This beer is just about black. It's a tiny bit reddish-brown right at the edge, but any reasonable person would probably just call this a black beer. There isn't a whole lot of head to start with, but what is there is certainly good enough; the light tan, tiny little bubbles remind me of exactly what a Stout should have. The aroma is roasted grains and very noticeable vanilla. It smells really good.
First sip is an Imperial Stout. It has the added vanilla, but there's no mistaking that the that this is Imperial. Imperial stouts generally seem to me to be pretty stolid as opposed to drinkable. This lets you know that you're in the presence of a Stout, and you should be paying attention to it. This is no milquetoast beer that you can swill with a sandwich. This is one that's going to dominate the meal that it would be pressed into complementing.
Tip-in is moderate carbonation sizzle with a hint of caramel sweetness to the toasted grains. The middle is heavier grains with brown sugar, earth, and deep oak. The finish is where the vanilla starts to highlight, but the solemnity of the grains have lost their sweetness, and they wind up trailing off toasted oats.
Bottom Line: Like it sister, it's fine.
2.0/5