Ex Novo Brewing Company Kill the Sun Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

12.3% ABV
Beer Advocate score - 4.08/5
Untappd score 4.17/5

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.

Found at the Bier Stein

The Missus was out all weekend, helping out at a health fair in Bend, Oregon...so, I decided to do this bachelor weekend right. I was making an Imperial Stout myself so the theme definitely had to be just that. I ended up taking home a Chai Yeti from Great Divide and this bad boy from Ex Novo. Of course, they ended up being the perfect companions for a hard days work of brewing and watching random movies that the missus would never be interested in. The hardest part? Making sure I was cognizant enough to take notes! On to the review!

Aroma:  A phenomenal start. Boozy. A nice swirling bouquet of vanilla, wood, coffee, chocolate and malt. I think I started drooling.   9

Appearance:   Dark, black tar, oil...all of those would be apt. Definitely no light getting through it. Small amount of a deep tan head that sticks around for a decent time.  8.5

Flavor:  The brew seems to have a Russian Stout backbone. Notes of chocolate, roasted malts and charred wood. Caramel and vanilla are noticeable as well. Boozy.  9

Mouthfeel:  Medium body. Not as heavy as one would think. Nice sipper.  8

Overall:   This was a great ending to the weekend. Much better than the disaster season 8 of GoT (don't get me started). Kill the Sun had every thing you look for in an Imperial Stout and I would for sure buy this one again. I recommend it to all the masses that love big, black boozy beers. Remember though, you only need one...otherwise, you might not remember the weekend. 8.5


Matt's mark: 4.3/5