Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

Stouty Stout Stout Stout Stoutey Stout. AAAAAHHHH!! I remember the first time I went to Ireland and drank my first stout. I sat in the middle of Grafton Street naked and fueled by mescaline, a man's drink. After a good 10 minutes trying to convince my audience I was the God Bacchus reincarnated a nice old woman grabbed me by the arm and lead me to her apartment. Imagine your body dripping sweat then moving along the old creases channeling her leather skin. Pretty Cool. Around 8pm I started becoming coherent and noticed the state of my being. Figured it was best to just head out so I grabbed some stretchy pants off the floor and headed out to the closest pub. I had a Guinness, I'd give it a 4/5.

 

I had a long discussion with my drinking buddy about it last night as we were imbibing. My reactions to the beer, honestly, were relief and catharsis. By today's standards, KBBS is of the old guard, and today's great stouts are just different than the ones of yesteryear.

So when I say I felt relief, I was relieved that KBBS is sensational even by today's lofty standards. It's a perfect 5/5. The barrel presence is perfect, the thiccness is excellent, the maple is beautifully done.

In short, it's a flawless beer that has been around long enough and received enough ratings to be #1.

 

I went ahead and did it! I purchased the Alesmith, “Speedway Salted Caramel Brownie Imperial Stout “! I must say, this is a fantastic adjunct Imperial Stout! I’m sure @Resistance88 will have a contrarian opinion!!

 

Thank you. I will keep this one in mind in case I ever get a chance to try it. Cheers!

 

Some “Yeti “ from Great Divide!

 

Central Waters Brewing Twenty Five. Gold label. Aged 52 months in 15-year Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels. Wow! @Luscious_Malfoy.

 

52 months! wow, sounds incredible. cheers!!

 

Central Waters Brewing Twenty Five. Magenta label. Aged 42 months in 8-year Elijah Craig bourbon barrels.

 

Clock Tower Swirls - Mortalis





The pour looks remarkably similar to dirty motor oil, both in density and Matt-black color. Once settled in the glass there are oil spots that glitter explosively when light reflects just right, and the beer is opaque glossy onyx. Very peculiar! And the viscosity clings to the glass loooooong after each sip. Aroma and flavor are filled with dark roasted coffee, chocolate, and peanuts. Charred malt keeps it all in the realm of beer. Opens sweet with trailing bitterness to fend off potential cavities. Alcohol is as expected, with light heat that helps the carbonation to cause a tingling sensation. Unquestionably a dessert beer, but it is equally satisfying on a cool Summer afternoon out back.

Holly Cow, warmth totally transformed this one. The sweetness is relegated to secondary and the peanuts become natural peanut butter. The charred malt explodes and the chocolate is full on cocoa nibs. DEFINITELY take a few sips then let it warm to about 70°. Still a dessert beer, but much more in touch with its Stout origins. At least one of our stout buddies (he who shall not be named) will still take issue with this.

 

Here’s what I mean by glitter.


Oh, and the second pour, much warmer, put up a brief dark golden/copper head. Too brief for a picture.

 

Knowing what i know about Expy, yes! I am under the belief that Expedition Stout would survive a nuclear war given how i aged some over the years in PHX (in a closet of a 82 degree house). You will not be disappointed if you fancy a roasty hopped up RIS!
Cheers!
Tom

 

Grimm: “Sumi Babka” Babka-style Imperial Stout with vanilla, cacao nibs and salt! Really decadent!

 

Business - Stillwater



A bit thin, with nice dark roasted malt while hunting the aurora borealis.

 

This may not qualify as an imperial stout, but I’m going to roll the dice and post this great stout from Grimm: “Single Negative “! @Resistance88 this might be the No-nonsense straight up stout you’ve been pining for!!!

 

Sounds great, but is it served in a small plastic cup? I would think it would be more appreciated in a bigger tulip type glass.

 

You are correct. There was a huge line for the 10am CST bottle release. Everyone who came in pairs had one person go get one each of the two release varieties in tulip glasses. Everyone remarked they could not believe they were given glass for waiting in line outside. I was there by myself. By the time I got my bottles, there were no glasses available in the taproom. Before noon CST. They were all being used outside of the building.

 

Wait, what? Are you just saying it's not a pastry stout?

Because to me, "old guard" American brewed imperial stouts (ignoring beers like Courage RIS) are beers that debuted a decade earlier than KBBS. Like Storm King, Expedition, Old Rasputin, Yeti, Stone IRS, Peche Mortel, Brooklyn BCS, Founders IS, Blackout Stout, etc