Imperial Eclipse Stout

It's insane what you can find on a shelf in Alberta, you wouldn't believe me if I told you

 

eclipse is an excellent beer and a category definer for barrel aged imperial stout.

i had the fortune (or misfortune, maybe) of having this as my first BA RIS a few years ago. i remember being blown away by the incredibly complex and evolving aromas and flavors as it warmed over half an hour. this was pretty much my gateway drug to the good stuff, and i'm much poorer and happier for it.

it may not have the incredibly lush mouthfeel of some of BCBS and some others, but the aroma and flavor are unreal, and the brewers really know how to use a barrel. having had many middling quality BA RISs since, i really appreciate how well they tie the beer and the bourbon here.

50/50 also sells the base beer, totality, on draft and bottled. the ability to try the naked stout and so many variants makes for an incredible experience for curious beer drinkers. it's $20 if pre-ordered and frequently available on draft at the brewery if you find yourself at squaw valley, northstar or any of the other north lake tahoe resorts.

 

You really do get screwed living further north in Alberta!!! Saying that, there's a fair swing of pricing in Edmonton. Sherbrooke has them on the shelf for $35.10, and Keg n Cork is selling them for $37.99. Sherbrooke just took stock of the rum barrel and a couple of 2012 vintages too. The Java is sublime; really balanced and worth splashing out on, IMO.

 

GOOD LORD

 

From what i've heard, the Java one will be perfect for me as I love coffee stouts and don't love a huge bourbon flavour. Believe me, living in Grande Prairie I was more than happy with the opportunity to try it. Haven't done a Sherbrooke trip in a few months (used to go every few weeks) but for up here, this liquor store is utterly fantastic and unique, and worth the premium prices imo.

 

...I'll bet it's got a RICH mouthfeel, though!

 

It was pricy, but as someone who generally sticks to sixers or low-priced bombers, I felt like treating myself....possibly due to the birth of my son two days ago!

 

Plus, this is the first, and possibly only time we'll see it in Canada.

 

I like that it is expensive because it makes it easy to get. Just walk in and buy it off the shelf.

 

@wesbray: Cheers on your son's birth, and enjoy those Eclipses!

 

And from a brewery not owned by a corporation? I'd much rather give my money to Eclipse than Goose Island, and if it's more money they most likely deserve it.

 

Admittedly. If "corporationX" took over Russian River, I'd continue to give them ALL MY $$$. Good beer is good beer. Enjoy your hop soap and hemp potato sack pants. At the end of the day, I'm not stupid enough with my my money to pay double for a inferior product because they're "local."

 

Yeah, I TOTALLY said I would give them my money because they are local. Because I TOTALLY live in Truckee. You might be dumber than your previous posts alluded to... don't you have a gun license to renew or something? Sorry I'm not broke enough to freak out over spending $29 on a bomber, there MUST be something wrong with me.

 

It's ironic your ignorance its keeping us from realizing that we agree on a central point. I haven't tried BCBS nor opened my eclipse. I agree good beer is good beer you are just acting like a prick. There's no need to put down someone's viewpoint

 

MY GOD bro. Relax. I was just trying to get a rise outta you and I did. Especially because you felt the need to double up. If you're in so cal, anywhere near Alpine, I'm more than willing to set up a trade.

Cheers!!

 

Haha, I could talk circles around you my posting twice has nothing to do with anything. But a good day to you as well sir I bid you adieu

 

There is no bourbon character. Had it on tap and in the bottle and didn't even know it was barrel aged.

 

Strange, I actually tasted a lot of the bourbon/oak. I'm guessing its far more muted than the other variants but I can definitely taste it.

 

Seems to be showing up at all my local liquors. Any one know who owns it? I hate spending $30 on something not IPA hoppy-forward. Is this just something i've ignored too long?

 

I cracked my Java Coffee for the Broncos/Pats game. While I was disappointed with the game results the beer was pretty fantastic. I probably wouldn't buy more than one or two bottles a year, due to the price, but it is delicious. Just a slight notch below Coffee BCS (IMO).