This beer is thick and black with a dark brown head. The nose is rich with molasses and toffee. Just a hint of oak or bourbon. In the mouth it's drier than the nose led me to believe. It's not terribly sweet, which is a nice surprise. It's got a dry bitterness too, the result of generous roasted malts coupled with a decent bittering hop. The finish is bitter and hoppy, with notes of coffee grounds and soot. It's not unpleasant at all, just a very dry beer. In the mouth its creamy, sharp from the bitterness, but not at all astringent. To sum, a very interesting beer! I like the dryness, though it was a bit of a shock at first. So many imperials have huge quantities of unfermented sugars to the point of being cloying. This is unique in the world of imperials, and it requires an eclectic taste.
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Pike Entire
Description
Back in the height of summer, Head Brewer Art Dixon placed Pike high gravity (Imperial) stout into Woodinville Whiskey Barrels to age. Months later, after the barrels have imparted creamy vanilla and whiskey flavors, Pike brewers blended the barrel-aged stout with our classic Pike XXXXX Stout. The end product is Entire; a deep and rich beer that beautifully balances coffee and milk chocolate tones with a wee bit of whiskey flavor. This beer is coveted by Entire fans, many of whom buy several of these wax-dipped bottles to age in their beer cellars.
Judges Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20