Jim and I sat down for this review after a long afternoon digging up a hop garden in my backyard. What better way to celebrate future beer than with current beer…and then go play bags outside and drink more craft beer. Whooo!

Brewery Home: Milwaukee, WI

Serving Style: 1 liter swing top bottle

Beer Style: Russian Imperial Stout

Appearance: Opaque black body. Decently think, tan head that falls from a pillowy blossom back into the glass – Jim notes it looks strikingly like a Coke. Looks like a ‘legit’ imperial russian.

Aroma: Strong roasted malts with a 2 x 4 of oak. Light vanilla around the edges that blends into a light floral hop background. Most of the time the roast tells the hops to sit down and shut the #$%* up.

Taste: Velvety smooth mouthfeel and surprisingly sweet. Wow, very sweet and…thin!? Decent bittersweet chocolates, roasts finishing with a faint bourbon pucker and hop bitter. Disappointingly lean body. This is 11% ABV?! WOAH. The overall flavor has not packed the punch we were craving but we are amazed at the smoothness…too easy to gulp down. Alcohol is buried under cuddly roasts and mellow hops. Well rounded, but lacking that stout wallop we crave; Jim thinks it’s almost ‘wine-like’ in its thinness.

ABV: 11%!

Drink one or all?: 1 bottle will be plenty.

Cost: $13/bottle (can’t remember?)

Overall: Jim/Andy: 15/20