Barrel Full Of Monkeys Imperial Stout | Paddock Wood Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Paddock Wood Brewing Co.
Saskatchewan, Canada | website
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by leaddog on 04-06-2012
Reviews: 18 | Ratings: 40
4.02/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
355ml bottle. Quotes from Hamlet backdrop some creepy-ass looking monkeys and their titular barrel, playing off of the base 1000 Monkeys theme.
This beer pours a solid, light-absorptive black, with only the slightest of basal cola-hued edges when framed in the daylight, and one beefy finger of tight, fizzy, and foamy mocha head, which settles fairly quickly, leaving but a low ebb of shoreline lace around the glass.
It smells of dense, roasted chocolate malt, molasses, sweet, spicy, and soused wood fiber, and some milder, more ethereal cafe-au-lait and anise notes. The taste is gritty toasted chocolate malt, soft, almost uncharacteristically soothing bourbon flavours - the oak, vanilla, caramel, spice, and booze all playing quite nicely together - some slowly rising bittersweet coffee, a bit of earthy hops, and a background black fruitiness. Besides the ingrained whiskey essences, the big booze is pretty well integrated.
The bubbles are very, very fine, in the physical sense - they probably provide some support work, but it's hard to tell, with a medium-full weight body, and a crazy, swirling boozy and creamy smoothness. It finishes fairly sweet and toothsome, the silky alcohol and compliant chocolate malt twisting into a coating blanket of warmth.
Overall, a decent barrel-aged RIS, the big ABV kept in check, or rather in chains, straining against them, even. Easy enough to put back, if you casually disregard those metrics, and just accept your mostly-evolved simian nature.
★ 1,501 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
355ml bottle. Quotes from Hamlet backdrop some creepy-ass looking monkeys and their titular barrel, playing off of the base 1000 Monkeys theme.
This beer pours a solid, light-absorptive black, with only the slightest of basal cola-hued edges when framed in the daylight, and one beefy finger of tight, fizzy, and foamy mocha head, which settles fairly quickly, leaving but a low ebb of shoreline lace around the glass.
It smells of dense, roasted chocolate malt, molasses, sweet, spicy, and soused wood fiber, and some milder, more ethereal cafe-au-lait and anise notes. The taste is gritty toasted chocolate malt, soft, almost uncharacteristically soothing bourbon flavours - the oak, vanilla, caramel, spice, and booze all playing quite nicely together - some slowly rising bittersweet coffee, a bit of earthy hops, and a background black fruitiness. Besides the ingrained whiskey essences, the big booze is pretty well integrated.
The bubbles are very, very fine, in the physical sense - they probably provide some support work, but it's hard to tell, with a medium-full weight body, and a crazy, swirling boozy and creamy smoothness. It finishes fairly sweet and toothsome, the silky alcohol and compliant chocolate malt twisting into a coating blanket of warmth.
Overall, a decent barrel-aged RIS, the big ABV kept in check, or rather in chains, straining against them, even. Easy enough to put back, if you casually disregard those metrics, and just accept your mostly-evolved simian nature.
★ 1,501 characters
4.06/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of roasted malt with black chocolates notes and light whiskey notes is quite pleasant. Taste is also a good mix of roasted malt with sweet creamy black chocolates notes with some light vanilla and whiskey not sot round off any rough edges. Body is about average for style with good carbonation and real apparent alcohol notes. Quite enjoyable for the style.
★ 470 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of roasted malt with black chocolates notes and light whiskey notes is quite pleasant. Taste is also a good mix of roasted malt with sweet creamy black chocolates notes with some light vanilla and whiskey not sot round off any rough edges. Body is about average for style with good carbonation and real apparent alcohol notes. Quite enjoyable for the style.
★ 470 characters
4.15/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a 355 ml brown bottle. Pours out an inky jet black hue, with a quick splash of loose creamy mocha head that settles to a thin cap.
Aroma of roasty grains, tiramisu, molasses, wood and alcohol, black currants and black cherry skins, and semi-sweet chocolate.
Incredibly rich flavour. Alcohol heat starts things out, melding into soft refined cocoa and cafe au lait, dates and brandied raisins in the middle, black currants, finishing with grainy roasty malt, spicy, herbal hops, and an extra boost of alcohol warmth.
Medium-bodied mouthfeel, silky smooth texture, low carbonation, with constant alcohol heat.
