A couple of weeks ago I tried a beer that was a gift to me from my daughter for my birthday (Thanks Katherine!).  The beer was Ballast Point Sea Monster Imperial Stout.  Sea Monster is a limited release beer that Ballast Point issues annually between September and November.

Located in San Diego, Ballast Point was started in 1996 by home brewers Jack White and Yuseff Cherney.   As of 2012 it was the third largest craft brewer in San Diego County and the 46th largest craft brewery in the country, based on sales volume.  In 2010, Ballast Point won three gold medals for their beers, as well as the “Small Brewery Champion” award, at the World Beer Cup.

In the future I plan on visiting Ballast Point and providing a review of all of their regular release beers.  In the meantime, here are my tasting notes for Sea Monster.

Ballast Point Sea Monster Imperial Stout (10.0% ABV): This beer pours a dark black color with rich tan foam composed of tiny bubbles.  The foam leaves a nice lace.  Sea Monster has a big aroma of roasted malt and espresso coffee followed by dark chocolate.  The beer is full-bodied with moderate prickly carbonation.  Sea Monster tastes of roasted malt and dark rich bread, followed by espresso coffee and abundant dark chocolate.  A hint of currants peeks onto the palate that is followed by hoppy bitterness and a lingering dry finish.  This is a delicious beer and if you gaze long enough into its dark abyss, a Sea Monster will gaze back into you.