750 mL corked & caged affair from Green’s on Ponce, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Pour is a jet black pour with a khaki colored, fine-bubbled head that forms with a pretty good definition.
Nose and tastes definitely have some decent dark fruits, a touch of alcohol and plenty of Belgian yeast notes which are pleasing to me. It IS true that the beer treads a fine line between a traditional Belgian Dark and a Stout (with the stout winning more often than not), but there is sufficient Belgian character to keep me interested. Finish is a little darker with some smoke and slightly bitter character that I could do without, but nevertheless it still works for me. Some dark fruits in there but the Belgian character is first followed by a drier, stout-like back end. Bitterness builds a little down the bottle and in the finish.
It’s a bit like a cross between Unibroue Trois Pistoles and a light, American RIS. The fact that it says “Belgian Style Imperial Stout” on the label therefore seems very appropriate.
Considering the ABV, it’s very well hidden and pretty drinkable. Tasty, and easy to drink when you consider the overall package.