Imperial Stout
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #584 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #1,676 - Avg:
- 4.21 | pDev: 9.98%
- Reviews:
- 388
- Ratings:
- From:
- Boulevard Brewing Co.
- Missouri, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 274
- Gots
- 408
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding
Notes:
Like India Pale Ale, the classic Imperial Stouts were originally brewed with high levels of alcohol and hops to withstand the rigors of a long sea journey, not to India but to Imperial Russia and the Baltic States. Our version is an over-the-top riff on the style, with a huge grain bill featuring several kinds of malted barley, wheat, rye, oats, and spelt. Robust grain and coffee flavors are counterbalanced by date and plum notes from the Belgian yeast. To add extra complexity and depth, this Imperial Stout is made up of a blend of freshly brewed beer and several barrel-aged beers, carefully balanced. Za Vas!
63 IBU
63 IBU
Reviews: 388
| Ratings: 1,334
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Reviews by thebeers:
thebeers from Pennsylvania
4.19/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Red-tinted black with a finger of mocha-colored head. Smells of chocolate malt and sweet bourbon with just a kiss of straight-up alcohol. Rich, thick, creamy mouthfeel, with slight carbonation cutting through. The bourbon plays off nicely with roasted malts, leaving an almost coffee taste. Great beer, and relatively easy to come by in comparison to others in its class.
Mar 07, 2015
4.19/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Red-tinted black with a finger of mocha-colored head. Smells of chocolate malt and sweet bourbon with just a kiss of straight-up alcohol. Rich, thick, creamy mouthfeel, with slight carbonation cutting through. The bourbon plays off nicely with roasted malts, leaving an almost coffee taste. Great beer, and relatively easy to come by in comparison to others in its class.
Mar 07, 2015
More User Reviews:
watermelon from North Carolina
4.01/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
2013 vintage.
A: Pours a thick inky black with a foamy mocha head. The head diminishes slowly although a cap still lingers.
S: not super complex at first mostly chocolate and booze with some dark fruit sweetness.
T: Whiskey dominates.
F: Very viscous sweetness sticks to the teeth long after a sip. There is a burn, but its not that bad for a 12% beer.
O: Fairly decent beer. Although not one I would want to drink regularly.
Dec 25, 2014
4.01/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
2013 vintage.
A: Pours a thick inky black with a foamy mocha head. The head diminishes slowly although a cap still lingers.
S: not super complex at first mostly chocolate and booze with some dark fruit sweetness.
T: Whiskey dominates.
F: Very viscous sweetness sticks to the teeth long after a sip. There is a burn, but its not that bad for a 12% beer.
O: Fairly decent beer. Although not one I would want to drink regularly.
Dec 25, 2014
bonesTdog from Georgia
5/5 rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
It's difficult to give this beer all 5s but I just can't find any reason to give it any less anywhere. Calling this an imperial stout sells it way short. There are so many fantastic layers of flavors from coffee and chocolate to fruit, aged wood and alcohol building to an amazing complexity. A beautiful dark coffee color and heavy body just complete the picture. Not a beer to drink with food in my opinion. You need to sip and savor to truly appreciate it.
Edited 11/6/2015
Drinking the 2014 vintage tonight. It went something like this... Sip, roll you eyes, comment "oh my gosh", repeat over and over. This beer is amazing.
May 25, 2015
5/5 rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
It's difficult to give this beer all 5s but I just can't find any reason to give it any less anywhere. Calling this an imperial stout sells it way short. There are so many fantastic layers of flavors from coffee and chocolate to fruit, aged wood and alcohol building to an amazing complexity. A beautiful dark coffee color and heavy body just complete the picture. Not a beer to drink with food in my opinion. You need to sip and savor to truly appreciate it.
Edited 11/6/2015
Drinking the 2014 vintage tonight. It went something like this... Sip, roll you eyes, comment "oh my gosh", repeat over and over. This beer is amazing.
