Review of Samuel Adams Imperial Stout
Posted By Ken Saturday, 25 April 2009 18:04
I found a single of Imperial Stout at an awesome local beer, wine, and liquor store here this afternoon and decided to pick some up to try. This is my first adventure into the Samuel Adams Imperial series of beers. As visitors of this site regularly know, I am a huge fan of Samuel Adams beers, so see if the Imperial stacks up as well as their others do.
Ken's Review
Taste: A- Imperial Stout has a wonderful aroma, and an even better taste. There are subtle hints of chocolate and carmel mixed into this stout which hang on the tongue after swallowing just long enough to make you want more. There is an initial kick when you first drink some of it, but then the taste quickly mellows to a feeling almost like you just ate a Hershey bar. What a fantastic beverage!
Packaging: A- I go with the rating on this one even though, as most know, Samuel Adams doesn't go with really fancy packaging. This one has a purple label with Imperial Series across the center in a red banner, and Sam Adams holding up his pint, with Imperial Stout underneath. The bottle is almost as dark as the drink is, to the point you have to hold the bottle up to light to even see the liquid. No complaints here.
Value: B+ Sam Adams Imperial Stout comes in 4-packs, as opposed to the sixer most of the beers we try come in. A 4-pack of this runs in the vicinity of $10-$12, which breaks down to a few bucks a bottle. But remember, this is an Imperial, and it is well worth the money for those who can appreciate the taste. And given the alcohol content, you are sure to get your money's worth in the Drunkeness department.
Drunkeness: A Imperial Stout will kick you ass with an enormous 9.2% alcohol content. I had a couple sips of this and even after trying it right after a big plate of spaghetti for dinner, I started feeling the buzz pretty quickly. This is a great "dessert" drink, but unless you really eat a lot this one will bite you quick!
Overall: A- I am very happy that I have still yet to find a Samuel Adams product that I did not like. Imperial Stout isn't one that I'm going to buy frequently, and especially not as my choice for a full night of drinking, but it makes a great beverage to compliment a nice dinner or enjoy, as I said, as a kind of dessert drink. I was a little worried with the alcohol content and the chocolate and carmel ingredient this thing was going to be overwhelming, but it is very smooth for a stout in this department. If you have the chance to try one, make sure you do. This is one to appreciate when you drink it, and I'm sure you will not be disappointed.