Portsmouth Kate The Great | Portsmouth Brewery
Brewed by:
Portsmouth Brewery
New Hampshire, United States
portsmouthbrewery.com
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.00%
Availability: Spring
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by bewareOFpenguin on 04-07-2005
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 491 | Ratings: 925
4.08/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Oh man, I've been after Kate for ages! 2012 bottle, graciously shared by whartontallboy. Thanks!
Unfortunately, it seems she's having one of "those" days, as the combination of this short, stubby bottle and the atrocious label artwork remind me more of a circus poster than either beer or Catherine herself. Every time I look at the bottle, I swear she's blowing one of those birthday party blowout things that make an obnoxious noise as they extend. The new label is just awful.
Fortunately, the beer is pretty. Plenty of thick, white head atop a black body. Aroma is rather typical for an imperial stout and doesn't really stand out in any remarkable way. Maybe some dark fruit in the background but that's about it.
Taste is similarly unimpressive. It's not bad, but the hype behind this bottle seems completely unjustified. Kate is boozy and quite straightforward, taking the path of least resistance down the middle of Stoutsville. Ethan's quip summed it up nicely: "Well, that certainly is an imperial stout."
Viscous body is its standout quality. But when I'm praising mouthfeel as the high point of a beer with this much hype, you know something's up. I came in with high expectations and left disappointed.
This is good imperial stout. It is not a great imperial stout. In fact, I'm unconvinced it's significantly better than Founders Imperial Stout. Perhaps previous vintages were more impressive, but 2012 Kate doesn't live up to its namesake.
★ 1,459 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Oh man, I've been after Kate for ages! 2012 bottle, graciously shared by whartontallboy. Thanks!
Unfortunately, it seems she's having one of "those" days, as the combination of this short, stubby bottle and the atrocious label artwork remind me more of a circus poster than either beer or Catherine herself. Every time I look at the bottle, I swear she's blowing one of those birthday party blowout things that make an obnoxious noise as they extend. The new label is just awful.
Fortunately, the beer is pretty. Plenty of thick, white head atop a black body. Aroma is rather typical for an imperial stout and doesn't really stand out in any remarkable way. Maybe some dark fruit in the background but that's about it.
Taste is similarly unimpressive. It's not bad, but the hype behind this bottle seems completely unjustified. Kate is boozy and quite straightforward, taking the path of least resistance down the middle of Stoutsville. Ethan's quip summed it up nicely: "Well, that certainly is an imperial stout."
Viscous body is its standout quality. But when I'm praising mouthfeel as the high point of a beer with this much hype, you know something's up. I came in with high expectations and left disappointed.
This is good imperial stout. It is not a great imperial stout. In fact, I'm unconvinced it's significantly better than Founders Imperial Stout. Perhaps previous vintages were more impressive, but 2012 Kate doesn't live up to its namesake.
★ 1,459 characters
4.42/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From 04/28/12 notes. HUGE huge thanks to joepais for sending me a bottle of this one in December for the Secret Santa BIF; been one of my biggest Wants since I've been on the site, so very glad to finally try it. 2011 vintage split with some friends.
a - Pours a very dark brown color with two inches of thick dark tan head and moderate carbonation evident.
s - Smells of sweet dark fruits, molasses, roasted malts, chocolate, and some black licorice. Very nice nose, quite sweet. Reminds me of 2009 Dark Lord a little bit.
t - Tastes of sweet dark fruits, black licorice, sugar, molassess, roasted malts, sweet milk chocolate, dark chocolate, light coffee. More licorice and sweeter then the nose, a slight step down for me.
m - Medium body and low carbonation. Body is very smooth and creamy; a little more carbonation and the mouthfeel would have been perfect. Definitely does not feel anywhere need 12% ABV.
o - Overall I thought this was a very good RIS, though it isn't my favorite. It is very sweet and has a lot of sweet fruit, molasses, and black licorice to it, very similiar to 2009 Dark Lord in my opinion. Definitely does not feel like 12%, though tough to drink a ton of it due to how sweet it is. I drank about 6-7 oz.'s of the bottle and that is probably the perfect amount; glad to see they moved to the smaller bottled this year. Overall this is a great stout, but a bit overhyped and considering how hard it is to get, I'd rather seek out a few others that I could get easier (18yr EC Eclipse, DL, Darkness).
★ 1,532 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From 04/28/12 notes. HUGE huge thanks to joepais for sending me a bottle of this one in December for the Secret Santa BIF; been one of my biggest Wants since I've been on the site, so very glad to finally try it. 2011 vintage split with some friends.
a - Pours a very dark brown color with two inches of thick dark tan head and moderate carbonation evident.
s - Smells of sweet dark fruits, molasses, roasted malts, chocolate, and some black licorice. Very nice nose, quite sweet. Reminds me of 2009 Dark Lord a little bit.
t - Tastes of sweet dark fruits, black licorice, sugar, molassess, roasted malts, sweet milk chocolate, dark chocolate, light coffee. More licorice and sweeter then the nose, a slight step down for me.
m - Medium body and low carbonation. Body is very smooth and creamy; a little more carbonation and the mouthfeel would have been perfect. Definitely does not feel anywhere need 12% ABV.
o - Overall I thought this was a very good RIS, though it isn't my favorite. It is very sweet and has a lot of sweet fruit, molasses, and black licorice to it, very similiar to 2009 Dark Lord in my opinion. Definitely does not feel like 12%, though tough to drink a ton of it due to how sweet it is. I drank about 6-7 oz.'s of the bottle and that is probably the perfect amount; glad to see they moved to the smaller bottled this year. Overall this is a great stout, but a bit overhyped and considering how hard it is to get, I'd rather seek out a few others that I could get easier (18yr EC Eclipse, DL, Darkness).
