Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout

[Jason Perlow]

Last night I bought a 4-pack of Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout at a NJ liquor store... this stuff is as black as tar and is unbeleivably smooth and satisfying. Strong coffee and raisiny flavors, went really well with a Usinger's knockwurst on a roll with mustard. Serious hoppiness going on here.

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/ShowBeer.asp?BeerID=85

http://www.alcoholreviews.com/BEERS/samsmith2.html

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/113/782/

http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith.html

Probably one of the best stouts I've ever had. WAY better than Guinness Extra Stout.

[Carolyn Tillie]

When I worked the RenFaire, we did a taste test of stouts (about 30 of 'em!)...

My favorites, in ranking order are:

1. Mackeson

2. Murphy's Irish Stout

3. Sammy Smith's Imperial Stout

4. Young's Chocolate Stout

5. Sammy Smith's Oatmeal Stout

Bear in mind, I tended to like those that had chocolate notes to them...

[Jason Perlow]

In terms of domestic stouts I really like the Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout. But its difficult to find and only avaliable for 3 months out of the year starting in October.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/45/680/

[slkinsey]

I disagree with respect to Guinness, but there are a few things worth considering...

1. There are many different formulations of Guinness depending on whether it will be sold in bottles, cans or draft and also depending on the location where it will be sold. All other versions are markedly inferior to Guinness sold on draft with nitrogen pressure.

2. Imperial stout and regular stout are actually two distinctly different styles. "Russian" Imperial stout is much stronger, richer and alcoholic than regular stout. What makes Guinness on draft so good is that it is actually fairly light and low in alcohol. But, really, comparing the two styles is an apples and oranges thing.

If you like the Sam Smith's Imperial, by the way, you might try the Chocolate Stout from Brooklyn Brewery. Sam Smith's makes a damn good oatmeal stout too.

Regardless, Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is good stuff! I'm glad you reminded me of it -- it's been too long since I've had a glass.

Edited to add: apparently you like the Brooklyn stout too.

Edited March 5, 2004 by slkinsey (log)

[Jason Perlow]

I agree with you on the Guinness on draft -- when done well its amazing stuff. Not all Guinness is created equal, and its way different in Ireland than it is over here in the US, even on tap. But I'm talking about in bottles and cans, stuff for drinking at home or bringing to places.

[slkinsey]

Oh, yea. Guinness just isn't the same in bottles. Even with those little widget things. Imperial stout, on the other hand, was always designed to come from a bottle (the easier to transport it to Russia).

[Rich Pawlak]

I agree with you on the Guinness on draft -- when done well its amazing stuff. Not all Guinness is created equal, and its way different in Ireland than it is over here in the US, even on tap. But I'm talking about in bottles and cans, stuff for drinking at home or bringing to places.

Grab a bottle of Victory Storm King Stout, and then tell me what you think.

[Lew_Bryson]

I agree with you on the Guinness on draft -- when done well its amazing stuff. Not all Guinness is created equal, and its way different in Ireland than it is over here in the US, even on tap. But I'm talking about in bottles and cans, stuff for drinking at home or bringing to places.

Draft Guinness is exactly the same in the keg in Ireland and the U.S.; it's the way it's cared for and how fast it's consumed. Kegs of Guinness in Dublin, for instance, rarely last more than three days after leaving the brewery, so the stuff's just fresh as bejayzus...but as it leaves the brewery, the same beer goes on trucks for local delivery and ships bound for Boston.

[Lew_Bryson]

2. Imperial stout and regular stout are actually two distinctly different styles. "Russian" Imperial stout is much stronger, richer and alcoholic than regular stout. What makes Guinness on draft so good is that it is actually fairly light and low in alcohol. But, really, comparing the two styles is an apples and oranges thing.

Dead on the money. There are a lot of "stouts." Dry stout, like Guinness draft; imperial stout, like Sam Smith's; milk stout, like Mackeson's; foreign or export stout, which is really where Brooklyn's Black Chocolate falls; sweet stout, like Dragon Extra; oatmeal stouts like Sam Smith and Troegs; and I throw porters in as well, because they're VERY closely related.

So comparing Guinness to Sammy Smith Imperial is kind of like comparing, oh, Starkist White Albacore to grilled tuna steak. Same kingdom, different animal.

