Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

ABV: 12.7

91/100
Aroma: 11
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 18
Mouthfeel: 4

Smog City Brewing Company Infinite Wishes

What the brewers say

“Infinite Wishes is an inspired reimagination of a classic imperial stout, Decadently aged for twelve months in bourbon barrels. Infinite Wishes draws from the depths of nothingness and pours obsidian-black with intense aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and cooked sugar finishing with the layered richness of a bourbon chocolate pie.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Assertive bourbon and alcohol, with a light smokiness and moderate vanilla. Moderate chocolate, as well as caramel and dark candi syrup are also present, along with some burnt malt. Notes of raisin, cherry, plum, and prune.”

Flavor: “Bold chocolate, with some roastiness from that malt that forms the scaffold. Mild bourbon flavors, with a nice blend of cherry, prune, plum, and raisin. Vanilla and umami add some complexity, along with the oak and bourbon. Some chewy qualities to the body. The finish is pleasant and not too hot, but it still has some lingering warmth.”

Overall: “This beer came together nicely. It’s a nice blend between all the flavors throughout and is balanced without rough edges. The chocolate was the backbone and played well with the sweetness from the fruits. The pronounced alcohol burning lingers for a while with the umami notes, which makes it difficult to say whether or not to drink it at a warmer temperature.”

What our editors thought


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__Aroma:__ “A rich blend of milk and chocolate, Cuban coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate syrup, and Nesquik. It smells like chocolate milk, but there’s a touch of something a little funky, but not quite sour. Roasty, with light coconut and a touch of alcohol.” __Flavor:__ “This is a chocolate bomb. Lots of chocolate roast that’s very sweet and chocolate milk−like, and it transforms into an intense burned sugar, deep roast character plus a hint of currant. Silky smooth carbonation that tastes like it could be nitro, and chewy. The roasted bitterness lingers, but falls off just before becoming unpleasant.” __Overall:__ “Lots of awesome chocolate, in almost perfect harmony with a deep roast character and medium alcohol warming, all of which is held together with a thick, silky body. It’s wonderfully balanced and complex and hits every expected note in an imperial stout.”

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