Clown Shoes 'Space Cake' Double IPA. 9% abv. Amber color with two fingers of bubbly, ivory head. Superb retention, excellent lacing. Nose of bright, spicy hops, sweet bread, stone fruit. Malt aroma and further spice expression come through as the temp rises to room.

Front taste is caramel, bright citrus peel, herbal hops, with sweet malt and tangy orange zest on the back end. Aftertaste is bitter fruity hops, tangerine, botanical resin, with a dry finish. A taste of marmalade comes to mind down the glass. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is cool, round, tangy, thick, slightly sticky.

This is an excellent beer, a DIPA whose Mosaic hops' spice notes punch up the flavor of its malty backbone while accentuating the herbal and bready expression throughout. Its tall bitter hop bill that is balanced well with its malt base and fruit pastry profile. Think of a holiday fruitcake soaked in Grand Marnier. If that imagined taste appeals to you, this beer is sure to please. It surely pleases me. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Why are Miracle Mike and his dog, Bionic, being chased by many evil laser beam shooting cupackes and two giant layer cake mother ships?  Because we’re straight up lunatic fools?  Well, maybe, but with a few brain cells remaining we managed to craft Space Cake double IPA, utilizing citrusy Mosaic hops and an immaculate West Coast style malt backbone.  Dude… chill out.  Enjoy some Space Cake."

[source: clownshoesbeer.com]

Founders Brewing 'Dankwood' Imperial Red IPA 2018. Aged in Bourbon Barrels. 12.2% abv. 65 IBU. Deep ruby color with two fingers of thick, frothy, off-white head. Outstanding retention and superb lacing that sticks to the glass all the way down. Nose of maple syrup, oak, bourbon, bright floral hops. The bourbon aroma stands tall at the temp rises.

Front taste is fruit pastry, vanilla, bourbon, roasted malt. Aftertaste is strong bourbon, herbal and citrus hops, wood and botanical notes sustain on the back end. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, sticky, clingy, astringent, boozy, woodsy.

This is an excellent beer, a big, boozy, barrel brew that attempts to balance the hop forward profile of an IPA and the amber malty backbone of a red ale with a nearly piercing oak and whiskey expression. It is one of the most complex flavor profiles I've tasted in a long time. Take note that this is a unique taste that will surely put off fans of those individual categories, but will sure to please connoisseurs of experimental beers that grab you firmly by the tongue. This beer is unafraid to combine the towering strengths of three completely different beers in one glass. If you welcome huge, complex taste, this is for you. Strongly recommended.


From the brewery:

"What do you get when a big, bold imperial red IPA meets an oak bourbon barrel? A palate stunner that’ll send your senses spinning or, as we like to call it, Dankwood. Rich caramel notes emerge from the depths of the IPA, highlighting strong malt character while the bourbon barrel-aging develops the complexity. A dank, sticky and slightly sweet sipper, Dankwood is the perfect alchemy of wood and hops... Dankwood is the third release of 2018 in the Barrel-Aged Series, preceded by KBS and Backwoods Bastard, our newest year-round beer."

[source: foundersbrewing.com]

Epic Brewing 'Big Bad Baptista' Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 2017. 11.5% abv. Deep black in color with two fingers of creamy mocha head that slowly recedes to a thick sustaining surface. Outstanding retention and superb lacing. Nose of bourbon, almond, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa powder. Aroma lingers down to the last drops in the glass.

First taste is semi-sweet dark chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, oak expression throughout, whiskey coming through on the back end. Aftertaste is black coffee, vanilla, almond cookie, with an alcohol sustain and sweet finish. Big body. Mouthfeel is hot, rich, boozy, creamy, clingy.

This is an outstanding beer, a bounty of rich flavors that have mellowed well in the year since its release. The many tastes of chocolate, spice, coffee, whiskey, and wood all merge together beautifully. Each flavor can be singled out, yet they do not fight for attention, achieving a perfect balance. Each sip was savory, smooth, and slightly sweet, with a touch of boozy punch. A special, marvelous, well-crafted beer. Highly recommended.


