Monday, December 13, 2010

Mendocino Imperial Stout.


At this point, I have mixed feelings about Mendocino. The barley wine was interesting enough, but the imperial IPA was an absolute disaster. The imperial stout pours dark and thick with a thin but capping and persistent head. Aroma is very strong, bitter, almost to the point of burnt coffee. Mouthfeel is moderate for an imperial stout, nothing out of the ordinary. Taste is a bit confusing at bit. Malty, then very bitter, but mellowing out partially into something smoky, again, maybe to the point of being burnt, maybe some leather. Finish is either unusually sweet or bitter with a bit of fruit like some coffees.

It reminds me a bit of Blackstone Maris Otter but with a bulkier body and more ash and tar in the fire.

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