Klein's Collaboration
New Image Brewing Company

a big burly imperial stout brewed as a collaboration with the beer hall down the street. its a cool idea, because kleins awhile back purchased a single barrel of weller bourbon to use in house as their whiskey, and although i think they have done through all of the bottles now, they were smart to have a local brewery take advantage of the barrel. new image has crafted a relatively basic, but expertly built imperial stout to soak up the wood and whiskey character of this barrel, which is a wonderful idea that has been executed really well. the stout pours thick and matte chocolate brown in color, long legs on the edges of the glass and not a ton of head, it looks mature. the aroma is strong bourbon right away, some nice cocoa and dark chocolate notes in there from the malt but not a ton of deep roasted barley bitterness, it stops short of that on the grain, allowing for some barrel char to come through and fill that role, which it does admirably. some sweetness here along with rich vanilla and maple notes from the whiskey, and plenty of mellowing oak. this tastes really well aged, not boozy to me at all and picking up the best aspects of the bourbon and the wood. the stout holds its own too, but seems perfectly crafted for the barrel. overall an impressive beer, among the best i have had from new image and one i wish they could make more of. its a shame its not repeatable anytime soon...