★ 1,532 characters
4.85/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A: Pitch black pour with a dense chocolate milk colored head. Smallish head despite the aggressive pour. Despite the smaller head, retention is rock solid and it leaves a thick sheet of lacing on the glass.
S: Super creamy, almost milky character mixed with wonderful roasted malt. Milk chocolate with some cocoa powder; some char and hints of espresso.
T: Super strong roasted malt character takes me by surprise. It feels even bigger than 12%. Huge stinging coffee and ashy bitterness. More bitterness in the form of dark chocolate in the middle and through to the aftertaste. I get a little bit of black licorice and some wonderful vanilla in the finish and aftertaste (especially as it warms). Once it warms I'm getting a little port wine in there too, adding a bit of dark fruit. You can taste the lingering waves of bitter roasted malt long after the swallow.
M: Huge, thick and creamy. Leaves a syrupy, almost oil-like residue behind. Possibly the #1 mouthfeel of any beer I've had. It sticks with you for several minutes after each sip.
O: A surprisingly bitter and huge RIS. I say surprisingly because most breweries leave lots of residual sugar behind in their big beers, making them (sometimes very) sweet and balancing out all that roasted malt. This beer is made to highlight the roasted malt character. No bourbon barrels, no chocolate or coffee beans add, nada. It's complex in its simplicity, you can really make out all of the aspects of the roasted malt as they are very strong yet bare. I was really surprised by this brew. Pleasantly so.
★ 1,564 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A: Pitch black pour with a dense chocolate milk colored head. Smallish head despite the aggressive pour. Despite the smaller head, retention is rock solid and it leaves a thick sheet of lacing on the glass.
S: Super creamy, almost milky character mixed with wonderful roasted malt. Milk chocolate with some cocoa powder; some char and hints of espresso.
T: Super strong roasted malt character takes me by surprise. It feels even bigger than 12%. Huge stinging coffee and ashy bitterness. More bitterness in the form of dark chocolate in the middle and through to the aftertaste. I get a little bit of black licorice and some wonderful vanilla in the finish and aftertaste (especially as it warms). Once it warms I'm getting a little port wine in there too, adding a bit of dark fruit. You can taste the lingering waves of bitter roasted malt long after the swallow.
M: Huge, thick and creamy. Leaves a syrupy, almost oil-like residue behind. Possibly the #1 mouthfeel of any beer I've had. It sticks with you for several minutes after each sip.
O: A surprisingly bitter and huge RIS. I say surprisingly because most breweries leave lots of residual sugar behind in their big beers, making them (sometimes very) sweet and balancing out all that roasted malt. This beer is made to highlight the roasted malt character. No bourbon barrels, no chocolate or coffee beans add, nada. It's complex in its simplicity, you can really make out all of the aspects of the roasted malt as they are very strong yet bare. I was really surprised by this brew. Pleasantly so.
★ 1,564 characters
4.75/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Lucky enough to taste this amazing beer off the tap and was not disappointed. Very light taste and finish for such a big Imperial Stout. KTG starts out with a wonderful aroma and strong head when served. Hints of mint/chocolate combine with the obviously high ABV make for a nice pairing. This brew is light when first sipped but followed by wonderful flavor. A world class beer if you are lucky to get it off draft.
★ 416 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Lucky enough to taste this amazing beer off the tap and was not disappointed. Very light taste and finish for such a big Imperial Stout. KTG starts out with a wonderful aroma and strong head when served. Hints of mint/chocolate combine with the obviously high ABV make for a nice pairing. This brew is light when first sipped but followed by wonderful flavor. A world class beer if you are lucky to get it off draft.
★ 416 characters
4.63/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Pours deep black with a very minimal head. Some tan legs creep on this one after a bit.
Smells chocolate with an intense roasted malt presence, a little smoke and a certain port like quality. Lots of deep red fruits.
Similar flavors to the nose and wonderfully balanced. A good upfront presence with some baker's chocolate and roasted malts. Just a hint of smoke. Some of the port overtones come through next while the chocolate roast still lingers. Finishes with a nice subtle booze burn. It's there, but not too hot.
This is where this beer shines and what separates the top of the line from the normal RIS. Thick mouthfeel without being cloying and while the alcohol is not completely hidden, it imparts just a slight kick which is perfect with the rest of the flavor profile.
Very glad I got to try this one and absolutely digging the small bottle format. I'd drink more big stouts if I didn't always have to have another stout lover around to crack one open.
★ 967 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Pours deep black with a very minimal head. Some tan legs creep on this one after a bit.
Smells chocolate with an intense roasted malt presence, a little smoke and a certain port like quality. Lots of deep red fruits.
Similar flavors to the nose and wonderfully balanced. A good upfront presence with some baker's chocolate and roasted malts. Just a hint of smoke. Some of the port overtones come through next while the chocolate roast still lingers. Finishes with a nice subtle booze burn. It's there, but not too hot.
This is where this beer shines and what separates the top of the line from the normal RIS. Thick mouthfeel without being cloying and while the alcohol is not completely hidden, it imparts just a slight kick which is perfect with the rest of the flavor profile.
Very glad I got to try this one and absolutely digging the small bottle format. I'd drink more big stouts if I didn't always have to have another stout lover around to crack one open.
★ 967 characters
4.51/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Both 2011 and 2012 vintages opened side-by-side with mdaschaf during a recent trip to DE. This review score is for the 2012 version, which I thought was better. Review for 2011 is at the bottom.
Vintage 2012
Served into a tulip glass
A: Deep dark black body with very minimal head. Only a thin tan colored head was left around the edges with almost no lacing either. It's a heavy hitting, high ABV beer so some of this is to be expected.
S: Big sweet fruits, lots of port qualities, strawberry, cherry and caramel. Fairly chocolatey with plenty of roasted malts. It's very inviting and balanced with a little booze on the end.
