Dry, Bitter Imperial Stouts

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022.

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  1. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    Looking for solid recommendations for imperial stouts / imperial porters with the following characteristics:
    - little to no sweetness (does this disqualify all belgians?)
    - no milk
    - no caffeine
    - bone dry
    - high bitterness

    Thank you.
     
    #1 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  2. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would recommend the following in the stout department:

    Brooklyn black chocolate stout
    Bells Kalamazoo Stout
    Victory Storm King (while it’s still lingering around)

    Bells Kalamazoo hits the the spot for me and it’s a good abv at only 6%. If you haven’t had it I’d be curious to know if you like, I think it will hit the spot for what you want. Unless imperial is make or break for what you want.
     
    #2 jonphisher, Feb 12, 2022
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  3. micada

    micada Grand Pooh-Bah (3,960) Jul 13, 2015 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    DFH WWS (BBA Utopias is very dry to me)
    Founders Imperial Stout
    Weyerbacher Tiny
     
    #3 micada, Feb 12, 2022
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  4. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    Thanks so much for your recommendations. That Brooklyn chocolate is so excellent — wish they’d do all year!


     
    #4 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  5. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York


    Thanks a million! Must track these down!
     
    #5 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  6. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Let me know if you see FIS, I haven't seen it in years.
     
    #6 ZebulonXZogg, Feb 12, 2022
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  7. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Most Belgian beers are bone dry. It's hard to find imperial stouts that are dry. Yeti is bitter.
     
    #7 SFACRKnight, Feb 12, 2022
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  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Another vote for Victory Storm King.

    I bought a case (24 bottles) this year.

    Cheers!
     
    #8 JackHorzempa, Feb 12, 2022
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  9. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    Hey!

    Love Yeti! Though it is hard to find these days in upstate New York.

    That’s strange — my experience with Belgians is that they are almost always sugary sweet, though I admire their strength. I think of Three Philosophers. Could be my palette’s off?!
     
    #9 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  10. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York


    I must track this down again! Fond memories!
     
    #10 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  11. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Get it now.

    Who knows if Victory (ABV) will ever brew it again.

    From past experience these beers are 'good' for 5 years from bottling. As the beer ages the hop aroma/flavor diminishes but it is still a tasty beer.

    Cheers!
     
    #11 JackHorzempa, Feb 12, 2022
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  12. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    Hey!

    Love Yeti! Though it is hard to find these days in upstate New York.

    That’s strange — my experience with Belgians is that they are almost always sugary sweet, though I admire their strength. I think of Three Philosophers. Could be my palette’s off?!
     
    #12 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  13. shkin

    shkin Maven (1,305) Feb 6, 2011 New York

    I was disappointed with both Storm King and Brooklyn stouts this year, but Kalamazoo is excellent.
     
    #13 shkin, Feb 12, 2022
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  14. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    Thanks!
     
    #14 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  15. BalancingBrooms

    BalancingBrooms Pooh-Bah (2,894) Aug 22, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Old Rasputin
    Bells Expedition Stout
     
    #15 BalancingBrooms, Feb 12, 2022
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  16. dennisthreeninefiveone

    dennisthreeninefiveone Pundit (980) Aug 11, 2020 New Jersey
    Trader

    Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
    Bell's Expedition Stout
    Victory Storm King
    I used to include Sierra Nevada Narwal but haven't seen it for about 3 years now,
     
    #16 dennisthreeninefiveone, Feb 12, 2022
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  17. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't usually consume American versions of Belgian beers as the real versions are readily available to me, so I cam not speak to the flavors of three philosophers. I can say that even the bigger beers like ABT12 are dry for the amount of alcohol they have. The flavors that come across as sweet are usually alcohol and yeast esters. Some of the beers use candi sugars which can (IIRC) contain longer chain sugars that are not fermentable. @JackHorzempa may be able to refresh my memory on that.
    Belgian yeasts are notorious attenuators and chew through most sugars with ease.
     
    #17 SFACRKnight, Feb 12, 2022
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  18. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    Love these two.
     
    #18 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  19. bitterbeer

    bitterbeer Devotee (365) Jan 9, 2021 New York

    100%
     
    #19 bitterbeer, Feb 12, 2022
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  20. shkin

    shkin Maven (1,305) Feb 6, 2011 New York

    I don't know where in NY are you, but see if you can find:
    • Zero Gravity Extra Stout (VT)
    • Wild East Standard Deviation (NY/BK).
     
    #20 shkin, Feb 12, 2022
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