Vlad Wood Aged Stout
Royal Docks Brewing Company

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Royal Docks Brewing Company
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
13.1%
Score:
+7 ratings needed
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 1.69%
Ratings:
3 | reviews: 3
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 25, 2025
Added:
Sep 30, 2024
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
Royal Docks’ Vlad has developed a cult following among those who appreciate extreme beers. For this 8th annual release in 2024, we aged the beer on bourbon barrel heartwood for a new dimension of depth, intensity, and complexity. This special release, like its predecessors, is a worthy tribute to its namesake, the Romanian folk hero Vlad the Impaler.

Like the original Vlad, this is a bold, unapologetic beer and will make an impression that will not be soon forgotten.

Look for an intensely dark beer with a creamy tan head, smooth and robust roasted aromas supported by flavours of coffee and dark chocolate with a warming, but not overwhelming, finish.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the 16 oz can in a snifter. This solid little stout pours a deep coal black
with a moderate head of khaki foam that sizzles to a thick ring and layer with
light lacing. Nose of coffee, dark chocolate, char, roast, brulee, and subtle oak.
Flavors surpass the nose with moderate char, light smoke, mellow oak, light
anise, dark chocolate, dark coffee, and dark berry notes of black and blueberry.
Mouth feel is full, smooth, light carbonation, coating, lightly slick, and finishing
with a pronounced roasted finish dashed with oak that is moderately dry.

Overall, a SOLID brew from a brewer that needs to get back to shipping across
Ohio again (PLEASE!!!!!!).

Cheers
Jul 25, 2025
Photo of bluejacket74
Reviewed by bluejacket74 from Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16 ounce can, 2024 vintage, big thanks to Brutaltruth for this! Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. I like the aroma, the brew smells like burnt/charred malt, dark chocolate, oak, coffee and some anise. For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some caramel, dark fruit and earthy flavors. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's smooth and a bit creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this brew, not all that much different compared to regular Vlad, although I think this version is a little more woody/earthy tasting to me. Definitely worth a try if you get the chance!
Jan 20, 2025
Photo of DrDemento456
Reviewed by DrDemento456 from Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Much more pronounced than the base beer I got a thick bodied stout with notes of bakers chocolate coffee roast dominant with a strong Anise presence playful notes of liquid smoke and finish is mild bitter wood barrel. Very happy its not dominant of barrel notes as in these beers they can overpower everything. As it warms the sweetness gets a bit stronger and the booze become a bit more noticeable so its best to enjoy this quickly.
Sep 30, 2024