Sample from growler at Ale Wine & Spirits in Powell on 04/27/2012. The beer is a brownish-black color with a medium tan head that diminishes steadily. Rings of lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of dark chocolate, coffee and malt. Full-bodied with a roasty coffee and malt character along with notes of hops and nuts. The finish is rich and malty with a lingering sweetness. Above average overall.

On tap at the brewery for my rating #666. Pours a very dark brown with just a light tan ring for a head due to an overpour from the server. Interesting aroma of molasses, cocoa, and quite a bit of alcohol. Flavor is heavy on alcohol, with molasses, cocoa, soy sauce, and some smoke. Not a great imperial stout, but still a bit enjoyable.

Bottle shared by Sean, thanks! Poured a near clear black with a light brown head that lasted throughout the beer. Aroma had a nice coffee note with some roasted malts and just a bit of dark chocolate. Flavor started with coffee and is joined by roasted malts and was balanced by a nice dark chocolate finish.

Bottle without label that I personally picked up at the brewery. Body is dark, dark with a miminal head that dies to a film within a couple of minutes. Aromas are very smokey... burnt coffee, burnt brownies, peat, etc., and could be a little more full. First sip reveals that this is a very silky and thick drink... almost a bit too much so... flavors are less smoke domiated than I expected, there is almost a bit of a bourbon character to things and a lot of warmth from the ABV. Flavor has a touch of molasses and soy, which didn’t really manifest themselves in the nose. Overall, this is fairly nice and has some good things going, but lacks a bit of refinement and a finish that pulls it all together. I’ll be itnerested to see how bottle #2 treats me in a couple of years.

This seemed like a good place to start at the Michigan Winter Beer Fest, before things got crazy. I believe this was the non barrel-aged version. Raisiny aroma and flavor with molasses, toast, coffee, and chocolate. Sweet, malty body. The complex sweet-yet-bitter aroma was the best part about this beer. Very well-done.

Draft, at MBC taproom, Oooh, mama! They are pushing it in a field crowded with great beers. It is an excellent brew on its own merits. A strong taste that avoids the mediciny aspect of a lot of other RIS's. I'd like to have taken some home to age.