Written by Samuel Smith Imperial Stout is another fine beer from the expert English beer makers. I’ve found it difficult to be disappointed by them, and when I’m looking for a no-brainer good beer to buy, Sam Smith is at the top of the list.
So far, their Taddy Porter, Oatmeal Stout, India Ale have been pure pleasures to drink. Their Old Brewery Pale Ale was less impressive, still a great beer. The Imperial Stout is another big winner.
As you can see in the picture, Imperial Stout poured what might have been the darkest colored beer I’ve yet to see. Its pretty much black!
It created a nice, complimentary colored beige foamy head which left heavy lacing on my glass to the end.
Aroma was a pleasure to take in. Roasted barley, coffee, chocolate and strangely enough some dark fruit and even citrus.
This is a beer to savor! First, while this beer checks in at a respectable 7.5% ABV, the alcohol flavors and aromas even, don’t overpower the beer at all. You can tell that its got some juice because there is a nice warming that accompanies each sip.
Its got a nice, heavy body and a super-creamy mouthfeel that makes it a truly enjoyable beer to drink.
I won’t go on too much about this beer’s greatness, but as you can tell, I really liked it! I’ll go on to add that I’m finding the Samuel Smith beers to be fine examples of their styles. It seems that many American beers tend to push whatever particular style with higher alcohol, more hops, or whatever. I find these Sam Smith beers to be so smooth, balanced, and refreshingly unpretentious.
If you like the Russian Imperial Stout style, you should give this one a try.
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I agree wholeheartedly Scott, I’ve yet to be disappointed by any Sammy Smith beers, and, as I reported in June 2010 :
Their pubs rarely disappoint too.
@Bob – I’d love to visit one of their pubs someday!
If I’m ever thinking of a good beer, but can’t make a decision, almost anything with their name on it is a safe bet. Got to get some Taddy Porter later I think!
I love Samuel Smith. Their Oatmeal Stout is their best beer, but this one is pretty solid as well.
@Nate – Their Oatmeal Stout is my gold-standard Oatmeal Stout. Tough to beat, that’s for sure.
My friends think that I am a bit of a Sam Smith’s fanboy, but I just had their India Ale last night and was blown away yet again. Their Imperial Stout is also amazing, and is one of those beers that I remember being on the BA top 100 beers before the American craft beer explosion.
Their India ale is awesome too. I think being called a Sam Smith fanboy is a compliment!