The Other Side of Despair
Imprint Beer Company

A Swiftwater snifter fills with very dark brown beer and a dark cola halo. A thin collar of fine khaki foam leaves sparse spots of fine lace. Luxurious legs stretch down the glass.

The aroma is filled with rich malt and well-controlled bourbon. Light notes of spiced rum come and go amidst figs and prunes. The profile is very complex, eventually leading to mild dark chocolate and toasted pumpernickel bread.

Molasses and light roasted malt open, while rich chocolate fudge and bourbon quickly follow. Prunes build and lead to mild sweetness that slightly outweighs the bitterness. The finish is powerful and lingering, with a focus on bourbon, plums, and alcohol.

This one has a dense body and soft texture of deerskin leather. The alcohol is strong, as expected, with pleasant heat and spice. Carbonation adds a light prickle. Residual sugar builds on the lips with each sip. The alcohol lightly numbs the gums.

I enjoyed this beer late on a summer evening with frogs and insects chirping all around. There was no hint of despair in the air.

2023 release - Wax capped 500 ml bottle

pours almost black, with a sliver of ruby that sneaks through the edge of the glass. minimal head. aroma is a mix of bourbon, toffee, dark chocolate. Taste is similar, with a little raisin and fig in the finish. slick and oily mouthfeel.

Poured cellar temp to a small tulip glass. Color is a menacing mahogany. A bit of carbonation brings a wisp of a surface head that lasts a few seconds. The bourbon aroma is cutting and crisp. Flavor is a solid 50/50 split of a sweet English barleywine and a dark heavy stout, the latter of which carries a dark baker’s chocolate kick. The barrel wood comes across wet and full of bourbon. Alcohol cuts through up front just enough to keep the sweet notes in check, and brings some warming with the 14.5% ABV. The lingering flavors stay on the tongue for quite some time. Thick thick thick leaves a stain coating on the glass.