AleSmith Speedway Stout
Pours from a 750 mL bottle, wrapped in silver foil, into a pint glass. "Imperial Stout brewed with Ryan Bros. Coffee Beans". Warmed about 20 minutes outside the fridge before serving. A: An impenetrable blackness, capped with a densely woven creamy/bubbly fingers-worth of mocha-tan head. As it slowly ebbs, the head reveals large pock-marks and some deeper craters. Eventually dies to a lumpy film and leaves jagged sticky lacing. S: Huge coffee aroma with abundant malt sweetness, a little oat-like. T: Gigantic dark/charred malt and roasted coffee beans come through immediately. Latent sugar sweetness balances a heavy bittering: reduced caramel, earthy berries and a waning vanilla combat the burnt darkness. More pit fruit enters as it warms. M: Creamy, velvety mouthfeel, full of chocolate and coffee bittering that lingers. Blended well to hide the 12% alcohol beautifully. D: Among the best imperial stouts I've enjoyed. Huge, rich flavor and gorgeous look; it's ashame some late astrigency cuts the drinkability score just a little. Not quite a perfect balance, but pretty close. An outstanding stout that I'll get again and to which I give a high recommendation.