Brew Review - Boulevard Imperial Stout

Today, Boulevard finally released it's much anticipated Imperial Stout. Last released in January of 2009, I remember it taking a few weeks/months for the Imperial Stout to sell out city wide and you could at least find it in a few smaller venues for a while. This was the same for the BBQ and the more recent Rye on Rye. Unfortunately for this brew connoisseur, the local appetite for Boulevard's offerings across Kansas City seem to have vastly improved recently. Considering the Chocolate Ale realease a few weeks ago (sold out city wide in a matter of hours/days), I stopped into a few of my local spots on the way home from the office tonight to assess the situation. I found the Imperial Stout stock to have a pretty good dent in it already. I was hoping the Chocalate Ale fiasco was a statistical outlier, but it appears I was wrong. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the recent serious local success of my hometown brewery, but I've never had to work so hard for some good brew. Boulevard's success is much deserved. Now that my partner in crime, Yum Beer!, has moved to Chicago, I have to work that much harder to nab his alotment as well. (You're welcome, bro). There is a 2 bottle limit per customer, so plan accordingly. Make sure you are getting your full allotment as this brew is perfect for aging in your cellar. Also, Royal Liquors (103rd) is offering a deal on the Smokestack glassware as well if you're buying the stout: $2.99 vs 4.99.  Easy way to complete your collection at the same time.

Here's to some good brew drinking with friends, to Boulevard gaining phenomenal appeal to many, many more locals, and to the anticipation for more future brews to arrive. 


Salud!


Serving Type: 750ml Bottle
Glassware: Smokestack Tulip
Color (hue and head): Dark and heavy brown. Thick/heavy, mocha head w/ staying power.
Aroma: Roasted malts, oak, dark chocolate, coffee grounds, oats.
Taste: Very roasty w/ bitter chocolate. Earthy w/ coffee. Finishes w/ a nice backbone of booze.
Grade: 99/100 (A+)
Musical pairing: Innerpartysystem - American Trash
Surroundings: Working late, wife out of town, watching bad TBS late night movies. Overboard.

Chocolate Ale Blitzkrieg(Brew Review)

The Chocolate Ale Blitzkrieg was practically over in all of 3 days. It was here and it was gone before we knew what had happened. So, I'm showing up late to a party that's already over...but is it? I felt a little down that Boulevard's latest release had gone by the wayside in a matter of days, maybe a week, then I remembered the W.C. Fields quote: "Everybody should believe in something...I believe I'll have another beer." Why the heck did that pop in to my head, you ask? Well, it reminded me that we aren't interested in having just one taste or one beer. The true beer lover would have a few (if not many) tastes and enjoy every moment. The Boulevard connoisseur would not have purchased only one bottle to try; they would have given themselves the opportunity to try and try again. So I hypothesize there are many a brew lover out there (or at least in Kansas City) that have nestled away a tiny stash of Chocolate Ale to bring out to play another day. I didn't really miss the party at all, I just showed up at intermission...any of my friends will tell you, I'm late to everything.

I decided to wait to try the Chocolate Ale with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law while on a quick jaunt to Portland for some beer and Cake (band) over Valentines weekend. I know what you're thinking, 'Imbibilicious, what about your wife?!' Well, I did what any loving husband would do...I left her in KC. Don't worry, she was OK with me spending my V-day weekend with my other love, the sweet nectar known as beer.

The Boulevard/Christopher Elbow collaboration survived the trip from KC to PDX just fine. I was quite worried Portland security was going to confiscate the brew in baggage claim - not because it was a security risk, but because the people of Portland have a love for ale that's on another level. No offense to my fellow Kansas Citians, but we could all learn a lesson or two. Anyway, I digress. On to the tasting!!

We popped the cork and poured three generous servings into tasting snifters. I have to be honest, I was not expecting such a light ale color. I knew to expect something different, but I was stilled amazed...especially when the chocolate aroma hit my nose from three feet away. "Incredible!" I whisper to myself with eyes wide. On first sip, the chocolate was light and the ale was crisp and clean, but as the brew warmed in my hand, the chocolate seemed to creep out more deeply. In a way, it tasted as if someone at the brewery accidentally spilled Carnation Instant Breakfast in my beer before bottling. The flavor was unexpected, but very intriguing, and very believable. Much like adding the likes of Jack Black to Yo Gabba Gabba* made the show all the more appealing. I wanted more, but with three adults, the bottle was emptied too quickly. Luckily, I was able to nab a few for the cellar. You won't have to twist my arm to pop one open again soon.

*Yes, you read that right. I made a Yo Gabba Gabba reference in a beer blog. But it all the more explains the intriguing flavor I was getting from the Ale. Open YouTube. Look it up. Yo Gabba Gabba is a show for the 2 to 6 year old crowd, where current entertainment icons frequently make guest appearances, wear hilarious costumes, and sing some pretty fun songs...for younger folks. You should check it out some time (with your kid, niece or nephew, or a Boulevard Chocolate Ale, but never alone of course).

Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Glassware: Tasting Snifter

Color (hue and head): Hazy, transparent, traffic light yellow (almost orange). Light and lacey head.

Aroma: Cacoa powder, soft, nutty.

Taste: Carnation, hint of fruit, nuts. Very light hop backbone. Inviting.

Grade: 93/100 (A-)

Musical pairing: Cake - Satan is my Motor

Surroundings: Portland, beer capital of the world, visiting family, watching yo gabba gabba with niece.