Art Chantry's Imperial Bitter Ale
Three Magnets Brewing

 

I know it says “imperial” so it is intended, but a bit too hoppy an bitter even for a bitter. Body is a tad heavy too. Otherwise, it looks, smells, and tastes like one with some darker, bready caramel malts, and fruity esters. An enjoyable enough beer.

 

Apparently this bottle has been around a year, but it has aged very handsomely. Color is clear red-orange-amber with an ample cap of foam and lacing in the Copper Kettle goblet. Intriguing aroma that I associate with the English musty hop (actually quite nice!).

Quite rich and sweet with a robust malty body. Dried apples and a hint of oatmeal with raisins, but overall grainy as well as fruity. Bitter aftertaste but welcome after all the malt. This is a delightfully different kind of strong beer. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Central Market in Shoreline.

Beautiful rich crisp copper body lorded over by a massive foamy off white head that just won't quit. Eventually settles into a velvety smoothe ring around an island of stiff bubbles. Incredible lacing as well.

Nose breathes in earthy and rich and reminds me of like an idealized and well crafted memory link to high school. Like the difference between reality and a well produced biopic. Underage drinking is not condoned though. Layers of biscuit and caramel and lightly spicy hops evoke late nights and good times, though it could be argued this is neither (it's 0835 and I just got home from work).

Flavour follows the cues set forth by the nose and carries forth a tightly effervescent body of spicy hops with caramel melting across a creamy biscuity goodness, all wrapped around a dense piney core that lives up to the name of the style.

Really digging this one, though it forces you to take it slow and savour each sip. It could be argued that it blurs some stylistic lines, though I couldn't tell you exactly which ones or in what exact ways. A big piney creamy bitter. Tasty.

First time drinking an imperial bitter. Yasssssssss this stuff was great. Smells a little funky. Earthy mushrooms. Taste was super smooth. Almost a bit sweet but not in a bad way. Really really liked this beer and suggest it fit anyone curious about imperial bitter beers. It's a play on words and they aren't bitter at all.

 

 

 

Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass. Pours a medium to dark coppery amber with a two finger light khaki head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of biscuit and mixed grain malt, grassy hops, light citrus, apple juice, a hint of caramel. Flavor is slightly sweet biscuit malt, light and apple and mixed fruit, dark dried fruit, grassy and lightly citrus hops, finishes with rich biscuit malt and robust dry grassy hops with residual faintly estery fruit. Medium bodied with light creaminess. This really delivers what it promises: an authentic strong bitter malt and hop experience, but more robust. It veers into old ale territory, which isn't surprising given its bigger ABV and imperial malting. There is a very nice light estery fruit flavor that is reminiscent of Belgian yeast that accentuates the fruit flavors. I'm a fan of malty ales and this one hit the spot. British ale influence, but pushes the envelope just a little bit. Nicely done.