Westbrook Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout
Westbrook Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout is an American Double/Imperial Stout, 10% ABV. This is their 5th Anniversary Ale, brewed with raspberries with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans added. Bottled 01/05/15.
The beer pours with a big black color and a huge dark brown head with just the slightest tint of red. The head slowly settles to a thin layer on top of the beer. The aroma does not disappoint when it comes to the name, big raspberry tartness and sweetness is mixing with some rich notes of chocolate, maybe just the slightest hint of roasted malts. Wow, the raspberries really come through on this stout. The sweet fruitiness almost dominates the taste at first, but a nice combination of bitter chocolate, lightly burnt roast, and a touch of hop bitterness create a much needed balance to this Imperial Stout. The aftertaste recalls the raspberries with a bit of tartness that mixes with some lingering roast and dry bakers chocolate. The 10% ABV is pretty much totally hidden, and that combined with a slick and smooth mouth-feel has this big beer a little too drinkable.
My dislike of raspberries is fairly well known, but I’m not totally surprised that I’m enjoying the big raspberry flavor. I do tend to like how the raspberry mixes in Imperial Stouts like this. I am glad I’m sharing the bottle though, about twelve ounces is the perfect amount for me!
