Eighteen
Central Waters Brewing Co.


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Central Waters Brewing Co.
- Wisconsin, United States
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 99
- Avg:
- 4.48 | pDev: 5.58%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Apr 10, 2022
- Added:
- Jan 12, 2016
- Wants:
- 57
- Gots:
- 102
SCORE
99
World-Class
99
World-Class


Notes:
With each passing year, we refine our art and showcase our efforts in our Anniversary release. Eighteen is a blend of stouts that gain more depth and complexity from the bourbon barrels they call home for years. Cheers!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.9/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by jrc1093 from Connecticut
2016 vintage (released 1/2016); consumed on 4/9/2022
Pours a velvety, dense, ink-black body topped with two fingers of rich, creamy, khaki-hued foam; good head retention leaves a thin layer of frothy cap, an expansive collar, and minimal webs of lacing holding to the walls of the glass.
Aromas of stewed plums hint toward a dark chocolate umami as tinges of black raspberry meet subtle vanilla, while a drier bakers cocoa into the back end sees toffee and light oak accents along with clean, roasty malts closing.
Taste brings roasted cacao with milk chocolate undertones against an attenuated barrel char highlighting a robust oak profile over the mid-palate while hints of black raspberry and dark fruit esters linger through the finish.
Mouthfeel offers a silky medium body sporting minimal carbonation into a light char and ample drying over the mid-palate; a distant twang hinting toward the slightest suggestion of oxidation fades to a quasi-creamy lingering through back end for a delicately robust finish with mild heat.
Basic in its direct impressions of a roast-forward profile grazed by oak barrel undertones, the execution is clean and shows only a softening over time in the bottle; another example of an accomplished baseline set for the Central Waters stout portfolio.
Apr 10, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by jrc1093 from Connecticut
2016 vintage (released 1/2016); consumed on 4/9/2022
Pours a velvety, dense, ink-black body topped with two fingers of rich, creamy, khaki-hued foam; good head retention leaves a thin layer of frothy cap, an expansive collar, and minimal webs of lacing holding to the walls of the glass.
Aromas of stewed plums hint toward a dark chocolate umami as tinges of black raspberry meet subtle vanilla, while a drier bakers cocoa into the back end sees toffee and light oak accents along with clean, roasty malts closing.
Taste brings roasted cacao with milk chocolate undertones against an attenuated barrel char highlighting a robust oak profile over the mid-palate while hints of black raspberry and dark fruit esters linger through the finish.
Mouthfeel offers a silky medium body sporting minimal carbonation into a light char and ample drying over the mid-palate; a distant twang hinting toward the slightest suggestion of oxidation fades to a quasi-creamy lingering through back end for a delicately robust finish with mild heat.
Basic in its direct impressions of a roast-forward profile grazed by oak barrel undertones, the execution is clean and shows only a softening over time in the bottle; another example of an accomplished baseline set for the Central Waters stout portfolio.
Apr 10, 2022
4.46 by Benish from Wisconsin on Nov 26, 2021
4.2 by ScottP from New Hampshire on Nov 07, 2021
4.27/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania
Pours a beautiful rich black color with a thin brown head on top. The smell of the beer has a bold boozy chocolate roast aroma to it. The taste of the beer is much like the nose but has some molasses in there too. The feel is smooth but has a boozy heat to it that is undeniable, yet pleasing based on the style of the beer. Overall it's a very good Imperial Stout and shows no sign of falling off even after a few years of age.
Sep 19, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania
Pours a beautiful rich black color with a thin brown head on top. The smell of the beer has a bold boozy chocolate roast aroma to it. The taste of the beer is much like the nose but has some molasses in there too. The feel is smooth but has a boozy heat to it that is undeniable, yet pleasing based on the style of the beer. Overall it's a very good Imperial Stout and shows no sign of falling off even after a few years of age.
Sep 19, 2021
4.19 by Dharmelink from Wisconsin on Mar 25, 2020
4.36 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin on Dec 22, 2019
4.66 by Old_Dead_Oak from Wisconsin on Oct 25, 2019
4.46 by Dr_Fox from Utah on Apr 07, 2019
4/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Released January 2016; drank 12/2/16 @ Harvest Hop Haus.
Black/brown appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small, noisy tan head; minimal lace.
Oak, bourbon, dark chocolate & black cherry notes in the nose.
Thick, creamy mouthfeel.
Oak, dark chocolate & bourbon heat flavors up front; sweet milk chocolate notes on the finish. Vanilla & black cherry notes emerged as this warmed.
It was boozy when chilled, but once warm this blossomed into a real treat. I bet it gets even better from here...
Mar 11, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Released January 2016; drank 12/2/16 @ Harvest Hop Haus.
Black/brown appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small, noisy tan head; minimal lace.
Oak, bourbon, dark chocolate & black cherry notes in the nose.
Thick, creamy mouthfeel.
Oak, dark chocolate & bourbon heat flavors up front; sweet milk chocolate notes on the finish. Vanilla & black cherry notes emerged as this warmed.
It was boozy when chilled, but once warm this blossomed into a real treat. I bet it gets even better from here...
