Imperial Stout

97 Bourbon County Brand Stout, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL) 2008. 13% ABV (1/09)
Opaque brown black color with a saffron tint and lacy reddish-brown color. Intense aromas of vanilla bean, spice, toffee and caramelized roasted nuts follow through on a rich, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with delicious toasted raisin bread and dried cherry notes. Finishes with a long, complex, evolving toasted oak fade. A powerful and decadent imperial wood-aged stout.

94 Ryan Sullivan’s Imperial Stout, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 10% ABV (1/09)
Blackish brown color with a reddish tint and a fine tan mousse. Aromas of Bananas Foster, chocolate soufflé and honeyed raisin bread toast follows through on a silky, smooth entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with lingering charred nut, brown sugar and dried fruit notes. Finishes with chocolate-covered espresso bean, white peppercorn and bitter lemon peel fade. A broad shouldered and lively stout that will shine with grilled meats.

94 Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, North Coast Brewing Co. (CA). 9.9% ABV (12/07)
Brown black color with a light brown head. Toffee and citrusy, piney hops aromas and flavors with a rich honeyed medium full body with great, creamy frothiness. Rich lemon marmalade, celery salt, praline and resiny hops on the finish. A wild and woolly, broad shouldered, richly hopped West coast interpretation of the style that really works.

94 Imperial Stout, Rogue Ales (OR) 2006. 11% ABV (1/09)
Muddy black brown color with a taupe head. Toffee, molasses and black peppercorn aromas have a mossy clay edge and follow through on a rich, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with great smoothness, depth and balanced. Finishes with a long, charred nut, bitter chocolate and mossy river stone fade with great astringency.

94 Imperial Chocolate Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 9.5% ABV (1/09)
Muddy, black brown color with a medium brown head. Aromas of cashew brittle, melted toffee, vanilla custard and crayon follow through on a rich, supple entry to a fruity yet dry full body with fruitcake and delicate spice notes. Finishes with a rich artisanal (Venezuelan?) chocolate fade. A delicious post-prandial treat.

93 Siberian Night Imperial Stout, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 9.7% ABV (1/10)
Rich chocolate and hazelnut coffee aromas follow through on a smooth, round entry to a tangy, dryish medium-full body with great layers of dried fruits, nuts and peppery spice. Finishes with a great cut of earthy and citrus hops in fine balance. Superb use of hops makes this a treat to drink.

93 Sasquatch Stout, Harmon Brewing Co. (WA). 8.3% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep brown black color with a reddish tint and a tan lacy head. Chocolate and roasted pecan aromas follow through on a soft, chewy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with toasted coconut and bitter citrus peel notes. Finishes with a long, toasted fruit-nut cake, coffee and molasses fade with balancing astringent hops. A very well-made and satisfying imperial stout.

93 Russian Imperial Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 11% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown black color with a rich reddish tan mousse. Compact aromas of dark chocolate, char-roasted nuts and pine cone follow through on a rich, velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with great depth and balance. Finishes with a long, astringent caramelized citrus, pine needle and unsweetened cocoa fade. A hophead’s delight.

93 Imperial Stout, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 7% ABV (1/10)
Deep brown black color with a rich tan lather. Rich aromas of chocolate-covered nuts, honeyed dates and peach gelato follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with nice liveliness and buoyant mouthfeel. Finishes with a cocoa and spice-accented fade with delicate earthy hops in fine support. A great “session” imperial stout.

93 Black Chocolate Stout, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 10% ABV (1/10)
Opaque reddish brown black color with a superfine tan mousse. Aromas of dark chocolate, praline and dried fruits follow through on a round, very supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with a lush seamless texture and well integrated flavors. Finishes with a light dash of peppery spice, ethereal astringent hops and cacao nibs. Nicely done and very drinkable, especially at the table.

92 Russian Imperial Stout, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 10.5% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown black color with a dark tan, fine foam rim. Rich chocolate and roasted nut aromas follow through on a supple, chewy entry to a dryish full body with great depth and texture. Finishes with a honeyed dried peaches, espresso bean and peppery spice fade. A delicious and generous imperial stout.

92 Double Chocolate Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown amber color. Pure malted milkshake aromas and flavors with dried fruits and roasted nuts underneath. Finishes with a long, resonant chocolate nougat nut candy bar fade. Sweetly confected and a bit one-trick, but a very tasty trick.

