Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

I really hope this doesn't occur in greater frequency. It appears that wonderful classics drop in quality as they enter the can. I am not a fan.

 

Cross posted this with the Big Stouts box o' Beer thread. This is Great Notion Peanut Brother, a 9.1% peanut butter stout. Part of the beer box of course. True to my word, Ill be sharing these as I drink em with this thread as well. Wanna make sure anyone that couldnt get a box can at least live vicariously through these shared posts!

onto my review:

Im sampling this 16 oz can at cellar temp and poured into my snifter. Date stamp is on the lip of the can and says 11/28/2022.
The beer pours a black coffee color with a dense creamy beige head of 1 cm. This foam fades slowly to the thinnest of edge layers and a scattering of small islands on the surface.
Not really any lacing when I swirl or take a sip, more viscous legs like a fine merlot.
Aroma is some roasted malt and milk chocolate with hints of husky peanut shell and a bit of sweeter peanut butter notes. No hint of hops nor any boozy notes on the nose.
First sip reveals a silky smooth texture and big body, but its not a chewy beer in my opinion. Carbonation is medium and fairly soft and rolls across my palate.
Flavor is sweet chocolate, roasted notes and some peanut butter that is kind of sweet on the finish. I actually get a bit of dark fruit here too, plums or dark cherry. Very briefly on the finish, but definitely on every sip. Didnt see that coming!
No ABV hints, no hops and the beer is a sipper only due to the sweetness.
Pretty solid peanut butter stout. Glad to have had the chance to try this one.
4.13 in the BA DB

 

OH SHOOT!! im droppin bombs in here! Look out Impy Stout fiends! This is my 3rd beer from the Big Stouts box, cross posted with that thread as well. This is Ecliptic Brewing Gravastar, a 7.2% oatmeal peanut butter stout. Brewery is out of Portland Oregon. Ill keep sharing these with y'all!

onto my review:


I am sampling a 16 oz can at cellar temp, pouring into my trusty snifter. Date stamp is 1/02/24, so I guess that is a best before date.
The beer pours a rich cola brown color with a fluffy beige head of 1 cm. This foam fades to a thin edge layer and one large island in the center of my glass.
The aroma on this beer is roasted malts and dark cacao, maybe some black coffee too. I get faint hints of husky peanut shell, not really peanut butter and its certainly not a robust scent. A little disappointed about peanut absence on the nose.
First sip reveals a medium body and very fine tingly carbonation. The texture is smooth and the beer drinks pretty easy.
Flavor is briefly sweet chocolate then some coffee grounds, dark cacao, and hints of an oatmeal flavor. Again, where is the peanut butter? No hops nor any hints of ABV, but a peanut butter stout really needs some peanut character, and I simply am not getting it here.
This beer is fine as a roasty stout, but as a peanut butter stout, Im left disappointed by the beer.
3.71 in the BA DB