T: Sweet but not overly so. Plenty of berry fruits, obvious port qualities, rich and roasted malts. There's a very "fresh" quality here when directly compared to the 2011 bottle I just love. Perhaps it's the vibrancy of the red fruits that come out in this one. Very unique and delicious.
M: Well carbonated, in my opinion it could be toned down a touch otherwise it would be perfect. Although for such a high ABV it actually helps keep things lively on the palate and break up some of the what would have been stickiness.
---
Vintage 2011
Served into a tulip glass
A: Deep dark black body with more of a head than the 2012. This stuck around for a bit longer too and had some nice lacing on the glass, as well as a retention cap on the surface of the beer. It could have been the pour, or the fact it was a much bigger sample since it was 22 ounces. (4)
S: Massive dark fruits now, plum, raisin, fig and some dates. The fresh, vibrancy of the port wine now seems a bit muddled and while it smells more smoothed out, it just isn't as inviting. Dark and caramel malts are the heavy hitters as the backbone. (3.5)
T: Like the nose, plenty of raisin, fig and dates with a very roasted, almost to the point of burnt malt back end. It's a bit more blended and rounded in a way, but not in a good one. I don't really care for how the fruitiness of the beer turned for cellaring it. (3.5)
M: Plenty carbonated just a bit less than the 2012, but the overall mouth feel is essentially the same. This could be big and sticky but it does a nice job of livening things up. (4)
O: (3.5)
★ 2,212 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Both 2011 and 2012 vintages opened side-by-side with mdaschaf during a recent trip to DE. This review score is for the 2012 version, which I thought was better. Review for 2011 is at the bottom.
Vintage 2012
Served into a tulip glass
A: Deep dark black body with very minimal head. Only a thin tan colored head was left around the edges with almost no lacing either. It's a heavy hitting, high ABV beer so some of this is to be expected.
S: Big sweet fruits, lots of port qualities, strawberry, cherry and caramel. Fairly chocolatey with plenty of roasted malts. It's very inviting and balanced with a little booze on the end.
T: Sweet but not overly so. Plenty of berry fruits, obvious port qualities, rich and roasted malts. There's a very "fresh" quality here when directly compared to the 2011 bottle I just love. Perhaps it's the vibrancy of the red fruits that come out in this one. Very unique and delicious.
M: Well carbonated, in my opinion it could be toned down a touch otherwise it would be perfect. Although for such a high ABV it actually helps keep things lively on the palate and break up some of the what would have been stickiness.
---
Vintage 2011
Served into a tulip glass
A: Deep dark black body with more of a head than the 2012. This stuck around for a bit longer too and had some nice lacing on the glass, as well as a retention cap on the surface of the beer. It could have been the pour, or the fact it was a much bigger sample since it was 22 ounces. (4)
S: Massive dark fruits now, plum, raisin, fig and some dates. The fresh, vibrancy of the port wine now seems a bit muddled and while it smells more smoothed out, it just isn't as inviting. Dark and caramel malts are the heavy hitters as the backbone. (3.5)
T: Like the nose, plenty of raisin, fig and dates with a very roasted, almost to the point of burnt malt back end. It's a bit more blended and rounded in a way, but not in a good one. I don't really care for how the fruitiness of the beer turned for cellaring it. (3.5)
M: Plenty carbonated just a bit less than the 2012, but the overall mouth feel is essentially the same. This could be big and sticky but it does a nice job of livening things up. (4)
O: (3.5)
★ 2,212 characters
3.62/5 rDev -19.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a bottle from BrianK. Finally a chance to try the #3 beer! A bit of a disappointment it is. Warm, caramelly aroma is very one-dimensional. Pretty plain but clean and refined stout flavor. Buttery. Lacking in complexity. It sits in that perilous place between being too big and not being big enough.
★ 303 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a bottle from BrianK. Finally a chance to try the #3 beer! A bit of a disappointment it is. Warm, caramelly aroma is very one-dimensional. Pretty plain but clean and refined stout flavor. Buttery. Lacking in complexity. It sits in that perilous place between being too big and not being big enough.
★ 303 characters
3.94/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle of the 2010 via a trade on here, that I took to one of Paul’s tastings. Pours a deep black with a thin tan head. Lots of roast on the nose, char, and big fat roast. Quite sweet, much sweeter than expected. Roast, char, plums and caramel. Long roast on the finish, lots of char and roast. Overall fairly good, but definitely not the mind blowing experience it’s made out to be. Just a solid well made imperial stout.
★ 426 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle of the 2010 via a trade on here, that I took to one of Paul’s tastings. Pours a deep black with a thin tan head. Lots of roast on the nose, char, and big fat roast. Quite sweet, much sweeter than expected. Roast, char, plums and caramel. Long roast on the finish, lots of char and roast. Overall fairly good, but definitely not the mind blowing experience it’s made out to be. Just a solid well made imperial stout.
★ 426 characters
5/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
BEER REVIEW #200! Since beer review #100 was CBS, I had to pull out something epic to top it (especially since I took the MPRE in the morning).
Reviewing the infamous Kate The Great from Portsmouth Brewery out of New Hampshire. This is one of highest rated and most sought after beers in the world. I am absolutely ecstatic to have had the opportunity to try this beer.
Score: 100
2012 vintage bottle served in a Dogfish Head snifter and enjoyed on 03/17/12.
