Imperial Stout

97 Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout XII, North Coast Brewing Co. (CA). 11.2% ABV (1/11)
Interesting aromas and flavors of caramelized and chocolate-covered beets and honeyed rye raisin toast with a zesty, fruity medium-full body and a racy, nougat and grassy hop-accented finish. Richly flavorful and food affined.

97 Bourbon County Brand Stout, Goose Island Beer 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.

96 Black Chocolate Stout, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 10% ABV (1/11)
Black brown color. Rich chocolate-covered dried orange and apricot aromas and flavors with a supple, velvety dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, baker’s chocolate and espresso-accented finish with leafy sautéed root vegetable notes in support. A delicious, table-friendly offering.

95 Teddy Bear Kisses Imperial Stout, Upland Brewing (IN). 10.2% ABV (1/11)
Deep brown color. Delightful aromas of artisanal dark chocolate rice bar, peach marmalade and cinnamon raisin toast with a supple, dryish full body and densely compact palate and finish of roasted carrots, chocolate nuts and green peppercorns with leafy-greens-like hops in support. Fantastic.

94 Samuel Adams Imperial Stout, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 9.2% ABV (1/11)
Brown black color with a tan head. Rich, dense aromas of artisan dark chocolate flourless cake and hint of bacon with a velvety smooth, dry-yet-fruity full body and a long, creamy and tangy citrus soufflé, roasted nut and grassy-earthy hop-accented finish. Expertly crafted and delightful.

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 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 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.

92 Ten Fidy Imperial Stout, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 10.5% ABV (1/11)
Dark brown black color with a saffron cast. Dense aromas of turkey jerky, roasted nuts and fruits, okra and faint wintermint with a thick, syrupy dry-yet-fruity full body and an herbal toasted tomato foccacia, chocolate-covered espresso and pine needle-accented finish. Somewhat odd and OTT, but very charming.

92 Double Chocolate Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.7% ABV (1/11)
Dark brownish black. Rich chocolate pudding and coconut custard aromas with a smooth, satiny fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a pure chocolate nut, light roasted vegetable, dried fruit and earthy hop nuanced finish. Excellent chocolate flavor and depth in a superbly drinkable frame.

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.

92 Black Betty Imperial Stout, Nebraska Brewing Company (NE). 9% ABV (1/11)
Dark brown color. Rich, creamy chocolate-covered cherry, pineapple, caramel and vanilla fudge aromas with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a rich, warming roasted pecan, parsnip and honeyed date bread toast-accented finish. A comforting, post-prandial fireside sipper.

92 Barrel-Aged Blackout Stout, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 9% ABV (1/11)
Dark brown color. Rich chocolate-covered caramel, dill and creamy nougat aromas with a chewy, fruity medium-full body and a chocolate apricot and long, warming cinnamon raisin bread pudding finish. A decadent dessert in a glass.

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

91 Imperial Russian Stout, Stone Brewing Co. (CA) 2010. 10.5% ABV (1/11)
Brown black color. Chocolate cookie, dried fruit, delicate spice and nut aromas reminiscent of mincemeat pie with supple, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a lush, grassy, citrus and earth hop resolve. Very nice.

90 Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 8.6% ABV (1/11)
Opaque brown black color. Rich chocolate toffee aromas and flavors with a crisp, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a nice layer of dried citrus and roasted grains, nuts and root vegetables. An appetizing, vibrant IS.

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.

89 Russian Imperial Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 11% ABV (1/11)
Black brown color with no head. Herbal and vegetal hop aromas with crisp, chewy dry-yet-fruity full body and roasted nuts, dark raisin toast and cocoa notes complimenting the bold hops. Very tasty and made for fans of aggressively hopped stouts.

89 Maximilian (Max Stout), Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 9.2% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Aromas and flavors of cocoa-dusted peach and whole nuts with a supple, chewy dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and vegetable casserole, cocoa, quinoa and peppercorn finish. A very nice food beer; serve with lamb tagine.

89 Imperial Stout, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR) Brewmaster Reserve 2010. 8% ABV (1/11)
Brown black color. Compact aromas of chocolate-covered espresso bean and mild chili pepper with a supple, dryish medium-full body and a tangy baked apple, citrus and nut finish with leafy grassy hops in support. A very nice food beer. A good candidate to improve with some cellaring.

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 Kappler Stout, Etna Brewing Co. (CA). 8.5% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Rich chocolate and peanut butter aromas with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a roasted nut and grainy bread driven finish with noticeable grassy earthy hops flourish.

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 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.

87 ABC Extra Stout, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 7% ABV (1/11)
Black brown color. Dark chocolate, roasted walnut, soy and jerk aromas with a frothy, crisp medium-to-full body a grainy bread toast, dried apple and earthy hop accent on the finish. A very nice “sessionable” imperial stout.

83 Lewis Black Imperial Stout, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 7.8% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep dark brown color with almost no head. Mild aromas of stewed beans, pork rinds and mocha candy with a limp, dryish light-to-medium body and a bitter coffee, soy bean, baker’s cocoa and nut skin finish. Unfortunately under-carbonated and a bit shapeless.

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.