Green Flash Double Stout

I've had beer from Green Flash before, as Dan picked up a bottle of their West Coast IPA a while ago. They're a fairly small brewery based in San Diego. I wasn't sure exactly what a double stout was at first, but when I first opened the bottle it became obvious from the smell that it was an imperial stout.

The beer poured a deep, dark, opaque black. It had a substantial head, 4 fingers thick, of a dark tan color and large, rocky foam. The head receded slowly, leaving excellent lacing on the glass.

The aroma of the beer is strong and powerful, of dark malt, syrup, and alcohol. It's hard to find the right word to describe the quality of the smell this beer has, so I'd just say "thick". It's a very characteristic smell for an imperial stout.

The initial taste was dark, burnt sugars and thick caramel, with a strong bitterness in the back of the mouth. There was a bit of a grainy taste in there as well. The profile is mostly on the bitter side, both from the strong coffee flavors and slightly grassy hops. The flavor is extremely rich, but still has a smoothness to it. The roasted flavors stay in the mouth for a long time after swallowing. It's kind of a musky, earthy flavor that blends well with the roastiness.

The beer feels thick in the mouth, with light carbonation. There's a noticeable warming sensation in the throat from the alcohol. The beer leaves a little stickiness in the mouth, but not much and it doesn't seem to build up.

It's a good example of an imperial stout. It's definitely a sipping beer, not to be drunk quickly, but the flavors are smooth and well blended. I certainly enjoyed it, although it isn't a beer I would plan on having on a regular basis. It's not my favorite style, but a nice one to have every once in a while.

- Adam