Here's a barrel aged RIS to cure what ails you, especially if you need to warm up from the inside on a chilly evening. Very refined, except for the assertive alcohol heat, which in the end doesn't really detract from it overall. Worth picking up, and worth stocking up on if you can afford it.
★ 911 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a 355 ml brown bottle. Pours out an inky jet black hue, with a quick splash of loose creamy mocha head that settles to a thin cap.
Aroma of roasty grains, tiramisu, molasses, wood and alcohol, black currants and black cherry skins, and semi-sweet chocolate.
Incredibly rich flavour. Alcohol heat starts things out, melding into soft refined cocoa and cafe au lait, dates and brandied raisins in the middle, black currants, finishing with grainy roasty malt, spicy, herbal hops, and an extra boost of alcohol warmth.
Medium-bodied mouthfeel, silky smooth texture, low carbonation, with constant alcohol heat.
Here's a barrel aged RIS to cure what ails you, especially if you need to warm up from the inside on a chilly evening. Very refined, except for the assertive alcohol heat, which in the end doesn't really detract from it overall. Worth picking up, and worth stocking up on if you can afford it.
★ 911 characters
4.19/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Big thank you to wordemupg for this big Canadian want!
Appearance. Pours thick and black with a finger of creamy brown head.
Smell. Semi-sweet chocolate, prunes and black coffee, molasses.
Taste. Semi-sweet chocolate again and lots of it, some coffee and well roasted malts too. Hig abv fairly well hidden.
Mouthfeel. On the low side of full bodied, medium-low carbonation.
Overall. A really nice big stout. Great example of what an imperial stout should be, but I wouldn't have labeled it an RIS.
★ 503 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Big thank you to wordemupg for this big Canadian want!
Appearance. Pours thick and black with a finger of creamy brown head.
Smell. Semi-sweet chocolate, prunes and black coffee, molasses.
Taste. Semi-sweet chocolate again and lots of it, some coffee and well roasted malts too. Hig abv fairly well hidden.
Mouthfeel. On the low side of full bodied, medium-low carbonation.
Overall. A really nice big stout. Great example of what an imperial stout should be, but I wouldn't have labeled it an RIS.
★ 503 characters
4.2/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from kjyost, 355ml into a tulip.
Black with some clarity, brown head leaving behind a ring of bubbles. Nose of bourbon, oak, some dark fruits, marshmallows and caramel. Tastes of milk chocolate, light fudge, bourbon, caramel, oak, marshmallow and some dark fruits - quite complex stuff. Medium full feel, medium carbonation. An excellent BA'd stout, I'd love to have this again.
★ 386 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from kjyost, 355ml into a tulip.
Black with some clarity, brown head leaving behind a ring of bubbles. Nose of bourbon, oak, some dark fruits, marshmallows and caramel. Tastes of milk chocolate, light fudge, bourbon, caramel, oak, marshmallow and some dark fruits - quite complex stuff. Medium full feel, medium carbonation. An excellent BA'd stout, I'd love to have this again.
★ 386 characters
4.22/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
2012 bottle
Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice creamy tan head that dies down somewhat fast and leaves very little lacing.
Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, oak, some bourbon, vanilla and light dark fruit.
Taste: Like the aromas, it has a bunch of chocolate, bitter coffee, roasted malts, light oak, bourbon, some vanilla and faint fruit.
Mouthfeel: It has a low carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel. I wish it had a bit more carbonation to it because it feels semi-flat.
Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied by good flavors and aromas.
★ 655 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
2012 bottle
Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice creamy tan head that dies down somewhat fast and leaves very little lacing.
Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, oak, some bourbon, vanilla and light dark fruit.
Taste: Like the aromas, it has a bunch of chocolate, bitter coffee, roasted malts, light oak, bourbon, some vanilla and faint fruit.
Mouthfeel: It has a low carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel. I wish it had a bit more carbonation to it because it feels semi-flat.
Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied by good flavors and aromas.
★ 655 characters
4.22/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle shared by liamt07
Brown/black in colour, ring of tan coloured head, little bit of lace as well. Smell is a nice mix of roasted malt, chocolate and bourbon at first, some coffee and vanilla and a bit of warming alcohol, light smoke with more milk chocolate and vanilla toward the end. Taste is nicely roasted with strong vanilla and oak, chocolate and bourbon, a bit of warming alcohol in the finish, bourbon flavours well integrated with the big roasty and chocolate flavours. Lightly carbonated with a big full feel and dense weight. Awesome stuff, I enjoyed the base beer but this is so much better, something I am going to seek out for my own, nice BA stout I would certainly have again.
