The Rebel Stout Series #3 - Imperial Chocolate Cherry Porter
Lough Gill Brewing Company

Sampling a cellar temp can of this brew that is a gift from my friend Erik. Thank you!
Beer is poured into my trusty snifter and pours a rich mahogany color with some ruby highlights on the edges of my glass. A fluffy khaki colored head foams up 3 cm even with a gentle pour. The foam fades slowly to a sturdy surface layer leaving some tight lattice on the sides of my glass.
The aroma on this brew is some caramel and biscuity malt, with a small hint of bakers chocolate. No cherries here though and no hops (as expected). I also dont get any hint of the larger ABV on the nose. Was hoping for a little more on the nose.
The first sip reveals an average body with silky smooth texture and fine spacious carbonation. Feels nice in my mouth.
Flavor is some caramel again and then I get roasted notes and some sweet milk chocolate notes. There is a bit of cherry "bing" sweetness on the finish. Again the booze is well hidden and this beer drinks very easy for the 10%. I was a little worried as the nose was disappointing, but the flavor is pretty solid and makes for a good overall beer.

 

A: The beer is black when viewed from afar, but when held up to a bright light the corners of the glass are dark brownish red in color. It poured with a half finger high beige colored head that died down, leaving lots of wisps of lacing on the surface and and collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of cherries and malted milk chocolate are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell, having flavors of chocolate reminiscent from malted milk chocolate candies and strong notes of cherries.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Despite its strength, this beer still manages to taste like a porter and not a stout and isn't too heavy on the palate.

Serving type: can

 

440ml Can from Hargadon Bros, Sligo (€4.25):
My second in a row from Lough Gill & just like the first, this one is an excellent offering from the brewery with a sweet & complex taste that went down very well & easily despite the strength of the beer. This one opened a little light on the nose but there was plenty of chocolate & cherry still showing with some hints of spice & the odd dark fruit sitting in the background. The taste was quite similar to the nose but thankfully more pronounced sooner with a good chocolate sweetness & some earthy coffee touches at times; all round an excellent offering & one I'd happily have again.

Had on tap. Pours clear reddish brown in color with minimal head. Taste is toasted malt and dark cherry. Medium bodied and carbonation, sweet. Ok...would probably not get again.

 

Poured dark brown with ruby accents in the light. Nice size head. Great lacing. This looks very promising.
Smell - Wait...Isn't there supposed to be cherry in here? (reads can again). Supposed to be. Smell instead of roasty malt, biscuit. Not very chocolatey and NO cherries.
Taste - I struggled on this one. It tasted good. Just no chocolate, and no cherries...which is why I purchased it in the first place. Slightly sweet roasty maly good porter taste. Alcohol was subdued. For a 10% you wouldn't be able to tell.
Mouthfeel - Not watery or thin at all. Nice creamy thickness.
Overall it was a decent imperial porter, but not so much chocolate or cherry porter.