Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2022)

When you post a picture but no description, even something as simple as “meh”, I feel like Harrison ford or Liam Neilson in a movie, shaking someone I captured saying, “Where is she?!”

 

That would be Other Half stouts. There’s a reason they’re known for their yellow beers! The Snowbirds series was decent, though also likely too far into the sweet zone for your tastes.

 

Avery Imperialis from @Resistance88. No frills, punch packing bourbon and wood over a solid malt base. Glad I used a small snifter rather than the Glencairn. I think the latter would have focused the flavors too tightly and made it bitter. This is breathing nicely and comes across “refined.” If I smoked cigars, it might make for a good pairing?

 

light barrel and for the first time roasted malt... cheers

 

Dancing Gnome, “Black Clouds “ Mexican Chocolate Imperial Stout! Beautiful and decadent stout brewed with cacao, vanilla bean, cinnamon and habanero pepper! Velvety smooth with a robust pepper bite!

 

This was research for @Resistance88: truth be told, I enjoy this Mortalis Written In The Stars a lot. That said, I think the syrupy mouthfeel and the high sweetness would be directly against what he seems to prefer in a stout. Putting this back to back with Imperialis for example, is a tale of two divergently different stout styles. This batch seems heavy, even to me, but the coconut cuts it somewhat. I didn’t try Running Club, but knowing OH stouts, the Mortalis mouthfeel and sweetness would be similar. Mortalis’ flavor and nose would likely be more focused than OH. WITS is a collab with Imprint, who evidently like the over the top profiles. I think he should trust me for a trade sub.

 

That's a funky looking bottle with quite a (seemingly) long neck. Maybe it's the perspective, however. Is it 22 oz? 750ml?

 

500 ml. Mortalis does deity-based themes for their beer names and art work.

The perspective does make it seem longer than it is. Hmm, now I wonder how I can do that with…never mind. Wrong forum.

 

I'll go conservative and assume you were talking about a photography forum. Otherwise, that's a very different forum, indeed.

 

Not technically an Imperial Stout, yet here goes…

North Sky - Allagash



The light chestnut cloud has the consistency of marshmallow fluff and seems to be everlasting. The stout is clear, dark brown, essentially black, with dark auburn highlights. Swirls of lace form on the Pretentious Imperial Snifter, becoming patterned patches with time.

Dark roasted malt has lightly sweetened accents. Charcoal, baker’s chocolate, and cold black coffee round out the aroma.

The flavor opens with charred malt and more of the black coffee. Bitterness is spot-on and sweetness is mild, just enough to add contrast. This is an old school stout with everything in its place. Warmth reveals the baker’s chocolate, as does the long mild finish.

Little to no alcohol is evident, which is shocking for a 7.5% beer. The body is medium to light, with a corse nylon texture, lifted by modest prickly carbonation. Fairly dry.

North Sky is a welcome throwback, well done and basic English Stout. While a Nonic glass might have been more appropriate, for aroma and the added turbulence with each sip, there are no complaints regarding the snifter. This is a pleasant comfort during a dreary cold and rainy afternoon. I can imagine sitting in a dark English Pub with a fire smoldering to the side.

 

Epic Brewing really outdid themselves with this beautiful coffee stout. Kept it simple, full of flavor, nice and strong.
Release #5, bottle #7715, bottled in Salt Lake City in 2021. 13.9% ABV.
Ding ding!!

 

Prairie Artisan Bourbon Barrel Aged Weekend Imperial Stout, 14.2% ABV.