Widmer W'11 KGB Imperial Stout

LibationsSpokane

Widmer W'11 KGB Imperial Stout cover

Your enjoyment of the W'11 will depend on your expectations of it. Any reasonable person would not expect an $8 six-pack of imperial stout to hold the same quality as a $10 bottle -- a fairly common price for the better stuff -- but then again, if Beer Advocate has taught us anything, it's that beer geeks are less than reasonable.

With that in mind, I don't think the W'11 is too shabby. It's not the Abyss, nor is it supposed to be, but it's a good imperial stout for the less than special occasions.

It pours a nice dark color, though not syrup-y black. Maybe just a hue of copper in it? It has a nice dark head, probably around a finger tall, and the glass sees some lacing.

The nose gives hints of smokiness and chocolate, though when it hits the lips, the smokiness overpowers just about anything else. This isn't really a bad thing, and it's not to a degree where you can't taste anything else, but the smokiness definitely is on the forefront. 

More surprising is a bitter aftertaste. Again, not earthshatteringly a letdown or anything, but unexpected.

Mouthfeel is a bit on the thin side.

Look, this isn't a bad beer, it's just not mindblowing. I'd try it on tap. But for now, it's worth picking up a six pack if you just want a cheap imperial stout.