Beer Review: Baller Stout

Reviewing the Baller Stout, a collaboration between Three Floyds, Surly, Mikkeller and De Struise that blends Dark Lord, Darkness, Beer Geek Brunch and Black Albert. This is essentially a bottled one-off.
Score: 92

Fall 2011 vintage with yellow wax, served in an oversized brandy snifter and enjoyed 01/17/12.

Appearance: Jet black with a finger of creamy tan head at pour that settles into a clump of tan bubbly head on top of the beer and a ring around the glass. Completely opaque. Not a whole bunch of sticky lacing, but this one is 13.8% ABV so not much lacing should be expected. 4/5

Smell: Sweet chocolate, roasted malts and dark fruit. Lots of sweet raisin and creamy chocolate. Light coffee too. Absolutely no alcohol is present in the aroma. 4.5/5

Taste: Very complex, sweet flavors in this brew. Upfront I get a lot sweet raisin and dark fruit flavor, which may or may not come from the Darkness or Dark Lord. The dark fruit and raisin flavors linger throughout the beer, but new flavors increasingly come out with every sip. After the dark fruit, I get some milk chocolate and light coffee, followed by vanilla and marshmallow toward the finish. More bourbon-like flavors come out in the finish as the beer layers. Noticeable alcohol flavor in finish of the beer, but nothing overwhelming. Roasted maltiness in the middle and towards the finish as well. Also detecting some light berry fruitiness on the midpalate (from the Black Albert?). As the beer approaches room temperature, more alcohol comes through in the finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-high bodied with low carbonation. Velvety mouthfeel going down with a sweet, sticky finish. 4.5/5

Overall: Expensive, sweet and delicious. Baller Stout does not equal or exceed the sum of its parts, but it is certainly worth seeking out to try once.

Recommendation: A sweeter Russian Imperial Stout, so if you do not like sweeter imperial stouts be forewarned. Otherwise, I highly recommend seeking this one out before it becomes too rare to obtain as more and more people drink their allotment.

Pairings: Best enjoyed as a digestif following a delicious steak dinner.

Cost: $30 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.