Mexican Chocolate Imperial Stout
22 IBU
Beer Advocate - 4.06/5
Untappd - 4.1/5
20C. Imperial Stout
An intensely-flavored, big, dark ale with a wide range of flavor balances and regional interpretations. Roasty-burnt malt with deep dark or dried fruit flavors, and a warming, bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors, the components need to meld together to create a complex, harmonious beer, not a hot mess.
As I was pondering what cheeses to buy for our first Christmas (the missus' side), I also was pondering what Mexican Chocolate Imperial Stout would be leaving the store with me. It came down to Epic Brewing and the one I eventually decided on from Fort George Brewery located in the wonderful little town of Astoria, Oregon. They both sounded wonderful but the 1000 Years of Silence was just a tad bit less expensive (also, a really cool name, couldn't pass it up). Considering I was buying relatively spendy cheeses, I thought it prudent to save a few bucks knowing I was still getting a quality beverage (Fort George is above reproach). Now, let's dive into what I found out!
Aroma: When I put my nose down into the glass, the first thing that hit was a nice sweet malt chocolate fragrance. I also detected some vanilla and a bouquet of spiciness. I am guessing some cinnamon and something else... my sniffer can't quite distinguish. 8.5
Appearance: It pours out a very dark, velvety smooth liquid with a thick, caramel chocolate head. I am being honest when I say that the head lasted for a at least ten minutes after the pour. 9
Flavor: Definitely Chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla. What surprised me was the kick of some sort of pepper (found out later it's Pasilla and Ancho) at the beginning. You can actually feel the spiciness tingle in the nose. Wow! 9
Mouthfeel: Nice level of carbonation. Creamy and silky smooth. I could sip this beer for hours and not grow tired of it. 8.5
Overall: I really, really enjoyed this brew. Great job by Fort George Brewery. I especially loved the zesty spice up front from the Pasilla and Ancho peppers. Together they gave the stout an extra kick. As you can see, the rating of this beer is much higher than the already high marks of beer advocate and untappd. It's not much of a surprise given my bias towards dark beers. This one though, ranks with the best. I might have to make this one a Christmas tradition! 8.7
Matt's mark: 4.35/5
I hope everyone has a great Christmas and many blessing to you and yours!
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