Bear: Stay Strong Alex
Esker Hart Artisan Ales

Bear: Stay Strong AlexBear: Stay Strong Alex
Beer Geek Stats
From:
Esker Hart Artisan Ales
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
13.5%
Score:
+8 ratings needed
Avg:
4.31 | pDev: 4.87%
Ratings:
2 | reviews: 1
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 15, 2024
Added:
Sep 18, 2023
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
Bear: Stay Strong Alex. Blend 2 of Bear is a 13.5% imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels that previously held mead crafted by our friends Monarch Meadery. After barrel aging, Bear was then conditioned on a blend of Madagascar, Mexican, and Tahitian vanilla beans. This batch of Bear is in honor of our dear friend Alex Kidd aka Don’t Drink Beers who is currently battling Stage IV cancer.

To all who try I hope you enjoy. Cheers!
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by SadMachine:
Photo of SadMachine
Rated by SadMachine from New Jersey

4.09/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Jan 15, 2024
More User Ratings:
Photo of WickedBeer
Reviewed by WickedBeer from Alabama

4.52/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
The pour on Bear is deep and brooding. It's not pitch black nor does it have the appearance of being overly viscous, but it's intimidating nonetheless. While some dark brown bubbles of carbonation rise up initially, the beer settles virtually flat.

There is an abundance of dark fruit on the nose; prune, caramelized cherry, and vanilla yogurt raisins. Temperature and time brings further complexity of Port wine and whiskey-soaked oak staves.

The palate showcases the barrel character, with underlying fruitiness from the base stout really working perfectly together. Dry oak combines with stewed prune, tobacco, and boot leather.

The mouthfeel initially seems unassuming, but really coats nicely. The carbonation is low but present, and it finishes dry with a touch of astringency and an abundance of ethanol warmth as it trails.
Sep 19, 2023