Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

Wow, I hate to lay the smack down on an Imperial Stout, but this was just not up to par. Biscuity malt aromatics with a weak roasty backing...where's the beef? It looks like a browner Guiness, with the ruby highlights and whatnot, nearly not head or lacing...why can I see through this? Thin and lifeless across the tongue, nothing wrong, but this doesn't act like a big, hearty stout beer should. Again, where's the roast? Lots of biscuity malt flavors, some earthy hops...but come on! This is supposed to be a beast, where's the kick? This might be a really big brown ale, but as an Imperial Stout, I'm left wanting something more. Given how great the Sweet Stout is, I had high hopes.

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

Wow! I got nearly a pint for free at Cicero's because I got lucky again and got the last of the keg. Full, fruity aroma, spicy, caramelly and rich, very nice. Deep copper/red coloring with a very nice stand of eggshell foam which laced all the way down, despite the alcohol. Lively carbonation and coating, but not thick or slick, quenching and warmning, like a Belgian should be. Full of dark fruits, raisins, figs and some peach/apricot/pear notes with coriander, pepper and other spices, like anise. An excellent dark Belgian and a great find. Drink this if you can.

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

Pours with a wheaty, estery aroma, lots of spices, ya know, that Unibroue yeasty, breadiness. Dark gold with lots of fairly fluffy head. Spicy and fruity flavor with plenty of yeasty and grainy breadiness. A nice ale, but not their most inspired.

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

Ho-hum for an ESA, however its a respectable Northern English Brown Ale, if a bit on the pale side. Slightly minerally, brown, thin, malt focused, mild earthy hops and very pedestrian. I'm not disappointed...just bored.

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

Hand pumped from the cask by Larry Bell at GTotMW 2006. Full of coffee and cocoa aromatics, lots of roast, in layers. Dark, earthy brown with a dearth of head. Excellent balance of coffee and rich stout, I believe the base is Special Double Cream Stout, and it is a fine choice. On the whole, a very nice winter warmer...even in late summer.

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

What an odd offering... Pours with an alcoholic, cracker crumb malt, spicy hops and some belgian-esque esters. It was nearly flat with no head, which given the alcohol is expected, but isn't it supposed to be a Pils in some respect? I expect carbonation. Flavors reflected the aromatics with some fruit sneaking in. An interesting beer, if a bit off target. Thanks, Jack.

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

Another special treat from Belgium. Aromatic with apples, caramel, pepper, coriander, pears, anise rising from a clear, copper body with puffy foam. Slick and quenching mouthfeel, and the tongue agrees with the nose. Very little bitterness, some herbal hops and caramelly sweetness are all here. Another cool take on a Holiday brew.

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

Spicy, alcoholic and caramelly nose over a crystal clear amber body and a foam of large bubbles. Prickly carbonation to start and a coating caramel quality after it warms, quite a different texture for a Belgian. Full, fruity and spicy flavor with sweetness to start and mildly tart/bitter end. Quite pleasant.

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

I'd almost forgotten to review this one...its probably because its an uncharacteristically boring and dull brew from Unibroue. It isn't flawed, but it lacks the spicy phenolics and general depth of flavor we come to expect from this group. It isn't bad, its just not up to par.

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

Wow, the famed Bourbon County Stout, finally in my glass. Pours with a rich aroma, full of bourbon, wood, smoky vanilla, chocolate, caramelly, malty and earthy. Dark, like a black hole with very little head, but nice legs linger on the glass. Creamy and full bodied and very smooth, low carbonation and rather pleasant. The flavor coincides well with the aromatics, however, I find that it leans too far in oak/bourbon department, to the point of partially overwhelming even the massive beer which its influenced. Still very nice, but for my hard earned money, Expedition Stout is more likely to find its way into my cellar...