Pipeworks Blood of the Unicorn

This bottle is Batch #42 of this 8.5% ABV Imperial Red Ale from the Pipeworks Brewing Company of Chicago, Illinois. The beer pours medium dark brown with ruby and garnet. The color of unicorn blood perhaps? There is a tall, thick, foamy light brown head. The aroma is strong tea with lemon, a touch of tobacco, and some fruit, mostly cherry. The taste is dark roasted malt, lots of caramel, with a dry, well-roasted and toasted finish, and an astringent bitterness. This has a nice strong roasted maltiness that brings a hint of ash and smoke, without actually being smokey.