Eternal Descent
Station 26 Brewing Co.

Poured stout black with a briefly existing light brown head that left no lacing. Not unheard of for a BA stout but still not exactly normal.
The aroma was lost on me, stupid Covid.
The taste was very good, and rather unexpected. The whiskey barrel aspect was muted but present. Gave the only “hard” edge that kept this from getting too sweet. No hops to speak of, but that is normal for BA stout. More chocolate than coffee, dry dark fruit. Tasty!
The feel is an excellent level of viscosity, a great sipping beer.
OA, good beer, thanks Dave!

Deep tan head which nearly vanishes quickly after the initial pour. Little lacing in the form of minor spots. The color of the liquid is dark, nearly black, brown. No light passes whatsoever.

Creamy, with strong chocolate notes. I also pick up darker cherry and a bit of booze to the nose.

The flavor is like a not-so-sweet chocolate brownie. The body matches expectations by being very rich and also has plenty of carbonation. Plenty of boozy warmth throughout the tasting. The finish is like a chocolate liqueur but not as sweet.

 

 

Revisited for the May 24th - 27th 2024 Russian Imperial Stout online tasting:

Near opaque dark brown body, appears black in the glass; initial thick, tan colored head, somewhat fizzy in character and dissipates in a few minutes to a fairly thin, percolating texture. Very nice aroma; a bit of zesty spiciness enlivening the rich, dark roast grain sweetness; milk chocolate and star anise. The taste reinforces the smell sensations with the addition of a bourbon-like booziness. Medium-heavy mouthfeel; smooth and velvet-like; very nice alcohol warmth cutting through the residual sugars.

I still like this Russian imperial stout. I thought the aroma was a bit nicer than the last time, the mouthfeel just a twinge lighter in feel, yet still an overall impressive beer.

ABV: 11.5%; pouring temperature: 51.6 ℉; canning info: n/a
Source: local purchase (Twin Liquor - Janitell)

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Revisited March 01st, 2023

Ratings and scores: 4.0 4.0 4.25 4.25 4.0; BA weighted overall score: 4.13; rDev: -2.4%

Pouring temperature: 41 °F; canning info: n/a
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits)

Still an inky, opaque color; an initial thick head that eventually fades to a light wisp of khaki colored foam. Nicely balanced aroma; dark, roasted malts; earthy sweetness; dark chocolate. Fantastic flavor compared to last year; balanced, rich and flavorful, sweet yet not cloying; very subdued whiskey presence; a very slight woody phenol taste. Heavy body; smooth and silky on the palate; semi-sweet with a very subtle alcohol warmth.

This is a different beer in many ways from last year. Based solely on my scores, I'd say more balanced, more mature in character. I'm liking this year's version much more.
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Original January 18th, 2022 scores and ratings: 4.0 4.5 3.75 3.75 4.0; overall: 4.0; rDev: -5.9%

Tar black, opaque body topped with a thick, spongy, semi-creamy, light khaki colored head; respectable foam rings. Outstanding smell of dried figs and raisins; moderately roasted grain; dark chocolate. Great similarity between the taste and the smell; light milk chocolate flavor with a lightly spicy, moderately boozy set of aspects; bourbon; anise. Heavy body although a bit thin for the style; boozy heat mingling with a moderate residual sugar feel.

The bourbon barrel treatment really makes its presence felt with this beer. I may have to get a second can and let it age a bit, as the boozy qualities tend to overtake the rest of the beer. Still, at 11.5% ABV, some whiskey qualities are to be expected. It would be nice to have some canning data available. Otherwise, not bad for a high-octane stout.

Pouring temperature: 48 °F; canning data: unknown