Appearance: Pours a deep brown coffee color with just under a half finger of creamy tan head at pour that settles into a ring around the glass and foggy layer atop the beer. Totally opaque save for a thin brown highlight strip at the top of the glass when held up to light. Above average frothy and oily lacing mix with absolutely superior retention. 5/5
Smell: Loads of rich and roasted chocolate and smooth, percolating coffee. A really nice aromatic mix of milk chocolate and chocolate. Toasted oats, prunes, figs, and roasted malts. A very light vanilla and licorice smell too. As the beer approaches room temperature, a very small amount of dark cherry comes out in the nose. Very inviting! 5/5
Taste: WOW! Move over Darkness, there is a new Russian Imperial Stout in town. The first thing I notice is the rich, complex and layered medley of chocolate flavors in this beer. There's creamy milk chocolate, fudge, bittersweet chocolate morsels, mocha and dark chocolate throughout. There's a modest amount of fig flavor and "dark chocolate raisinets" flavor on the midpalate in addition to some brown sugar. There is a light alcohol warming effect (but not flavor) on the midpalate too, but just the perfect amount to give some liveliness to the rich chocolateness of the beer. There's some toasted oat flavor and smooth coffee too. This beer honestly strikes the perfect balance between chocolate and coffee -- smooth, rich and flavorful, but not too bitter, sweet or acidic. There's another wave of rich mocha and dark chocolate flavor towards the finish, which seems to grow as the beer layers. Finishes with the perfect mocha and raw chocolate flavor that you'd expect and desire from a Russian Imperial Stout. 5/5
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Rich, creamy and chewy mouthfeel. Finish is dry, chocolatey and bittersweet. 5/5
Overall: I never thought that I would ever consume a beer that I enjoyed more than Surly Darnkess, but here we are. Kate The Great is truly a perfect beer that lives up to the hype. Rich, complex and infinitely chocolatey. You could absolutely hate beer and love this brew. If only this one was more available and easy to find, it would be the only beer I would stock in my fridge for regular consumption. People covet this beer for a reason, and I would absolutely recommend paying well over the cost to acquire a bottle for a special occassion. World class indeed!
Recommendation: Seek this beer out. I promise that you will not be disappointed.
Pairings: Vanilla ice cream or steak.
Cost: $8 for an 11.2 oz bottle, but when you consider the cost of purchasing a lottery ticket to entitle you to a bottle and the probabilities of winning, each bottle actually costs $23.
★ 3,189 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
BEER REVIEW #200! Since beer review #100 was CBS, I had to pull out something epic to top it (especially since I took the MPRE in the morning).
Reviewing the infamous Kate The Great from Portsmouth Brewery out of New Hampshire. This is one of highest rated and most sought after beers in the world. I am absolutely ecstatic to have had the opportunity to try this beer.
Score: 100
2012 vintage bottle served in a Dogfish Head snifter and enjoyed on 03/17/12.
Appearance: Pours a deep brown coffee color with just under a half finger of creamy tan head at pour that settles into a ring around the glass and foggy layer atop the beer. Totally opaque save for a thin brown highlight strip at the top of the glass when held up to light. Above average frothy and oily lacing mix with absolutely superior retention. 5/5
Smell: Loads of rich and roasted chocolate and smooth, percolating coffee. A really nice aromatic mix of milk chocolate and chocolate. Toasted oats, prunes, figs, and roasted malts. A very light vanilla and licorice smell too. As the beer approaches room temperature, a very small amount of dark cherry comes out in the nose. Very inviting! 5/5
Taste: WOW! Move over Darkness, there is a new Russian Imperial Stout in town. The first thing I notice is the rich, complex and layered medley of chocolate flavors in this beer. There's creamy milk chocolate, fudge, bittersweet chocolate morsels, mocha and dark chocolate throughout. There's a modest amount of fig flavor and "dark chocolate raisinets" flavor on the midpalate in addition to some brown sugar. There is a light alcohol warming effect (but not flavor) on the midpalate too, but just the perfect amount to give some liveliness to the rich chocolateness of the beer. There's some toasted oat flavor and smooth coffee too. This beer honestly strikes the perfect balance between chocolate and coffee -- smooth, rich and flavorful, but not too bitter, sweet or acidic. There's another wave of rich mocha and dark chocolate flavor towards the finish, which seems to grow as the beer layers. Finishes with the perfect mocha and raw chocolate flavor that you'd expect and desire from a Russian Imperial Stout. 5/5
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Rich, creamy and chewy mouthfeel. Finish is dry, chocolatey and bittersweet. 5/5
Overall: I never thought that I would ever consume a beer that I enjoyed more than Surly Darnkess, but here we are. Kate The Great is truly a perfect beer that lives up to the hype. Rich, complex and infinitely chocolatey. You could absolutely hate beer and love this brew. If only this one was more available and easy to find, it would be the only beer I would stock in my fridge for regular consumption. People covet this beer for a reason, and I would absolutely recommend paying well over the cost to acquire a bottle for a special occassion. World class indeed!
Recommendation: Seek this beer out. I promise that you will not be disappointed.
Pairings: Vanilla ice cream or steak.
Cost: $8 for an 11.2 oz bottle, but when you consider the cost of purchasing a lottery ticket to entitle you to a bottle and the probabilities of winning, each bottle actually costs $23.
★ 3,189 characters
4.97/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
'09'
A: Black, black black. No head at all!!! It's alive!
S: Sweet and chocolatly. Anisey. Chocolate covered cherries. Dark bitter-sweet chocolate. Unsweetened chocolate. Wood. Very slight expresso. Black cherries. Man this is complex.
T: Oh-My-Balanced!!! Bittersweet chocolate. Chocolate. Cocoa. Expresso grinds. Black cherries in brandy. F-ing delicious!!!
M: This is the greatest mouthfeel ever! Thick and caramely!!! Holy coat on the tongue. Wams the tummy.
O: Quite honestly, I was expecting a let down. But this thins kicked me in the nuts and blew me away. I had a KBS last week, and this brew is 10 times KBS without question!!! The best beer I've ever had, without anything even coming close.
Thanks monsterzero; send me more!!!
★ 744 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
'09'
A: Black, black black. No head at all!!! It's alive!
