EPIC Brewing Imperial Stout
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What the brewers say
“This massive stout pours a mahogany black with a thick, brown head. The aroma is all chocolate and toasted malt. The first wave of flavor embraces anise and dark, bitter chocolate but opens up to include coffee, smoke, and rich sweet malt.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Fairly heavy roasty aroma, with chocolate, coffee, light smoke, and light alcohol. A really nice earthy, woodsy, aroma emerges as it warms, along with some cherry notes.”
Flavor: “Heavy roast and chocolate up front quickly transition into a bitter roast and alcohol harshness that grows as it warms. Intensely sweet, with dark stone fruit esters, malt, and vanilla. An earthy, almost herbal-like character adds a nice level of depth and somehow complements the other flavors perfectly. Some heat, but it works with the overall smooth body. The mouthfeel is fairly chewy with smooth carbonation, and the alcoholic heat finishes with a slight numbing effect. Overall, it’s a very intense beer.”
Overall: “Crazy intense all around, still somehow mostly balanced, even if it’s like Clash of the Titans flavor-wise. Lots of roast and dark chocolate, with acrid bitterness and a warming/numbing effect from the alcohol that grows as you drink more. The chocolate and roast play well off each other, making it nicely rounded. It’s a delicious beer that slightly tweaks convention within the style and creates a unique and awesome beer. Check this one out if you’re a thrill seeker.”
