Old Dominion Winter Brew 2004 (Imperial Stout)

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

The body is a dark, almost black, read with a decent tan head that eventually fades to a ring around the edges. A very roasty black coffee aroma settles to a bit of bitter black chocolate (the really high-percentage cocoa types) and roasted nuts. The flavor is heavily bitter, but with enough body to balance it out a bit. Overall a tad thin for the still, but it hides the alcohol nicely.

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

Dominion uses five different types of malts, and four different hop varieties in this beer. This brew is a rich, roasty, warming, hoppy, flavorful beer, everything an Imperial Stout should be. Bell's Expedition Stout is my all time favorite in this style, Winter Brew isn't nearly as big as Bell's, but it doesn't have to be. You can have range within a beer style, with beers like Bell's, and Old Rasputin being on the high end of the scale, and beers like Winter Brew or say Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout on the lower end. All four beers fall into the stylistic parameters of Imperial Stout, and its great that a beer lover can taste different breweries take on this style. Winter Brew pours to a deep black color with a nice tan head, and soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is wonderful. Big chocolate malt aromas mingle with notes of roasted barley, peppery alcoholic strength, and citric, piney hop aroma. This beer has a very "stout" malt back bone. Pale, caramel, black, wheat malts, and roasted black barley make this beer very complex and flavorful. There is a lot going on in this beer, flavors of bitter sweet chocolate, coffee, toffee, and a touch of vanilla, coat the tongue. The body isn't as hefty as some of the bigger examples, and that makes this beer dangerously drinkable! This beer finishes with more chocolate malt character up front, then leads into a warming, dry, bitter, roasty, high octane burn. Imperial stouts are know for being rich, powerful, roasty, strong brews. Winter Brew 1999 has all those qualities. This beer has quite a kick at 8%abv. Another fantastic seasonal from one of the finest breweries in the US. This beer is one to be sipped and savored. I would pair this with red meats, it would work well with a hearty beef stew. This is a great desert beer, match this with milk chocolates, or German chocolate cake.

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

Black colour with some reddish hints, brown minor head. Smooth roasted malt in aroma. Roasted malt, burnt wood with some grainy and toffeeish hints. Old coffee and a bit of alcohol in finish and aftertaste. Wellbalanced.

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

I was surprised to learn that this beer was an imperial stout, being a winter brew. I also thought it was kind of light (bodied) for an imperial stout. Dark, with a decent light brown head. Smooth, with a touch of licorice, but not rich like some others. Still a nice beer though.

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

Draft... Poured a dark mahogany color with a small tan head and left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of sweet chocolate, roast, and alcohol. Dry tobacco taste, smokey, chocolate, roast and a light alcohol finish. A fuller mouthfeel on this would have made it real nice.