Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

With barleywine I prefer it when Cognac barrels are part of a blend with bourbon barrels, not the focus. I don't think I've had Cognac barrels in another stout, but I'll be looking for more for sure.

 

Põhjala's barrel aged beers are excellent. I'm also a huge fan of Cognac and Calvados (Apple Brandy) barrels. Especially when it comes to English-style Barleywines.

 

I will? Are you sending me some?

I'd love that tart even more!

 

Seriously one of the best barrel programs in the world.

And I agree about the Calvados barrels. Really I think that there's something special about the sweeter liquors and the flavors they empart (to me, Bourbon is probably the sweetest whisky, except maybe Canadian whiskey?) to a base beer that's not overly sweet itself.

I've found that I really like the J.W. Lee's is sherry barrels and calvados

 

Oh yeah! Those J.W. Lees are phenomenal.

 

9.3 oz

 

The price definitely makes it a once in a while thing, well honestly the richness and sweetness do too, but I've never had one that was spoiled. It wouldn't surprise me if they've had problems with that over the years but I've never heard of it in the last 8 or 9 years.

 

They have some in the stubby cans too (8 oz?)

 

I don’t generally like JW Lees because I think it tastes bad, and not like any BW ( or BW style ale I have ever had). This comes a LOT from the BA ones and not so much the “standard”. There’s a wierd old rotten fruit quality to it that is layered in and amongst some of those typical notes. It’s just not my thing. I’m glad others like it, but generally speaking, I do not.

I still have like 5 of the regular, including several 2001. I need to revisit sometime this year.

 

A Christmas variant version of an Imperial Stout from a local brewery. Publication Brew Works (Pennsburg, PA) - Obituary, 13%abv. The peppermint and dark chocolate and coffee flavor are definitely there, well balanced, and no booziness.

 

Clearly you just don't have a sophisticated enough palette *adjust monicle* *pinky up*

For real though, all this shit talk is gonna make me open up a sherry cask one I've got in the fridge right now!

 

I’ve really enjoyed the IPAs I’ve tried from a brewery you shouldn’t sleep on. This is my first stout from them, and I ‘be only seen a review-less version posted by @Resistance88 late last year.

Kern River Class V Stout



Can Notes: $3.99 single can purchased at Select Beer. 16 oz canned 12/05/22, refrigerated at store and since purchase. 8.5% ABV. Brewed and canned by Kern River Brewing Company, Kernville, CA.

Not for the timid. This imperial/oatmeal/milk stout is not your ordinary beer. Rich complex aromas and flavor await the intrepid adventurer with fresh-roasted coffee and chocolate notes. Some might think it is a bit extreme, but that is precisely why we consider it a classic. This beer is like the Kern at high-water; “Not for the Timid”.

Appearance: Multiple pours into a pub style glass. Dark black base, rich creamy tan head leaves rich creamy lacing and a nice cover over the entire base. 4.5

Aroma: Sweet chocolate malt, getting light pine hop bitterness. Very strong aroma. 4.25

Taste: Consistent with the aroma but even sweeter, oatmeal and milk sugar turned to 11. A light dark roast malt tries to back but is slacking. 4.25

Mouthfeel: Sweet, like Matthew. Light prickly carbonation, drinks easy like Sunday morning. Slight chalkiness, light to medium lightly creamy body, clean finish. 4.25

Overall: I usually don’t seek out beers this sweet, but it works for me today. Well crafted, brewed as advertised. Well done! 4.25

 

This is somewhat better than the RBA XXII I had a couple of days ago, but I'm thinking plain old Old Rasputin is far superior to the BA versions.