Imperial Stout Appreciation Thread (2023)

I picked up a bottle at a local grocer yesterday to share at our poker game last night and the three of us were wowed by the 2023 vintage as well. This was my test drive for future investment and definitely going back to get more at $11.97/bottle.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Local shop has 2022 marked down too move
I accommodated accordingly
Cheers

 

Damn, sorry about the knee. Any update? I blew my acl up playing baseball around 15 years ago. They fixed it up and I did the work after, no problems since. Good luck brother

 

Looking back at my reviews my top 3 are probably,

Alpha Hop Society something or other from @CarolinaCardinals

Ralphius 3 year double barrel bourbon/hoodoo chicory liqueur

And one that I bought because some degenerate knugglehead gave it a 5 Temple of Minerva

 

So delicious, I love that beer!

 

Maybe bias due to having them recently, but that coffee/cinnamon b-bomb (still never solved if it’s stout or not), Deth’s Tar, BA Darkstar. I have a bottle of Votive (bourbon and rum barrel aged) from Fox Farm that I may open during December, and a couple others. I have some Abraxas coming from Tavour. It’s not usually my style, but I really like it and haven’t had it since Christmas last year

 

Hope that 2022 BCBS Coffee treated you well @SABERG . That vintage was the first I experienced over several years of drinking BCBS I had two very different experiences between two batches / bottles.

The first I loved with a nice balanced coffee but fully present, whereas the coffee was weak like Willettized with my second bottle, which is why I passed on further purchases. Seemed like the most polarizing among their releases last season on the board.

All six of their 2023 offerings are widely available in our area, plus most 2022 vintages at discounted pricing for those visiting or with Chicago traders.

Favorite 2023 New Release: Maplewood Barrel Aged Cuppa Neat (Draft)

Favorite Cellar Pour: 2020 Revolution Double Barrel Very Special Old Deth (Can)

I enjoyed several new to me IS ranked a tad lower (4.5), including Stone Russian Imperial Stout. Don’t have any special bottles saved for year end, but have many solid cellar offerings and fresh Rev DW to enjoy over the winter.

What were your favorites in terms of new releases and cellared selections?

 

Thanks for the comments and offer. Grateful we enjoyed a bunch of outstanding stouts this year.

Planned on driving in for a week or so to visit Death Valley, Kern River and then Southern California. However, flash floods washed out most DV roads in August. Hope to enjoy the planned trip next Fall or Winter 2025 after the roads are repaired, and to have a chance to meet you at Stone, FW or elsewhere.

Cheers!

 

Shit. Forgot about Parabajava

 

Great questions Tomas! This is precisely where an exportable database would come in handy and hopefully @Todd will have time to work on this in the near future.
Scrolling thru 2023 reviews i have had some very good ones recently sent by @Mikexw in the Barleywine/Stout BIF #1, from Finback and Other Half which i don't think get much if any distribution. The BCBS Willett barrel 12 oz bottle was outstanding as well. I really liked the Sierra Nevada Alpha Hop Society In Stout of Ourselves; so glad i saved one bottle to try again. Treehouse Doubleshot was awesome. I think the champion of the year was the straight up Ralphius courtesy of @DIM , totally dug this one!
Because of Ralphius i think i need to open the Ralphius Cognac 2 year barrel, the Burial/Other Half Colab 2022 Houtenhamer, the BCBS 12 oz Heaven Hill 12 oz bottle from @BMBCLT and if my liver can handle it the Jackie O's Temple of Minerva and Double Barrel Temple "muled via USPS" by @DIM to western NC. Life is good, so much good beer on the horizon!
Cheers!
Tom

 

Bad Weather Brewing Company - 2023 barrel aged Calamity

Had this while taking my son to the Wild game last night. A combination of whiskey and bourbon barrels, I guess. Absolutely delicious. More was had.

 

Voyager - a 15% stout aged 23 months in Weller bourbon barrels. Thanks to @2beerdogs for sending me this gem from Arrow Lodge Brewing in a box from BIF stout and barleywine edition. Cheers.

 

It’s quite enjoyable. Not complex, but the Weller barrel is prominent and tye malty backbone appears as it warms. A good sipper.

 

I have several stouts that I’ll open next month. Many from the BIF stout and barleywine edition. Favorites new to me this year include Speedway Affogado and Double Barrel Temple of Minerva.

 

Oh that Anchorage! I have a blessed and ADWTD TO in the fridge and can’t decide whether to dome it or save it for a share with friends. Saving to share but man it’s tough, haha.