Judge’s Review: 94 Rating – Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout by No-Li Brewhouse

Imperial Stout | Year-Round | USA

By Brad Darnell

Judges Rating: 94.00
Aroma: 23.00
Appearance: 5.00
Flavor: 38.00
Mouthfeel: 9.00
Overall Impression: 19.00

Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout by No-Li Brewhouse is being judged per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines as Category 20C: Imperial Stout.
I am handed a tulip glass full of an opaque, jet-black beer supporting a ½” tall, tight-bubbled and thick tan head that persists for a couple of minutes before becoming patchy on the surface and hugging the edge of the glass. Upward aromatics bring heavy rich chocolate and roasted malt notes navigating all corners of my nasal passage. The chocolate has a cocoa, baker’s chocolate character with some residual sweetness that is partly restrained by light pine hop aromas. An initial sip brings an assertive bitterness, both dark malt- and hop-derived, along with the rich cocoa and baker’s chocolate and roast malt.
The aroma is clean without any fermentation character, and subsequent swirling reinvigorates the tan head and releases additional fresh pine hop notes. The beer lingers on the palate with an assertive bitterness and roasted malt character that finally finishes quite dry. This full-bodied beer has medium-high carbonation, which accentuates the fresh hop and roasted malt bitterness. A slight warming sensation builds over several quaffs, and there is a small amount of astringency from the roast malt, but not in an offensive way. A faint creaminess shows as the bitterness fades on the palate.
Overall, an outstanding beer and easily drinkable on a warm, early July day. Pair this with vanilla bean ice cream and experience the bitter and sweet elements complement and contrast with one another.