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.

Review: 1980
Name: Polar Eclipse
Brewery: Roughtail Brewing
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Style: BBA Stout
ABV: 12.2%
Date: 2019
I am drinking Polar Eclipse today using a Tulip glass. This beer is 4 years old. Served it at 48 degrees. The pour created an airy, foamy, two-fingered, light tan head with poor retention. The color is dark brown, with nearly black, charting around SRM 38. The beer is opaque. The quick dissipation has no left lacing on the glass. The appearance could be better for this style.
The aromas of oak, chocolate, caramel, coffee, and char are what I initially sensed. Nosing the glass several times, I picked up bourbon, Maillard, flowers (like honeysuckle and Jasmine), herbal(like thyme), and this odd week-old grassy note. I don't know if it is an off-flavor or what. The beer was kept in ideal conditions and should not have deteriorated. That odd aroma, I do not remember before, makes the aromas unappealing. After further investigating off-flavors, it does have that wet leaves smell. This is one of the few beers with an off-flavor I have consumed.
The taste is ripe with wet leaves, bourbon, Maillard, flowers, damp soil, and oak. The off-flavor is much stronger in the flavors. After a few more sips and trying to swim past the elephant on the palate, I noticed molasses, char, Maillard, chocolate, and light-roasted coffee. Aging issues like oxidation or musty basement are not present.
The mouthfeel is bitter and finishes dry. The body is medium-plus with low carbonation.
I did pour this beer out; it makes me sad. I hope the brewer reads this and finds out what happened. I was looking forward to consuming it.

 

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.