Review: Sookrams Star Beast Imperial Stout

Today's sampling is Star Beast Imperial Stout by Winnipeg's Sookrams Brewing. I love a good strong, boozy stout when it's -30C out but this winter has been warm so I haven't craved many but every time I see Star Beast or its Trinidadian Black Cake version at my local liquor store, it whispers "buy me!" I just can't say no. I listed this beer as one of the ten great beers available in Manitoba this time last year but haven't made any time to give my tasting notes on it... here we are!

From the can: Star Beast is a complex and full-bodied Imperial Stout with hints of dark chocolate, molasses, and a resinous hop bite. 10.5% ABV

Appearance: Black as the night, light-to-moderate burnt caramel head on top that diminishes rather quickly, leaving behind a slight sprinkling of bubbles on top.

Aroma: Moderate sweetness, bit of a roasty profile, boozy? Probably. Notes of caramel, roasted yet not burnt malt to give it a moderate coffee vibe to it, raisins and a hint of chocolate at the end.

Taste: The first thing I get about this Imperial Stout is that it's surprisingly not overly boozy. It's a tad sweet, a bit of a nuttiness to it, hint of peat, a tad roastiness to give it a slight coffee-like flavour to it. Dry mouthfeel, bitter aftertaste.

Overall Thoughts: Not over-the-top in personality, making it a straight-forward Imperial Stout - surprisingly not overly boozy, not syrupy, not overly sweet. Straight ahead stout.. at 10.5% ABV. It does get a bit sweeter as it warms up but not too, too much.