Imperial Russian Stout
Flag
Favorite
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol By Volume: 10.50%
Beer Style: Imperial Stout
Availability: Seasonal
Average of 5 ratings: 4.2 stars.
Description:
Brewed in the authentic historical style of an Imperial Russian Stout, this ale is massive. Intensely aromatic (notes of anise, lack currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate, this brew goes where few can --- and fewer dare even try. The style originated from Czarist Russia's demand for ever thicker English stouts. Expect our version of this mysterious brew to pour like Siberian crude and taste even heavier!
Offline
Literally like drinking 4 beers out of one bottle when you consider the bottle size and alcohol content. Best to share with friends or get ready for a kick.
Offline
Appearance - 4.5
Vintage Spring 2008 Bomber. Been aged for about a year and a half. Poured about an inch of creamy looking dark tan head. Retention is good and it forms a thick ring as it settles. The beer is pitch black and opaque.
Aroma - 4.0
Chocolate, and light coffee dominate the aroma.
Mouthfeel - 4.0
Full in body, rich and creamy with good carbonation.
Taste - 4.0
Dark roasted malts up front followed by some chocolate and finished by some coffee flavor with a small amount of bitterness. Has a dry finish.
Overall - 4.0
After 1 1/2 years of aging not much has changed. It may be slightly less bitter in the finish with the hops mellowing out, but it's difficult to say for sure. Regardless, it still remains a fine Russian Imperial Stout.
Offline
Appearance - 4.0
Has about an inch of dark tan head that disappears in a short amount of time but leaves a nice thick ring of lace. The beer is opaque and black as the night.
Aroma - 4.0
A good bit of roasted malts, coffee, dark fruits and a bit of chocolate make up the nose.
Mouthfeel - 4.0
A full-bodied beer, smooth and creamy in the mouth. Light carbonation.
Taste - 4.0
Roasted malts and chocolate up front. It's followed up by bitter coffee with traces of alcohol. It finishes dry with a slight bitterness.
Overall - 4.0
A pretty good RIS. I've got a bottle from '08 in the cellar that I'll pull out in a few months to see how the taste evolves as it ages.
Offline
Appearance - 4.0
Looks very thick as it pours, coming out a very deep dark brown. The head itself is incredibly dark tanned and espresso looking, leaving lacing around the glass.
Aroma - 4.5
Nice dark chocolate aroma with some fruity aroma as well.
Mouthfeel - 4.0
A nice thick stout with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
Taste - 4.5
Dark chocolate taste with a hint of alcoholic heat, followed by a strong coffee like bitterness which lingers into an espresso taste.
Overall - 4.5
A true Imperial Russian Stout. complex, thick dark with a good mix of bitterness while not lacking in flavour.
No food pairings have been submitted yet.