Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout:

I've had some imperial stouts that are so big that they fairly stand up from inside the glass and start ordering you around. Many American imperial stouts explode with flavor and throw their weight around, brandishing an imperial alcohol content somewhere between 9% and 12% abv. Don't get me wrong... I love these, of course. (Check out Weyerbacher Old Heathen, Victory Storm King, and North Coast Old Rasputin for good examples). British beers seem to favor erring on the side of caution (as evidenced by their milder IPA presentation which we Americans have adopted and cranked up to sometimes staggering levels of hoppiness). Samuel Smith has chosen to err on the side of sublimity.

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is as finely crafted as beer gets. Every bit as robust as any imperial stout with 50% more alcohol, Sam Smith's Imperial maintains its dignified reputation at a reserved 7% abv. The dangerous thing about this is its smoothness and drinkability. With just the right meal or lively conversation, this imperial stout could accidentally turn into a session beer... Oh good heavens!

Dark as night, with malty and some fruity notes, this hearty stout has a bready warmth, an unbelievably smooth mouthfeel, and a slightly bitter finish. Just enough boozy tang at the end to remind you that it's imperial. Fit for royalty.

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0

Style: 1.0

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 4.0 Flags