★ 698 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle shared by liamt07
Brown/black in colour, ring of tan coloured head, little bit of lace as well. Smell is a nice mix of roasted malt, chocolate and bourbon at first, some coffee and vanilla and a bit of warming alcohol, light smoke with more milk chocolate and vanilla toward the end. Taste is nicely roasted with strong vanilla and oak, chocolate and bourbon, a bit of warming alcohol in the finish, bourbon flavours well integrated with the big roasty and chocolate flavours. Lightly carbonated with a big full feel and dense weight. Awesome stuff, I enjoyed the base beer but this is so much better, something I am going to seek out for my own, nice BA stout I would certainly have again.
★ 698 characters
4.25/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
355ml bottle poured into a 13.5oz tulip.
A - Pours completely pitch black, no light anywhere. Small creamy mocha cap. The head slowly dissipates with time, reducing to a small, creamy ring. No lacing.
S - Surprising bourbon and oak presence, really pronounced. Strong notes of anise, over-ripe fruit, charred malt and dark chocolate. Subtle boozy aroma as well, with some vanilla, molasses, and dark dried fruits. Distinct over-ripe, black bananas.
T - Pretty big and abrasive profile here. Lots of bourbon, oak, anise, and dark fruits. Cherries, over-ripe bananas, and some reserved semi-sweet chocolatey sweetness. Bourbon vanilla, roasty malt, and molasses as well. Finishes with a pronounced boozy warmth, bourbon, and earthy, resinous wood. A little different than the usual imperial stout I'm used to, where coffee and roasted malt dominate, this is more fruity, earthy, and woodsy; the barrel aging really comes through.
M - Really thick and creamy, bordering on a imperial stout milkshake. Very low carbonation, that just lets the thick, viscous feel really shine. Finishes real warm, all the way down into the stomach, but it doesn't hurt it at all. Gets a bit sticky as it warms.
D - I should say that I have little experience with BA stouts, and have never actually tried 1000 Monkeys base beer here, but nonetheless I really enjoyed this brew. It's nice to see a Canadian brewery doing a BA stout as well. Definitely one to grab a few extra bottles of and let sit for a few years, and that's exactly what I plan to do.
★ 1,535 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
355ml bottle poured into a 13.5oz tulip.
A - Pours completely pitch black, no light anywhere. Small creamy mocha cap. The head slowly dissipates with time, reducing to a small, creamy ring. No lacing.
S - Surprising bourbon and oak presence, really pronounced. Strong notes of anise, over-ripe fruit, charred malt and dark chocolate. Subtle boozy aroma as well, with some vanilla, molasses, and dark dried fruits. Distinct over-ripe, black bananas.
T - Pretty big and abrasive profile here. Lots of bourbon, oak, anise, and dark fruits. Cherries, over-ripe bananas, and some reserved semi-sweet chocolatey sweetness. Bourbon vanilla, roasty malt, and molasses as well. Finishes with a pronounced boozy warmth, bourbon, and earthy, resinous wood. A little different than the usual imperial stout I'm used to, where coffee and roasted malt dominate, this is more fruity, earthy, and woodsy; the barrel aging really comes through.
M - Really thick and creamy, bordering on a imperial stout milkshake. Very low carbonation, that just lets the thick, viscous feel really shine. Finishes real warm, all the way down into the stomach, but it doesn't hurt it at all. Gets a bit sticky as it warms.
D - I should say that I have little experience with BA stouts, and have never actually tried 1000 Monkeys base beer here, but nonetheless I really enjoyed this brew. It's nice to see a Canadian brewery doing a BA stout as well. Definitely one to grab a few extra bottles of and let sit for a few years, and that's exactly what I plan to do.
