Black Powder Imperial Stout
Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co.

Another one that I haven't had in several years. I know it sounds like several other reviews, but it's true. Brewed here in Gboro, it's always good to have one or many when it's cold outside. This one has a kick too, at 8.4abv, it will sneak up on you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nearly-black body with a light tan/cream head. Not quite opaque, and looks kind of thin.

Aroma is disappointing. Malt, grain and perhaps a hint of booze. One of the weakest noses I've ever encountered on an imperial stout, although it does open up more as it warms (I started at cellar temp). Taste is sub-par. Malt, grain, a kiss of roast...and not much else. As it warms, licorice/tobacco starts to emerge. Body is medium with reasonably brisk carbonation.

Honestly, one of the least interesting examples of an imperial stout that I've ever encountered. I will say that it's exceptionally easy-drinking -- but to me, that's a flaw in an *imperial* stout.

Poured into a snifter

Thanks to n2185 for this one..

A - pours a fairly dark black with ruby highlights. The 1 1/2 finger head on my aggressive pour fell rather quickly, but held half a finger head pretty well and left creamy lacing on the glass.

S - bakers chocolate, licorice, vanilla, and a bit of booze. There are pretty heavy smoke and oaky notes in this beer which surprised me. As it warms, stale coffee grinds make an unfortunate appearance.

T - first sip brings huge earthy and licorice notes. The flavors act big at first but the malt base really dwindles them away rather quickly leaving a pretty big roasted oat taste. Alcohol taste breaks down and approaches an almost bourbon-like quality which is pretty appealing to me. Very smoky / dry finish that definitely has that goldings aftertaste. 

M - huge malt base really takes away from any hop twang here, though the bittering hops do a fantastic job at holding up their end. Solidly medium bodied.

O - this is a pretty neat take on an imperial stout and while it probably isn't for everyone it has some very appealing qualities for stout lovers. I'd say this is worth a try to a stout fan looking for a good tick...but not someone getting into the style.

A: Pours black with a finger of light tan head that recedes into a thin cap with an almost solid sheet of lacing down the glass.

S: Dark fruit up front--prunes, raisins, etc.--followed by molasses and a yeasty aroma. Very little roasted malt in the aroma, surprisingly.

T: Similar to the aroma, I get dark fruit flavors first along with some molasses. The roasted malts kick in at the end along with a hearty bread flavor. The finish is slightly bitter and bready.

M: Medium-thick body with light carbonation and an overall fairly creamy feel.

D: Somewhat creamy with not much bitterness or sweetness to it, so it goes down fairly smooth.

Overall, a pretty unique RIS. It's almost more like a dark doppelbock with its strong bready flavors. Still, an enjoyable beer.

Pitch black beer with a thin tan head. Very interesting aroma. I smell rum and kind of a earthy burnt ash or smoke aroma. Flavor is a bit different for the style too. Lots of roasted flavors hints of bitter chocolate and coffee but this is the most roasted flavored beer I've had. I also taste some fudge. Kuddos to Natty's for thinking outside the box. Mouthfeel is thing for the style but it's also less filling than other big stouts, which means you can drink more. It's a good beer. Doesn't rank up there with the best of them but it's good to drink when you want a differnt take on the style.

Nearly black. A little bit of brown/red on the edge of the edges. A finger of tan head sits on top and dissipates quickly.

The aroma is nice, will loads of roasted malts, and some cocoa. Sweetness is not overdone.

The taste is definitely the best part. Heaps of roasted malts, bitter chocolate and hints of espresso. There is a touch of alcohol, but does well to just give a bit of warming, not taking away the taste.

Feel is good, creamy, and medium to full in body. Little to no carbonation.

Fairly good drinkability. Definitely something I would drink a couple in a sitting.

12 oz bottle poured into a tulip. Didn't find a freshness date. From notes 07/06/10.

Formed a large mocha colored head, decent retention typical of the style, good lacing. Body is coal black.

Aroma is almost jarringly sweet to start. An initial wave of berries, sugar, and straight up alcohol almost overshadows the expected chocolate notes. Surprisingly little roast here.

The sugar and fruity character continues and seems out of place. It doesn't work well with an otherwise unremarkable flavor profile. Average for the style ABV isn't particularly well hidden either. Some toasted marshmallow and chalky cocoa in the aftertaste especially once it reaches room temperature.

I've heard it said that it's relatively easy to brew decent Imperial stout compared to other styles. Not sure if that's true but this one certainly manages to miss the mark. Gives me renewed respect for some of the great versions of the style that are out there.

Pours a black some brown around edges when held up to light smaller brownish head falls to ring with some lace.

Aroma is roasted malts, some caramel, light liquorice, hints of chocolate sweet variety. Some hints of fruits under neath along with touches of peat. Overall pretty good just not as full or in our face as most bigger stouts.

Taste is like aroma actually little bigger then the aroma nice roasted malts, caramel notes even toffee hints. Good supply of liquorice notes lead into fruit and the earthy peat i was getting from the nose. Hops in finish are minty herbal and earthy that add a decent does of bitterness.

Mouthfeel is big medium not quite hitting full per say but smooth and goes down easy nice mellow carbonation.

Drinkability is hell its not bad, drinkable enough but would i go out and buy more if i was in mood for a RIS, nah kind of doubt it unless I could get it on tap at brewery. Defiantly worth a try might not be world class but it's not bad either.

Poured into snifter...

A: Pours a dark black chocolate with a small one finger head that falls quickly and dissipates to a thin foam and ring around the glass.

S: Smells heavily of chocolate malt and licorice with hints of caramel and light biscuit. Pretty good.

T: Big chocolate and caramel malt profile, hints of espresso and licorice and fairly bitter for a stout especially at 8.4%. Slightly metallic in the finish. Good but not great.

M: A little bit light for a stout, medium body and a little metallic and dry on the finish.

D: Very drinkable for a stout but the metallic feel detracts a bit from the overall feel and flavor a bit. Good to try but many others out there that I would buy over this.

Received this in another trade with stoutfiend27. Kept it at cellar temp and popped it into the fridge for about 15 mins before I cracked it and poured it into my snifter.

A: Pours a deep brown bordering on black, but it is lighter around the edges. A dark creamy half cm of head bubbles up after the pour and evaporates almost immediately. Lacing is nowhere to be found.

S: Nothing that really jumps out at me, but there are definitely aromas of coffee, roast, and some some fruit that comes in later once the beer approaches about 60 degrees.

T: The flavor starts off with a big and delicious roastiness that really makes a big impression on my pallet. This is followed by a molasses and caramel quality that gives way to dark fruits that are somewhat understated.

M/D: No surprise that this is a bit thinner than some other Russian Imperials, at least to me, based on the color in the pour and in my glass. The carbonation is nearly non-existant, as it should be. This is a beer that I could drink like I drink my Bell's Java Stout - as an everyday, just got home from work beer.