Judge’s Review: 82 Rating – S’mores Imperial Pastry Stout by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.

Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer | Special Release | United States

By Richard Wong

Judges Rating: 82
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 30
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 15

S’mores Imperial Pastry Stout by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is an Imperial Stout that falls under #20C of the 2015 BJCP Guidelines.  The pour revealed a pitch black beer that had a very nice tan head.  The carbonation was light and had a nice lacing to the side of the glass.  The aroma of this beer had hints of cocoa nibs (chocolate), coffee and a nice malt sweetness.  The flavor of this was complex, as well.  Had a nice malt sweetness balanced with a moderate hop bittering.  Again, I tasted flavors of coffee, chocolate and a “bread-like” component that utilized graham crackers in the mash.  Yes, this is an Imperial Stout with a whopping 9.8% alcohol presence.  Upon the taste the beer was big and powerful. With this much alcohol their was a alcohol burn in the finish that warmed the gullet.  The beer was overtly sweet.  In fact, too sweet for the palate. This can be a combination of factor(s) that may include stuck fermentation and/or not enough pitched yeast for this big beer (Imperial Stout).  Another factor may include the vitality of the yeast, as well as not oxygen in the wort ?  The mouthfeel of this beer was between medium and heavy with a nice light carbonation. A nice, smooth finish in the beer with an alcohol warmth.  The overt sweetness is hard to overcome.