The Narrow Seas
Fieldwork Brewing Co.

 

 

sipping beer. another rich, savory imperial from Fieldwork in Sacramento. dry but not dusty. strong but not too powerful. sweet and spicy. all the way around very well done and the finish on the nose is amazing.

From Good Times Oakland, 500ml bottle, no dating.

Black pour, huge tan head of foam at first, shrinks to a fine broken layer, some lacing.

Smell is dark chocolate, toffee, light coffee, roasted malt is pretty large. Some light licorice.

The taste matches the smell with the addition of big alcohol presence. Little bit of a burn going on. Molasses also makes itself known.

High end of medium bodied, this is quite nice.

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque in the glass with a quarter finger, light khaki head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, dried plums, dates and cocoa; boozy. Flavor is dark toasted malt, cocoa, licorice and a hint of caramel; light hop bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. A interesting, somewhat hot imperial porter with an unexpected, but well integrated hop bitterness in the finish. The overall flavor seems smooth and mellow for the high ABV, but there are interesting notes in understated flavor. There is licorice noted in the description, but it is a subtle part of the overall profile, akin to what may be found in the malt base sometimes. Quite hot in the aroma with a distinct ethanol character, but not as intrusive in the taste, although it is clearly a high ABV. The flavors are well balanced and nicely presented. I'd like to see more of the stouts and porters from this brewery come out our way, they are well done.

Bottle pour into a tulip. Pours black, almost opaque. Small tan head. Initially tastes quite sweet and boozy, but both moderate with further sips. Taste improves as the beer warms up. Imperial stout fans should like this one!