22nd Anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout
Tulip glass. So... this beer is hard to open. Too much wax. It's like that old Bear Bryant saying about endzone celebrations, "Act like you've been there before." A: Pours dark copper brown/black with two fingers of whispy cream colored head. Some lacing and good retention. S: Vanilla and cream layered over roasted malt, some oak and spice, but also cheap bourbon. Smells slightly oxidized. Plum and dark chocolate as it warms. T: Creamy vanilla ice cream and some alcohol, dose of espresso, finishing slightly bitter. On the boozy side. M: Medium carbonation and medium-full body. Not particularly smooth. O: This is a pretty good effort, and definitely a step in the right direction for Karl Strauss. There are some nice elements here and some not so nice. Lots of flavors but not that well integrated.