Second beer in the Impress the Beer Master competition at this year's 34th annual SOTS convention. Surprisingly clear, this Texas Coast IPA is intended to be unique. The Hop citrus bitterness starts mild like a New England IPA but finishes very bitter. Has a bit of a sour and soapy context in the finished that I don't appreciate.

Having a late night Stout near Whiskey River Ranch. Saloon Door Imperial stouts are always a gamble. Blueberry aroma. Bittersweet dark roasted coffee followed by strong alcohol. A blueberry and dark chocolate combination arrive in the middle. Finish doubles up on the undistinguished alcohol. The blueberry now is leaving traces of artificial flavoring. Their basic imperial stout is good but every time they add a flavor, it is always artificial. Why?

Having a good Texas Saloon Door Stout. Enjoyed this the regular way but this is the nitro version. Having fun with family and friends the night before the big SOTS Reunion. Tomorrow poured as recommended down the middle of the glass. Still had a small head. Intense peanut butter and chocolate aroma. Soft and creamy. Peanut butter blends with a dry dark chocolate. Moderate sweetness. Finish keeps a reduced amount of the peanut butter and amplifies the bittersweet chocolate character. I am really enjoying this brew.

This special brew came from my son-in-law's local brewery, Saloon Door. I've been there several times and it is a fun place. Fantastic that they decided to brew a beer on lava rocks. Of course, this is another son-in-law Duo comparison tasting. From the can, has a yellow color. Decent head but doesn't last very long. In the snifter glass it is a beautifully clear ruby red. As beautiful a red color I have ever seen. Aroma brings alcohol and sweet fruit, plums comes to mind. Medium texture. Taste first brings the alcohol, it's a year old and may have gained strength on the 11% written on the can. Along with the alcohol, a very fruity, very wine flavor develops. Somewhat sweet and very tart. As it moves into the finish, the wine disappears and a smooth roasted caramelized malt coats the entire mouth then adds a salty mineralized final release of flavor. Very much enjoyed this beer. Very unique, flavors in a different combination than I've experienced before. Mineral finish from the lava rocks was also unique. Hope they brew this again in 2022.

Brought this back from Texas on my last trip from a brewery close to my daughter's house in Houston. They make great stouts. I had it last October at my sister's house in San Antonio and really loved it. Can't really add much to my last review except to reinforce how powerful the flavor is. It's intense, burnt coffee with cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Finish that has a lasting bitter coffee. Probably an acquired taste, but I still like it.

I had this once before on a flight at the brewery here in Houston. First time having a full 12 oz out of a can. After a hot Houston day of cutting the grass, this is extremely refreshing and the low bitterness makes it very drinkable. Gave it a 4.2 before and I'm sticking with it.

At Whiskey River Ranch with family in Texas. Trying out a strong Texas Russian Imperial Stout. Very thick and frothy head that's lasting, tanning color. Dark brown color. No mistake in the aroma, coffee and spice. Motor oil thickness of texture. Intense combination of flavors. Start s with a blast of sweetness quickly the latte coffee. Alcohol on top of all of it. Here comes the pumpkin and the spice with trailing bitterness in the finish. Long-lasting finish even throws in some bittersweet coffee latte that's close to dark chocolate. Each has its opportunity to dominate the flavor. Excellent stout.

Really hoppy almost barley wine