Sierra Nevada XXX Fritz and Ken's Ale

This is the second installment of a dual tasting with Beaner.  This time we pop the cork on the first release of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.'s 30th Anniversary line-up of beers.  These beers are designed by the pioneers of craft beer; Charlie Papazian, Fritz Maytag, Ken Grossman, Fred Eckhardt, and Jack McAuliffe.  The first release of this series is a collaboration from Fritz and Ken, a Russian Imperial Stout.  Here's our thoughts:

Me:
Aroma - Coffee, roasty, molasses, burnt sugars, and dark fruits.  There is also a hit of hops that makes it way through.

Appearance - Deep black.  Opaque.  Thick, sticky, brown head.

Flavor - Roasty, but not acrid.  Hints of fine espresso.  Subtle molasses, burnt caramels, and dark fruits, prunes and raisins peak through.  Firm bitterness, both from hops and the use of roasted malts or grains.  Nice warming alcohol to dry everything up.

Mouth-fell - Full bodied, yet very drinkable.

Overall - Oh what a treat Sierra Nevada has made for us!  Great RIS, tons of roasty coffee flavors from the malts with complex caramels and dark fruity esters.  Pleasant, but in your face hop bitterness to balance the massive malt backbone of this brew.  Dangerously drinkable for 9.2% ABV.

Beaner:
Aroma - Coffee, dark fruits, and molasses.

Appearance - Very dark, opaque, black.  Thick head.

Flavor - Coffee and hops followed with a touch of dates and prunes.  Firm bitterness, yet very smooth.

Mouth-feel - Full bodied, yet smooth and easy to drink.

Overall - One of my favorites.  I love the coffee flavors.  A manly brew!