Black Gold Imperial Stout

Perched above the scenic Columbia River Gorge in Mt. Hood, Ore., Full Sail Brewing Company has been serving up classic brews to dedicated fans for a quarter century. A heavy hitter in the repertoire is the Black Gold Imperial Stout, a hugely chewy, bourbon-accented quaff. Not surprisingly, the aroma brims with bourbon whiskey notes of vanilla and caramel, supported by hints of deep, roasted espresso. Tom praised the substantial bourbon presence, likening the aromas to “the inside of an aged bourbon barrel,” though he felt it overpowered the malt. The whiskey notes struck Pete as “deep and powerful,” but he drilled and teased out some sweetish plum and prune. Darker than a moonless midnight, this jet black beer seems to absorb light from the room, yet shows scintillating flashes of garnet and ruby. Black Gold assaults the palate with bold, yet deftly balanced, flavors of Kentucky whiskey, coffee, and cocoa, all punctuated by a fistful of alcohol. Tim enjoyed the deft interweaving of whiskey, bitter chocolate, espresso, and toffee, and felt the “refined piney hop flavor” provided unexpected balance to such a hugely complex beer. Rick, on the other hand, found the “big wash of bourbon” relegated the malt and hops to the role of “backup players.” A massive, brooding beast of a beer, Black Gold qualifies well for the traditional after dinner drink by the hearth.