Widmer Brothers' Reserve: Chocolate Russian Imperial Stout

    

     Another Russian imperial stout review?  What are the odds?  Well, at least this one is a chocolate. Anyway, it pours a pretty solid black with just a little light shining through on the edges.  Very small amount of brown head even at room temperature.  Drained instantly.  Getting lots of wood in the aroma and definitely some strong alcohol.  Some sweet chocolate for sure.  Little burnt and roasty.  Pretty well balance and rounded in the aroma; nothing too overpowering.
        Very lively when it hits the tongue.  Some sweet caramel and smooth roast.  Slowly evolves into a subtle chocolate.  Ends rather bitter with a heavy alcohol sting and warmth.  Super thick body.  Chocolate is definitely most evident in the aftertaste; lingers for a good while. Not bad.

Wells and Young's Courage Imperial Russian Stout

    

     Pours a very dark black but definitely not solid all the way through.  Got about a finger of light brown head when poured.  Drained quickly, as would be expected with 10% ABV.  Aroma is very overpowering and fragrant.  Getting some dark cherry notes and rich chocolate.  Phenolic and a sharp alcohol; almost stings the nose a little.  Sharp roast. Little smokey and woody.  Definitely lives up to the style.
     First impression upon tasting is that it is actually quite sweet and has a decent amount of crystal malt character.  Was expecting a more dry, burnt flavor up front. The smokey, charcoal character definitely steals the show, though.   Roast really shines throughout. Some dark fruit before finishing with a very heavy alcohol and bitterness.  Alcohol is very strong; leaves a warming sensation.  Finished quite dry with just a little lingering chocolate.  Heavy body and decent carbonation for the style.
     By far one of the better imperial stouts I have had.  Would definitely pick up again if I can find a good deal.

Elysian Brewing's Savant IPA

  
    Pours a hazy dark orange color.  Almost a shade of red at its heart.  About a finger of slightly off-white head with big bubbles.  Drained to a nice skim.  Getting tons of tropical fruit in the aroma.  Lots of mango and a little bit of citrus.  A little pine.  Little spicy and maybe just a hint of alcohol.  Actually getting a decent amount of malt.  Has a strong caramel and bread background.
     Definitely getting lots of mango and peach in the taste.  A little resiny and oily.  Some bready malt that is just a little bit of toast.  Finishes smooth; not too bitter.  Tropical fruit flavors linger in the mouth.  Light body.  Medium carbonation.  Good stuff.

Stone Brewing Co.'s Sublimely Self-Righteous Imperial Black IPA

  
     I remember not being a big fan of their Escondian Imperial Black IPA.  Hopefully, they've taken a different approach to the style with this one.  The Sublimely Self-Righteous pours a solid black wit a little dark brown shining through on the edges.  About a finger of light brown head with some big bubbles.  Has that classic minty pine character in the aroma.  Some sweet coffee and a splash of oak.  Some spice and a bit of a rich chocolate.
     Hits first with some chocolate and develops into this sharp, dry, intense coffee character.  Tons of roast and a bit astringent.  Very piney all the way though.  Bitterness is heavy but mostly balances out the roast.  Little earthy and woody.  Pine lingers for a bit.  Little oily.  Medium body. 

Oakshire Brewing's Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale

     The Ill Tempered Gnome pours a nice burgundy color with about a finger of brownish white head.  Drained rather quickly to a skim with solid lacing. Aroma is dominated by a very rich, dense caramel malt.  Getting some raisin, toffee, and candy sweetness.  Some dark fruit esters and spicy hops.
     Hits the tongue a little dry before developing a creamy caramel flavor.  Very rich. Has a rather tart spiciness to it.  Some woodiness. Some berry fruit flavors and strong bitterness finish it out.  Spice and fruit linger for a bit.  Body a little on the thin side, especially for the style.  Decent carbonation.  Quite smooth.  Tasty and well worth the price.

Russian River Brewing Co.'s Pliny the Elder Imperial IPA

     This one really needs no introduction, but I will say that Pliny the Elder is often regarded as the best Imperial IPAs in the craft beer scene.  I've had it once on draft in Portland, OR and remember it being quite impressive.  Thought I'd pick up a bottle today while they are available and give it a more in-depth review.  Pours a nice clear golden amber color.  Nice skim of big white bubbles, solid lacing, and nice legs; great, classic looking Imperial IPA.  This thing is just exploding with hop aroma.  The snifter is sitting about three feet from me right now and it is the only thing I can smell.  It has a beautifully clean citrus hop aroma.  Getting some pineapple, orange, lemon, and just an all-around perfect blend of citrus/tropical hop varieties.  Even getting some pine and some wood.  Very sweet honey malt to balance it all out.
     Hits the tongue with some caramel and bread malt before exploding with hops.  Has a very whole hop flavor to it; by which I mean it is reminiscent of chewing on a hop cone.  Not getting a ton of the citrus or tropical fruit but definitely more of the pine.  Has a sharp, astringent hop bitterness in the finish.  The 8% alcohol is masked very well.  Thin body.  Pretty strong carbonation; a little tingly.  Oily.
     Very good stuff.  Would have to say that the aroma wins over anything else on this one.  A fine Imperial IPA and definitely worthy of the praise.
    

Pelican Pub & Brewery's Bad Santa CDA

    
     The Bad Santa pours a very dark amber color.  Easily looks black without some good lighting.  About a finger of mostly-fizzy tan head.  Aroma is a smokey pine with some noticeable alcohol.  Has an earthy/wood character.  Some strong caramel malt with almost a licorice and raisin quality.  Aroma is heavy and hits the nose pretty hard.
     Hits the tongue dry with a burnt/charcoal flavor.  Evolves into a very subtle caramel.  Finished with a sharp alcohol bitterness and some herbal hops.  Light body and strong carbonation.