[Rick Cook]

I agree with you on the Guinness on draft -- when done well its amazing stuff. Not all Guinness is created equal, and its way different in Ireland than it is over here in the US, even on tap. But I'm talking about in bottles and cans, stuff for drinking at home or bringing to places.

Grab a bottle of Victory Storm King Stout, and then tell me what you think.

Another comparison that serves no purpose. Different styles.

Rick

Edited March 6, 2004 by Rick Cook (log)

[Rick Cook]

slkinsey:

Any thoughts on the following:

Kalamazoo/Bell's - Expedition

North Coast - Old Rasputin

Harvey and Son - A. Le Coq

Rick

[Mayhaw Man]

The draft Guniness here in the US is from St James Gate. THe problem is that it is often mishandled all the way down the line from the brewery to the exporter to the importer to the retailer. It is still very often a sublime experience. I kind of love it.

When in New Orleans head over to the Kerry (on Decatur across from Tower Records). It is run by Irishmen for Irishmen and has the look and feel (and the conversational fun that goes along with it) of a decent local in Galway.

In Ireland I will drink Murphy's if it is available, but it is often hard to get out of big cities (with the exception of the South and some of the West of Ireland).

I like Smith's for the occasional quaff, but as Sam pointed out one of the fine things about Guiness is that it is fairly light bodied and low in Alcohol (although with beer that is all pretty relative, in terms of ABV and amount consumed a percent or two doesn't mean much)

[babyluck]

I agree with you on the Guinness on draft -- when done well its amazing stuff. Not all Guinness is created equal, and its way different in Ireland than it is over here in the US, even on tap. But I'm talking about in bottles and cans, stuff for drinking at home or bringing to places.

Grab a bottle of Victory Storm King Stout, and then tell me what you think.

Hear, hear.

[Rich Pawlak]

Grab a bottle of Victory Storm King Stout, and then tell me what you think.

Another comparison that serves no purpose. Different styles.

Rick

[mjr_inthegardens]

where can I locate Sam Smith's Imp Stout in NYC?

[theakston]

try this place:

Blind tiger

[sylunt1]

Try here... they ship and have a rather interesting selection of brew.

Liquid Solutions

[ctgm]

I agree with you on the Guinness on draft -- when done well its amazing stuff. Not all Guinness is created equal, and its way different in Ireland than it is over here in the US, even on tap. But I'm talking about in bottles and cans, stuff for drinking at home or bringing to places.

Draft Guinness is exactly the same in the keg in Ireland and the U.S.; it's the way it's cared for and how fast it's consumed. Kegs of Guinness in Dublin, for instance, rarely last more than three days after leaving the brewery, so the stuff's just fresh as bejayzus...but as it leaves the brewery, the same beer goes on trucks for local delivery and ships bound for Boston.

I heard a story (so not sure if it is true ) from the person who built a Guiness "factory" in Nigeria. They were having all sorts of problems getting the blend to taste like the Irish version and could only resolve it by shipping a tanker or two of Irish Guiness over and dumping that in the tanks.

Sounds a bit far fetched but........

[reehmeo]

Try Rogue's Shakespear Stout. A gold medal beer from Rogue Ales out of Oregon that is distributed nationally and internationally. Another good Rogue is their Imperial Stout also widely distributed due to Iron Chef Morimoto's use of it in his restaurant and it's unique bottle. Cheers.

[Gary Soup]

Bear in mind, I tended to like those that had chocolate notes to them...

Carolyn, since you like the "chocolate notes," do you drink the Sierra Nevada Porter? It's one of my favorite beers, and one of the most under-appreciated beers in the US, IMHO.

[herbacidal]

When I worked the RenFaire, we did a taste test of stouts (about 30 of 'em!)...

My favorites, in ranking order are:

1. Mackeson

2. Murphy's Irish Stout

3. Sammy Smith's Imperial Stout

4. Young's Chocolate Stout

5. Sammy Smith's Oatmeal Stout

Bear in mind, I tended to like those that had chocolate notes to them...

Slightly OT but,

I just like Sammy Smith beers.

Whether Imperial Stout, Oatmeal Stout, or Nut Brown Ale, they're all damm tasty.

Shame I haven't had one in a while.

I'll have to remedy that soon.