★ 1,535 characters
4.3/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle poured into tulip 9/4/12
A sits pretty black in the glass with a thin ring of cola at the edge, a short lived two finger mocha head falls fast leaving no lace. perhaps my glass is dirty because the top look like its a slow boiling pot of oil, no lack of carbonation
S fruitier then expected with a nice blast of smokey woody bourbon, barrels strong in this one, molasses and coffee's there with just a little licorice, I love the smell with only a little booze sting in the nostrils to complain about
T more coffee then I could smell and the coffees cold and sweetened, still big roast notes but its not as distinct as the nose, harder to pinpoint flavors, but there's a nice blend of plums and raisins with the burnt smokey woody bourbon notes
M silky entry and just enough bubbles to give it some life, big finish that leaves my tongue tingeing and mouth watering, I might be tasting this tomorrow, I want too love this beer but its a little hot, still good though please don't get me wrong
O I see greatness for this one but right now its just pretty good, needs age for sure, take the booze out of this one and you have one too write home about
I never had the regular version of this one and now I want one to compare, this one needs age and I plan on buying a few to do just that
-Edit... Opened up a 2012 version and its improved quite a bit over the fresh version, the booze is gone and chocolate fudge comes out. I don't often change my scores but the difference is significant.
★ 1,512 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle poured into tulip 9/4/12
A sits pretty black in the glass with a thin ring of cola at the edge, a short lived two finger mocha head falls fast leaving no lace. perhaps my glass is dirty because the top look like its a slow boiling pot of oil, no lack of carbonation
S fruitier then expected with a nice blast of smokey woody bourbon, barrels strong in this one, molasses and coffee's there with just a little licorice, I love the smell with only a little booze sting in the nostrils to complain about
T more coffee then I could smell and the coffees cold and sweetened, still big roast notes but its not as distinct as the nose, harder to pinpoint flavors, but there's a nice blend of plums and raisins with the burnt smokey woody bourbon notes
M silky entry and just enough bubbles to give it some life, big finish that leaves my tongue tingeing and mouth watering, I might be tasting this tomorrow, I want too love this beer but its a little hot, still good though please don't get me wrong
O I see greatness for this one but right now its just pretty good, needs age for sure, take the booze out of this one and you have one too write home about
I never had the regular version of this one and now I want one to compare, this one needs age and I plan on buying a few to do just that
-Edit... Opened up a 2012 version and its improved quite a bit over the fresh version, the booze is gone and chocolate fudge comes out. I don't often change my scores but the difference is significant.
★ 1,512 characters
4.31/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured a fantastic deep dark brown/black with a thin brown head that broke rather fast, but left wisps in its wake. The smell was full on bourbon barrel with vanilla, oak, coffee, and leather coming in as well. An amazing nose. That nose carries through to the taste as well. The flavor is full of bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and even that leather slips in there too. The feel is medium with low carbonation, absolutely smooth and creamy.
Well, this one is a winner. It is amazing how full the flavor is, how you can get each individual element in every sip. It is such an enjoyable sipper. I didn't even mind the powerful 10% ABV as it seemed well hidden to me.
★ 678 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured a fantastic deep dark brown/black with a thin brown head that broke rather fast, but left wisps in its wake. The smell was full on bourbon barrel with vanilla, oak, coffee, and leather coming in as well. An amazing nose. That nose carries through to the taste as well. The flavor is full of bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and even that leather slips in there too. The feel is medium with low carbonation, absolutely smooth and creamy.
Well, this one is a winner. It is amazing how full the flavor is, how you can get each individual element in every sip. It is such an enjoyable sipper. I didn't even mind the powerful 10% ABV as it seemed well hidden to me.
★ 678 characters
4.31/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
355 ML bottle received in trade from Corson
Jet black with moderate deep brown head that dissipates rather quickly. Coffee predominant in the aroma with notes of vanilla and chocolate. Upfront boozy heat that settles rather quickly. Chocolate takes over from coffee in the taste. Roasted grain. Medium body with next to no carbonation. Very creamy. This is enjoyable Imperial Stout that earns is place on the Canadian Top 100.
★ 434 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
355 ML bottle received in trade from Corson
Jet black with moderate deep brown head that dissipates rather quickly. Coffee predominant in the aroma with notes of vanilla and chocolate. Upfront boozy heat that settles rather quickly. Chocolate takes over from coffee in the taste. Roasted grain. Medium body with next to no carbonation. Very creamy. This is enjoyable Imperial Stout that earns is place on the Canadian Top 100.
★ 434 characters
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to wordepug for this one.
Poured from a 355ml. bottle and split with my wife.
Appearance: Thick and dark black as a pour with a dark brown head. Lovely cascading effect and the head really takes its time. Could have have had more lacing but i'm nitpicking.
Smell: Strong roasted coffee, a bit creamy, chunks of dark chocolate, oatmeal ookies.
