The first beer of the night is a big one. A very big one. It's the Everything Good in the World Imperial Stout brewed by @Pennine, to whom I owe a very big thank you for sending me this before Christmas. I think it's somewhere north of 12% so it may well be my only bottle for the night!
The swing-top bottle opened with a satisfying pop and a little swirling puff of vapour. The aromas are of chocolate, booze, cake and all things christmas. Lovely.
It pours with the tan head that you see above, formed of fine, densely packed bubbles that stay around seemingly forever. Normally I rush around to the camera after pouring a pint that's going to be photographed to catch the head whilst it looks its best but for this one there was no need to hurry.
The mouthfeel is rich, thick and velvety; just how a big stout should be. I'm not the best at describing flavour notes but I do get smooth, boozy, lightly roasted coffee. A little chocolate and no astringency at all. The alcohol taste runs throughout but all the other richness offsets it well. I was half way down the glass before I knew it.
And then I blinked and was all the way down the glass. The lacing, present all the way to the bottom shows a well made beer. Congratulations to @Pennine for producing such a wonderful stout that I have thoroughly enjoyed drinking. @Hopsteep you're in for a treat.
The swing-top bottle opened with a satisfying pop and a little swirling puff of vapour. The aromas are of chocolate, booze, cake and all things christmas. Lovely.
It pours with the tan head that you see above, formed of fine, densely packed bubbles that stay around seemingly forever. Normally I rush around to the camera after pouring a pint that's going to be photographed to catch the head whilst it looks its best but for this one there was no need to hurry.
The mouthfeel is rich, thick and velvety; just how a big stout should be. I'm not the best at describing flavour notes but I do get smooth, boozy, lightly roasted coffee. A little chocolate and no astringency at all. The alcohol taste runs throughout but all the other richness offsets it well. I was half way down the glass before I knew it.
And then I blinked and was all the way down the glass. The lacing, present all the way to the bottom shows a well made beer. Congratulations to @Pennine for producing such a wonderful stout that I have thoroughly enjoyed drinking. @Hopsteep you're in for a treat.