Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2022)

Ya do know, it’s not even October yet.

 

Halloween comes early in this house. I prepare all year long for the first green leaf to yellow. And then it’s game on.

 

I’m having a Speedway Stout (just the regular) for the first time in a couple years, and damn… It’s a classic for a reason. There’s really not a single thing I can knock this beer for. Even several years ago when everyone had to come out with a coffee stout, this was still the one to beat IMO. Although I will say, that first odd year release of Stone IRS with espresso was divine (2013, wasn’t it?).
Anyway, I’ve forgotten how to post pics on this site and was too lazy to figure it out again, but this poured beautifully into my Firestone Walker nonic pint glass with fantastic head retention and lacing for days. Gonna savor this
Cheers

 

Damn! Where in PA? The only time I've had Mephistopheles and Tweak (then called Meph Addict) on draft was at an Avery Tap Takeover event at the Craft Ale House in Limerick like 10+ years ago. I've had a few aged bottles of Mephistopheles over the years and they were definitely memorable.

 

First one from Timber. From the can; Magnolias at Midnight is an Imperial Stout collaboration with our friends at Little Cottage Brewery, conditioned on caramel, coffee and Ugandan vanilla beans.

Coming in at 12%, no alcohol present. All the additives make their appearance in a very subtle form underneath a massive chocolatey, roasted malt, base stout. Overall, 4/5 on this.

 

2012…Ten year mark = winner! Only drawback is the cute tiny bottle.

 

The vanilla rye stout is decent, too, if you see that your way.

 

never liked ( same for breakfast stout... (coffee they use shit!)

 

I got it at State Line Liquors in Elkton, MD. It's still on their active tap list.
State Line is one of the most impressive bottle shops I've seen. In addition to Mephistopheles, they currently have growler fills of Velvet Merkin (2018), Abraxas (2019), and Old Rasputin. Plus they have an immense selection of bottled and canned beer, all of which can be bought as singles.
If Elkton is within reasonable driving distance for you, I'd highly recommend a visit.

 

I need to do a side-by-side with this and BA Ten Fidy. I've never had them in my fridge at the same time to try it, but I've had them within a week or so of each other and always think that they have similar flavor profiles

 

Riverlands Moonlight Reflection Imperial Stout @13.5%. Some vanilla on the nose, a bit of coconut, and some rye. I've tried several rye based stouts and have enjoyed them all. Not great, but tasty for sure!

 

After much ado, physical and blood work done…all aces. Trying this fancy Wake Up DFH WWS, probably only half to keep with my liver-friendlier trend.

Coffee jumps out of the glass and bursts on the tongue. I sense the cinnamon on the immediate back-end, not a lot, but a little kick to the coffee. Maple is very subtle sweetness in the middle, then comes back around in the lingering aftertastes. It’s cold, so the chocolatey malts are still a little stunted and bitter. I’ll try to let it warm up.

Definitely easy to imagine this as a morning beer.

 

2020 KBS Mackinac Fudge. The chocolate is strong with this one.