Oh, look what I did! Back in December of 2015 I enjoyed an 11-ounce glass of Starr Hill Shakedown Imperial Chocolate Cherry Stout at Taco Mac. I remember really enjoying the beer but didn’t take any tasting notes, you see. Our very own Douglas Smith commented that the beer reminded him of a liquid slice of Black Forest Cake, and I thought that was an apt comparison. I didn’t take any notes, though, as I knew I had a bottle at home.

How time flies. Poking around my garage beer fridge in late March of 2018, I found that very same bottle of Shakedown Imperial Chocolate Cherry Stout. It says it was bottled on 10/06/15. Clearly, I forgot all about it, but now the time had come to drink it and see how time had treated it.

Starr Hill says:

Shakedown Imperial Chocolate Cherry Stout is a full-bodied imperial stout with cherries and dark chocolate blended into the beer during fermentation. Aromas of bittersweet chocolate and subtle fruit delight the senses. Tartness from the cherries balances the smooth cocoa sweetness. Malty, chocolate and dark fruit flavors create a rich and complex beer that is meant to be savored slowly.

Starr Hill Shakedown Imperial Chocolate Cherry Stout has an alcohol content of 9% by volume with 45 IBUs. I didn’t record what I paid for it in either the bottle or on tap. More’s the pity.

At two and a half years of age, Starr Hill Shakedown Imperial Chocolate Cherry Stout pours to a jet-black color with a light head of creamy tan foam and luscious cherry and rich chocolate in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a smooth, full mouthfeel with waves of rich bittersweet dark chocolate laced with bright cherry notes. The beer finishes with roast and warming alcohol.

Starr Hill Shakedown Imperial Chocolate Cherry Stout stands up nicely to the test of time and is still very reminiscent of Black Forest Cake. It’s a beer I hope to find again, and maybe age a little longer next time. Is it an imperial stout, a chocolate beer or a fruit beer? All, or any. I’ll call it an imperial stout because I think that while that character does not overpower the signature ingredients it is more powerful than either individually.  

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

 



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