Surly Darkness 2014

The Surly Brewing Company is in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, although their new destination brewery in Minneapolis will be opening soon. Darkness is their annual special Russian Imperial Stout release. This year it is barrel-aged for the first time, using High West rye whiskey barrels. At the Darkness Day release, you could also try the 2014 version that was not aged on tap. I am not sure if they released any kegs of that, or if it was only available at Darkness Day.

The beer pours an absolutely dense black. There is a tall, thick, foamy and creamy head of light brown. The aroma is sweet, roasted, darkened sugars, dark fruits, a bit of molasses, and light whiskey notes. The taste is creamy, sweet, darkened sugars, smooth, light whiskey, rich and dark chocolate, dark fruits, oak. Despite all the sweetness of the rich dark malts, the finish is dry with a light bitterness, and a slightly astringent woodiness. There is some pleasant warmth, almost heat, that builds on the tongue. The mouthfeel is decadently rich, smooth, soft, round and creamy. Yeah, this is an experience for your mouth. I like what the barrel aging adds to Darkness (tried it again in 2020, check those notes below the photos).

2020 - The beer pours pitch black. There is a half-inch of light brown head. The aroma is dark roasted malts, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, dark cocoa powder, char,and dried cherries. The taste follows the aromas, loads of chocolate notes, char is present, but lighter than in the aroma, there is sweetness and fruit, but there is enough dark roast and wood to make a semi-sweet to semi-dry finish. The beer drinks amazingly soft and smooth, incredibly drinkable for a high alcohol Russian Imperial Stout. This is unbelievably good. Interestingly the whiskey notes from the barrel aging have almost entirely disappeared.