Fat Head's Shakedown Imperial American Stout Beer Review

Shakedown Imperial American Stout

Review Date 7/11/2015

Try? Re-buy?

Funny story folks! Several months ago my good buddy Dave Coulter sent me some fantastic beers, one of which was Fat Head’s Shakedown Imperial American Stout. As I am normally wont to do, I worked them all into my two beer fridges ASAP to best preserve them until I drink them. The Shakedown Stout was probably in the fridge for about 6 weeks I’ll admit, until a few of us on the crazy crew of Honest Craft Beer Reviews decided to post some “what’s in the fridge” pictures.

Of course, Dave spied my picture with the Shakedown Stout in the front of DBR Zweite, and told me to “Drink that now!” or words to that effect. So I did, which is why we’re here now. Of course, a hearty, roasty, hoppy stout of formidable strength such as this one should certainly stand the test of such a short period of time, but let’s see shall we?

Here’s what Fat Head’s says about the beer on the label:

Pssst. Come a little closer. We've got a little something shakin’ that may interest you. Is it a Stout or an American Black Ale? Well, well, well, you never can tell. Eyes on the prize, put your nose in the glass. Don’t drink too fast. Gotta make it last. Just let it roll across your tongue like a hopped-up velvet thundercloud. Don't tell me this stout ain't got no hops. You just gotta sniff around. Come on over to the dark side of the street.

Ingredients from the website:

YEAST: American Ale HOPS: Chinook, Simcoe, Cenntenial

MALT: Pale, Crystal 60, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Oats

Fat Heads Shakedown Imperial American Stout has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume listed on my bottle label (although the website says 8%) and an impressive 71 IBUs. Let’s give it a shakedown run, shall we?

Fat Heads Shakedown Imperial American Stout pours to a jet black color with a very thick creamy tan head formation and a rich and roasty nose of dark powdery cocoa and espresso. Taking a sip, the beer has the same overloaded roasty dark bittersweet baker’s chocolate, powdery cocoa and espresso notes the nose promised with maybe just a hint of licorice too and a soft fruitiness. The finish is rich and roasty with a long dry roasty bitterness balancing it out.

This beer is truly like Icarus, it flies so close to the sun and almost achieves perfection, but I think it needs a bit more body to get there. Not that it is lacking in body, it just needs a little more to be perfect. All the same, this is a wonderful imperial stout (American or otherwise) and yet another triumph for Fat Head’s. I can honestly say I’ve had nothing but exceptional beers from them with each and every one that I try. Thanks for sending me this one Dave, and thanks for reminding me to drink it, too. J

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

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