Beer Review - Outer Darkness

Squatters Pub Brewery Outer Darkness Russian Imperial Stout - 10.5% ABV

Utah.  Another of those states not particularly know for it's beers.  Controversial religions?  Yes.  Beers?  No, not really.  To this point the only other beer that I have tried from Utah are from the Wasatch Brewery and I was quite a bit less than impressed.  Luckily, I tried the beer before I bothered to look for where it was produced.

Squatters Pub began brewing beers in downtown Salt Lake City in 1989 and now have expanded to 3 locations.  This means that they were producing their beers at the beginning of the explosion of the craft beer movement., so you must expect some innovation. Their line of  year around and seasonal bottled beers is quite impressive and I hope to be able to give a few of them a try in the near future.  Outer Darkness is one of the 4 beers from their Reserve Series which I assure you I will actively seek out. 

The nose of Outer Darkness is quite enticing with chocolate, dark fruits and smoke hinting of what is to come.  Dark and thick, like motor oil.  Old, used, concentrated motor oil.  The head was insignificant and dissipated quickly.  Roasted barley, oak, molasses and licorice root and an extended boil are used to create a unique, powerful brew. Amazing flavor.  Chocolaty, roasted malts, licorice, sweet molasses, yum, yum ,yum.  65 IBU's worth of hops give it punch and balance followed by the wonderful warming from the alcohol.  Buy now, save for a cold winters day.  OR, but several now, and drink one at any excuse you can find until you can't find any more.

Squatters Pub and Brewery
147 West Broadway (300 South)
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
www.squatters.com