I have always said that most beer is intended to be enjoyed as fresh as possible. Most of the time, this is true. Every rule has its exception, however, and tonight I'm drinking an exception. I have just popped the top on a bottle of Smuttynose Imperial Stout that is a little over two years old. Imperial Stout is big beer if ever a big beer style there was. In fact, it is part of the Smuttynose Big Beer series, packaged only in 22 ounce bottles, and distributed in a limited area. Hard to find beer this is indeed!

The preferred container of choice for beer is the 12-ounce six-pack for most consumers. The 22 ounce bottle just doesn't sell as well, at least for the most part, and they have become rather few and far between out here in New England. A few breweries still succeed with them, and Smuttynose is one of them. Big beers in big bottles has worked well, thought they needn't survive on them as they have a regular line of beers that they sell in the more conventional six-packs.

I wrote the following on April 16th, 1998 when this beer was first introduced:

This is the first in the "Big Beer" series from Smuttynose Brewing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. That being the case, I look forward to the future with great anticipation. This is one fantastic beer, and if the quality of future selections in the big beer series is only half as good as this one, we beer lovers are in for some real treats.

I gazed admiringly at the crude-oil like substance that emanated form my 22oz. bottle as I poured it into my glass. Not much carbonation, and very little head formation, but what a treat when I took the first sip: an intense licorice experience melds perfectly with chocolate and a touch of coffee roastiness and a thick, oily mouthfeel. Good hop bitterness in the finish, not overpowering like Expedition or Rogue Imperial, but probably more historically accurate than those beers. A pleasant alcohol warmth rounds out a very impressive beer drinking experience.

Smuttynose Imperial Stout pours to a jet black color and a thick, crude-oil like consistency. A formidable tan head forms atop my glass as I pour, and the beer has a rich licorice nose. The palate is huge: full of subtle chocolate, loads of licorice, a rich roastiness, a 7.1% by volume alcoholic warmth and a gentle bitterness in the finish (more aggressive when this beer was young, the bitterness mellows with age). A wonderful warming beer for a cool October evening, a perfect nightcap, or perhaps a beer to be shared by two over a rich dessert.

Update 10/25/2015: I have always said that most beer is intended to be enjoyed as fresh as possible. Most of the time, this is true. That's how I started my review of Smuttynose Imperial Stout 15 years ago as an introduction to my thoughts on an aged bottle. Tonight, I'll regale you with my thoughts on the fresh stuff, enjoyed on tap at Taco Mac. Can't get much fresher than that, can we? Of course, this isn't quite the same beer I first enjoyed, as its much bigger and also stronger at 9.4% alcohol by volume. It's still rich with a thick full oily mouthfeel and packed with chocolate and licorice with a long dry roasty bitter finish that warms with alcohol as well. It's an amazing imperial stout that packs 107 IBUs, and is a bit unusual in that coriander is an ingredient. I didn't pick up on that however.

Ingredients from the website:

Malt Bill

North American 2-Row, Munich 10L, Carahell, C-120, Carastan, Chocolate, Roasted Barley

Hops

Bittering: Warrior, Flavoring: Cascade and Sterling, Dry Hop:Columbus
 

Smuttynose Imperial Stout gets a boost up from the 4 stars I originally scored it at to a full 5. it's not just a really wonderful example of the style, but its very reasonably priced at $5.99 a bomber. I paid just $5.50 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac. Smuttynose Imperial Stout isn't always available, but when it is, I like to stock up. You should too.



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