Session # 198
Boulevard | Imperial Stout
Imperial Stout | Kansas City, MO | 11% ABV
One year ago: Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout
Today is the first time on The Hopry I will have reviewed the same beer twice. I have generally stayed away from this because I want to get to as many different beers as possible. However, I enjoyed the 2008 release of the Boulevard Imperial Stout so much, that I actually gave it a perfect score (one of only three beers). So I just had to revisit it in the form of this 2011 release. More specifically, though, I wanted to revisit the “un-infected” batch # 1. I missed this in the review, but 46% of this one was aged in barrels, while the 2008 was only 10%. The color was near pitch black with touches of ruby red coming through when held up to the light. A chocolaty head formed on top before a nice bourbon aroma filled the air. Immediately this beer smelled great with dark fruits up front followed soon by oak and vanilla. It smelled very Belgian for sure. On the palate, not quite as big as you’d think for an 11% ABV beer, but there was definitely enough barrel and bite to make you happy. It finished with burnt caramel and dark fruits and that signature Belgian stamp that Pauwels is so good at doing. Not as good as the 2008 for sure, but definitely better than the infected batch # 2 from 2011.
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Wilco “I Might”
Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.
Posted by Cara & Louie (@beerpaintings) on September 7, 2011 at 3:56 PM
I’ve only had this once, but it was very good. I would even venture to say that I would take it over a Dark Lord almost any day.
It is an interesting experience aging stouts, as I’ve had several that were good with age, but not necessarily better than fresh. I do wonder if Belgian stouts will age in a more compelling way. I have a few from De Struise that I’m trying not to drink, but we’ll see how long they last.
Posted by thehopry on September 7, 2011 at 4:04 PM
I think the amount of barrel on this one makes it suffer a bit. The ’08 was only 10% and it was the perfect amount for me. But yeah, after two years it was painfully good drinking. I still laugh at the moment in the ’08 review where I literally spaced out for a minute. I couldn’t believe how good it was…
Posted by Barry Grass (@theBGrass) on September 7, 2011 at 4:44 PM
I think the 2011 is 46% barrel aged, which is a massive increase from 2008′s 10%. i echo your sentiments: the 2011 is a very good beer, but the 2008 is unbelievably great.
Posted by thehopry on September 8, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Yeah, brain fart on camera. I called it out in the written portion, though.
Posted by KevSal on September 8, 2011 at 2:30 AM
ive got a 2008, do you think its prime to drinking, or can i age it a bit further?
i LOVED the batch 1 2011, got 4 of them
Posted by thehopry on September 8, 2011 at 9:56 AM
To be safe, I’d drink the ’08 now. It’s amazing and I’d hate to see it die because you let it go too long.
Posted by KevSal on September 9, 2011 at 2:43 AM
sweet, its going down this weekend! did you feel it starting to head down hill at the lake?