Score: 96
Tap pour served in a snifter glass and enjoyed on 04/20/13.
Appearance: Black bodied and served with a finger of tannish khaki head that slowly recedes to a ring around the glass. Unreal lacing and retention -- the head sticks to the glass like white on rice. Two minutes after my first sip, the lacing was still there as if I had just pulled the glass away from my lips. Check out the picture to the right for the proof. 5/5
Smell: Chocolate and tropical hops, both very well integrated. Some light roast and pine too. 4.5/5
Taste: Juicy, bitter and hoppy upfront with resinous pine, pineapple juice, orange and grapefruit flavors. Back half characterized by chocolate and a light roast in the finish. Although billed as a Russian imperial stout, this drinks more like an excellent black IPA or a hoppier Surly Darkness. Whatever the style, this one drinks excellently, like slightly roasted chocolate covered pineapple cubes. 4.5/5
Mouthfeel: Just shy of full bodied, spot on carbonation. Bitterness from chocolate and hops mix perfectly here. A bit juicy upfront, slightly dry in the finish. 4.5/5
Overall: So few beers integrate hops and chocolate this well. I believe that they dry hopped the snot out of this with Citra. This beer is a home run. Cheers and congrats to creator and winner of the homebrew competition!
Cost: $9 for a 10 oz pour.
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