Night Stalker Imperial Stout poured from growler into pint glass (half devoured)
Poured from a 64oz. growler into a 16oz. pint glass. The brew is jet black, like a good stout should be. A small espresso head forms, but dissipates almost instantly. A small, tan ring of lacing is left. Does not appear too carbonated. Instead appears delicious. Let’s stick our nose in it.
On the nose a smoky caramel scent comes on strong, along with molasses, syrup, brown sugar, and a good oak note. Reminiscent of a good, sweet breakfast stout, but smells more strongly of alcohol. Scent really is as dark, mysterious, and inviting as the brew itself.
Per a few recommendations of people I stalk I have let this beer warm up a bit before drinking. First taste is quite sweet, syrupy. Definite caramel, brown sugar, molasses flavors shine through, as well as a bit of bourbon and brandy. Very well composed flavor. Deep and complex. Alcohol is fairly well hidden but a good sting does hit the nose. Nice bitter aftertaste complements the initial sweetness exceptionally. There is a strange, grassy herbal character as well as some sweet candied fruits (plum, cherry, maybe a subtle pomegranate) dancing just beneath it.
Mouthfeel is thick and luscious. Very smooth and heavy. Low carbonation, like many tap stouts. Powerful on the tongue, silky going down.
If this beer wasn’t the high octane drunk-fuel it is, I’d swear I could drink it all day. So smooth with a perfect sweet/bitter balance. I will most definitely have another, and another, and another, and then another when I wake up from my stupor.
A+, and on The Drunkards Progress Scale, “STEP 9: Death by suicide”. If nine, ten pints of this brew didn’t kill me, I’d die happily by my own hand knowing that it was my last on this earth.
(Photo of pint and growler below)