Taste: Like an alcohol-fueled chocolate bar but made with real cocoa. Strong full bodied coffee, bit of dark berries (like cherries but not quite) with a finish of a bit of charred wood.. Dried raisins as well make me think of raisin-oatmeal cookies.
Mouthfeel: Good medium body, solid but not totally imperial. Bit of burn and bitterness in the finish but still remains highly drinkable.
Overall: A sleeper of a stout. Really dug this one and hope they make it again.
★ 824 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to wordepug for this one.
Poured from a 355ml. bottle and split with my wife.
Appearance: Thick and dark black as a pour with a dark brown head. Lovely cascading effect and the head really takes its time. Could have have had more lacing but i'm nitpicking.
Smell: Strong roasted coffee, a bit creamy, chunks of dark chocolate, oatmeal ookies.
Taste: Like an alcohol-fueled chocolate bar but made with real cocoa. Strong full bodied coffee, bit of dark berries (like cherries but not quite) with a finish of a bit of charred wood.. Dried raisins as well make me think of raisin-oatmeal cookies.
Mouthfeel: Good medium body, solid but not totally imperial. Bit of burn and bitterness in the finish but still remains highly drinkable.
Overall: A sleeper of a stout. Really dug this one and hope they make it again.
★ 824 characters
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - Pours a dark cola/chocolate brown with a finger width of foamy mocha head.
Smell - Dark chocolate, dark fruits like plum and cherry, whiskey, hint of vanilla.
Taste - Excellent balance of chocolate, fruit, and whiskey flavours. Nice touch of woodsy oak flavour as well. Alcohol present, but not too overpowering.
Mouthfeel - Medium-to-full bodied with light carbonation. Silky smooth consistency. Maybe a touch on the thin side.
Overall - A nice twin to the 1000 Monkeys RIS by Paddock Wood. I really like the harmonious balance of flavours. Surprised by the expensive price tag on the bottle, however, worth picking up 1 or 2 for fans of the style.
★ 674 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - Pours a dark cola/chocolate brown with a finger width of foamy mocha head.
Smell - Dark chocolate, dark fruits like plum and cherry, whiskey, hint of vanilla.
Taste - Excellent balance of chocolate, fruit, and whiskey flavours. Nice touch of woodsy oak flavour as well. Alcohol present, but not too overpowering.
Mouthfeel - Medium-to-full bodied with light carbonation. Silky smooth consistency. Maybe a touch on the thin side.
Overall - A nice twin to the 1000 Monkeys RIS by Paddock Wood. I really like the harmonious balance of flavours. Surprised by the expensive price tag on the bottle, however, worth picking up 1 or 2 for fans of the style.
★ 674 characters
4.38/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Black with a tan head, thin ring of retention has some nice leg.
Aroma of cocoa, light coffee and Liquorice.
Surprisingly balanced and easy drinking. Flavours of liquorice, molasses, coffee and cocoa. Good bitterness, slight alcohol warmth.
Well attenuated, moderate body is smooth, with a slight roasted acidity. The alcohol isn't overly drying, so I'm surprised it's as strong as it is.
Huge thanks to Yardsale!
★ 420 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Black with a tan head, thin ring of retention has some nice leg.
Aroma of cocoa, light coffee and Liquorice.
Surprisingly balanced and easy drinking. Flavours of liquorice, molasses, coffee and cocoa. Good bitterness, slight alcohol warmth.
Well attenuated, moderate body is smooth, with a slight roasted acidity. The alcohol isn't overly drying, so I'm surprised it's as strong as it is.
Huge thanks to Yardsale!
★ 420 characters
4.42/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to dresden for this bottle. No date apparent but I believe this was the most current vintage.
A - Black with a thin layer of espresso coloured head.
S - Big roast, licorice and semi-sweet chocolate aromas up front with hints of espresso and molasses adding complexity. A very robust and inviting nose.
T - Big roast and char flavours up front that immediately give way to intense espresso, licorice and dark chocolate flavours. The finish adds sweet molasses and brown sugar notes with hints of dark fruit. The flavours are very well integrated.
M - Medium body; creamy. Light carbonation.
★ 604 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to dresden for this bottle. No date apparent but I believe this was the most current vintage.
A - Black with a thin layer of espresso coloured head.
S - Big roast, licorice and semi-sweet chocolate aromas up front with hints of espresso and molasses adding complexity. A very robust and inviting nose.
