Today I am sampling a rarity in the ABC craft beer world: Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Ops. It is a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout. Andy Abernathy, COO of ABC, wrote the very first beer blog about this beer and expressed his fervor for it.

Appearance

Comes in a stealthy caged, black bomber with silver lettering.  One of these days I need to purchase the appropriate mini snifter for these types of big beers, but for now I am going to serve it in my Maudite tulip. It mentions on the label that it is 100% bottle refermented. It pours a James Bond tuxedo black with a thin brown head. 

Smell

Char, vanilla, bourbon, hints of baker’s chocolate.  It is boozy and rich.

Taste

Smoky oak, bourbon; Champagne yeast was used, giving a vinous quality. The bourbon actually is not as prominent as I expected from the aroma like the Shipyard Gladiator. It remains roasty and smooth. 

As quick as it was here, it is gone like a shadow in the night. I can safely say I am rather fond of imperial stouts and their robust qualities. I have Black Ops available at my store on Archer Road in Gainesville. 

Beer Blogger Adam Shugan is a Beer Consultant and store manager at ABC on Archer Road in Gainesville.

Follow him on Twitter @abcbeeradams