Polar Eclipse
Roughtail Brewing Co.

 

I should have reviewed this from the first can in the pack instead of the last as I am slow to finish 4- or 6-packs.
I can tell you the last can is not as good as the first. This is still enjoyable and boozy, but it's flattened a little. No lacing to speak of, not even a follow ring. The cocoa nibs are strong, though. That's good. Sticky mouthfeel. It's the finish that's a little flat, but it does have that roastiness that can be expected from imperial stouts. That's good. I am not regretting drinking this now, just to be clear.

Not too sure on the quality control here. I received a sour bitter light tasting low ABV 5-6 ale/lager. It has an almost sugary bitter almost sour finish. Watery and too light on the palet to claim any boast. Comprable to choclate soapy water baked in the sun. Weak sauce by far and not anything Roughtail should consider in the slightest putting their reputation on the line for.

 

12oz can. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a small, light brown head of foam. It left sticky rings of lace on the glass. It smelled of cocoa, coffee, roasted malt and toffee. Strong roasted coffee taste with dark chocolate, toffee and caramel.

Full review pending.

Sweet, roasty, chocolatey, smooth...and did I say sweet? Poured from a crowler purchased from a masked stranger at the takeout window at their new Memorial Dr. Location. The head did not last but everything else did. A smooth, dessert-type, high-calorie satisfying sipper.

 

Poured from a 12 oz can into a Dogfish Head tulip

L: Dark, dark pour... nearly black with thin tannish head. Modest ring of lacing.

S: Sweet cocoa and bitter roast.

T.F: Sweet up front... rich roasted grains and dark chocolate. Light espresso and char give some bitterness but definitely more on the dessert side. Baked raisin and vanilla. More cocoa at the finish. Sticky on the tongue... warming and the ABV is dangerously hidden.

O: An outstanding big winter stout. Great flavor... wish they grew this one locally.

 

 

 

 

Had it from draft. Poured dark brown with a good head and lacing. Earthy chocolate smell and taste. Nice hoppy backbone. Sweet mocha taste, hint of cherry cola as it warms. Good stout.

 

 

 

Very dark, small tan head. Smells like burnt malt and coffee. Tastes like dark chocolate, coffee, a little lactose and little alcohol as well. Didn't realize how high the ABV was until I looked about half way through drinking this and I would not have guessed it was that high. Ends with a pleasant chocolatey sweetness. Fairly thick mouthfeel. Very good stout.

 

 

 

Some booziness on the nose. This is a nice surprise. Everything you need in an imperial stout to make it much worth while. Superb balance. Hop presence seems perfect. Mildly sticky, delicious chocolate flavor. Nice mild coffee notes. Am I tiring of trying these bourbon barrel aged? This isn’t barreled, but seems better than many BA stouts I’ve had.

 

The beer is sweet! That being said beer pours black! The smell is dates, alcohol, cocoa and some coffee. The taste is really good and smooth. Overall a top beer.

 

 

 

Poured into a Great Divide cervoise glass.

Looks like black magic — opaque dirty motor oil with a thick khaki film and ghost-shaped foamy lacing.

Smells like melted dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee, burnt malts.

Tastes like bitter, burnt coffee with a lactose and chocolate sweetness.

Feels heavy , sticky.

Overall, nice dessert beer, tasting a bit too much tangy lactose or chocolate in the sticky finish.

 

 

Roughtail Brewery “departs” from their hoppy in-your-face Hoptometrist, and their “juicy IPA “ ERWO with this American Double/Imperial Stout offering. This pours a deep dark brilliant chocolate with a 1/2” head and light lacing to finish. Cacao nibs. Rich tasting and despite 12.2% ABV It’s still a well-balanced “easy” drinking beer. That said, drink one ( or two

Appearance - The beer was a rich black color with a mocha colored head.

Smell - The beer had a nice Coco nose.

Taste - I was surprised by this one. The beer had a nice chocolate profile. It was a little syrupy, but not too sweet. Burnt molds were faint in the back the chocolate was not overly cloying.

Mouthfeel - It can be dangerous to have a sweet beer that is too thick. But the carbonation and the viscosity allow this to linger for an appropriate amount of time.

Overall - I am surprised by how much I like this one.