It's hard to think of a style of brew that Boston Beer, makers of the Samuel Adams line, hasn't released yet. Indeed, not only have they covered most of the beery bases, they've even invented a few of their own (Cranberry Lambic or Blackberry Wit, anyone?). That said, it seems astonishing that for all that, they've never yet bottled one of the most interesting styles of all: Imperial Stout.

Which is why this self-proclaimed guru of brew has pondered over many a glass of Samuel Adams beer why this was so. Whenever Boston Beer announced a new style, I would wonder when Jim Koch would finally get around to releasing Samuel Adams Imperial Stout. The answer, of course, was 2009, as part of the new Samuel Adams Imperial Series of beers.

And, of course, what better beer to kick off an imperial series than the original? "Imperial" beers are all the rage these days, but they all can trace their roots to Imperial Stouts, those hale and hearty dark brews of exceptional strength and character shipped from mighty England to Czarist Russia centuries ago.

For my part, I'm a bit skeptical of applying the "imperial" moniker to an increasing number of styles. Stouts, though, now stouts are a different story. I'm all about Imperial Stouts, especially ones done up as nicely as this one.
 
Samuel Adams Imperial Stout pours to a midnight-black color with a thick, creamy tan head formation and a simply delightful (and somewhat sinful) licorice-laced cocoa nose. The texture of the liquid grabs the tongue immediately upon sipping; this is one rich, viscous, luxuriantly smooth beer. As it descends in my glass, I notice thick tan colored suds clinging to the sides, and really, this one is descending a lot quicker than it should.

At 9.2% by volume, this is a beer to be sipped and savored, but it's so sinfully delcious I keep coming back for more. The rich dark cocoa notes are simply amazing, and I'm reminded of the finest bittersweet dark chocolate laced with a hint of fruit. There's licorice, too, and espresso, a hint of pepper, and of course a warming note of alcohol in the very roasty dry finish.

I think this would make a wonderful dessert beer, perhaps best paired with a thick slice of black forest cake, shavings of dark chocolate falling over the sides. Indeed, the beer even has a hint of fruity cherry to my taste, and reminds one (me at least) of the aforementioned confection.

While Samuel Adams Imperial Stout may seem pricey at $9.99 for a four-pack, it's really not. $2.50 a bottle for a rich sipping brew like this seems downright reasonable, actually. And don't be afraid to lay a few bottles down for later, either.