From the brewery:

"Rare Release 2017. Big Bad Baptista is inspired by traditional Mexican coffee, Café de Olla, which is served with cinnamon and piloncillo, an unrefined sugar. The Cinnamon adds another layer of complexity and accentuates the earthy character of Mexican Coffee, but more importantly, it captures the essence of a place and its culture. As beverage geeks we wanted to pay homage to that rich tradition and offer our unique take. Big Bad Baptista is a combination of Vanilla, Cinnamon, Mexican coffee roasted by Blue Copper, and Solstice Chocolate cacao nibs. It’s luxurious to say the least, with a pleasant warming sensation generated by the cinnamon and alcohol. Enjoying the interplay of chocolate, malt, oak, and spice is the perfect way to spend a cool evening, with friends around a fire."
[source: epicbrewing.com]

"Inspired by the spicy and bold flavors of a Café de Olla, we added vanilla and cinnamon along with Mexican coffee beans and cacao nibs to out 100% barrel-aged Big Bad Baptist. The result is luxurious, complex, and the perfect after-dinner companion on chilly evenings."
[source: bottle]

My friend Chris and I shared a bomber of Big Bad Baptista with a couple of cigars. A perfect combination.

Clown Shoes 'Blaecorn Unidragon' Russian Imperial Stout. 12.5% abv. Deep black in color. Finger of foamy mocha head. Outstanding retention and excellent lacing. Nose of bourbon, raisin, plum, molasses. Anise comes through in the aroma as the temp rises.

Front taste is bittersweet chocolate, dried plums, sweet bread, allspice. Dry finish. Aftertaste is cocoa powder, black coffee, tart plum, ample fruity bitter hops. Medium body. Mouthfeel is hot, sticky, boozy, carby.

This is an extraordinary beer, a great big Russian with a complex flavor profile that balances bitter dark fruit with spice, hops, and boozy tastes. The complexity is alluring, toying with your palate. The spice blend brings to mind anise, allspice, cloves, and coriander, even though I doubt any of those spices are present. There is a distinct bourbon whisky aroma off the pour, even though no bourbon was used in the making of this beer. 

With its high abv and hefty overall construction, this be can be aged for further excellence. A wonderful big beer from a colorful, creative, brewery that seemingly can do no wrong. Strongly recommended.


From the brewery:

"Brewed with a monstrous amount of malt and combined with aggressive American hops, this beer is powerful and complex and designed to age. Smokiness is subtle but present and blends nicely with the rich, dark flavors."

[source: clownshoesbeer.com]

"What should we call our Russian Imperial Stout? Black Unicorn? Soul Dragon? Nahhh. Let's combine them and create the ultimate mythical creature: Blaecorn Unidragon! Imbued with a monstrous amount of dark malt and aggressive hops, Blaecorn Unidragon is a powerful and complex brew designed to improve with age."

[source: bottle]

The Bruery 'Share This: Mint Chip' Imperial Stout with mint and cocoa nibs. 10.5% abv. Black and dense. Finger of mocha head that dissipated quickly, falling to a sustaining collar. Moderate-poor retention, decent lace. Nose of spearmint, plum, light herbal. Aromas of red wine and allspice emerge as the temp rises to room.

First taste is bittersweet berry, raisins, fresh mint sprigs, cloves, notes of pepper, dark chocolate on the back end. Aftertaste is table wine, herbal hops underneath roasted black malt, bright bitter herb notes on the front of the tongue, spice bundle sustain, dry finish. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, botanical resin, small bead bubbly.

This is an enjoyable, unique brew, one that challenges both my palate and my overall feel. The promised mint profile is up front and present, particularly strong spearmint, with a tall expression in the aroma and a rich ribbon under a roasted chocolate malt base. However, the body is surprisingly thin for an imperial stout, countered only by a warn and syrupy mouthfeel. The head retention is disappointing for this category, falling to a collar in a minute, then to flat surface in five. 

Still, the aroma shines down to the bottom of the glass. It sounds like and tastes like an experimental brew, and on some points it does succeed. Ultimately, I would only recommend this seasonal beer to those who love mint or unique, rare bottles. Lovers of more traditional imperial stouts should seek elsewhere. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Share This is a series of beers that spotlights unique ingredients and important causes. This decadent imperial stout is inspired by mint chip flavors, recreated by adding spearmint leaves and cacao nibs to a rich base featuring chocolaty notes of its own. 'Share This: Mint Chip' pairs perfectly with supporting Food Forward, who is chipping away at hunger relief across Southern California, reaching over 100,000 people a month with recovered fresh foods. For every bottle produced, we donate $1 to support Food Forward, which donates fresh produce to hunger relief agencies across Southern California."

[source: thebruery.com]

Founders 'Doom' Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial IPA. 12.4% abv. Hazy honey-copper color. Two fingers of foamy white head that gradually falls to a sustaining thick surface. Outstanding retention and superb lacing. Nose of bourbon, vanilla, herbal hops, with whiskey and oak emerging as the temp rises. 

