S.I.P......Stigz's Imperial Porter
2SP Brewing Company

Poured from a can at fridge temp. Pours black, but nothing crazy. A fairly short layer of head. The nose is baking chocolate, roasted malts, and a moderate fruity sweetness. Very nice.

The taste is fantastic. Semi-sweet chocolate, coffee, tobacco, burnt wood, molasses, vanilla, and a light layer of blackberry.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and the aftertaste is a nice slightly-fruited chocolate. Great porter overall!

Purchased as part of a 4 pack from Waywood Beverage in Kennett Square, PA.

L- Gorgeous jet black with a light tan head.

S- Abundant dark roasted malt, coffee and cocoa aromas.

T- Like the best chocolate cappuccino you’ve ever tasted.

F- Viscous mouthfeel with delicate carbonation.

O- I have not had many imperial porters, but this is my benchmark! No adjuncts; just pure black gold!

 

Out of a pint can it was poured into a clear Imperial pint glass. Dark caramel brown it is. With some dark red tint. A solid light tan head sits atop. Splendid earthy roasted malts reach the nose. Soft, rich, simple and refreshing to taste. There's nothing out of balance here, just everything wanted from a solid porter. Roasted malt dominates which provides a bittersweet treat for the tongue and soft drinking experience for the palate. That there's nothing exceptional to describe makes this exceptional. Even the glass lacing is merely good for the style.
But, here we go again. This pint can lists an ABV of 6.66%. An earlier review lists it at 7.2% and more recently, one comes in at 8.5%, obviously closest to the posted 8.4% ABV, but obviously this isn't always brewed the same. A dilemma for trying to remain consistent and specific for reviews.

 

 

 

750ml bottle poured into a snifter, vintage 2015. It is a deep brown/black with a 1.5 finger head that fades slowly and leaves a good amount of lacing on my glass for a Porter. The aroma is heavy with vanilla and almost begins to seem tart. Bourbon with oak, roasted malt and chocolate. The taste also finds the vanilla to be strong with some bourbon. I get oak and some bitter chocolate with roasted malt. Booze is somewhat present but not overwhelming. Mouthfeel is medium with some soft carbonation. Overall I thought this was decent, but for some reason the vanilla was too strong and almost had a tartness to it.

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a dark brown as you might imagine. Aromas of roasted malt and espresso notes. A really well made porter, this beer has roasted and astringent qualities. Well rounded on the palate, finishes smooth, real nice beer.

 

 

 

Had on-tap at the Pour House in Exton, PA. Poured into a snifter.

L: Pours a deep black color. Thick creamy off-white head.

S: Roasted malts, coffee, chocolate nibs.

T/F: Taste follows the smell fairly well. Roasted malts dominate... hints of coffee and cocoa, but overall fairly thin for an 'Imperial' porter with an ABV of 8.5%. Smooth... not unpleasant.... just missing something.

O: Not a bad beer, but was definitely a bit disappointed and expected more from an Imperial Porter. I expected a heartier brew and wouldn't seek out again.