Great Lakes - Blackout Stout (2011/2012)

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Previously Reviewed Here

Bitterness seems to have fallen off a lot. Chocolate and a hint of coffee are still there. This is decent. Nothing great. I'd drink it fresh if I got another 4 pack. 

Founders - Imperial Stout (2010/2011)

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Still has a slightly ashy smell. At this point, its not really bitter. Lots of chocolate. Seems thinner than I remembered. Nothing special now, maybe should have drank it last year?

The 2010/2011 Reviewed in 2012

Berkshire Brewing Company - Russian Imperial Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The best way to describe this is as incredibly drinkable. Its described as a russian imperial stout, but its not bitter, super sweet, strong coffee flavors etc like most of the russian imperial stouts out there (I'm looking at you Expedition Stout).

I think I got this for about $5. I'd definitely recommend it. 

Goose Island - Bourbon County - 2011 & 2012

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The aged 2011 is a lot smoother, but I think I actually like the fresh one better. The bourbon was a lot more prevalent.

Bell's - Expedition Stout - 2011

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Batch 10759
Bottled 11/01/11
Enjoyed on 9/25/12

Not quite a year old.

The initial taste is super smooth.
The middle has a hint of licorice to go along with standard roasted malt.
The aftertaste is not great. Its like the aftertaste of a bad cigar.

Did the finish always taste like this? I'll probably sit on the remaining two bottles I have for a while to see if that sorts itself out after awhile. 

Founders - KBS 2011

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Well. I just had a 2012 a few days ago and I should have taken some better notes. My initial reaction is that I should have drank this last year. Its a little thinner than I remember the 2012. The coffee is pretty muted at this point, same with the chocolate. Enjoyable enough, but much better not aged. I will proceed to drink my other 2012 in the next few weeks.

North Coast - Barrel Aged Old Rasputin

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This has a nice chocolately finish. The bourbon isn't overwhelming. There's just something a little off in the middle. Is it the carbonation? Its enjoyable, but for the price point, I'd definitely pass in the future.

Founders Imperial Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Fresh this is a lot more bitter, especially with a lingering sharp bitter/burnt coffee aftertaste.

With one year on it, the bitterness has really dropped off. The aftertaste is now more chocolatey, with a hint of anise as well. Almost like a completely different beer. I like it a lot. I'll definitely age the remaining two I have from 2011.

Victory - Dark Intrigue

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The nose is full of vanilla and toasted wood.

It tastes pretty good. Still more bourbon presence. There is a weird hopiness to it, almost like the Sixpoint Diesel. Its fine, not the greatest barrel aged stout, but not terrible.

Victory - Storm King Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The year in the closet was not favorable to this. It's really thin, with a burnt coffee aftertaste. It also smells a little weird.

Great Lakes - Blackout Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Tasty. Roasted coffee & associated bitterness are the main flavors, but there are hints of chocolate and anise as well. Very nice. Recommended.

Epic Big Bad Baptist

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The new blogger interface the orignal post. Fuck you google for ruining blogger (not that it was great before, but I never lost posts) and Reader.

I think my comments were that it reminded me of burnt coffee that had sat in a carafe for entirely too long, and then had half a shot of whiskey dumped in it. Somehow it was still enjoyable.

DuClaw - 2010 Oak Aged Black Jack Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Yet another beer on my DuClaw adventure. The bottle clarifies in a few places that it was whiskey barrel aged and not just on oak planks or something like that.

A little thinner than I'd like. Nice bourbon & vanilla notes in the finish. A prickly carbonation to it. Standard roasted malt and slight coffee bitterness. Not bad (or badly priced), but the barrel aged double black lightning was a lot better than this.

Duck Rabbit - Russian Imperial Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

It got better as it warmed up. It had a strong ash tray bitterness to it. I'd probably pass.

Founders - KBS 2011

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

As a treat for my birthday, I pulled one of the two KBS that I kept from earlier in the year.

Still delicious. Still slightly bitter. Coffee is more prevalent now than chocolate was last time (at least per what I said last time). Hints of vanilla and oak from the barrel aging are in the background.

Schlafly Reserve - Imperial Stout 2008

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was really good. Probably one of the better purchases recently.

The barrel aging didn't completely overwhelm the beer, or the three years this aged helped mellow it out. Its not super sweet or bitter. Really smooth. It was deceptively drinkable. Mandy even said she almost enjoyed it (this is high praise from her for a stout).

I'd highly recommend it.

Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Well, they're not lying when they say "anise". That's basically the only flavor that comes through in this. I would not recommend this, even for someone who likes anise/licorice, etc. It was a struggle to finish the entire bottle.

Weyerbacher Old Heathen

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Bought so that I could have a comparison point to Heresy.

Its not great, but its not terrible either. Heresy is a great improvement over this. I wouldn't buy it again.

Victory Storm King Stout

Mostly coffee bitterness. Good brew, but I liked the Stone Russian Imperial Stout better last night.

Brooklyn Black Ops

I think if you handed me this without knowing what it was I wouldn't be able to tell it was barrel aged.

There's a fairly subtle vanilla taste. It is really bubbly, or at least, really small bubbles, thanks to the champagne yeast. Fairly bitter.

I'll have to say, it was not worth the money ($20). Definitely not, compared to say, Heresy ($12 four-pack) or KBS ($20 four-pack).

The bottle is really cool though.