Atwater VJ Black Imperial Stout

Atwater Brewery VJ Black Imperial Stout, Brewed in Detroit, Since 1997. Brewed & bottled by Atwater Brewery, Detroit, MI. Single Batch Series. Alc. 11% by Vol.

Appearance: solid blackness, rich, thick, cocoa-tinged head.

Aroma: On the sweet side. Vanilla is here, hints of coconut. Creamy, nutty, smooth, nice.

Taste: Rich, full-bodied, chocolate-y. Fudge. Chocolate frosting. Just as chocolate as you get. Sweet. Just a little hoppy, just enough for balance. More creamy, more vanilla, more chocolate, with plenty of hops. I like this just fine, but it doesn't quite give me what I look for in an Imperial Stout. Needs more roast, more depth, more everything.

Here's the thing. I can plop this in the category of dark, chocolatey stouts of higher than average ABVs, but I can't drop in the "best imperial stouts I've ever had" slot. No, not happening. Not even middle of the "all imperial stouts I've ever had, best or not" slot.

Atwater Block Conniption Fit Double IPA

Atwater Conniption Fit Double IPA India Pale Ale (sic), Atwater Block Brewery, Detroit, MI. 8% ABV, 92 IBU. Free of all gobbledy gook on the label.

Utterly murky, deep orange coloration, chalk white head, a slim ring leaving lace.

Aromatics: hops and high alcohol, a piney citric mix.

Taste: big hops, bigger booze, almost scalds the palate. Crazy stuff. Tons of fruity esters, loads of malt, but it's way too busy, too mucky, too unrefined. Lots of malt, too, but little finesse.

This is one of those imperial IPAs that just doesn't get it. It's a big, fat mess of booze and hops. Feels like a hoppy barley-wine, but, again, it's just not …together. Does not work. Not terrible, just not …not the best. A bit of a mess.

A more rustic style of Imperial IPA than I'd prefer. I can see this being better, but it's several steps away at present.