S: Sweet and chocolatly. Anisey. Chocolate covered cherries. Dark bitter-sweet chocolate. Unsweetened chocolate. Wood. Very slight expresso. Black cherries. Man this is complex.
T: Oh-My-Balanced!!! Bittersweet chocolate. Chocolate. Cocoa. Expresso grinds. Black cherries in brandy. F-ing delicious!!!
M: This is the greatest mouthfeel ever! Thick and caramely!!! Holy coat on the tongue. Wams the tummy.
O: Quite honestly, I was expecting a let down. But this thins kicked me in the nuts and blew me away. I had a KBS last week, and this brew is 10 times KBS without question!!! The best beer I've ever had, without anything even coming close.
Thanks monsterzero; send me more!!!
★ 744 characters
4.42/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Pours very thick and very black...motor oil black. Impressive, but not much of a head, which leaves this brew at a 4.0
S: The aroma is RIS to the T. Amazing black strap molasses with hints of liquorish and alcohol sting. A black maulty bomb, this brew can make your mouth water.
T: The flavor follows the nose. Thick, with liquorish up front. Thick molasses, hints of dark chocolate, and the alcohol bite is pleasant.
MF: The mouthfeel could use a little more carbonation, but the body is pretty creamy.
Overall, possibly one of those beers that can live up to the hype. A must try, this brew is the definition of an RIS. Go Kate!
★ 637 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Pours very thick and very black...motor oil black. Impressive, but not much of a head, which leaves this brew at a 4.0
S: The aroma is RIS to the T. Amazing black strap molasses with hints of liquorish and alcohol sting. A black maulty bomb, this brew can make your mouth water.
T: The flavor follows the nose. Thick, with liquorish up front. Thick molasses, hints of dark chocolate, and the alcohol bite is pleasant.
MF: The mouthfeel could use a little more carbonation, but the body is pretty creamy.
Overall, possibly one of those beers that can live up to the hype. A must try, this brew is the definition of an RIS. Go Kate!
★ 637 characters
4.35/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2012 kate into a kate snifter.
A - black with minimal dark brown carbonation.
S - dark malts, dark fruits, a little chocolate.
T - malt and chocolate/coffee backbone, notably livened up by some fruit from the port wood influence. brighter-tasting than a lot of russian imperials, even including a little fresh hop character. like everyone else seems to note, the sweetness is pleasantly rolled back, which makes this an extremely well-balanced stout.
M - rich with very light, lively carbonation.
O - kate is perhaps not the stunner that some other imperial stouts are, but it presents an interesting mix of flavors and integrates them seamlessly. well done!
★ 663 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2012 kate into a kate snifter.
A - black with minimal dark brown carbonation.
S - dark malts, dark fruits, a little chocolate.
T - malt and chocolate/coffee backbone, notably livened up by some fruit from the port wood influence. brighter-tasting than a lot of russian imperials, even including a little fresh hop character. like everyone else seems to note, the sweetness is pleasantly rolled back, which makes this an extremely well-balanced stout.
M - rich with very light, lively carbonation.
O - kate is perhaps not the stunner that some other imperial stouts are, but it presents an interesting mix of flavors and integrates them seamlessly. well done!
★ 663 characters
4.6/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Thanks to my cousin Jeff for picking me up a bottle of the 2012. Poured from a stubby bottle into a Kate Tulip. Jet black pour, thin tan head, light carbonation. Nice roasted malt aroma, coffee notes, chocolate notes. The beer is really creamy, and balanced. Perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness. Some coffee and chocolate. A great RIS, lives up to the hype.
★ 370 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Thanks to my cousin Jeff for picking me up a bottle of the 2012. Poured from a stubby bottle into a Kate Tulip. Jet black pour, thin tan head, light carbonation. Nice roasted malt aroma, coffee notes, chocolate notes. The beer is really creamy, and balanced. Perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness. Some coffee and chocolate. A great RIS, lives up to the hype.
★ 370 characters
4.35/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from short stubby bottle into KTG tulip - 2012 release.
A: Poured a deep black with with one finger head that descended into a thin frothy lacing, slight webbing as it lowered , good carbonation.
S: Dark roasted malts , toffee ,caramel ,coffee .
T: Deep roasted malts with decent coffee flavors, chocolate, sweet toffee and caramel ,slight vanilla hints, slight char, light hops.
O: Overall this is a very good RIS that I recommend trying at least once if given the chance , I was lucky that a great BA gave me the opportunity , Thanks again Hollie - You Rock !
★ 572 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from short stubby bottle into KTG tulip - 2012 release.
A: Poured a deep black with with one finger head that descended into a thin frothy lacing, slight webbing as it lowered , good carbonation.
S: Dark roasted malts , toffee ,caramel ,coffee .
T: Deep roasted malts with decent coffee flavors, chocolate, sweet toffee and caramel ,slight vanilla hints, slight char, light hops.
O: Overall this is a very good RIS that I recommend trying at least once if given the chance , I was lucky that a great BA gave me the opportunity , Thanks again Hollie - You Rock !
★ 572 characters
4.23/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
An exception imperial stout that lives up to its hype. Smooth chocolate and expresso, although the nose was a wierd mix of coffee, chocolate and pp. Black with white lace. Creamy smooth mouthfeel. The balance between Sweet and bitter is nailed.Thanks for sharing Tom.
★ 267 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
An exception imperial stout that lives up to its hype. Smooth chocolate and expresso, although the nose was a wierd mix of coffee, chocolate and pp. Black with white lace. Creamy smooth mouthfeel. The balance between Sweet and bitter is nailed.Thanks for sharing Tom.
★ 267 characters
4.08/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drank multiple snifters at KTG day 2012.
Poured a very dark brown color with a lighter colored head. Head disappeared quite quickly.
