Our Impression: We took a new approach on this version of Storyteller, working with our English Malster to create a traditional Imperial Stout.  For us, it is very important that the roasted character is not astringent and acrid.  This comes down to both recipe and process, and we approach both very carefully.  From the brewer’s perspective, this is the finest Imperial Stout we’ve released.

Aroma: Complex roasted profile with notes of oak, vanilla, dark fruit, and malty sweetness.
Appearance: Pours black with a deep tan head.

Flavor: Storyteller features a well-defined balance of roast and malt character.  Not too bitter or astringent, and enough body to enhance richness and round out the high alcohol content.  The layered English malts create a wonderful malt presence with a noticeable nutty characteristic.  The barrel-aged version lives in Axe and the Oak barrels for 2 months.  We only age Storyteller in the winter months, where our barrel room does not rise above 55.  We prefer this to slow the rate of oxidation in the barrel and keep intact as much fresh character as possible.  The end result is a well-executed imperial stout, mellowed and enhanced from a gentle ageing period in American bourbon barrels.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and velvety, with medium carbonation.