Mount St. Helena Imperial Stout

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

As the foam shot down the sides of teh bottle from underneath the cap which was not yet fully removed, I though, "yep, this one is shot." Quick reflexes managed to get the the bottle to the other side of my narrow kitchen and into the sink with only minor splash damage to the counter and dishwasher near the sink. Still highly carbonated, it took forever to pour what remained of the 12oz bottle into my .75 liter glass. As I waited for the head to subside between pours, I drank the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. I was actually afraid to go back to this, fearing that it would be badly infected. Instead, it comes out very nice. The aroma is nice, melon, a hint of fresh grapes, bananas over the mellow warmth of the malt. The flavor is milky, more of the banana esters, chocolate, caramel and just enough coffee and char to be noticed. The beer is quite attractive with it's large, lasting head and dark body, but I have to count off 1 point since you have to wait for it. I'm also counting off for the overcarbonation in the mouthfeel, although after it had been sitting in the glass for an hour it was just creamy instead of overcarbonated.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Eclipse black color. Small head. Aroma is roasty malts, chocolate and vanilla. A medium bodied Imperial Stout. Malts are roasty, chocolate and coffee. Hops are slightly bitter. Nice roasty malts. Very smooth taste. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 7

Nothing special about this beer, but it seemed to have an acidic start, which seemed odd for a stout. The flavor was chocolately and a little of coffee. A little sweet but ended dry. The head was the best part, being very full. Nearly opaque, black body.