Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

It just hit shelves here. Not sure if it sees CA distro or not.

 

Funny story, I had one of these and a Dark Lord for one of my SANs (Stout Appreciation Nights) and somehow didn’t realize that Bark Lord was not adjunct or additional flavor free. So the side by side didn’t go well.

 

Transient? Seriously doubt it. It’s up to us Harley to spread the Transient goodness. Oh and @ovaltine - he’s the one who brought them to my attention. And is also sending them coast to coast.

 

I believe @Resistance88 sent me this and I wasn’t sure what to make of it but it was really good. In no particular fashion, it averaged out a bunch of BA beers and came out with this. Good stuff Maynard.
(Please don’t tell me that nobody else knows about Maynard, I feel old enough already)

 

AleSmith Speedway Stout Hawaiian Edition - great after hockey beer. Great with cheese and crackers!

 

This is where I first got Maynard from, but I doubt it's the original source.
Also, there were 11 barrel aged beers, mostly bourbon but a few rye whiskey and a couple applejack barrels. Barrel Aged Radness!

 

There's a place here that has a 2015 on the shelf, but I'm afraid to buy it. I've gotten a few shelf aged offerings from there, and not a single one has been drinkable. I think it's too warm and too much sunlight coming into the store

 

Pregaming for the Revolution Release Today.

Revolution Cafe Deth (10/10/19)



Cellar review hot take linked here. Tasting very good, though sweeter than preferred with the bourbon barrel the culprit as this warmed up. No pepper, flavors in tact.

 

This 2013 version is a fantastic dessert
Cheers

 

Deep Woods July Release Day. At Beer on the Wall Park Ridge to try the one I most looked forward to of the three, rating now to see if I should buy more.

Revolution Dread & Breakfast



Beer on the Wall Notes: $15 10 oz draft into a narrow stem glass. 15.8% ABV, same temp as their other beers, so let this warm about 15 minutes.

Appearance: Pitch black, tan white ring above the base. Thin carbonation bubbles to the surface slowly. 4.25

Aroma: Light dark roast coffee notes all I’m getting both at pour temperature and 15 minutes in. Nice. 3.5

Taste: Bursts with strong flavors, a bitter roast coffee leads wonderfully. Next comes the bourbon, smooth to slightly harsh, grows stronger as this warms. Getting a bit of maple sweetness emerging, creamy full texture the accomplice, and also hints of wine / Barleywine, darling the sweetness level up as this warms. 4.0

Mouthfeel: Creamy full body, tingly carbonation sustained throughout. Sweetness is persistent and grows throughout beyond my comfort level. Getting an equal blend of Barleywine and stout texture and flavors now about 30 minutes in. Drinks strong, strength increases while drinking above the high ABV. Creamy sweet Barleywine maple finish. 4.0

Overall: I am enjoying this, but it’s too sweet to be one I’d love to grab regularly. Wish the dark roast coffee first smelled and tasted was sustained. Will finish, and drink my four pack without warning to capture the coffee list as this warms. 3.75

 

This may be the last of the “Extreme Stouts” box-

They claimed to have aged it in “fresh” whiskey barrels and the taste certainly agrees. Almost more whiskey flavor than stout. Oh well. It was tasty enough.
Cheers all!

 

Westbrook Brewing (Mt. Pleasant, SC) - Adjunct Assault II (Cinnamon, Hazelnut, Coffee).

Picked up a 4 pack of this when I was down in South Carolina. Definitely get all the additives. A bit sweet, but not too much. Thick, silky smooth mouthfeel

 

I did a thing.

 

A WHALE has been sighted! Thar she blows!

Seriously, how was it? Does it live up to the hype?

 

Interesting discussion as I recently happened on six packs of 2020 Expedition on the shelf of a liquor store. Dusty and likely have been in the store since released (although not aged intentionally); not refrigerated, but in an air conditioned store. Priced at $20/6 (not sure, but maybe higher than when fresh?).

What say you RIS and particularly Expedition aficionados? Would you give it a go?