Imperial Stout 2011 (Boulevard)

I saw this special release Imperial Stout on the shelves last year. I've had mixed experiences with their specialty (Smokestack) series, but I figured I'd give it a go. A year or so later, and a good KC friend visiting, we broke out the good stuff. It did not disappoint.

General Thoughts
Look and Smell: This black brew had a slow-rising reverse coffee-colored head. It had both oily big bubbles and tiny compact bubbles. It smelled boozy, slightly hoppy, and roasted. It had a slight bakers chocolate smell (roasted and bitter). It was thick, and it coated the glass as I drank it.

Taste: This brew was chocolaty, caramely, oaky, and sticky. It absorbed all the whiskey flavor it could from that barrel. It was viscous. It had underlying dark fruit flavors. It was good. It was definitely a sipping brew. Another on my list that I'll never get to try again.

**Apparently Batch #2 had some brett sourness. This was definitely not Batch #2.

From the Boulevard site:
Like India Pale Ale, the classic Imperial Stouts were originally brewed with high levels of alcohol and hops to withstand the rigors of a long sea journey, not to India but to Imperial Russia and the Baltic States. Our version is an over-the-top riff on the style, with a huge grain bill featuring several kinds of malted barley, wheat, rye, oats, and spelt. Robust grain and coffee flavors are counterbalanced by date and plum notes from the Belgian yeast. To add extra complexity and depth, this Imperial Stout is made up of a blend of freshly brewed beer and several barrel-aged beers, carefully balanced. Za Vas!