Darkside Imperial Stout
Home Republic

 

Pours a black color. 1/5 inch head of an off-tan color. Slight retention and slight lacing. Smells of fresh coffee, roasted malt, sweet malt, and slight smoke. Fits the style of an American Double / Imperial Stout. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with a low carbonation level and roasted malt bitterness. Tastes of fresh coffee, roasted malt, sweet malt, alcohol, slight piney hops, and slight smoke. Overall, poor appearance, but good aroma, feel, body, and blend.

 

Poured on tap at the brewpub and served in a shaker pint, the beer is jet black and thin, with a halo of white head. Nose of roasted coffee, subtle charcoal and smoke, with hints of earth and peat. Flavors are heavily roasted forward, with a rich backbone of old world fruit, heavy on plum and date, and highlights of milk chocolate, campfire, and peat. Smooth, light, and creamy, with a roasted and stone fruit aftertaste. The finish is dry, with a roasted and sweet linger.

Poured a black body with one finger khaki head that died quick with no lace. Roasted and coffee malt aroma, almost burnt/toasted these malts are so dry/harsh, is all I get in the aroma. Heavy bodied, slight stickiness, the sweetness in this beer can be described as minimal and that's being charitable, and a mostly dry roasted/burnt malt flavor. If you like really dry, simplistic (read: not much going on) stouts then you'll love this one; I found it alright but not one I'll go back to.