Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

That looks like Iowa. I know it from dateline.

 

LOL definitely not for the foreseeable future until FOMO kicks in again

 

Tomas, every time you post walking the streets with a brew i envision you in a red beret ridding DTLA of all crime wherever you tread! Hope that brew was good!

 

Love Heist brews but have not seen any BA Heist on the shelves here in Western NC. Out of curiosity how did you source this?
Cheers!
Tom

 

You know they did that only because the actual Canadian Mounted Police sent them a stern but polite warning to cease and desist.
Should have seen the media frenzy around removing the baby from OG Breakfast Stout.

 

Or at very least spreading the word about really good beer!

 

He was the most offensive made up figure of our times

 

Tavour. I have another one that’s double barrel aged in bourbon and cognac barrels. Really excited to try that one now. I don’t think the price was too outrageous ($18) for the quality of beer. It was better than the $30 BCBS banana this year for example

 

I was very surprised to see this beer on the shelf. I feel like it's been years since I last had it. I really enjoyed it too. Boozy with nice coffee and chocolate flavors.

 

Having La Negra from La Cumbre, courtesy of @beergoot from barleywine/etc BIF.



Enjoying the first glass at fridge temp over the course of an hour. Dry overall, lots of roasty cocoa with just a whisper of sweetness and hint of oaky char. As it warms semi-sweet chocolate emerges along with some caramel and gentle. I plan to enjoy the second glass at cellar temp after dinner. Old school stout that work here and I love it. While I love a sweet barleywine my tastes runs drier when it comes to stout and this is right in my sweet spot so to speak. Very glad to have tried this, thanks Dave!

 

Label says Petaluma, Ca, nothing about the brewery in Chicago.

 

Crystal Lake Brewing's Boathouse Reserve Variant is a blend of their Bourbon and Rye Imperial Stouts with gobs of added junk. Too fruity, berries, raisins are overpowering. To be honest, I knew I wouldn't like this, but WTF it's only one can. The base Rye and Bourbon variants are outstanding, this one, not so much

 

I'm curious if they are only brewing in Petaluma and Chicago these days. I know those are the only two locations open to the public. But they had a large brewery down in Azusa in SoCal and a brewery up in Seattle. I think Seattle closed but last I heard Azusa was just brewing. I would expect their barreling to have moved to Chicago due to the larger space and proximity to most distillers. Who knows though

 

I had that years ago and also liked it very much too! Underrated for sure!

 

Never had, but looks good man!

 

Looks hot man, and nice dark rich head! I’m sure the nose was great!

 

One of my favs! Hope you enjoyed!

 

I love that bottle.

 

Transient/Phase Three/New Image ‘22 Table for Three (Imperial Stout aged for 26 months in Elijah Craig 18 year, BLIS maple syrup barrels, and Blantons).
Pours like motor oil into the glass. Pitch black, producing a reddish mocha head that sticks around temporarily and leaves a thin ring of lacing around the glass.
Aroma is big barrel, with bourbon, charred oak, vanillin, and some maple, but also big base stout character which brings roasted malt, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, peat, tobacco, slight dark fruit, and caramel.
Taste follows the nose. Huge roasted malt, coffee bean, caramel, big dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, peat, charred oak stave, vanillin, tobacco, molasses, slight raisin, slight maple, smooth and warming bourbon spirit.
High medium to low full body. Slightly creamy, sticky, slick, oily. Pretty smooth on the palate at 16.5%. Age has done this some good.
Transient is typically known for their adjuncted stouts, but this is a well-executed change of pace for them. They’re in good company too with Phase Three and New Image. They all know their way around a barrel. Outstanding.