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.