Wolf King
Rusty Rail Brewing Company

Rusty Rail Brewing Company "Wolf King"
16 fl. oz. can, "CANNED121925" and sampled on 031326

Notes via stream of consciousness: The label reads Imperial stout with coffee and oatmeal, but I wonder, is it actually an Imperial oatmeal stout with coffee? Hmmmm... I'm only kidding, of course, because who really cares what you call it? It's poured an opaque black body that reveals only a thin edge of brown at the bottom of the glass when held to the light. The head is a massive cap of tan foam that's taking a while to settle down. In the nose I'm getting roasty coffee but it's not bold. It's clean, and maybe just a hint fruity. On to the taste - it's definitely roasty, and the coffee is clear. It reminds me of black "diner" coffee. There's some caramel to it, some nuttiness, some milk chocolate, and I do think there's a little bit of sweet red berry-like fruitiness as well. I'm liking it. It's nicely balanced, and well rounded. It's bitter but no more than it needs to be, and it finishes dry with roastiness and bitterness lingering. In the mouth it's medium bodied on the upper end, and gently crisp and then smooth. The alcohol is very well cloaked for being 8.2%. All in all I'm really liking this. The coffee is clear but it doesn't dominate, but at the same time how could it wrapped up inside an Imperial stout? I'm not the biggest fan of coffee beers overall, but in this case it just adds to the complexity of an already very nice Imperial stout. Nicely done.
Review #9,460

On Nitro at the brewery earlier this afternoon.

Great looking beer, black body, persistent tan head, thick rings of lacing. Malty aroma with some coffee notes. On tasting, fairly well roasted malt, strong coffee taste, very smooth, maybe even a hint of chocolate. Roast lasts well into the finish, as does the coffee.

Overall, nice imperial stout, appreciate the Nitro smoothness on an already smooth oatmeal base.

 

 

Look is dark black. Smell is dark roasted malt and chocolate. Taste is dark roast coffee, and chocolate. Feel is thick like oil. Overall, a great stout that warms you up in a cold winter. Recommend.

 

 

Had 2nd time. Agree with first review.

 

 

Pours dark, opaque with a surprisingly nice 2 finger head that lingers before settling to a light cap. Decent lacing as well!

Taste is toasted malts, chocolate, with some coffee hidden behind. A bit of sweetness upfront, but nicely tamed by hops on the finish.

Body is medium, which makes for easy drinking.

Overall an exceptional imperial stout that doesn't try too hard. One of my favorites of the style.

Pours almost black with thick off-white head that last a surprisingly long time.

Aroma of coffee, roasted grains, and hints of maple syrup. I'm pretty sure there's no maple syrup involved, but that's what the aroma reminded me of.

The flavor makes me think of an imperial milk stout with hints of coffee, bakers chocolate, and a trace of anise/black licorice.

Mouthfeel is rich, creamy, and smooth.

Overall, I'm a little disappointed. Seeing the label of "imperial stout with coffee & oatmeal", my thoughts immediately went to Founder's Breakfast Stout, and this is not the same at all. The coffee aroma is there, if subdued, but the coffee flavor is barely there at all. This is a creamy imperial stout with hints of coffee, rather than an imperial coffee stout. It's a decent stout, but not one I'll seek out again as Breakfast Stout fits the flavor profile I'm looking for much better.

12/26/22 After Christmas trip to Bethlehem, PA with a planned stop in Mifflinburg fur The Rusty Rail!

This amazing offering is a top pick for us. From the deep and nutty coffee aromas to the rich cocoa and coffee flavors, it ticks all the boxes. Not overly sweet for an imperial and a slight bitter ending round this off as a delight to the senses.

Poured from a 16 oz can into a Dogfish Head tulip

L: Nearly black pour with big foamy mocha colored head. Decent ring of lacing.

S: Roasted grains... espresso, dark chocolate, and malts.

T.F: Bittersweet roast. Burned grains and dark sugars mixed with chicory and espresso. Some cocoa... malts and molasses. Some bitterness from the roast for balance. Smooth and creamy (the oatmeal coming through). Medium bodied.

O: A respectable Imperial Oatmeal Stout. Hits the flavors and easy drinking.

 

draught
This is a nitrogen pour.
Nearly black, with no light transmission, nearly some chestnut at glass bottom. Medium dark tan, medium fine bubbled and enduring head. Light, toffee and dark roasted grain, with a hint of molasses, for the aroma. Taste starts with moderate, dark roasted grains, that give a moderate bite that sustains well, a slightly toasted wood and non-sweet, molasses flavor, are the main, mid-taste, flavors. Overall, nearly a 4 rating.

Wolf King has a medium, beige head, a very dark brown appearance, and lots of glass lacing. The aroma is of rich coffee and dark malt. The flavor is similar, with moderate bitterness. No oatmeal attributes were detected. Wolf King has a heavy body and a mostly-dry finish.

RJT

 

Not sure which came first, but this reminds me a lot of Storm King Stout. And that’s a big complement! Beautify it, dark, roasty, heady looking beer. Wonderful aromas of char, dark chocolate, earthy malts, and bitter hops, plus a wonderful additional dark fruit element. Hop-balanced American stout on the tongue, with strong roast and bitterness, but just the right amount of malt and dark chocolate sweetness to give it depth and nuance. A little light in terms of feel, but easily forgiven. In a world awash of adjunct-fueled stouts (plenty of which I love), it’s so nice to have some traditional British and American stouts to fall back on. And the depths of flavors this and beers like it are able to produce through just hops and malts (and other grains)? Truly remarkable.