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Gnarly Barley Brewing – Imperial Korova

Brewery: Gnarly Barley Brewing
Location Hammond, LA
Style Imperial Milk Porter
 ABV 9.0%
 IBUs 20

 

Best Quote During Tasting

The girl on the label has big hair and big boobs. I'm down.

Justin:

Aroma - It's got every characteristic of a beer made with dark malts and lactose.  It's sweet, roasty and chocolatey.  Don't smell any alcohol despite the ABV.
Score: 10/12
Appearance - It pours a very deep black with a thin head that never fully forms and leaves a slick film on top of the beer.
Score: 2/3
Flavor - It's sweet but not overly so.  There are hints of molasses and burnt sugar that play well together.  There's also a bit of an alcohol bite and some coffee notes.
Score: 16/20
Mouthfeel - Medium carbonation, thin body with a slight creaminess.
Score: 4/5
Overall Impression - This one was very good but it had a bit more alcohol flavor than I would've liked.  Other than that, it's a good representation of the style and very enjoyable to drink.  If you're ever down in NOLA, I wouldn't ignore this one if you're a fan of the style.
Score: 9/10

Blake:

Aroma - Sweet and roasty, much of what'd you expect with milk porter.  There isn't a lot to it beyond that, but they come across so clearly you don't really need much more complexity in the aroma.
Score: 10/12
Appearance - Deep dark brown with a thin tan head. It's got some legs, which should be expected at its ABV.
Score: 2/3
Flavor - Semi-sweet milk chocolate and some mild coffee roast. Alcohol is present, but it is hidden decently well.
Score: 16/20
Mouthfeel - It's a porter so the body is a bit thinner, but on the high end for a porter. The finish is creamy and velvety smooth thanks in part to some nice carbonation.
Score: 4/5
Overall Impression - This was a blind buy while I was down in New Orleans. I liked the sound of the beer, and hadn't had anything from Gnarly Barley before, so I took a chance and bought it. Likely when I visit my parents again next year, I'll be making the trip to Hammond to see the brewery.
Score: 9/10

 

Imperial Korova Final Score
  • Aroma
  • Appearance
  • Flavor
  • Mouthfeel
  • Overall
4.1
User Rating: 0.0 (0 votes)
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Justin Phelps

Justin Phelps

Co-Founder at Saint Brewis
Justin Phelps is a Certified Cicerone® who was born and raised in St. Louis. His passion for beer goes beyond just drinking it as he is also an award-winning home brewer. While he may be a marketing professional by day, he's a blogger, brewery hopper, and beer enthusiast by night.

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