Smelled of dark fruits and chocolate, and almost a bit of a red wine scent in there.
Taste is good. I would say this is a hybrid of a Barley wine and a Stout. Definitely can detect the port additions, as well as dark fruits, raisins, plums, prunes, with a tiny bit of chocolate. Some alcohol heat but not overwhelming. Very rich.
Mouthfeel - Good for style.
Overall a solid beer. I personally don't think it quite lives up to the hype, though with that being said I would definitely seek this out again. Being at the release was fun!
★ 671 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drank multiple snifters at KTG day 2012.
Poured a very dark brown color with a lighter colored head. Head disappeared quite quickly.
Smelled of dark fruits and chocolate, and almost a bit of a red wine scent in there.
Taste is good. I would say this is a hybrid of a Barley wine and a Stout. Definitely can detect the port additions, as well as dark fruits, raisins, plums, prunes, with a tiny bit of chocolate. Some alcohol heat but not overwhelming. Very rich.
Mouthfeel - Good for style.
Overall a solid beer. I personally don't think it quite lives up to the hype, though with that being said I would definitely seek this out again. Being at the release was fun!
★ 671 characters
4.5/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2012 bottle.
A - Black with a 2 finger dark brown head.
S - Chocolate, roasty notes, oak.
T - Chocolate, espresso flavors/bitterness, oak, some alcohol in the finish, anise, molasses, some port flavors as well. Smooth finish.
M - Definitely full. Nice smooth carbonation.
Awesome beer. I was lucky enough to get a few bottles, can't wait to see how this one ages.
★ 368 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2012 bottle.
A - Black with a 2 finger dark brown head.
S - Chocolate, roasty notes, oak.
T - Chocolate, espresso flavors/bitterness, oak, some alcohol in the finish, anise, molasses, some port flavors as well. Smooth finish.
M - Definitely full. Nice smooth carbonation.
Awesome beer. I was lucky enough to get a few bottles, can't wait to see how this one ages.
★ 368 characters
4.48/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A-Deep black two finger brown head that leaves perfect lacing on every other beer.
S-Chocolate, some coffee a tad bit of roasted malt
T-Does not have the roasted malt character that most RIS have. However it has a great chocolate profile, very sweet, some coffee, as it warms some vanilla and a port flavor as well.
M-Medium bodied, slightly creamy but very smooth
O-A wonderful beer that I waited in the cold to try. The first glass did not last long out of pure awesomeness. A great beer that everyone should seek out.
★ 524 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A-Deep black two finger brown head that leaves perfect lacing on every other beer.
S-Chocolate, some coffee a tad bit of roasted malt
T-Does not have the roasted malt character that most RIS have. However it has a great chocolate profile, very sweet, some coffee, as it warms some vanilla and a port flavor as well.
M-Medium bodied, slightly creamy but very smooth
O-A wonderful beer that I waited in the cold to try. The first glass did not last long out of pure awesomeness. A great beer that everyone should seek out.
★ 524 characters
4.88/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is for the 2012 version of this beer.
After waiting for 4 hours, I was lucky enough to make it into the first round. Ten minutes later, I had my first Kate of the day.
A: Dark brown with light brown lace. Not overly heady.
S: When cold, a bit too much alcohol but after warming very complex notes of raisins, coffee, and cocoa.
T: Extremely well balanced beer - not too bitter nor too sweet.
M: For a 10% beer, it goes down very smooth. Tons of different flavors as it warms up - nothing is over the top.
O: An excellent beer well worth the wait. I was lucky to win bottles in the lottery - I will let the first one mature for at least 6 months before drinking. (Root cellar ftw!)
Many people will comment on the Kate the Great day - I personally had a great time. Came alone, met some people in line and hung out with them for the next 6 hours. A very fun day with good food, good people and exceptionally good beer.
★ 930 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is for the 2012 version of this beer.
After waiting for 4 hours, I was lucky enough to make it into the first round. Ten minutes later, I had my first Kate of the day.
A: Dark brown with light brown lace. Not overly heady.
S: When cold, a bit too much alcohol but after warming very complex notes of raisins, coffee, and cocoa.
T: Extremely well balanced beer - not too bitter nor too sweet.
M: For a 10% beer, it goes down very smooth. Tons of different flavors as it warms up - nothing is over the top.
O: An excellent beer well worth the wait. I was lucky to win bottles in the lottery - I will let the first one mature for at least 6 months before drinking. (Root cellar ftw!)
Many people will comment on the Kate the Great day - I personally had a great time. Came alone, met some people in line and hung out with them for the next 6 hours. A very fun day with good food, good people and exceptionally good beer.
★ 930 characters
4.85/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Waited in line for 2.5+ hours, in the cold (and inadequately dressed), to try this beer. And it was definitely worth the wait.
Not sure that I've ever had a more complex tasting beer. The complexity of the notes, very unique, but very harmonious.
Appearance: very dark brown. Looks chocalately. Looks heavy ... like a 90 wt motor oil.
Smell: malty smell. Good, but not "Great" :o}
Taste: ah the taste. My initial sensation was that this was a strong beer (ABV). Sense of a mixed vodka drink. The next sense was of sweet chocolate malts. But then quickly the after taste morphed into a wine-like fruity/floral sensation (but less sweet ... like a drier white wine). Fascinating beer.
Mouthfeel. Perfect amount of heaviness/weight to the beer, with the perfect amount of carbonation.
Overall: A great Imperial Stout (and I'm more of an IPA type of guy). The reputation of this beer is well deserved.
Final notes:
the chalkboard at the Brewery listed this as a 10% ABV beer (not 12% as listed above).
Saddened to see folks getting drunk on this beer by having 4 to 5 glasses. What a waste. Drink Schlitz if you are having more than one.
★ 1,141 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Waited in line for 2.5+ hours, in the cold (and inadequately dressed), to try this beer. And it was definitely worth the wait.
