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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/685968
www.cheersonline.com 39 June 2016 • (97) Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter (Ballast Point Brewing Co., San Diego, CA). An imperial coffee porter with vanilla. This beer is basically porter perfection. Pours a nice dark, thick black with a beautiful tan head. The aroma hits you with nice roasted coffee and toasted malt, while in the background lingers a subtle vanilla. Taste basically mimics the nose: roasted coffee and smoky malt, plus the vanilla hangs around in the fi nish perfectly—not too sweet or cloying on the tongue. For such a big beer, the 10% ABV is hidden perfectly. This beer is a true beauty and a perfect end to any evening. 60 IBUs. (96) Oskar Blues "Ten FIDY" Russian Imperial Stout (Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO). Black/opaque appear- ance; 1-½-fi nger, frothy, dark brown, well-constructed lacing. Roasted coffee notes in the aroma with a faint hint of chocolate-covered cherry. Tastes of malty goodness, well balanced with plenty of hoppy bitterness; alcohol well hidden; dangerously easy to drink. Huge texture in the mouthfeel; rich, silky, creamy; meal in a pint glass; a real mouthful. Excellent price-to-value ratio. Super balance. Layers of fl avors. Just an outstanding beer. 10.5% ABV, 98 IBUs. (96) 100 Bell's Expedition Stout (Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI). A Russian Imperial stout, pours black with a viscosity that a motorhead could be proud of. Malty, with very little to no hop notes, a very slight hint of chocolate, a pleasant velvety smooth feel, a slight bitterness right at the end. 10.5% ABV. BEER RATING SYSTEM FIVE STARS (93-100 points) A top-fl ight beer. Superior in taste and character, providing an outstanding price/ value relationship. FOUR STARS (86-92 points) A highly appealing beer at an excellent value. A beer for which customers will keep coming back. THREE STARS (80-85 points) An above-average beer at a reasonable price point, which many consumers will enjoy. DRINKING ON THE DARK SIDE OUR BEER PANEL EXPLORES STOUTS AND PORTERS For our latest round of beer reviews, we asked our national panel to taste stouts and porters. These reviews include brief tasting notes and a rating. If you're a retail or on-premise professional who would like to learn more about participating in our panel, please contact Kyle Swartz at 203-855-8499 ext. 2225 or kswartz@epgmediallc.com. PHOTO CREDIT: ISTOCK.COM/MEDIAPHOTOS