92 Black Xantus Russian Imperial Stout, Nectar Ales (CA). 11% ABV (1/10)
Brown black color. Intense chocolate wafer cookie, vanilla, sarsaparilla, dried sour cherry, date, nectarine and honey aromas follow through on a rich entry to a fruity full body with melted brown sugar, salty roasted vegetable and spice notes. Finishes with a long, rich chocolate, nut and date fade. A decadent over-the-top chocolate style for stout extremists.

91 The Abyss, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 11% ABV (1/10)
Pure black brown color. Rich dense chocolate, charred nut, coffee and roasted fruits. Massively textured with astringent nut skins and grassy hops on the finish. A monstrously dense stout, almost too much to handle

90 The Midnight Oil Imperial Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 8.8% ABV (1/09)%{Brewpub}
Deep dark brown color with a wispy tan head. Baker’s chocolate, faint dried cherry and subtle pork fat aromas follow through on a soft, creamy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a touch of cherry cider, mashed fig and Brazil nut. Finishes with a smooth, chewy oily fade. Nicely-balanced and highly drinkable for an imperial stout.

90 Ten Fidy Imperial Stout, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 9.5% ABV (1/10)
Opaque muddy black brown color with a superfine fine russet amber mousse. Inviting aromas of high cocoa chocolate, caramel and dried fruits follow through on a very soft, almost oily entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a remarkably smooth mouthfeel and subtle layers of flavors. Finishes with a long chocolate-covered espresso bean fade. A dangerously drinkable imperial stout.

90 Teddy Bear Kisses Imperial Stout, Upland Brewing (IN). 11.5% ABV (1/10)
Deep brown color. Fruity pie-like aromas of peaches, apples and chocolate-covered raisins follow through on a rich, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with salt roasted nut and fudge notes. Finishes in a long, tangy cocoa nut fade with great citrusy and grassy hops in support. Well done.

89 Samuel Adams Imperial Stout, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 9.2% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown black color with fine blanket of tan gray foam. Rich aroma of vanilla pod, butterscotch and cocoa follow through on a very soft, silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with roasted nut, grain and fig notes. Finishes with a tangy cacao shell, nut skin and peppercorn-accented fade. Big, yet balanced and very drinkable.

89 Bourbon Imperial Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9% ABV (1/10) %{Brewpub}
Vibrant aromas of cashew brittle, toasty oak and butter sautéed peaches follow through on a super smooth, satiny entry to a fruity full body with golden raisin compote, vanilla custard and maple syrup notes. Finishes with a rich, lingering vanilla nut fudge and mocha fade. A tasty, confection of an imperial stout.

88 Imperial Stout, North Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 8% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Opaque black brown color with a frothy medium brown color. Chocolate-covered nut and delicate coffee aromas follow through on a satiny, smooth entry to dry medium-to-full body with bitter roasted espresso bean and kiwi notes. Finishes with chocolate-covered lemon rind and nectarine skin fade.

88 Imperial Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.25% ABV (1/08) %{Brewpub}
Opaque dark brown color. Melted dark chocolate and nut bread toast aromas. A lively entry leads to a smooth, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of creamy cocoa, honeyed nut toast, date and light cappuccino flavors. Finishes with pleasant satisfying super mild citrusy hop fade. A smooth lighter styled feminine imperial stout that hides the high alcohol extremely well; pair with grilled game or buffalo burgers.

88 Black Gold Imperial Stout, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 10.5% ABV (1/10)
Rich melted toffee, caramel, peach marmalade and root beer aromas follow through on a supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with creamy vanilla and spice notes on the earthy nutshell and spice-accented finish.

87 XXXXX Stout, Pike Brewing Co. (WA). 7% ABV (1/10)
Deep brown black color. Chocolate-covered coffee bean aromas and flavor with a mild medium body texture and gentle froth cappuccino and piney hop-accented fade.

83 Imperio, Cucapa (Mexico). 8.2% ABV (12/07)
Sweet caramel fudge, spice, hay and dishwater aromas with a sweet and musty character, tangy fruity, burnt marshmallow flavors. Medium full body with a bitter hop finish. Somewhat out of balance, but will be interesting with cheeses.

83 ABC Extra Stout, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 7% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown color with a lacy taupe head. Aromas of sweet toffee and honeyed biscuits follow through on a round entry to a lightly foamy, dryish medium body with dried citrus notes and a crisp, grainy malt fade.

82 Imperial Stout, Water Street Brewery (WI). 8.5% ABV (1/10) %{Brewpub}
Mute, jumbled charred nut and grain aromas and flavors with spicy applesauce notes and a fleeting, dilute chocolate phosphate-like finish.