Best ABV for Imperial Stouts

To me, something like Expedition is a once in a while treat. I think that's 10-11%, in that hood. And I definitely notice the alcohol. Something like FBS, I could do one a day, at 8%. That 2-3% difference, is huge for me. Love the thick, higher abv stuff, but just not as frequently.

 

Personally, I really enjoy the Barrel Aged versions of this style more, not because of the booziness (which is a given), but because the well done examples are really complex with alot of different flavors going on and all blending well without being too overpowering. There's alot of great non-Barrel aged stouts out there that hit that 10% mark and hide the alcohol extremely well - Southern Tier - Choklat is the first one that comes to mind.

 

10.5%

 

Depends on a few variables. Is it Barrel aged? What are the additions, flavour profile?
If it's got coffe in it, it'll take more, ie up to 15% Normal impys, iMO, sit well at 10-12%.
The sweeter it is, or if it's "fruited" the higher they can go. Also up to 15%++
But ultimately, age settles out any heat, unless it's a chilli stout. (Which is a total waste of a stout anyway!) Just my opinion, no need to have a back and forth.

 

this plus founders IS...narwhal is at 10.2%...lots of good ones in this range imo

 

It depends. There is no "best ABV." I've had 6-7% stouts that were unbalanced and too hot but one of the best imperial stouts I've ever had (IMO), Mikkeller's Black Sauternes Edition, weighs in at 21%.

 

10-14% is the range

 

Ten FIDY and Expedition Stout are right in my wheelhouse, ABV-wise. I like some alcohol warmth. I also love the complexity of barrel-aged, spiced, and/or flavored stouts, like FBS, Xocoveza, BCBS, and W00tstout 3.0. In response to the rephrased OP, I guess I'd go with 8-14%. I have too many favorites to pin it down any better than that.

 

8 - 12% captures most of the best ones. Above 12 and the alcohol is very difficult to cover.

 

For me I prefer something 10 - 14%.

 

10% and up. Founders Imperial Stout is perfect http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/21822/

 

I don't understand how we are supposed to answer this question. Alcohol in itself really only gives a vague idea of what to expect from a beer flavor-wise, so I'm not sure I can really lend out a "best" or "favorite" alcohol content for imperial stouts. As with other strong styles of beer, I've had 9% imperial stouts with a more pronounced alcohol flavor/warming than 12% imperial stouts. Like @nerdboy19 said earlier, brewer skill really determines a lot.

The only thing that alcohol content pretty consistently conveys regardless of brewer skill is texture and thickness. A given 9% stout might have more alcohol flavor than a 14% stout, but you can't recreate the thickness of that 14% beer in a 9% beer. Honestly, I've had batches of Dragon's Milk and Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout that don't taste much different from some Bourbon County batches, but they obviously feel like a totally different beer in the mouth.

 

The classic 10.5% ABV. Once you go over 14% they just taste shit. (At least all the ones I've had of that strength did.)

 

10-12% for me.

 

Love stouts... when I see 'Imperial' though it should be 9% or more in my opinion and they are all good and different

 

10%-14%, with the higher range for BA stouts. I find those really huge ones that are 15%+ just taste a little too boozy. A non BA stout is pretty much perfect at around Ten Fidy, imo.

 

9%-12% imo..

 

9%+