Not sure that I've ever had a more complex tasting beer. The complexity of the notes, very unique, but very harmonious.
Appearance: very dark brown. Looks chocalately. Looks heavy ... like a 90 wt motor oil.
Smell: malty smell. Good, but not "Great" :o}
Taste: ah the taste. My initial sensation was that this was a strong beer (ABV). Sense of a mixed vodka drink. The next sense was of sweet chocolate malts. But then quickly the after taste morphed into a wine-like fruity/floral sensation (but less sweet ... like a drier white wine). Fascinating beer.
Mouthfeel. Perfect amount of heaviness/weight to the beer, with the perfect amount of carbonation.
Overall: A great Imperial Stout (and I'm more of an IPA type of guy). The reputation of this beer is well deserved.
Final notes:
the chalkboard at the Brewery listed this as a 10% ABV beer (not 12% as listed above).
Saddened to see folks getting drunk on this beer by having 4 to 5 glasses. What a waste. Drink Schlitz if you are having more than one.
★ 1,141 characters
4.67/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow!...what a day, what a crazy experience we had at our first Kate Day. First,We get in an extremely long line that streched all the way around the building at 10 am . Then we wait in 30 degree temps with 20 mph winds for the next 4 hours and 40 mins!! This was a true test of our will and loyalty to this beer and craft beer in general for that matter! Often we wondered if this was worth the wait...turns out...it was!!
A-this beauty pours a dark, almost black opaque rich color with minimum carbonation, also served a little colder than i would expect into a really nice KTG glass, nice oily legs left on the glass.
S- smells unreal! Chocolate, mocha, sweetness and a touch of alcohol
T- oh so good, rich rich choco coffee roasty flavor with a wonderful sweet finish that is super creamy! Could not tell at all that this was 10% abv. Drank so smooth, one person there described it as "drinking velvet." This beer only got better as it warmed. Superb!!
O- This "experience" was amazing and reminded me why I love craft beer so much and in particular great stouts. This is a beer i had to try and was glad I did. Not sure if I will wait nearly 5 hours again to have it, but I will buy scratch tickets again to try and attain this beer. I suspect the lines for this Beer on Kate Day will only grow longer as Craft Beer popularity continues to blow up as it has done in the past couple of years!
★ 1,399 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow!...what a day, what a crazy experience we had at our first Kate Day. First,We get in an extremely long line that streched all the way around the building at 10 am . Then we wait in 30 degree temps with 20 mph winds for the next 4 hours and 40 mins!! This was a true test of our will and loyalty to this beer and craft beer in general for that matter! Often we wondered if this was worth the wait...turns out...it was!!
A-this beauty pours a dark, almost black opaque rich color with minimum carbonation, also served a little colder than i would expect into a really nice KTG glass, nice oily legs left on the glass.
S- smells unreal! Chocolate, mocha, sweetness and a touch of alcohol
T- oh so good, rich rich choco coffee roasty flavor with a wonderful sweet finish that is super creamy! Could not tell at all that this was 10% abv. Drank so smooth, one person there described it as "drinking velvet." This beer only got better as it warmed. Superb!!
O- This "experience" was amazing and reminded me why I love craft beer so much and in particular great stouts. This is a beer i had to try and was glad I did. Not sure if I will wait nearly 5 hours again to have it, but I will buy scratch tickets again to try and attain this beer. I suspect the lines for this Beer on Kate Day will only grow longer as Craft Beer popularity continues to blow up as it has done in the past couple of years!
★ 1,399 characters
4.92/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This was my first Kate Day. A buddy and I drove from Vermont down to Portsmouth...we left at 6 am and pulled into the garage behind the brewery at 7:55. The line was around the block and down the alley, at least 150 people in line already. This is not a beer: it's an experience.
In line, we chatted with a couple who flew in from Maryland for Kate Day. Yeah. I briefly chatted with the guys at the front of the line (while walking around to keep some circulation). Despite the 25 degree temps, and 15 mph winds, it was a very, very happy crowd.
At 10:40 or so, the line started moving! The brewery holds 240 people...it was going to be close as to whether or not we got in during the first wave. Fast forward to 11:20 - T-Minus 10 minutes to Kate-tapping. We were at the door...and were called in to fill a table. We hugged as we crossed the door, slapped a high five to people in the front booth, and floated to our booth in pure joy.
15 minutes later, we had Kate. Oh, Kate.
It poured a deep, deep brown - not quite black in my estimation. Big alcohol legs. The chalkboards in there said Kate was 10% ABV - not 12 as previous versions were. Depending on the vigorousness of your pour, Kate BRIEFY retained a 1.5 finger head in the special Kate-Day snifter glass.
Kate has a smell like nothing else. Lots of chocolate, some coffee, dark dank roastiness. It smells, as it would taste...like a symphony of flavors in delicate balance. I could not smell any port or fruit notes....mostly a heavenly deep mocha, like the finest chocolate ever.
Kate tastes magical. The first sip hits you with a splash of bitterness. Hello baby. Then sweet chocolate and the SLIGHTEST dash of dried fruit before a rich, dark, bitter cocoa finish. So smooth. Light carbonation opened up the coffee notes very well. This is a sipper like nothing else I have ever had. It comes at you in waves: Boom, coffee. Boom, dark cocoa. Such balance. Such perfect harmony.
Kate tickles the tongue when the glass is fresh, a light carbonation with a creamy finish. Sassy. As you sip and savor, Kate warms, the carbonation fades, and Kate softens. Ah, now you've won this mistress over. Smooth.
Kate is the BEST beer I have ever had. No, I haven't had everything there is to have. But I know one thing: if I was leaving this earth tomorrow, I'd pick Kate tonight.
...