May 25, 2015
ChainGangGuy from Georgia
4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle #5753 of 11960.
Appearance: Pours a dark brown, near black body with a tall, foamy, tan-colored head.
Smell: Huge, rich roasted malt aroma jam-packed with acute notes of chocolate, mocha, blackstrap molasses, and aniseed side by side with a scent of fresh-baked nine-grain bread.
Taste: Tempting tastes of dark, roasted malts, full of dark chocolate sauce, molasses, Java 'Dutch Estate' Coffee, anise, and caramel with a moderate amount of sweetness to attend to. Slight smoky, charred grain character and hint of wood-fired oats. Thin vein of dark fruitiness lurking within. Bold mix of roasty, resiny bitterness, though it falls a tad short of balancing the sweetness. Touch of warming alcohol (though comparatively light considering the ABV percentage) on the sweetish, highly roasty finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Fairly smooth mouthfeel.
Drinkability: A top-notch, surprisingly drinkable Imperial Stout and my favorite of the Smokestake Series thus far. Nice work, Boulevard.
Mar 31, 2009
4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle #5753 of 11960.
Appearance: Pours a dark brown, near black body with a tall, foamy, tan-colored head.
Smell: Huge, rich roasted malt aroma jam-packed with acute notes of chocolate, mocha, blackstrap molasses, and aniseed side by side with a scent of fresh-baked nine-grain bread.
Taste: Tempting tastes of dark, roasted malts, full of dark chocolate sauce, molasses, Java 'Dutch Estate' Coffee, anise, and caramel with a moderate amount of sweetness to attend to. Slight smoky, charred grain character and hint of wood-fired oats. Thin vein of dark fruitiness lurking within. Bold mix of roasty, resiny bitterness, though it falls a tad short of balancing the sweetness. Touch of warming alcohol (though comparatively light considering the ABV percentage) on the sweetish, highly roasty finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Fairly smooth mouthfeel.
Drinkability: A top-notch, surprisingly drinkable Imperial Stout and my favorite of the Smokestake Series thus far. Nice work, Boulevard.
Mar 31, 2009
jp32 from Michigan
4.88/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours black in color with a nice sized khaki head on top that lingers around. A nice aroma profile made of roasted dark malts, brandy, oak, leather. The nose gets boozier the more it warms.
Chocolate, coffee, sticky sweet malty goodness, plums, oak, and brown sugar all make an appearance, and together they meet in what seems an incredibly smooth, creamy beer. This winning combination of flavor and texture is difficult to come by.
2015 version.
Jul 29, 2016
4.88/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours black in color with a nice sized khaki head on top that lingers around. A nice aroma profile made of roasted dark malts, brandy, oak, leather. The nose gets boozier the more it warms.
Chocolate, coffee, sticky sweet malty goodness, plums, oak, and brown sugar all make an appearance, and together they meet in what seems an incredibly smooth, creamy beer. This winning combination of flavor and texture is difficult to come by.
2015 version.
Jul 29, 2016
Rhettroactive from Pennsylvania
1.85/5 rDev -56.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
From 750mL C&C bottle to Devil's Backbone glass on 5/5/12
-- Thanks to whichever of you degenerates supplied this one. --
A: Dark copper and a bit cloudy. A decent pour yields a small head and a reasonable collar.
S: Ugh...infection has set in, and it ain't good.
T: It's a bit better then the nose, at least. I do get some bourbon and chocolate. But as it warms, out comes the hiney hole.
M: If it weren't for the infection, I'd bet this would be pretty solid. It's got the proper structure, but it's overly bubbly and simply not right for a bigger BA RIS like this.
O: To clarify: this is not one of the (so-called) intenionally soured Imperial Stouts. I'm disappointed, as I really feel this has the makings of a good beer. But in it's current state, I highly recommend saving your dinero and cellar space for something that actually tastes good.
Another in a recent run of underwhelming Boulevard brews.
Drain pour.
