Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

I’m fer it. Stouts year round!

 

My last 2020 Willettized and not a moment too soon. Taste is still there, though the barrel is fading and mouthfeel is off as carbonation has dropped. Still delicious.

 

So you’re saying that I should drink the ones I still have in my cellar. Well alrighty then!

 

I normally don’t age beers. My “cellar” has three bottles. If I had to guess I’d say someone gave me that beer in a trade box. A generous offer no doubt, but Willetized is better when fresh so chug all weekend if needed to polish them off. Cheers.

 

Notes in WBAYDN. Forest and Main BA Gmork

Enjoy

 

The Abyss, a classic.

 

baby bottle night. might drink another stout later.

i fuckin love cycle BA stouts though. cheers!

 

Hop Butcher For The World Barrel Aged Imperial Stout



I had this yesterday afternoon. This was my first Barrel Aged stout from Hop Butcher for the world, and they did a great job incorporating the barrel and drawing the base flavors out in a balanced manner. I jumped in too quick after the great aroma and was getting a lot of plum and dark fruit, but once the 30 minute mark hit, it was on point.

Full review linked here.

Don't sleep on this taproom, nearing the top spot for me at this point, though today was the first trip I've seen many hazy offerings and not many other options, though my two favorites from them were on (Normalize The Signal and Unwind Your Mind) so I had those first.

I did pass on the second BA Imperial Stout cause cocoa nibs, would have tried if straight up coconut.

Cheers!

 

Hmmm, I might have to take Monday off.
My cellar has 3 4 packs of the stuff.

Of course, one of those 4 packs is 2022, so I’ll not need to go there yet. But first up will be the oldest: 2016

2016 One Hitter Series. I honestly don’t remember who sent it to me in a NBW BIF, or when, but as a breakfast beer, it still has lots of coffee. And whiskey. More whiskey than coffee. Still tasty though!

 

I have two of these, the 2019 version. And I may save the other one for a friend as it is drinking extremely well right now. All the harsh roasted malts flavors are gone, all the hops have mellowed out, just imperial stout and touches of whisky.
This right here is why I sometimes do vertical tastings at my monthly SAN. I will post the 2020 later, but the ABV limits my “chugging” options.
I’m doing a slow motion vertical today!
Cheers.

 

Hop Butcher does BA Stouts? Sign me up!

 

my breakfast. cheers!!

 

Just pulled this out of the beer fridge—at first I thought it was BA Bigfoot, I had forgotten I had this BA Narwhal. According to my notes this is vintage 2013 and best by 4/28/2014, so maybe past its prime. But it tastes pretty good to me, definitely bourbon-forward and very slick. Cheers!

 

Central Waters Brewers Reserve Pecan Kringle BBA Imperial Pastry Stout, 12.3% ABV. I rated this 4.52. One of the sweeter CW beers, so of course one of my favorites. I didn't care for the Raspberry variant though, way too tart.

 

i’ve never felt so strongly that someone has hacked my BA account. loved the reg kringle. did not care for the variant but i also can’t stand fruit in stouts. cheers!

 

Enjoyed a nice imperial espresso stout from Burial with round 1. Unfortunately, it seems this should be consumed pretty quickly as the espresso did not pop after 6 months in the fridge. Will have to re-purchase next fall/winter and re-evaluate.
Round 2 is a little dessert before dinner action. Man, the fudge is so forward after having a lactose espresso stout. Definitley no dessert needed tonight!
KBS variants has been fun over the last 5-6 years since it came into my world but will definitely not repurchase previous releases. KBS however is pretty reasonable at my local grocer at $15 for a four-pack and still is a solid BA stout.
Cheers!
Tom