Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

I opened this tonight JUST to start this thread and scoop Tomas. GDI!

 

In 2023, I am definitely starting the 2024 thread with some horrifically adjunct-laden pastry stout.

 

Final beer of 2022. Final one to try from the 2022 BCBS lineup (that I purchased). This is obviously delicious, but not much of a difference between the base (unlike the amazing 150 last year). Overall the lineup this year was one of the better in recent memory, though. Cheers to the new thread! I should have tried to start it off with Jam the Radar from Bottle Logic to troll @Resistance88

 

Half Acre - Cherry Brandy BA Benthic

here’s to another number that is a year and more importantly, lots of imperial stouts!! cheers!!

 

DFH and Boston Beer - Utopias barrel-aged World Wide Stout.

This is a 2021 bottle that I stashed in the cellar for a year as I heard this one was a bit harshly boozy when it was fresh. Its only moderately hot in the taste, but does have a huge fruity cognac-like aroma that dominates the roasty malt flavors of normal WWS. But the finish does have some nice underlying dark cocoa notes. Thinner bodied for such a huge beer.

 

Umm Budweiser still makes some incredible beer

 

Tomas just gives me crap, because he is a hypebeast, and he demands that he will only trade for hypebeast beer.

 

Free Will Brewing's Ralphius (Two Year Maple). Great depth of flavor - rich maple mixed with dark chocolate, caramel, bourbon. Thick and smooth like all the variants, but not overly sweet.

 

I am thoroughly enjoying an Old Rasputin as I type this.

It's been years since the last one. I don't know if I just forgot about it or if Trader Joe's only carries it occasionally. I'll be on the lookout in February.

 

Glad to have caught this thread during my Imperial Stout Season (November - April) as last year's thread got away from me.

First Imperial Stout of 2023, from the King of Beers and King of Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperual Stouts.

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout - Willett (2022)



Full review in the New Beer Sunday #932 thread. Bottom line, I am enjoying this beer, but like my 2020 experiences, the single barrel treatment yields a harsher less balanced bourbon treatment. Still enjoying, but believe I'll enjoy my blended four pack better.

That said, I really hope this is a permanent return to the 12 oz four packs, a much better serving size for this type of beer. They need to price these four packs at $29.99 to move better, perhaps future Coffee and Barleywine four packs at $34.99. Still glad to return to the Regular and Coffee after a one year hiatus from GI BCBS, my OG bourbon barrel aged offering that got me all in on craft beer now eight years ago!

Bourbon County Brand Stout - The Big Number #1

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

July 2021 cellar pull...



Praline Pecan-inspired 14% ABV double-mashed Imperial Stout aged in extremely wet Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels for 15 months. Transferred out of the barrels and aged on house-made praline pecans.

Such a great beer!

Cheers!

 

World class

 

Troubles End Brewing (Collegeville, PA) - Absent Void. 11% abv Imperial Stout.

nice rich espresso, dark chocolate, and a touch of dark fruit flavors. fuller bodied, drier finish.

 

Low key, digging this better than the BA version BA!

 

*whispers* it's better than the BA version *whispers*

 

Finally, Beer Advocate shines a light on the near-extinct style of Imperial Stouts!!

Let's revive IPA's next, team.

(good natured sarcasm font)