness linger nicely on the palate.
D: Nice example of style. Pairs well with campfires on the shore.