Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

Ha yeah that might do it. Mine was bottled in late April of this year. I'm definitely gonna check them more often and will probably jump on any fresh batches I find

 

Yes please!

 

Earlier this was shared:

Central Waters 25th Anniversary - Elijah Craig



Now my brother pulled out this 2021 BCBS Offering.

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 Stout



Bottle Notes: Shared 16.9 oz bottle, first pour 4 oz into a small snifter. Bottled 7/25/21, Best By 7/25/26, 15.6 ABV. Collaboration with our friends at Old Forester. Brewed, Barrel-Aged & Bottled by Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, Illinois. Stout aged in Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon Barrels.

Appearance: Pitch black pour, rich creamy tan head lingers for a few minutes before leaving a ring around the glass. 4.5

Aroma: Nice smooth strong bourbon dominant, chocolate fudge. Even at room temps, it’s bourbon like Secretariat at
Belmont. 4.0

Taste: Much more balanced than the aroma would lead. Bourbon smooth, Carries a bit of heat. Nice fudge base, toffee, caramel. It’s very nice. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Creamy, rich, decadent. Thick rich full body, drinks strong but lower than the listed ABV. Bourbon smooth, balanced well with the sweeter base. Sweet fudge and toffee on the finish. 4.5

Overall: This is one of the better variants I’ve tried over the past three years. Surprised the bourbon didn’t emerge stronger after warming up, but this was very enjoyable from start to finish. Thanks for sharing Andy! 4.5

 

Well done! I like it

 

Still waiting on Willetized up here. It's bullshit. At this point Lagunitas is a Chicago based brewery in my mind

 

I'm not historically a big fan of Lost Coast but I really enjoyed this one. When I first picked it up I had never seen it before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I found it more on the raisiny side than a chocolate/coffee flavor that I typically drink but it works. I appreciate that it's not barrel aged as a change of pace too.

 

What we have here is a Binny's/New Holland collaboration, Dragon's Milk Reserve Double Barrel Coconut, clocks in at a 12.5%. Overall, just too sweet, definitely not a keeper, win some, lose some.

 

Getting into Burial The Bedlam in a World of Endless Nonsense. It has been a long while since i have had Founders Breakfast Stout but this strikes me as an imperial version of FBS, weighing in at 15.0%. More chocolate than coffee forward, this is on the edge of being too sweet but as my palate acclimates i find this to be a nice sipper. Glad i gave it a try but going forward will only purchase BA stouts from Burial. Overall rated 4.25.
Cheers!
Tom

 

You're a braver man than me haha

 

Sorry but that’s my current favorite glass.

Revolution Deth by Cherries shandy.

 

Better get them in while you can, there's an increasing rate of rumors of them going under imminently. Couple ex employees spilled a bunch of dirt online recently and while there was some pushback from other people claiming insider knowledge it was generally agreed that their sales have collapsed and that their QC lab is one area they've made cuts to stave off closure.

 

Enjoying this dark delight
2020 version
Bakers chocolate, snappy bitter bite
Outstanding
Do good
Cheers

 

I doubt any of you need to be told this, but this beer is fucking good.

 

Not directly on a specific beer but just wondering — has anyone out there in BA imperial stout land attempted to float an imperial stout over, say, a double IPA? Set aside the clicheness (if that’s a word) of it all — just wondering if the math works. I was discussing this topic with a bartender yesterday and she thought no it won’t work but we didn’t try it. Obviously Guinness floats easily but that’s pretty low ABV. Just for the hell of it I might try to float some Expedition over Bell’s Mars Bringer of War. Small sample first so I don’t make a disgusting mess of it.

 

2013 Bourbon County Backyard Rye: Surprisingly holding up very well. The berries have gone from jammy to almost wine-like. Chocolate covered dried raspberries. Silky bourbon. I almost prefer this aged to fresh. I seem to remember the berries being way too intense up front.