I had five glasses of the temptress Kate. Five journeys through the bliss of Kate. Each an experience, each savored to the last drop. Before taking my last sip, I said a hail mary and thanked the beer gods for providing me an opportunity to enjoy such a brew.
KATE THE GREAT
★ 2,619 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This was my first Kate Day. A buddy and I drove from Vermont down to Portsmouth...we left at 6 am and pulled into the garage behind the brewery at 7:55. The line was around the block and down the alley, at least 150 people in line already. This is not a beer: it's an experience.
In line, we chatted with a couple who flew in from Maryland for Kate Day. Yeah. I briefly chatted with the guys at the front of the line (while walking around to keep some circulation). Despite the 25 degree temps, and 15 mph winds, it was a very, very happy crowd.
At 10:40 or so, the line started moving! The brewery holds 240 people...it was going to be close as to whether or not we got in during the first wave. Fast forward to 11:20 - T-Minus 10 minutes to Kate-tapping. We were at the door...and were called in to fill a table. We hugged as we crossed the door, slapped a high five to people in the front booth, and floated to our booth in pure joy.
15 minutes later, we had Kate. Oh, Kate.
It poured a deep, deep brown - not quite black in my estimation. Big alcohol legs. The chalkboards in there said Kate was 10% ABV - not 12 as previous versions were. Depending on the vigorousness of your pour, Kate BRIEFY retained a 1.5 finger head in the special Kate-Day snifter glass.
Kate has a smell like nothing else. Lots of chocolate, some coffee, dark dank roastiness. It smells, as it would taste...like a symphony of flavors in delicate balance. I could not smell any port or fruit notes....mostly a heavenly deep mocha, like the finest chocolate ever.
Kate tastes magical. The first sip hits you with a splash of bitterness. Hello baby. Then sweet chocolate and the SLIGHTEST dash of dried fruit before a rich, dark, bitter cocoa finish. So smooth. Light carbonation opened up the coffee notes very well. This is a sipper like nothing else I have ever had. It comes at you in waves: Boom, coffee. Boom, dark cocoa. Such balance. Such perfect harmony.
Kate tickles the tongue when the glass is fresh, a light carbonation with a creamy finish. Sassy. As you sip and savor, Kate warms, the carbonation fades, and Kate softens. Ah, now you've won this mistress over. Smooth.
Kate is the BEST beer I have ever had. No, I haven't had everything there is to have. But I know one thing: if I was leaving this earth tomorrow, I'd pick Kate tonight.
...
I had five glasses of the temptress Kate. Five journeys through the bliss of Kate. Each an experience, each savored to the last drop. Before taking my last sip, I said a hail mary and thanked the beer gods for providing me an opportunity to enjoy such a brew.
KATE THE GREAT
★ 2,619 characters
4.23/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Aroma of cherry, chocolate, licorice and a bit of peanut butter. Flavor is sweet and smooth. Lots of licorice and fruit. Chocolate. Cherry. Strong bitter finish washes out the sweetness and balances it nicely. Intensely silky, full mouthfeel. Big bitter cocoa finish. Very tasty and well done, but definitely does not exhibit the complexity I look for in a big imperial stout like this. Really nice beer that doesn't disappoint, but doesn't particularly stand out of the pack of great imperial stouts.
★ 501 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Aroma of cherry, chocolate, licorice and a bit of peanut butter. Flavor is sweet and smooth. Lots of licorice and fruit. Chocolate. Cherry. Strong bitter finish washes out the sweetness and balances it nicely. Intensely silky, full mouthfeel. Big bitter cocoa finish. Very tasty and well done, but definitely does not exhibit the complexity I look for in a big imperial stout like this. Really nice beer that doesn't disappoint, but doesn't particularly stand out of the pack of great imperial stouts.
★ 501 characters
4.47/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Served in a tulip. Pours black with a small dark mocha head tha settles down with some sparse lace.
The aroma has nice notes of dark chocolate with notes of oaky grapes and coffee notes. The pallet is a lot of the same. Nice oaky coffee flavors with coffee notes and some hints of warm chocolate. Nice dark roasted malts with a good sweet edge.
Awesome mouthfeel here good creamy and silky body with good soft carbonation. Overall this one is really top tier. I'll gladly wait in line any time.
★ 498 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Served in a tulip. Pours black with a small dark mocha head tha settles down with some sparse lace.
The aroma has nice notes of dark chocolate with notes of oaky grapes and coffee notes. The pallet is a lot of the same. Nice oaky coffee flavors with coffee notes and some hints of warm chocolate. Nice dark roasted malts with a good sweet edge.
Awesome mouthfeel here good creamy and silky body with good soft carbonation. Overall this one is really top tier. I'll gladly wait in line any time.
★ 498 characters
Portsmouth Kate The Great from Portsmouth Brewery
4.51
out of 5
based on 925 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
1271st Review on BA
Bottle to CCB Snifter
22oz
2010 Vintage
Shared with JazzPatel, GuruDel & MrHirschybar
App- Kate poured out into a snifter with little fanfare from her. It was a mix of browns and blacks with some decent density behind it. Had a small head that was gone and didnt leave cling but a few bubbles.
Smell- Fairly light all the way around. The dark fruits were a suprise. I didn't know they would be so prevalant. The aromas are of raisins, figs and even some dried plums. A little bit of bitter chocolate rises as well.
Taste- Tastes like I would hoped. Not the greatest stout in the world but she lived up to the hype. A lot of the fruit remained on the flavors but was blended and layered with a slight bitter note and a creamy chocolate layer in the middle.
Mouth- A medium full body. I dont think holding these will change her much. A medium carbonation level with some residual chocolate and dark fruits.
Drink- I was very happy to have her finally. Took a while but was able to share her with some good friends to celebrate Steves Bday and mine as well. I would love to have another bottle of Kate.
★ 1,126 characters