Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout

Finally, back to stout of the day. I've heard good things about Otter Creek but don't remember having had one of their beers before. Hopefully their Imperial Series isn't another version of Sam Adams' Brewmaster Series.

So far so good. Pours inky black that just looks heavier than a standard stout. Great deep tan head. Good roasted coffee smell as well.

You know, it feels a little too light. Not sure if it's because of the higher than normal carbonation, but either way it gives it sort of a soft-drink feel. And although there is a solid bitterness and a stronger roasted malt taste, it's a bit too vinous. It has a bit too much of that merlot tannins without the vinegar, and sort of wanders back and forth between that and a chocolate stout. Slightly sweet and sugary at times, which fights through the bitterness.

I'm not sure about this one. It's a little bit of a porter, a little bit of a chocolate stout, and a little but of an impy stout. It's just not a good, right in the middle of the style imperial stout. It's hard to beat the beers from Colorado to the West Coast in this style. This one certainly doesn't make it.