Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout

Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls, WI

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Black-opaque; big, thick brown head that LASTS.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Chocolate. Roasted notes, lots of 'em. Alcohol nose.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Big and boozy—chocolate, roast, subtle smoke. Sweet, malty, nutty. Roasted bitterness, no hop to speak of.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Subtle bitterness, roasty bitterness that lingers. Alcohol on the tongue.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Full, sweet. Chocolate roast. Smooth and full, if a tad overly effervescent.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A good example of an imperial stout; at 9.5%, definitely a sipper. Great for a Leinie product, we say give it a try.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Very good—smoky, sweet and roasty. A solid imperial stout, and a nice surprise from Leinenkugel.
Ben: Surprisingly good for Leinie—did we mention that? Big and boozy. Full, classic stout. Lots of roasted flavor. We'd buy this again.

Schlafly Reserve Imperial Stout (2010)

The Saint Louis Brewery
St. Louis, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Black-opaque, with a thin almond head that fades quickly.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Vanilla, molasses, bourbon. Oaky alcohol. Quite aromatic.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Prune, bourbon/alcohol. Oak, woody notes. Chocolate, caramel, toffee, licorice notes.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bourbon taste lingers, nice lingering bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Alcohol tingle on the tongue, warming. Very smooth.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Bourbon, oak, stout. Big, sipping beer—sophisticated.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Sweet—caramel, toffee, chocolate. And boozy! A big imperial stout—winter is here, this will keep you warm.
Ben: A winter warmer, good to enjoy with Santa on Christmas Eve. Big, boozy, bourbony. Watch out—at 10.5%, this will sneak up on you.

Lagunitas Imperial Stout

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep, dark brown, opaque. Espresso head fades to lace the glass. Fine bubbles. Nice.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Very little aroma, hop or otherwise. Subtle chocolate. Roast and sweet aromas emerge as it warms.

TASTE: 8.25/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet, licorice, chocolate, sour notes. Whiskey. Very malty.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Alcohol. Roast, sweet finish–really well-balanced. Bitterness is there (and welcome), but restrained.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big and boozy, big body—just plain big.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
Watch out! This is 9.9% ABV, and you can taste it. Big, boozy, sweet and warming. A good imperial stout.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Another sweet, tasty Lagunitas beer at a good price. This is a big, solid imperial stout, one we'd definitely buy again. Kudos to Lagunitas for delivering a great-tasting, complex, original brew.
Ben: This is something your Uncle Vladimir would enjoy during January in the heart of Siberia (though, be warned: he could probably drink you under the table with this one).

Boulevard Imperial Stout (Smokestack Series Limited Release)

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black/opaque—really dark, anyway. Rocky, espresso-colored head that lasts and lasts. Fine bubbles. Beautiful!

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet nose. Roasted notes, dominant whiskey notes.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Malty, big. Very sweet—subtle roast, but we expected more roast character. Oaky. Very little hop flavor, appropriately.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Some sourness. Whiskey lasts—alcohol warming, but not offensive.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very smooth. Sherry-like, warms the tongue. Appropriately carbonated.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Almost done and the head is still here. Big and tastes like it (in a good way). Whiskey flavor is balanced nicely with malt. A special occasion beer.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Ben: A sophisticated beer to be enjoyed from a snifter. Definitely a sipping beer; all that's missing is a monocle and a Sherlock Holmes pipe (or better yet, a big Russian hat).
Matt: I couldn't improve on Ben's comments, so I won't try. It's what I've come to expect from Boulevard's finest offerings—a well-crafted imperial stout.

Black Betty Imperial Stout

Nebraska Brewing Company
Papillion, Nebraska

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Opaque red-black. Thick. Creme-brulée head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Strong alcohol-whiskey aroma. Some coffee notes.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty. Noticeable alcohol–warming feeling. Lots of whiskey, very little hop.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Chocolate, cherry. Subtle wood notes. Sweet finish that fades to slight bitter cherry aftertaste. Also, whiskey!
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Silky-smooth. Alcohol warmth, whiskey dominant. Subtle carbonation.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Unique–big and boozy, but in a good way. Very smooth, whiskey is pronounced.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: After-dinner sipping beer–a nice, warming cherry dessert beer.
Ben: A very good beer–lots of whiskey flavor, but very nice and mellow.