T - Big roast and char flavours up front that immediately give way to intense espresso, licorice and dark chocolate flavours. The finish adds sweet molasses and brown sugar notes with hints of dark fruit. The flavours are very well integrated.
M - Medium body; creamy. Light carbonation.
★ 604 characters
4.42/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - Dark nearly black body, nice light brown head
Smell - Dark fruits, raisiny
Taste - Rich and complex, lots of sweet fruit flavours, less bitter than I expected from the aroma
Mouthfeel - Smooth, very little alcohol warm considering abv
Overall - Fantastic beer from Paddockwood, almost wine-like with its rich fruity undertones
★ 343 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - Dark nearly black body, nice light brown head
Smell - Dark fruits, raisiny
Taste - Rich and complex, lots of sweet fruit flavours, less bitter than I expected from the aroma
Mouthfeel - Smooth, very little alcohol warm considering abv
Overall - Fantastic beer from Paddockwood, almost wine-like with its rich fruity undertones
★ 343 characters
4.49/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Got this one from Rutger this past summer. Cheers again for the awesome box of brews man!
From a bottle into a snifter
APPEARANCE: A black pour yields a two finger, medium looking, foamy tan head with good retention. Black body with lower levels of carbonation. Head fades to a full foam cap. A ring remains until the end but leaves no real lacing down the glass. Great color, though the head could use a touch of work for it to be a true beauty.
SMELL: Big and wonderful nose. Bourbon, vanilla, oak, sweet cream, milk chocolate and some delicious fudge brownies. Smells awesome. Absolutely nothing left wanting here.
TASTE: Lots of chocolate, fudge brownies, bourbon and oak up front. Flavorful beginning here for sure. Big finish as well with some alcohol, bourbon, oak, sweet cream, milk chocolate and caramel flavors. Bitter dark chocolate and brownies too. Very nice and complex.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Creamy smooth on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky on the palate. Some heat lingers.
OVERALL: What a fantastic beer. Very good indeed. The base beer is bold and flavorful and the sweet barrel flavors work incredibly well here. This is definitely my kind of barrel aged imperial stout. Perhaps a touch less alcohol in the flavor and feel would make it a true spectacle, but as it is, it’s a wonderful treat that comes in much too small of a bottle. If you’re lucky enough to get a sample of this, I highly recommend you run away with the entire bottle. Thanks again Rutager. This was world class.
★ 1,573 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Got this one from Rutger this past summer. Cheers again for the awesome box of brews man!
From a bottle into a snifter
APPEARANCE: A black pour yields a two finger, medium looking, foamy tan head with good retention. Black body with lower levels of carbonation. Head fades to a full foam cap. A ring remains until the end but leaves no real lacing down the glass. Great color, though the head could use a touch of work for it to be a true beauty.
SMELL: Big and wonderful nose. Bourbon, vanilla, oak, sweet cream, milk chocolate and some delicious fudge brownies. Smells awesome. Absolutely nothing left wanting here.
TASTE: Lots of chocolate, fudge brownies, bourbon and oak up front. Flavorful beginning here for sure. Big finish as well with some alcohol, bourbon, oak, sweet cream, milk chocolate and caramel flavors. Bitter dark chocolate and brownies too. Very nice and complex.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Creamy smooth on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky on the palate. Some heat lingers.
OVERALL: What a fantastic beer. Very good indeed. The base beer is bold and flavorful and the sweet barrel flavors work incredibly well here. This is definitely my kind of barrel aged imperial stout. Perhaps a touch less alcohol in the flavor and feel would make it a true spectacle, but as it is, it’s a wonderful treat that comes in much too small of a bottle. If you’re lucky enough to get a sample of this, I highly recommend you run away with the entire bottle. Thanks again Rutager. This was world class.
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Barrel Full Of Monkeys Imperial Stout from Paddock Wood Brewing Co.
4.24
out of 5
based on 40 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from a friend in Calgary.
A - Black pour with one finger of chocolate milk head. Seemingly mild carbonation. Spotty lace and minimal film of retention.
S - Chocolate, roast, coffee. Mostly a chocolate, roast mix. Milky sugar. A little alcohol.
T - Big and sweet. Lot's of chocolate and roast. Sugar. Milk chocolate. Rich. Dark fruits.
M - Medium carbonation, full body, sweet vanilla bean kinda finish with dryness.
O/D - A pretty good Imperial Stout. Not boring like some and incorporates more sweetness than some Canadian examples of the style. Nice stuff.
★ 572 characters