I’ve always found more traditional Imperial Stouts intriguing. For instance, I simply love Samuel Smith’s version. Don’t get me wrong, I still love an Imperial Stout that is 13-18% ABV and a beast of a beer. But some of my favorite varieties are the tamer versions (Bert Grant’s version is another example). Nils Oscar is of the more traditional stripe. It still weighs in at 7% ABV, which is still not to be meddled with. At any rate, I think it’s not too shabby a version of Imperial Stout.

The Pour: The color of this beer was more like a robust porter than a stout. Of course, one could make the argument that a robust porter is, in fact, a stout anyway. I say this partly because porter is a notoriously hard style to really define. I also say it because Stout is simply a “stout” porter, so the line can be a little blurry at times. Anyway, I’m content to call this a robust porter/light stout colored beer. In addition to the light color, there was very little head retention to this beer, which many stout drinkers prefer.

The Nose: Many Imperial Stouts tend to have a heavier hop quality on the nose, which I do not like (again preference). Nils Oscar was a not of this variety and got some kudos from me on this account. I caught touches of metallic qualities, a sweet roast and chocolate aroma, and hints of coffee on the nose.

The Taste: Sometimes I drink a beer that has very distinctive stages of flavor. This Imperial Stout had very discernible lines that took off like a 3-stage rocket. The first stage of the rocket was chocolate. It was not overpowering and the beer started off like it was never going to leave the atmosphere of normal flavor. But it really picked up steam when the first stage dropped off. The middle coffee tones really started to kick in and remained pretty well to the end of the beer. Toward the end of the sip, the rocket shot some biscuity tones into the tastemosphere, and it faded into a dry finish.

Overall, the beer was a delight to drink. The very distinct stages of Nils Oscar was very enhancing. Furthermore, the 7% ABV was not discernible, so the rocket was not that hot after all. This is one worth trying…time for lift off.

Mike’s Rating:

Overall Satisfaction: ★★★★¼ 

Among other Imperial Stouts: ★★★★☆ 

Among Ales: ★★★★☆