Nemesis Imperial Stout
Elk Valley Brewing Co.

 

 

 

nice looking brew. notes of leather, tobacco, roasty malts, dark chocloate. taste is much the same, burnt malts, roastyness, leather, light caramel. interesting mouthfeel. overall definitely a nice stout.

As black as night. Completely opaque. A very light compact tan head that laces down the glass nicely. The smell is absolutely amazing with chocolate and caramel notes. The taste is complex and balanced with both very sweet and very bitter notes. Chocolate, toffee, and coffee come through and the alcohol (9% ABV) is present, but not overwhelming. Fantastic example of an American high grav imperial stout!!

 

A very dark brown in color, almost black, with a thin tan head. Aromas of cocoa, and some toasted grain. Taste is initially sweet chocolate, followed by some dark bread, and finishes with an earthy bitterness to balance. Mouthfeel is good.

 

you dont see a lot of imperial stouts in a can, and while this one in some ways is more like a big english porter, its a cool format for a good beer. soft on the pour, silky muted dark brown color, molten chocolate, with a nitro looking milkshake thick grayish brown head, looks awesome. smells like english ale yeast, sharp a little, burton maybe, robust but attractive and gentle too, with some nice dark roasty malts accentuating coffee and char, and a dryness not common in the style, perceivable even in the nose. the taste is right there too, with some earthy dark raw cocoa and english ale notes, very porter because of that, and because of the crystal malt middle i get there too. basically no hops, but the unmalted dark barley covers up for that in bitterness, and the yeast adds all the flavor this really needs. almost chalky in texture which is kind of cool in a beer called imperial stout, its a buck to the convention to say the least, and it being yeasty is pretty cool. my first beer from these guys is an interesting and tasty one. drinks way too easy for what it is, crazy dry for the style, really well made and not lacking depth.

 

 

Pours black with a one finger, tan head that leaves no lacing. Aroma is roasted coffee, bitter cocoa, and sweet fruit. Taste follows the nose with a malt and coffee taste upfront that transitions to a slightly sweet chocolate before an oaky, slightly sweet fruit finish. I can't put my finger on the fruit, but most likely a date or grape. Feel was off. Light body and light carbonation with no hint of the alcohol. Although watery, the alcohol was very well hidden.
Better than I expected from a new brewery and a bottle that was purchased 11.5 months ago. The booze was hidden completely, which is impressive for a 9% ABV. The stout flavors were there but it was too light and watered down for an imperial stout. This one makes me tempted to try their other stuff.

 

 

 

poured into a snifter from a 12 oz bottle
Look - Pours a thick, black color with a slight 1" mocha-colored head that had moderate retention. Settles out to a thin bubbly film. Lace is pretty minimal.
Smell - Nice smells of bitter chocolate, dark fruits like raisins, dates. Really sweet smelling like a raisinette candy
Taste - Follows the nose nicely. Dark fruits, chocolate, molasses, caramel, cola. No hint of the 9% abv; hidden nicely.
Feel - Really nice, rich, creamy feel. Hovers around heavy-medium to heavy.
Overall - What a nice surprise that I got in a mixed box from my brother on a trip from KC to south Louisiana. I would seek this one out again.