Harm's Way BA Imperial Stout
13 Stripes Brewery

Dark as night and with that 11% ABV doesn't sneak up on you, it hits you square between the eyes. This was my first beer (of many) from 13 Stripes and made me want to try the rest of their lineups.

 

 

Pours from the can nearly black, about as thick and oily as one might expect from a 10.5% ABV BBA stout, with almost no head at all. Boozy heat on the nose, which leads to a hot brightness of oak tannins and mild astringency on the palate. Balanced with a cocoa fudginess and a bit of vanilla and almond. Quite flavorful. While the current trend seems to be moving towards pastry stouts and trying to make even "regular" BBA stouts very smooth sippers, I appreciate occasionally finding something like this that is unabashedly bold about the barrel treatment.

 

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with just a narrow collar of off white bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of bourbon from the barrel aging are present in the nose.
T: The smell has lots of flavors of vanilla associated with the bourbon and a bit of sweetness.
M: It feels full-bodied and smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: You can definitely tell this beer is strong with all of the aromas and flavors of bourbon but it does a very good job at hiding any other traces of alcohol from the taste.

Serving type: can

 

13 oz on tap at the brewery taproom. The pour was essentially black and opaque with a very good tan head.

Feel. Full bodied with medium light carbonation.
Mild, balanced aroma.
Flavor. Dark roasted grains with light bourbon, faint vanilla and wood, and chocolate notes. A bit too sweet.