Ryan Sullivan's Imperial Stout
Appearance - pours inky and oily into a nonic glass. A beautiful sudsy head of mocha, nearly two fingers worth, sits atop. Sheeted sparkly lace appears as the head drifts down to a thick cover. Fully opaque, an ideal start. Aroma - Hershey's syrup and a lighter but wonderfully complementary coffee co-host. Those two smells are straightforward but they are resilient and just great. Taste - very roasted grain with a definite char element. The chocolate/coffee bit is a little more understated than I would have guessed. The sweetness helps draw much of that to the front after a few sips and becomes a more integral part of the flavor. The swallow brings on some dry, bitter hoppiness that wipes all that away momentarily with some brief grapefruit and a hint of pine. The alcohol is well-hidden but it's there on the swallow and finish, enhancing some real nice chocolate flavor. Mouthfeel - luxuriously smooth, takes some pressure off the high carbonation level. Makes for a residue that is tasty and long-lasting. Drinkability - abv be damned, this is a great beer for now or for the cellar. An unbelievable bargain to boot at just $5 per.