Black Friday - Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
Lakefront Brewery
- From:
- Lakefront Brewery
- Wisconsin, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #72 - ABV:
- 15.5%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,620 - Avg:
- 4.32 | pDev: 6.71%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 16
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 08, 2025
- Added:
- Nov 28, 2014
- Wants:
- 18
- Gots:
- 34
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Black Friday Imperial Stout Aged In Bourbon Barrels combines massive caramel and roasted malts with huge vanilla and oak flavor. Available only at the brewery, until it's gone on Black Friday.
2014 Vintage - 11.4% abv
2015 Vintage - 11.5% abv
2016 Vintage - 11.4% abv
2017 Vintage - 15.6% abv
2018 Vintage - 13.32% abv
2019 Vintage - 13.25% abv
2020 Vintage - 14.2% abv
2021 Vintage - 15.5% abv
2022 Vintage - 14.0% abv
2014 Vintage - 11.4% abv
2015 Vintage - 11.5% abv
2016 Vintage - 11.4% abv
2017 Vintage - 15.6% abv
2018 Vintage - 13.32% abv
2019 Vintage - 13.25% abv
2020 Vintage - 14.2% abv
2021 Vintage - 15.5% abv
2022 Vintage - 14.0% abv
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MrGraybeard:
Reviewed by MrGraybeard from Wisconsin
4.42/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
4.42/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a refrigerated bottle. The color of strong coffee with a minimal head. Aroma is also minimal, maybe some raisin. Taste is exceptional, balanced between cocoa, raisins and just a hint of bourbon. The whiskey comes into play again at the finish, somewhat delayed and lingering. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and velvety.
Aug 28, 2022More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Golfing4Beers from Wisconsin
4.51/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.51/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It is always a favorite that is only available at the brewery on Black Friday. It’s 2024 version has lost only one personal tasting challenge and that was to Central Waters - 2025 Black Gold!
Dec 08, 2025
Reviewed by Mdog from Minnesota
4/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a 22oz bomber:
Appearance: Viscous pour yields black beer with a small brown head.
Smell: Dark chocolate with a big molasses note.
Taste: Big beer, starts with a big chocolate note that shifts slightly into a mix of chocolate and dark fruits. Mid palate is more fruit with a little wood starting to come through. Medium-full body, finishes with dark chocolate and molasses.
Overall: Another big BA stout from Lakefront, the barrel and beer play nice together in this one. Despite being 14%+ it doesn't whack you over the head with booze. Well integrated and tasty.
Apr 20, 2024Appearance: Viscous pour yields black beer with a small brown head.
Smell: Dark chocolate with a big molasses note.
Taste: Big beer, starts with a big chocolate note that shifts slightly into a mix of chocolate and dark fruits. Mid palate is more fruit with a little wood starting to come through. Medium-full body, finishes with dark chocolate and molasses.
Overall: Another big BA stout from Lakefront, the barrel and beer play nice together in this one. Despite being 14%+ it doesn't whack you over the head with booze. Well integrated and tasty.
Rated by cheeseheadinMinneapolis from Wisconsin
4.4/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2022 Vintage, 14.0% ABV, 22oz waxed bottle drank on 12/22/23
I will give it a 4.39+/5
Dec 23, 2023I will give it a 4.39+/5
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana
4.43/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - The beer was inky black with little visible carbonation or lacing.
Smell - The nose radiates boozy chocolate malts. There was nothing abrasive here.
Taste - Initially, I thought I was drinking rich chocolate milk with light bourbon notes. Notes of raisins and a bit of dryness were also noted. The finish saw the sweet malts turn dry. There was a nice level of warmth in the chest.
Mouthfeel - With little carbonation, the body was slick and smooth.
Overall - With a year of cellaring, this was a well crafted barrel aged stout.
Nov 27, 2021Smell - The nose radiates boozy chocolate malts. There was nothing abrasive here.
Taste - Initially, I thought I was drinking rich chocolate milk with light bourbon notes. Notes of raisins and a bit of dryness were also noted. The finish saw the sweet malts turn dry. There was a nice level of warmth in the chest.
Mouthfeel - With little carbonation, the body was slick and smooth.
Overall - With a year of cellaring, this was a well crafted barrel aged stout.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
4/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another review cranked out from March Madness 2015. Thanks to Nick U for scoring this for me, I was impressed with it.
Pours black. Darker than any other stout I've seen from Lakefront, although I think Snake Chaser is the only other one I've had. Tan head 1/3" on top. Aroma was deep roasted malt and bourbon. Nothing beyond that, nothing really needed, those are the two requisite things you're looking for.
Taste was nice, wasn't the world's thickest stout, but it wasn't thin either, nice sweet spot without any sweetness. Charred malt. Lots of it. Good bourbon presence, strong but not boozy. Hefty bitterness due in part to the heavy roast, but there must be a good amount of bittering hops here too. Not really too heavy of a chocolate feel to this one, this is all roast, no adjunct kind of stuff. The dark fruit bitterness makes me think Russian Imperial Stout (as well as explains the higher IBU feel as well).
Pretty solid stuff. I imagine since its Lakefront, its relatively affordable too. Great tour they do!
Aug 05, 2019Pours black. Darker than any other stout I've seen from Lakefront, although I think Snake Chaser is the only other one I've had. Tan head 1/3" on top. Aroma was deep roasted malt and bourbon. Nothing beyond that, nothing really needed, those are the two requisite things you're looking for.
Taste was nice, wasn't the world's thickest stout, but it wasn't thin either, nice sweet spot without any sweetness. Charred malt. Lots of it. Good bourbon presence, strong but not boozy. Hefty bitterness due in part to the heavy roast, but there must be a good amount of bittering hops here too. Not really too heavy of a chocolate feel to this one, this is all roast, no adjunct kind of stuff. The dark fruit bitterness makes me think Russian Imperial Stout (as well as explains the higher IBU feel as well).
Pretty solid stuff. I imagine since its Lakefront, its relatively affordable too. Great tour they do!
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!