Imperial Stout
This was a 2010 release, in one of the cute little 7 oz. XS bottles. A beautiful dense, espresso crema-like head appeared shortly after pouring and then quickly subsided. Aroma is grainy, with roasted overtones. Mouthfeel is very full and rich; the chewy texture you'd hope to experience following the addition of rolled oats to the grain bill. The flavor is initially sweet and malty, then rapidly transitions to the bracing zing of ample hops, before finishing with a bitter dark chocolate-like aftertaste. The 11% alcohol by volume is noticeable, but doesn't appear to overwhelm the flavor. This is a decent imperial stout, though it's definitely on the hoppier side. As it continues to warm, the flavor seems a bit more balanced, but the hop character is by far the defining element for me. It's not bad, but it's a little too bitter for my tastes. I prefer Old Rasputin, which I think has about 10 fewer IBUs. This one might go well with a sweet chocolate-flavored dessert, though.