Mar 11, 2019
4.4 by goalie35 from Canada (AB) on Nov 10, 2018
4.53 by Texasfan549 from Texas on Jul 17, 2018
4.5 by kjkinsey from Texas on Jul 17, 2018
4.52 by loganburgh from Michigan on Jul 15, 2018
4.48 by Ryannotbryan from Texas on May 20, 2018
4.42 by TheEpeeist from Pennsylvania on May 06, 2018
4.84 by bigpoppa67 from Wisconsin on Apr 29, 2018
4.49/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by rodbeermunch from Nevada
Boy do I love me some CW barrel aged beers, the absolute best value in the world of barrel aged beers. This one pours like every other anniversary beer they've made: Black with a 1/2" brown head. Aroma of bourbon first and foremost. Then some roast and chocolate malt. Hops and wood stay off the nose for the most part.
Taste is where this beer excels. Deliciously layered bourbon, chocolate, roasted malt and oak to a lesser extent. Hides the alcohol amazingly well, not bitter or excessively hopped like some of those 100ibu imperial stouts out there. The chocolate feels are dark and fudgy. There is a mild current of earth, tobacco, wood, unsweetened caramel and leather in the mouth feel. Just when you think it is a simple straightforward barrel aged stout, it gives you those nuances as it warms on the back half of the course.
Carbonation appropriate. Only $15 a bottle is a steal, only bested by their $15/4 packs of barrel aged product.
Mar 19, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by rodbeermunch from Nevada
Boy do I love me some CW barrel aged beers, the absolute best value in the world of barrel aged beers. This one pours like every other anniversary beer they've made: Black with a 1/2" brown head. Aroma of bourbon first and foremost. Then some roast and chocolate malt. Hops and wood stay off the nose for the most part.
Taste is where this beer excels. Deliciously layered bourbon, chocolate, roasted malt and oak to a lesser extent. Hides the alcohol amazingly well, not bitter or excessively hopped like some of those 100ibu imperial stouts out there. The chocolate feels are dark and fudgy. There is a mild current of earth, tobacco, wood, unsweetened caramel and leather in the mouth feel. Just when you think it is a simple straightforward barrel aged stout, it gives you those nuances as it warms on the back half of the course.
Carbonation appropriate. Only $15 a bottle is a steal, only bested by their $15/4 packs of barrel aged product.
Mar 19, 2018
4.75/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by cosmicevan from New York
Love these central waters anniversaries...obtained via trade some point not all that long ago. In a word....damn. I rarely use the terms leathery or tabacoo to describe a beer but if there's one, this is it. The barrel aging is refined and mature. Really great example of how great a BA stout can be. Mm mmm mmm.
Mar 19, 2018
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by cosmicevan from New York
Love these central waters anniversaries...obtained via trade some point not all that long ago. In a word....damn. I rarely use the terms leathery or tabacoo to describe a beer but if there's one, this is it. The barrel aging is refined and mature. Really great example of how great a BA stout can be. Mm mmm mmm.
Mar 19, 2018
4.94 by SaxmanRick from Minnesota on Jan 29, 2018
4.27 by Gambyt20 from Illinois on Jan 27, 2018
4.25 by oline73 from Maryland on Jan 07, 2018
4.34 by ChicagoNick from Illinois on Jan 07, 2018
4.1 by djrn2 from New Jersey on Jan 01, 2018
4.75 by Vidblain from Minnesota on Dec 29, 2017
4.5 by Skellbop from New York on Dec 25, 2017
4.5 by Radcpa from Washington on Dec 16, 2017
4.5 by Winston3737 from Michigan on Dec 02, 2017
4.03 by emerge077 from Illinois on Nov 24, 2017
4.75 by atrocity from Virginia on Oct 30, 2017
4.74 by rjp217 from Massachusetts on Oct 23, 2017
4.44 by Zekenyce from New Jersey on Oct 05, 2017
4.29/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Slack from Virginia
22 oz
2016
$15?
Deep brown to black with minimal head and a thin but complete ring of head.
Nose is bourbon, oak, a bit of heat, and minor coffee.
Taste is mellow bourbon, oak, a bit of char, minor cocoa, minor leather, and caramel.
Mouthful is medium to heavy with the minorist bit of roughness. Carbonation is low. Finish is semi sweet.
A very nice Bourbon barrel stout. Nothing wrong here. Balanced and mellow with maybe a touch too much oak. At the same time, struggling to find this as highly rated as others. Would recommend nonetheless.
Sep 09, 2017
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Slack from Virginia
22 oz
2016
$15?
Deep brown to black with minimal head and a thin but complete ring of head.
Nose is bourbon, oak, a bit of heat, and minor coffee.
Taste is mellow bourbon, oak, a bit of char, minor cocoa, minor leather, and caramel.
Mouthful is medium to heavy with the minorist bit of roughness. Carbonation is low. Finish is semi sweet.
A very nice Bourbon barrel stout. Nothing wrong here. Balanced and mellow with maybe a touch too much oak. At the same time, struggling to find this as highly rated as others. Would recommend nonetheless.
Sep 09, 2017
4.38 by FLBeerGuy from Florida on Aug 05, 2017
4.46 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts on Jul 29, 2017
4.39 by dbrauneis from North Carolina on Jul 15, 2017
4.48 by mattreitz49 from Florida on Jun 30, 2017
4.49 by lemmy187 from Missouri on Jun 16, 2017
4.5 by thinwhiteduke from Illinois on May 29, 2017
5 by Sk8sean86 from Massachusetts on May 18, 2017
4 by Nat1975 from Indiana on May 14, 2017
Eighteen from Central Waters Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
99 out of
100 with
247 ratings