Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

Had one each of cellar BCBS and Bells Expedition since I last posted out of my 4/6 packs. I bought a four pack of this in my final stages of seeking out adjunct heavy BA stouts. This one was bottled 10/15/20, and it's still sweet as fornication 2 1/2 years in, destroying any opportunity at getting barrel goodness/greatness.

Founders KBS Mackinac Fudge



Would pick up KBS or their Porter over any of these variants.

 

That looks and sounds ridiculously good. Never realized how strong SN's stout game was until recently in this thread. We really don't get much of their stuff, but this sounds like it would be from the brewery only

 

I believe this was exclusively for members of their alpha hop society.

 

it’s been a minute, but i’ve been busy (and lazy). so while i’ve been drinking imperial stouts and reviewing imperial stouts i just haven’t been tagging them here. back at it tonight though with a shared / clayton winehouse parfait. i guess there’s a little bw mixed into this blend but it’s pretty much imperial coconut stout. cheers!!

 

I'm going to forego a formal cellar review, as this is 5 years old but beyond it's prime, and not sure any BAs have any left. It's my last bottle, and still decent (cough drop cherry aroma, a nicer barrel and malt in the taste but everything is far muted compared to my OG review notes.

Bell's 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve (5/11/18 12 oz bottle)



Missing Bell's a bit while drinking, perhaps I'll pick others up down the road after the jump.

 

A random can grab netted me this tonight. Revolution is the one brewery more than any other that I want to have within walking distance. Thanks to @FBarber for the chance to try so many of these gems.



This is just lovely. Everything I remember loving about Deth's Tar is still here. The silly chocolate, the warm caramel, the incredibly well integrated bourbon notes are seamlessly joined by a big coconut addition. It's a extra layer of sweetness to an already sweet beer but it works. So glad I got to try this.

 

Mmm...

4.39/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Packaged on 3/9/23 - enjoyed on 5/5/23 - poured from a pint can into a snifter.

Impenetrable seal brown body with a fizzy active lion cap receding rapidly to a vague rouse-able collar. No real lacing; faint tears perhaps.

Fudge, vanilla, maple, faint smoke, and potent malt in the nose. A little fig and date as well. Low barrel notes.

Taste follows the nose but the flavors are expansive and open outward into an increasingly complex array until you reach the medium-dry, earthy, bittersweet finish. Cocoa, gentle bourbon, maple candy, brown sugar, and a whisper of molasses/licorice. Low earthy/minty bitterness from hops. Faint tartness as if from orange/cherry in the aftertaste.

Low yet active carbonation, medium-rich body, smooth rather than slick. ABV well concealed. No tar or tannins.

More than the sum of its parts - an excellent collaboration.

 

Having the last from my pack of BA Rasputin XXIII, around 2 years old at this point.



I didn't love this when I tried it in 2021, but this last bottle is hitting me just right tonight. I'm getting less oak and more vanilla than I did back then, which is an improvement. The layers of various types chocolate are still prominent and the bourbon is mellow and we'll incorporated. There is a nice ashy char at the finish.

 

Going out to my west coast pals: @Resistance88 and @RaulMondesi ! Stone, “Imperial Stout “! Cheers my west coast brethren!!

 

Tanzenwald Brewing Company - Lost Senses bourbon barrel aged imperial stout

A tad thin but definitely delicious.

 

Free Will Brewing (Perkasie, PA) - Crooked Trails. 15.2% abv, aged in Cognac and Bourbon Barrels with Chile Powder, Cinnamon, and Vanilla. In the small 250 ml cans.

A ton of complexity from the two different barrels, and great mild smokey pepper notes blended with woody earthy cinnamon and vanilla. Not too sweet, and incredibly smooth for the strength. silky mouthfeel. Overall it's excellent.

 

l wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment!

 

This is one of the best BA stouts available.