Beer Review: Imperial Maple Milk Stout

Reviewing the Imperial Maple Milk Stout from Perennial Artisan Ales out of St. Louis, Missouri. Perennial is one of the best up-and-coming breweries in the craft beer world; their brewer used to work with both Goose Island and Half Acre before opening his own brewery. This one-off brew was specially brewed for the Northdown Cafe & Taproom for a Perennial-themed beer event. The ABV is listed as "??%."
Score: 91

Tap pour served in a mini (12 oz) nonic pint glass that was then poured into a generic snifter and enjoyed on 01/11/12. Review is from iPhone notes

Appearance: Pours a dark black color with a finger of mocha-colored head that slowly settles to a thin layer that then settles to a ring around the glass. Absolutely amazing lacing and retention. This is a gorgeous-looking dark beer. 5/5

Smell: Milk chocolate, barley malt, bananas and maple. Light alcohol esters and a faint hoppiness too. Some brownie-like chocolate notes also present. More banana as the brew warms. 4/5

Taste: Chocolate, molasses, a little banana and a little bit of booze too. Maple and creamy milk chocolate towards finish. Did this beer use a Belgian-style yeast strand? Modestly sweet, but not a "sweet" beer. Not bitter at all. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Not quite full bodied, mild carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a little prickly warmth from booze. 4/5

Overall: Not quite up to par with their Abraxas chili stout or Vermillion barleywine, but still a pretty delicious and worthy beer.  

Recommendation: Not a can't-miss beer, but worth ordering before the keg kicks and the beer disappears into obscurity...

Pairings: Northdown's signature grilled cheese.

Cost: $8 for a 10 oz pour.