05/09/08 Crazy Ivan Imperial Stout

[adm]

Hey adm, i was wondering how Ivan is getting along, its almost his 1st birthday so have you had a taste recently?

No idea! He's still sitting in a dark corner.

Now you've reminded me, I might have a crafty half this weekend to see.

[196osh]

Every have that crafty half adm?

[adm]

Every have that crafty half adm?

Sadly.....not yet. I've been away a lot....

[adm]

So I plucked up the courage and had a wee look at Ivan.....

He's totally changed! Keeping this beer for a year has worked wonders, it's a lot less bitter now, much smoother but still with all the intense fruit, coffee, chocolate and leathery type flavours. It's actually rather yummy now, whereas before it was a bit overpowering.




It's the same flavour as when I wrote: "To get all Oz Clarke about it, I'm getting tobacco, leather, licorice, espresso coffee, molasses, vanilla, dark chocolate, dark berry fruit and even tar. Extremely complex....and still a bit too much of a mouthful to be honest. Could do with rounding out a bit more." But it has rounded out nicely now and is much less bitter. I could even drink this by the pint. It's a little on the sweet side for my preference really, but c'est la vie!

[WishboneBrewery]

Looks Gorgeous... I'd attack it with a long Ice Cream Spoon if I were you!

[ADDLED]

Stunning adm! Like the poncey taste notes too; can't ever have too much of that imo.
What pressure did you store and serve at to get that head?

[pantsmachine]

That is the dogs bollocks, what time are we all coming round?

[adm]

What pressure did you store and serve at to get that head?

To be honest, I've no idea. The keg has been in the garage under the workbench all year, so i must have given it a good blast of CO2 before I put it away.

I just stuck one of those short chrome taps directly onto the out post this afternoon and poured direct from there with no CO2 connected and no beer line to restrict the flow. It certainly came out fast!

[196osh]

That looks awsome. Hopefully my RIS can turn out half that good.

[micmacmoc]

I've been researching RIS through various old posts, this looks great and at 20 odd months must be superb now.....
................if theres any left.

Go on ADM, how is it?

I'm gonna have to do a 'plain' stout too as I won't have your patience.
Any further advice on trying this out?

[adm]

Ummmm......I have to shamefully admit that I haven't tried it since that last pic.

But - I think I'll have a glass later on this afternoon and let you know....

[Deebee]

Sooooo another 2 years has passed.

It must be gone by now.. right+

[Manx Guy]

And......?

What was it like?

Thats some investment in malt and time to be maturing all that time without the 'odd taster'....
You either have plenty of other good beer, or the will power of a saint!



I might be tempted to make on later in the year and bottle it after 2 months and then leave it until my 5 week old son is 5!! Should be in good condition by then...
lol

Guy

[adm]

Ah.....I'm having a glass now and then!

It's good. Still pretty bitter and will doubtless improve with even more time. Very complex and really a huge mouthful. Lots of dark chocolate and fruit flavours now.

It makes a damn fine beef casserole as well!