Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale

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

Bottled@SBWF2010. Quite much pitch black colour, small off-white head. Aroma is roasted malts, some slight liuorice, alcohol and vanillaish notes. Flavour is liquorice, some slight alcohol, mild notes of roasted malts, some vanilla and mild dark dry fruityness.

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

A nice Impy stout. A midnight black pour with a thick brown head that lingers all teh way down the glass. Lots of roasted malt in the aroma with planty of hints of coffee, molasses, and plums. Starts off sweet with the fruit and molasses hints but gives way to a bitter coffee finish. While it was good, it wasn't oustanding. Doesn't taste any different than a lot of other Imperial stouts.

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

I preferred the bock to this............this is a little too sweet for an imperial stout in my opinion. A very dark brown beer with reddish hints at the edges. Lots of roasted malt and coffee in the aroma, with a bit too much vanilla and choclate as well. As stated at the start, too sweet on the tongue. Imperial stouts are supposed to be bitter.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Wow! My first 30th Anniversary Ale sample was the Bock, assuming it was the only 30th Anniversary Ale. Then my buddy told me that I had to get the Stout. He was right. Bock was good, stout was great. I wanted to age this a bit, so say I bought this around Oct./Nov. of '10 and opened during the Superbowl. Didn't see the bottled date on the label or bottle, but figured early in '10 so aged about a year. Thick black appearance, but not overwhelmingly muddy like some other IMPYs. Head is mocha/dark tan. The cork allowed me to drink this in 3 different sessions....during a 3 day period. Still had good carb in the last glass. Toss up between this and Stone's Russian Imperial. This is something I would get again (maybe 31st Anniversary), but preferrably share with a friend in one sitting next time. Looking forward to opening that 30th Ann. Black Barleywine in a few months- or a year+ who knows??

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

A tremendously dark brown/black color. Only the most faint ruby glow at the very bottom of the glass when held directly to the light. A very dark tan, creamy, smooth head that lasted forever. It is tremendously thick. Looks like a milk shake. Unbelievable lacing. I'm in awe already!!! Incredibly well balanced aromas of coffee and chocolate. They are both pronounced, but in no way overpowering and that's a good thing. Some dark fruit notes are mingled in perfectly well to temp me even further. No booze in the nose. Some roasted malt gives it a nice comforting aroma. Perfect. The flavor is matched with the aroma. Coffee and chocolate. Not as much of the dark fruit, however none is needed at this point. A wonderful stab of alcohol right at the very end raises the eyebrows and makes me want for another sip. Some dark, roasty fruit notes do make an appearance as it warms a bit. Very well balanced and even with a touch of bitterness. Medium/full mouthfeel. Very, very smooth. Creamy with a slippery, oily type of feel. Leaves a touch of warmth after the initial swallow. Leaves plenty of flavor on the palate, however I would have liked just an itty, bitty, bit more. I'm by no means complaining because it's still superb. Nicely dry to finish. I am completely taken back by this beer. Easily the best beer that I have had thus far. Nearly perfect in every aspect in my opinion. I'm in total amazement. I'm giddy. The head and appearance, smell and taste are all truly exceptional. I should really look no further because most everthing I try from this point on will be a dissapointment. Super easy to drink and it's incredibly enjoyable. I can't wait to pick this up again if they still have it available. Everything about this brew is well balanced. I highly, highly recommend this.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

Beer 11 of my 12 Beers of Christmas - this beauty courtesy of slowrunner. Heavy black pour with a gorgeous thick tan head and light lacing. Toasted malts, chocolate, molasses, honey, earthy light smoky aroma. Taste is rich chocolate, sweet toasted malts, light honey and smooth. Big and warming. Rich and rewarding. Thank you Chris for one of the best beers I've had in a long time. Very worthy of the inclusion of The 12 Beers of Christmas.

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

May 2010 - Beer pours dark brown with some ruby highlights, nice head and lacing. This is a hoppy stout, no surprise. A ton of flavor...lots and lots of roasted malts and piney hops. Sweet, but more than balanced by the hops. A pretty good effort if I could get past the pricetag...but I’m willing to support my favorite brewers on an overpriced effort now and then. Cheers!

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

750ml bottle -

Aroma - beautiful aroma. Burnt toast, dark fruits, dark chocolate, mocha syrup, light smoke (nice) and a bit of bell pepper.

Appearance - deep black body, stunning tan creamy head (expect no less from SN), lasting thru my pint with impeccable lace work.

Taste - really nice combination of sweet/bitter. Mocha, vanilla, alcohol, wet dirt, toffee..great stout here.

Palate - smooth, refined body and a lingering bitter coffee finish

Overall - fantastic anniversary ale. I always expect greatness from SN and rarely do they fail to meet these expectations. Kudos.

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

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color ale with a large foamy head with great retention and very good lacing. Aroma of liquorice with some sweet malt is bordering on being grossly sweet but still manager to retain some balance. Taste is somewhat too sweet with some liquorice notes and some rich sweet notes with no coffee/black chocolate or roasted notes I usually associated with the style. Body is fuller then average with great carbonation and a creamy texture. Not bad but too sweet for my own taste, prefer my imperial stout to be more bitter.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

I've never met Ken or Fritz, but they make a danm fine tasty beer! Can I get a hell Yeah!!?? Beautifully black, shimmering, and a thick medium brown head is what one sees in the glass. The aroma is complex with hints of chocolate, plums, and roasted malts. The flavour is scrumptious. More roasted good ness with nutty chocolate hunts, and a touch of anise.