Front taste of rich malt, bourbon, sweet bread, toffee. Aftertaste is caramel, sweet fruit, tall hops, whiskey expression rises at the end. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, boozy, astringent, carby, round.

This is an outstanding little BBA, one that delivers on the usual promises of bourbon and wood, merging well with the malty backbone of a DIPA, but also plays well with the ample hop bundle of its base IPA. The everlasting head powerfully brings the aroma forth, especially once the temp rises to room, with lacing that clings without fade. The craftsmanship is clear and forward. Wonderful brew. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Doom may be impending but that doesn’t mean you have to fear it. A collision of worlds, the intense hop character of our imperial IPA mingles with the warm vanilla and oak notes imparted from time spent in our favorite bourbon barrels. Like all good things, Doom comes to those who wait."
[source: foundersbrewing.com]

Firestone Walker 'Bravo' Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Brown Ale 2017 Vintage. 13.2% abv. 28 IBU. Red-brown in color with thin tan head that quickly recedes to a five-minute collar before losing nearly all carb. Moderate retention, excellent lacing. Nose of roasted malt, chocolate, bourbon, dark fruit. Intense wood notes and a tall aroma of toffee rise with the temperature.

Front taste of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, oak. Rich dark chocolate emerges as the temp approaches room. Aftertaste is boozy, warm brown sugar, strong bourbon, some bitter fruity hops on the back of the tongue, sweet finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky, round, astringent.

This is an extraordinary beer, a perfect example of what I look for in a BBA. Fans of brown ales may be put off by this big beer which crosses category past the point of recognition. Few will feel this is a brown ale at all. 

That being said, judging it strictly as a BBA, the promised bourbon is up front, beginning in the aroma and continuing in every sip. The wood expression is ever present once the temperature rises. The overall flavor profile includes dark chocolate, plum, vanilla, all of which mingles with the bourbon and oak in a perfect balance. 

The aroma is superb from the start, only to get better as the beer warms. I found myself smelling this beer almost as much as I was sipping it. And make no mistake, this is a sipping beer. Frat boys looking to chug-a-lug need look elsewhere. At 13.2%, this big bold brew is meant for casual enjoyment over the course of a conversation. Alas, I was alone on my patio when I popped this bottle, but I normally share such treats with others, not only to spread the wealth but to prevent myself from getting too drunk.

I first had Bravo at the Firestone Walker brewery two years ago. At the time, it was not available in bottles with no plans as such. It was brewed exclusively to be blended in their annual Anniversary Ale. Enjoying it on its own was reserved for visitors to the brewery. I remember my friends and I marveling at how  amazing it was, and how it was easily the biggest and best brown ale we'd ever had. We wished they would bottle it. Finally, our wish has been granted. Seek out this limited release beer, especially if you love browns and BBA's. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"February 4, 2017 Release. We proudly present the 2017 Vintage of Bravo, our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Although Bravo was the first strong ale brewed for our Anniversary Ale blending program over ten years ago, it has yet to see its own bottled release, until now. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass."

[source: firestonebeer.com]

“Since founding our brewery in 1996, we have specialized in the rare art of fermenting beer in oak barrels. In the Fall of 2006, we embarked on a program to barrel age a series of vintage strong ales that would later be used as components of a blended beer. That blend would become our first Anniversary Ale, ’10’. After the release of ’10’, we released limited amounts of the components beers on draft only. Many of these beers gained a cult following that craft beer fans raved about and begged for us to put in bottle. Bravo was one of these beers.We proudly present the 2017 vintage of Bravo, our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Although Bravo was the first strong ale brewed for our Anniversary Ale blending program over ten years ago, it has yet to see its own bottled release, until now. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass."

[source: box]

Black Diamond 'Peak XV' Bourbon Barrel Imperial Porter. 8.5% abv. 30 IBU. Black in color with a finger of tan foamy head. Superb retention and lacing. Nose of bourbon, caramel, vanilla, plum. Toasty bread notes as the temp rises. 

Front taste of bitter dark chocolate, dark fruit, red wine, toast and jam. Aftertaste is vanilla cream, dried fruit, bourbon, vanilla on the back end, slight wood expression all across. Medium body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, tangy, sticky, boozy.

