The Dark Others

Let's not forget about the other thick, robust, and chewy beers whose names aren't Abyss, Dark Lord, or Entire...there's a healthy divergency of other distinctly qu/affable brews to sate your esurience for grubbin' goodness during these snowy hyperborean times. These are sapid specialties to not overlook.


Trappiste Rochefort 10: Any monk-blessed brew is a keeper for certain, but the Rochefort 10 stands in a league of its own alongside the ranks of the rarefied and regal West Vleteren 12 and the saintly Bernardus apt brew. A deep, nutty, pitchy chestnut character topped by a lasting beige head certifies this recipe as a distinct worldly wonder. Earthy, smoky, yeast, and layered with candied effervescence, the Roch-10 is a means to treat ones self to the utmost wonderment in craft beer.






Moylans Ryan O'Sullivan's Imperial Stout: Thick dark beer to chew on. this self-proclaimed cigar stout holds smokey and fruity undertones. Clean and very enjoyable from a snifter, Ryan's private reserve is one beer containing a distinct cacao and cherry nip. Finishing slightly dry and wholly gritty and lovable during the dark and cold months, this nearly coagulates as it percolates in your aperture. For the price, this beer rivals all of those highly hyped hearty, husky objects of study with the allure of barrel-aging and the like. This Imp Stout is simply a complex standout.





Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter: Imperial Porter? More like an Imp Stout. In fact, this big dark, beautiful brew was awarded a 2008 World Beer Cup gold medal in the Imp Stout category. Crystal, chocolate, and black malt makes for a ballsy Dr. Hunter S. Thompson inspired brew that delivers on a promise to "bite you in the ass if you don't show it the proper respect." The folks at Flying Dog claim this beer is also perfect with cigars ablaze as it undoubtedly pairs rich chocolate and hearty beef slabs. Like the late good doctor, this beer is deep, daring, and complex.





Victory Storm King Imperial Stout: Aphotic, atramentous and highly advisable brew from Downington, Pennsylvania's killer brewery that pushes out fat beers like Hop Wallop Double IPA and Old Horizontal Barleywine. Storm King is a hugely hopped, roasty, dark black Imp Stout. Victory claims this beer to possess "more flavor than mere words can adequately describe" which might seem amplificated, but the claims that the King "will warm your heart" are obviously warranted. 9.1% ABV, it is easy to see how a barrel aging and/or a wax dipped bottle could escalate the price of this special beer to a high level. However, this beer remains a year-round paramour.

So there you have it, four wonderfully deep, dark, delish brews with oomph.