Sierra Nevada / Bell's Maillard's Odyssey Imperial Black Ale (Beer Camp #12)

Sierra Nevada/Bell's Maillard's Odyssey Imperial Dark Ale. Alc. By Volume 8.5%, 40 IBU. Beer Camp Across America #12.

Utter blackness, toasted tan head, lace leaving, if on the slim side.

Aroma: rich and roasty nose, slight notes of coffee and cocoa, low hop bitterness.
Creamy and just a little chocolatey.

Taste: Hey, here we go. Imperial Dark Ale. What's that mean? That it's strong and it's dark, but we're not in stout category. Is it one of those "black ales", aka "black IPA"? Not hoppy enough. Just a bit of hop bitterness, then the tasty toasty malt rushes in, with all manner of dark malt flavors. Some molasses, a touch of anise. This is becoming increasingly complex and doubly delicious. Once more I'm finding myself wishing it was more than 12 ounces at my disposal, at least a bomber or a six-pack to myself.

Okay, now I'm trying to read the label. Colored letters on a burgundy background. Great, nice and readable. " This robust dark ale is layered with complex malt flavors of coffee, caramel, toffee, chocolate, and dark fruit." Sure, I'll buy that. More? Yes! "Rich, dark, and roasty. That was our shared vision, and Maillard's Odyssey is exactly that, taking it's name in part from the famed Maillard reaction--the browning of sugars and amino acids--that creates the wonderful caramelized toffee-like and roasted flavors so abundant in this beer."

One distinction between their description and mine, clearly, is the missing caramel and toffee flavors that they report and that I failed to recognize. It's far too dry in the finish, and there's not really much caramel flavor to speak of, though rich and delicious it is.

Another contender for top beer of the Beer Camp pack? Maybe, just maybe….