This is an excellent BBA brew, a blend that is 25% BBA. You can tell from the overall taste that this beer is not completely from a barrel. Still, the promised bourbon taste is there, especially on the onset, while the wood flavor is faint and only detectable behind the aftertaste. Tons of dried dark fruit - almost sour fruit - tie together the notes of caramel, vanilla, and bready malt. For my taste, this is a little light in body for a BBA - even a blend - and the fruit is a touch pungent, walking close to sour territory. However, my overall impression is positive. I enjoyed this beer and would surely have another. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Wherein we take our rich, luscious Peak XV Imperial Porter and set it down in Bourbon barrels for a little happy time (sometimes when you are waiting, time does not fly).. Bourbon and vanilla are a natural combo and the wood ageing smoothes the chocolate, further blending it with the malt flavors and adding wonderful depth. A true fireside winter warmer this one, we remain amazed at how great this beer is in an ice-cream/porter float."

[source: blackdiamondbrew.com]

"Subtle undertones of vanilla are brought forth using multiple sources of whole vanilla beans, followed by a stupendous nose of dark chocolate - provided by locally sourced cocoa nibs. The flavor is massive chocolate, creamy vanilla, toasty and malty. The finish is epic."
[source: bottle]

Lagunitas Brewing 'Wilco Tango Foxtrot' Imperial Brown Ale. 7.85% abv. 64 IBU. Ruby color, clear, with a finger of ivory foamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose of mild cocoa, white bread, dark dried fruit. The fruity aroma focuses somewhat as wine grapes as the temperature rises.

Front taste of bittersweet dark chocolate, tangy berry, bitter herbal hops. Aftertaste of cocoa, red wine, sweet bread, herbal hops all underneath with a dry finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, slightly astringent, thick on the back of the tongue.

This is an excellent ale that is hard to pin down for category. The label says it's an ale, with the notes further teasing that it's perhaps a brown, perhaps an imperial brown. Lagunitas loves to toy with us by defying categories and brewing whatever the hell they want.

The latter description, imperial brown, is the closest in my opinion, with the prerequisite nutty flavor replaced by a taller malt expression complemented by a brighter hop bitter bite. Whatever this officially is, I enjoyed it and will surely have another. Another solid brew from one of my favorite breweries. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"WTF Ale. A malty, robust, jobless Recovery Ale! We’re not quite in the Red, or in the Black... Does that mean we’re in the Brown? Rich, smooth, dangerous, and chocolatey. It's a big ol’ Imperial Brown Ale to help you with your slippery slide on into springtime. Rich, smooth, dangerous & chocolatey. "
[source: lagunitas.com]

Lengthwise Brewing 'Ale Ya' Imperial IPA. 9% abv. 75 IBU. Hazy honey color. Foamy off-white head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of sweet malt, sweet citrus, light melon, candy sugar. Front taste of bitter fruity hops, light brown sugar, tangy orange-citrus peel. Aftertaste is grapefruit rind, candy sugar, pungent herbal sustain, botanical, sweet finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, tangy, juicy, carby.

This is an exceptional DIPA, a malty sweet hop bouquet. It starts with a pungent aroma that brings fruit candy and flowers to mind, followed by a thick citrusy nearly syrupy taste and bright sweet flavor profile. I love beers like this, full of hop flavor against a malty backbone. Wonderful brew. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Intensely dry hopped double IPA featuring the best Yakima Valley hops. Hop bursting at flame out helps contribute hop flavor instead of hop bitterness and adds tropical and passion fruit overtones."

[source: ratebeer.com]

Evil Twin Brewing 'Even More Jesus' Imperial Stout. 12% abv. Dense black color. Finger of creamy mocha head, like melted ice cream. Outstanding retention and superb lacing. Nose of dark chocolate, roasted dark malt, black coffee, wood notes. Aroma of red wine emerges as the temp rises.

Front taste of bittersweet chocolate, molasses, dark fruit, vanilla ribbon underneath. Aftertaste is rich chocolate milk, emerging red wine, sweet bread, alcohol bite on the sustain with a dry finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, thick, syrupy, astringent.

This is an outstanding beer, an imperial stout with an unquestionably full body and rich dense mouthfeel. The alcohol is high, but doesn't show its presence at first. Its astringent taste steps forward only after the temp rises to room and the volatiles in the head have simmered down. 

Imagine a chocolate milkshake made with chunks of dark chocolate, vanilla ice cream, a shot of Chambord, a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a shot of espresso, served in a wooden cup. Wonderful, perfectly crafted beer. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A few times in the history of craft beer it has happened that a highly praised beer rises beyond mortal stardom into a higher godly league. Usually the recipe to make such heavenly drops is thick fudge-like body, pitch black color, amazingly overwhelming aromas of chocolate, coffee, dark fruits and muscovado sugar, obviously only made in limited amounts and most crucial of all - it must taste rare!"

[source: eviltwin.dk]