Goose Island Night Stalker

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

Another from the cellar. Bottled on 3/6/2010. I drank a fresh one back in 2010, but didn't review it. I remember a strong hop presence. Not on this aged version. Pours black with a foamy dark tan head that quickly dissipates. Some early lacing but by the time I've had a half pint of it, it's gone. Aromas of dark chocolate, malted milk balls, coffee, vanilla, dark fruit and roasted malt with a hint of wood and bourbon, although neither is involved in the making of this beer. Flavors are led by dark chocolate and coffee, with vanilla, roasted malt and touch of wood. Light bourbon splash on the finish, especially as it warms. Mouthfeel is dense and creamy. This was a treat. I know that Night Stalker was at one time the base for their Bourbon County Stout, but on its own, this beer certainly ranks near the top of any Imperial Stouts that I've had. Outstanding!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Very attractive pour - midnight black with a tan hued head that is monstrously sticky. Interesting aromas of bitter cocoa and pungent hops. It is not too appealing on the nose, but its very interesting. Syrupy and thick mouthfeel lends nicely to the Flavors of this beast - brown sugar, molasses, burnt caramel are met with a ridiculous hop bite. Wow. This is surely hopped to hell. I really dig the mouthfeel and the initial tastes of the brew but I struggle with the massive hop addition as, to me, it does not lend much to this brew and creates a very unpleasant astringency.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Pours dark and thick like dark corn syrup, immediately mysterious and alluring to look at. Not much head frothed up so I wasn't as impressed in the glass as I was while pouring (however, I poured the next glass faster and did get a decent creamy head). Aroma is fairly typical for an impy and what you would expect, possibly a slight hint more of hops on the nose but that might also be other reviews clouding my judgement. Mouthfeel is thick and silky and super smooth, really an amazing feel all around. Taste is thick malt, caramel, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, hoppy bitterness with a little tobacco and leather. This beer is an experience and deffinitely one of the better versions of the style.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Sampled on 1/1/2011. This Imperial Stout pours an eclipse black color from a 22oz bottle. Medium sized white foamy head, with decent lacing and nice retention. The aroma is chocolate, coffee, vanilla and roasty malts. A medium bodied Imperial Stout. The malts are roasty, chocolate and coffee with a hint of vanilla. The hops are herbal and earthy. Decent carbonation. Hide the alcohol very well, there is a hint of alcohol at the finish. Touch of tobacco. A very nice solid Imperial Stout. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly biiter with a touch of coffee and alcohol.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

possibly the smoothest double digit strength impy i’ve had. also one of the hoppiest. how an 11.7% beer with a ton of hops...and chocolate...and licorice...and roasted malt...doesn’t come off as a bit much is a modern marvel. this beer was excellent, and depending on the mood, is as good as Bourbon County. On this night, I’d rate them both the same, but on any given night, each is good enough to be preferrable to the other

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

pours a dark tar, great lacing of brown foam .. . has a nice dose of bitterness, to go with the roastee chocolate, coffee, and dark fudge .. man, 6 months would be great! .. . another winner from GI .. . It's delicious, Chef. I hadn't planned on that.

rerate on a bottle aged 9 months.. aging this didn't seem to do it much good, i enjoyed fresh ALOT more! no direction, and light oxidation.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a medium foamy dirty brown color head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of bitter hoppy notes with roasted malt notes – definitely more hoppy then I was expecting. Taste is also dominated by loads of hops with bitter and citrus notes not common for the style with a side of light roasted malt notes. Body is quite full with a creamy texture and good carbonation with no signs of alcohol. Very good which is not surprising considering the brewer but also more hoppy then most imperial stout I have tried before.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

NICE! Pours black as tar, no head. Hoppy mouthfeel. Interesting licorice flavor along with expected coffee and chocolate. I like it, I like it a lot!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Sticky pine and loads of catty Simcoe hops in the nose. Plenty of influence from the sticky-icky cousin of the hop for sure. Cocoa and roast push their way through after the hops have had their fun. Opaque brown/black, foamy thin head and spots upon spots of lacing. Sweet, filling and overly hoppy. Full bodied with a pleasant bitterness. Dry hopped to the extreme and the aggressive Simcoe is easily noticed. Evergreen with dark chocolate fudge, nuts and milk.