Saranac Imperial Stout
Review Date
There aren't many
brewers out there who crank out as vast a collection of different beer
styles as the F.X. Matt Brewing Company of Utica, New York. Indeed, their
Saranac line seems to get bigger every year . And if there aren't enough
styles already, heck, they'll make up their own (witness Caramel Porter,
just one example). Still, the one thing missing from the Saranac line over
the years has been a really big beer.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
Also From This Brewery
Perhaps in recognition of that fact, Saranac introduced it's High Peak
series not too long ago. These are beers with a higher alcohol content and a
bigger, bolder flavor and seem a natural progression for the company. For
now, there are only two entries in the lineup: Imperial IPA and Saranac
Imperial Stout, the brew under consideration today.
Saranac's
interpretation of the Imperial Stout style is made with 2-Row and Chocolate
malts as well as roasted barley. Chocolate malt, of course, doesn't really
contain chocolate, but is highly roasted (just like cocoa beans) and
produces a flavor similar to the latter. Columbus and Summit hops are also
ingredients. The beer has an alcohol content of 9% by volume, much higher
than the average brew which tends to be in the 5% range. Still, there are
imperial stouts on the market that approach 11% or higher.
Saranac Imperial Stout pours to a fully opaque jet-black color with a
thick creamy tan head formation and a sinfully rich licorice and espresso
nose. Taking a sip, I'm immediately gratified to find a thick, oily,
full-bodied mouthfeel, just as I want in an imperial stout. The palate is
packed with flavor, too, bursting with it actually: rich roasty espresso,
spicy licorice, bittersweet cocoa, and dark juicy raisin all are very
apparent. Indeed, this one has a lot of fruit to it. Bitterness is given at
50 IBUs, and I do get a lingering bitter buzz on the finish to go along with
the alcohol warmth and roasty bitterness.
This is a big beer. Perhaps not as big as some of the uber-behemoth colossal
Imperial stouts all over the market these days (Such as
Samuel Adams Imperial Stout,
though that runs 3 dollars more for two less bottles), but I do love the
smoothness of this one, and it's unmistakable as to style. Indeed, as I type
it's reminding me of a big chocolate covered cherry in a bottle. A perfect
nightcap on a cool fall or cold winter's evening, it fits nicely into the
Saranac mold of well-crafted, widely-available beers that offer the novice
beer drinker an entire pantheon to explore. And, at about $7 a six-pack, one
heck of a buy.
