Ballast Point Brewing Company Sea Monster American Double / Imperial Stout at 10% ABV | 65 IBU (C$13.50 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, bottle date 21-Dec-2015, acquired 28-May-2016, reviewed 3-Jan-2017)
Appearance: opaque black with deep ruby highlights, one fat finger of fluffy medium beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: cocoa, coffee, boozy dark fruit and red berries, hint of vanilla, pale malt, lightly earthy. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, light metallic. (7/10) Palate: medium-full body dropping off to watery, moderate carbonation, lingering bitter and warming finish. (3/5)
Not bad, but falls a little short. There’s a slight metallic tinge instead of a clean high ABV heat, and the body seems to fall off just a touch to a slightly watery finish. I’m starting to think that oatmeal – somewhat counterintuitively – makes for a thinnish (imperial) stout. Bottom line, not as good as I was hoping for, but not bad. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
