Brew Review: Berkshire Imperial Stout
Brewer: Berkshire Brewing Company South Deerfield, MA.
ABV: 8.5%
Served: Pint glass from 22 oz. bomber. Purchased at Table & Vine for $3.99.
I was pretty excited to launch my beer reviews with a Berkshire. They’re a regionally well-known outfit, but impossible to find in NH. Seriously, I can’t be more than 50 miles from their brewing premises.
Dark pour, but not viscous. Held up to sunlight, it shows a deep walnut brown with red tinge, almost like cola. Very thin crown, and what of it there is quickly dissipates. Nose is subtle for an Impy. Dried fruit and dark chocolate present. Missing are the usual deep roasted notes and wafting brandy booziness you’d expect. First taste is molasses and stone fruit. Raisins and plums abound. Mouthfeel is equally thin as the pour, though the alcohol is well hidden. Finish has a cherry tang with just a little black coffee bitterness.
Overall, a competent and highly drinkable offering from Berkshire. But I wonder about the Imperial Stout tag. This was more reminiscent of a schwarzbier or saison noir. Enjoyable, but not exemplary of the style. B-
but…………..what about Rolling Rock?
Seriously: very cool site design, classy photography, and I love the pithy writing style.
Nice to see a review source that covers the local brews in NH, MA, VT, ME.
I’m more of a lager fan (Sam Adams is a favorite) but I’d like to find some others like that and I’m always open to trying new stuff.
Keep ’em coming!