Peace Tree Brewing Imperial Stout

April 4, 2011April 5, 2011 ~ Ken Valley ~ Leave a comment

When I visited the Peace Tree Brewing a weekend ago, I picked up a bottle of the small batch Imperial Stout.

It poured very dark, and was a sweet smelling stout with a hint of a chocolate aroma. Immediately I could taste the dark malts with a chocolate flavor, and there was a bit of flavor from the Belgian yeast. It had slight flavor notes of figs or prunes. There was very little alcohol warming, even though the beer was listed at 10 percent. The body was lighter than I thought it would be at that strength, but it balanced it out quite nicely. It was a great beer, and should be found across Iowa now.

Have you had the Peace Tree Imperial Stout? What was your take?

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy

February 9, 2011February 16, 2011 ~ Ken Valley ~ Leave a comment

While in New Jersey, I had a chance to try one of the best beers in a can, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. The beer, an Imperial Stout, gets its name from the 10.5% ABV of the beer.

I didn’t quite know what I had in these little cans. When I cracked it open and poured it into a glass, it was so thick and rich, it looked like used motor oil.

It had a very strong chocolate scent. With the first taste, it had a great, thick chocolate flavor. Even though I could feel how thick this beer was, I was surprised how remarkably balanced it was. Even with the big mouthfeel, I found myself having a couple of these before I was done.

I was very impressed by this great beer, and it takes a place as one of my favorite stouts.

Have you had Ten Fidy? What did you think?

Great Divide Brewing Co Oak Aged Yeti Stout

May 29, 2010 ~ Ken Valley ~ Leave a comment

One of the beers I purchased the last time I came East but didn’t have the chance to try until this trip was the Oak Aged Yeti Stout, from the Great Divide Brewing Co in Denver, Colorado.

All I have to say is “Wow!” It was a nice, thick imperial stout with a ton of flavor and complexity.

Initially, it smells like coffee. It’s very malty and leaves your mouth with a slight warming sensation because of its strength. It is very smooth going down, and it leaves your palate flavored like coffee, chocolate, and vanilla. It was a very complex and deeply flavored beer, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Have you tried the Oak Aged Yeti Stout? What was your opinion?