Tag Archives: imperial stout

8 Wired iStout Double Espresso

Brewery: 8 Wired Brewing Co.
Country: New Zealand
ABV: 13.5%
Style: Stout – Imperial
Other Notes: 15th Birthday. Imperial Stout brewed with coffee

Brewer Description: (from can) Søren has always wanted to brew an espresso imperial stout, so for 8 Wired’s 15th birthday, he finally got around to making one! We’ve taken the base recipe for the iconic iStout, and cranked the ABV right up. Using an intense, rich, espresso blend from our friends at Rush, this is truly one mighty coffee experience!

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.33

Intro: A 330ml can, with a best before date of July 2027, poured into a Bokke tasting glass.
Appearance: Dark dark brown to black in colour, with a half finger brown head that had good retention and left some nice lacing.
Aroma: Roasty, freshly ground coffee bean, espresso, chocolate.
Taste: Roasty, espresso, coffee, dark chocolate, with a nice bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Rich, full bodied, with soft carbonation.
Overall: An enjoyable sipper with old school coffee Imperial Stout aroma and flavours. Nice strong roast, coffee, and a lasting bitterness that compliments and rounds it all off.

3 Sons Hayden Nectar

Brewery: 3 Sons Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 15%
Style: Stout – Imperial
Other Notes: Imperial Stout aged in Basil Hayden bourbon whiskey barrels

Brewer Description: (from Untappd) This imperial stout matured for 23 months in 10 year old Basil Hayden bourbon barrels. It exudes a complex tapestry of flavors. Expect a deep, mahogany-hued liquid, with a soft bourbon warmth, accompanied by notes of vanilla, oak, and chocolate bonbons. These barrels were super elegant! Our prolonged aging process imparts a smooth and velvety texture, enhancing the overall complexity. Sip and savor!!

My rating: 4+
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.4

Intro: A 500ml bottle with no clear bottled on or best before date, although the barrels were emptied on 12th December 2023. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: It poured a smooth, thick, oily, black colour with pretty much no head and no lacing.
Aroma: Roasted malts, sweet, boozy, bourbon, chocolate, molasses, vanilla, oak, with notes of dark fruit.
Taste: Sweet, bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, oak, light roast, with a touch of dark fruit.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, full bodied, with soft carbonation.
Overall: A very enjoyable sipper with great flavours that drinks just really smooth.

AleSmith Speedway Stout – Barrel-Aged Vietnamese Coffee

Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 13.6%
Style: Stout – Imperial
Other Notes: Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels with Vietnamese coffee

Brewer Description: (from can) Pouring a deep, endless black with mahogany highlights and crowned by a rich, dense head, this beer is a testament to our passion for extraordinary flavors. We took an exceptional stout in its own right, aged it in premium bourbon barrels, and harmoniously blended it with distinct, chocolatey richness of Vietnamese coffee. Savor its creamy, full-bodied magnificence. Indulge in a masterpiece where tradition meets innovation.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.39

Intro: A 1 pint can, 2024 version, canned on 27th June 2024. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Deep dark brown to black in colour with pretty much no head, but some nice lacing.
Aroma: Roasty, coffee bean, espresso, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, with notes of bourbon.
Taste: Roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, bourbon, with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: A very enjoyable old school style Imperial Stout, that’s not too sweet, and has good coffee and bourbon barrel.

Amager Double Black Mash (2023) Bourbon BA Version

Brewery: Amager Bryghus
Country: Denmark
ABV: 13.2%
Style: Stout – Imperial
Other Notes: Widow Jane BA (label says 10 months, Untappd says that was erroneous and it should be 22 months)

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Take a good thing and make it even better – that’s the philosophy behind Double Black Mash. This huge Imperial Stout was easily big and potent enough after the first mashing, but we thought what the heck let’s give it another spin. So we mashed it in a second time doubling everything that was already good while aiming for great. All grain, heavy duty, no nonsense. Did we hit what we aimed for? Well, that’s really up to you to decide. If you like it big and black this is your kinda beer for sure.

My rating: 4+
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.43

Intro: A 750ml black waxed bottle, 2023 vintage, with a best before date of January 2029. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: A deep black colour with a thin brown head that dissipated quickly to a ring around the glass while leaving some lacing.
Aroma: Bourbon, light roast, chocolate, toffee, licorice.
Taste: Bourbon sweetness, chocolate, vanilla, toffee, wood, light roast, and a touch bitter on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: An enjoyable sipper with great aroma and flavours. Back to basics barrel aged beer without the need to over adjunctify (is that a word?).

West Coast The Black Book BV

Brewery: West Coast Brewing
Country: Japan
ABV: 14%
Style: Stout – Imperial

Brewer Description: (from can) Imperial Stout w/ blueberries and vanilla beans.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.25
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.1

Intro: A 500ml can, canned on 9th April 2024. Poured into whatever glass was available at the hotel room in Bangkok.
Appearance: Black in colour with a thin brown head that dissipated fairly quickly to a ring around the glass, while leaving only sparse to no lacing.
Aroma: Dessert, cake, milk chocolate, blueberry, vanilla, with notes of coffee.
Taste: Light to moderate sweetness, chocolate, blueberry, vanilla, with a roasty, coffee, bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, creamy, full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: Nice blueberry dessert characteristics, but not like overly sweet pastry stouts as there is enough roasty coffee bitterness to balance. A good enjoyable sipper.