Deep dark brown coloured body with a large, four centimetre tall nice deep brown coloured head. Aroma of alcohol, bread, yeast, roasted malt, light coffee and quite a bit of earthiness. Full-bodied; Earthy and robust roasted malt flavours dominate the taste with a subdued roasty and sweet character throughout. Aftertaste shows some more bread and yeast, but the rest of the flavours are nice. Overall, a complex and deep beer that is great to try, but perhaps a bit underdone or non showing enough complexity. I sampled this 75 cL bottle purchased from Costco in Arlington (Pentagon City), Virginia on 02-January-2014 by my dad for US$22/3pack sampled at home in Washington on 30-January-2014.

Reviewed from notes. Consumed 10/31/13.
The pour is a dark brown color yielding the same colored body with a thin not even a half finger white foamy head. Lacing is sporadic and kinda all over the place.
The smell has some plum, yet with some nice spice (thinkin’ some cloves and allspice). Chocolate and a light raisin sort of aroma enters in nicely at the end.
The taste has a nice Belgian sweetness without any strong yeastiness of most Belgians, slight spicy yet somewhat chocolatey aftertaste, sticky sweet finish.
The palate has about a medium, actually for a 9% brew this has a slight sessionable element to it. Carbonation isn’t harsh nor smooth, nor is there anything that makes it standout in the mouthfeel, but I will say I do feel the ABV startin’ to creep up on me.
Overall, I’m glad I saved this for Halloween night, good Barrel room collection brew from Sam Adams, I’d most likely have this again.

Pours dark brown color with tan head. Moderate roast and chocolate aroma with oak, Belgian yeast. Roasted malt, chocolate and oak flavors with some dough and a hint of sourness. Medium body with average carbonation.

(bottle) clear reddish amber colour with a tall brown head; aromas of jam, sour fruit, fruitcake; balanced flavour with noticeable alcohol and a medium long sweet and sour finish

Bottled 750ml@VWPBF, bought from brewery
Dark ruby color, small brown head. Papery malty, slightly toasted aroma. Medium-bodied. Sweetish, chocolate, a bit tart maybe. Thinnish for this ABV.

750mL bottle, pours a deep dark brown / black with a tiny beige head. Nose is full of Belgian spice, some oak and slight cocoa notes. Flavour is similar, with Belgian spice and oak predominantly, with subdued cocoa notes. Almost a little metallic, but more oaky than anything. Very light-bodied for the style, but fitting due to the Belgian influence. A surprisingly strong beer from Samuel Adams.

Bottle - Vintage 2012 - Brown sugar and dark fruits. Cloudy jet brown with a thin brown head. Not an imperial stout this is a Belgian strong. A great Belgian but an imperial stout this isn’t. Horribly miss labeled but good as a Belgian.