Shagbark Russian Imperial Stout
Stoneyard Brewing Company

On tap at Stoneyard Brewing Company in Brockport. Collaboration with Great Lakes Brewing Company. Brewed with ancho chilies and shagbark hickory syrup.

This one pours a dark deep black, with a small quarter inch mocha-colored head, and a little bit of lacing.

Smells just amazing, bitter coffee, dark chocolate, slight chili pepper, earthy smoke, and maple sap.

I've never had anything with shagbark syrup in it, but it really works well here. It's like a way more bitter, earthy, and smoky maple syrup. It adds a wonderful dimension this beer. There's an earthy pine flavor as well, not sure if it's from the shagbark or some hops, but it's nice. The syrup adds some mild sweetness, but it's mostly a nice earthy dryness. There's a mild burn from the chilies. It's more noticeable as you drink more of the beer. There's a definite roasted coffee aspect to this as well, a bit roasted malt character, and some dark chocolate. Just a wonderfully crafted imperial stout in every way.

This is thick with a creamy and fudgy mouthfeel, with a lower level of carbonation, and a high level of drinkability despite the ABV.

A homerun from Stoneyard. Nearly flawless.