Gnarly Barley Stout by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is an Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as an Imperial Stout (category 20C in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Imperial Stouts are the strongest beers in the stout family. Imperial Stouts are noted for their strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors, black color with opaque clarity, and full body and smooth mouthfeel. Gnarly Barley Stout measures in at 9.4% ABV.

This beer pours an opaque black with a quickly fading dark brown head. The aroma is of moderately strong roasted and chocolate malt with lighter caramel and molasses notes and complementing plum-like esters. The body is medium-full with a moderate creaminess and a note of alcohol (but never warm or harsh). The flavor is prominent chocolate and roasted malt with lighter caramel and molasses notes. Dark and dried fruit esters of plums and prunes complement the dark malt characters. The beer finishes moderately bitter with a light sweetness; lingering chocolate and roasted malt with plum-like esters coating the palate.

Stout is a very good version of an English-style Imperial Stout. The beer is rich and the esters complement the dark malt flavors well. The light sweetness is well balanced by the moderate bitterness leaving a beer that is not overly dry or overly sweet. Enjoy this Imperial Stout. It will be interesting to see how it ages.