May 09, 2012
1.85/5 rDev -56.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
From 750mL C&C bottle to Devil's Backbone glass on 5/5/12
-- Thanks to whichever of you degenerates supplied this one. --
A: Dark copper and a bit cloudy. A decent pour yields a small head and a reasonable collar.
S: Ugh...infection has set in, and it ain't good.
T: It's a bit better then the nose, at least. I do get some bourbon and chocolate. But as it warms, out comes the hiney hole.
M: If it weren't for the infection, I'd bet this would be pretty solid. It's got the proper structure, but it's overly bubbly and simply not right for a bigger BA RIS like this.
O: To clarify: this is not one of the (so-called) intenionally soured Imperial Stouts. I'm disappointed, as I really feel this has the makings of a good beer. But in it's current state, I highly recommend saving your dinero and cellar space for something that actually tastes good.
Another in a recent run of underwhelming Boulevard brews.
Drain pour.
May 09, 2012
Bolivian22 from Virginia
4.04/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 18, 2015
4.04/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 18, 2015
TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island
3.65/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On-tap 8/17/2014 at Battleship Brewhouse in Fall River, MA, served in a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a deep black color, with a large brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, roasted malts and a faint touch of hops.
T: The taste starts out with mildly sweet flavors of chocolate, coffee, licorice and dark fruit. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in along with a significant alcohol sting. The hops presence is very mild but provides a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down ok, slightly filling, very strong kick, decent representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are better choices in the style.
Aug 18, 2014
3.65/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On-tap 8/17/2014 at Battleship Brewhouse in Fall River, MA, served in a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a deep black color, with a large brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, roasted malts and a faint touch of hops.
T: The taste starts out with mildly sweet flavors of chocolate, coffee, licorice and dark fruit. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in along with a significant alcohol sting. The hops presence is very mild but provides a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down ok, slightly filling, very strong kick, decent representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are better choices in the style.
Aug 18, 2014
jwhancher from Pennsylvania
4.92/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Pours black with dense, large foamy tan head. After initial pour, head demonstrates two shades of color one atop the other. Never saw this before. Pretty cool looking.
Smells of chocolate & vanilla, light oak, bourbon, reason, fig, prune, chewy caramel candy bar, spicy rye. Has an earthy, woody overall tone to it.
Tastes upfront vanilla, bourbon, with waves of cola, root beer, chocolate. Very smooth and luscious. No hit alcohols or solvent notes. No off flavors. Medium full feel. Pleasantly balanced. A bit warming.
Overall, a real treat. Everything I look for in a bourbon wood aged stout. Nicely done and a beer I would definitely come back to.
Dec 30, 2015
4.92/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Pours black with dense, large foamy tan head. After initial pour, head demonstrates two shades of color one atop the other. Never saw this before. Pretty cool looking.
Smells of chocolate & vanilla, light oak, bourbon, reason, fig, prune, chewy caramel candy bar, spicy rye. Has an earthy, woody overall tone to it.
Tastes upfront vanilla, bourbon, with waves of cola, root beer, chocolate. Very smooth and luscious. No hit alcohols or solvent notes. No off flavors. Medium full feel. Pleasantly balanced. A bit warming.
Overall, a real treat. Everything I look for in a bourbon wood aged stout. Nicely done and a beer I would definitely come back to.
Dec 30, 2015
rolltide8425 from Pennsylvania
4.43/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 24, 2015
4.43/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 24, 2015
AnitaBrewski from Massachusetts
4.35/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 23, 2016
4.35/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 23, 2016
paulish from New York
4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 01, 2015
4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 01, 2015
Adamostella from Washington
4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nov 02, 2015
4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nov 02, 2015
griffey123 from Connecticut
4.46/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 03, 2016
4.46/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 03, 2016
NickThePyro from Washington
4.75/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Aug 24, 2017
4.75/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Aug 24, 2017
needMIbeer from Virginia
4.35/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 27, 2015
4.35/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 27, 2015
Imperial Stout from Boulevard Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1334 ratings
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