This Top Ten List of Imperial
Stouts is from America's Best and Top Ten and from the results of the 2009
United States Open Beer Championship.
1. The Abyss , Deschutes Brewing - Oregon
2. Nebraska Imperial Stout, Nebraska Brewing - Nebraska
3. Sam Adams Imperial Stout, Boston Beer Company - Massachuetts
4. Sprecher Imperial Stout, Sprecher Brewing - Wisconsin
5. Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout - Samuel Smith's Brewery - England
6. Grape Ape, Five Seasons Brewing Company - Georgia
7. Imperial Stout - Legend Brewing Company -Virginia
8. Dragonstooth Stout - Elysian Brewing Company - Washington
9. Stoudt's Fat Dog - Stoudts Brewing - Pennsylvania, USA
10. Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout - Stone Brewing
Company - California
American Imperial Stouts
Black to very black,
American-style imperial stouts typically have a high alcohol content.
Generally characterized as very robust. The extremely rich malty flavor and
aroma are balanced with assertive hopping and fruity-ester characteristics.
Bitterness should be moderately high to very high and balanced with full
sweet malt character. Roasted malt astringency and bitterness can be
moderately perceived but should not overwhelm the overall character. Hop
aroma is usually moderately-high to overwhelmingly hop-floral, -citrus or
-herbal. Diacetyl (butterscotch) levels should be absent.
Statistics:
OG: 1.080-1.100
FG: 1.020-1.030
IBUs: 50-80
SRM: 40+
ABV: 5.5-9.5%
