Emelisse Imperial Russian Stout - Bierbrouwerij Grand-Café Emelisse

chrisrose30

California

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours out of the bottle a very dark brown with no head, and is slightly fizzy. Espresso aroma, some berries, and definitely a whiff of alcohol. Very smooth with a sweet, sticky mouthfeel. A very mellow, warm IRS overall. I would definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 22:59:30 | More by chrisrose30

BranfordBound

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First review in a while. Bottle into snifter, not too cold to start. Best before date is in Dutch: "tenmiste houdbaar tot einde" and is March 2013. (Thanks Google Translate!)

Pours dark, dark brown. At first it appears flat, dead flat, then from the abyss a thick, one finger head of tan bubbles rise. Leaves mild lacing.

Smells of espresso first, then a strong whiff of fruits soaked in brandy.

Wow, this stuff is pretty thick. Starts with a pronounced blend of chocolate and malt, which then transitions into a gentle dark fruit note. Finishes with a light gracing of char that lingers with some earthiness. Sometimes a quick burn of alcohol.

Thick and wet mouthfeel, very smooth.

I'm not sure how I feel about this beer. The head is a little weak, but for a Dutch Brewery this is pretty darn good.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 19:10:30 | More by BranfordBound

IPA35

Netherlands

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with a coffee coloured, tan head.

Smells of dark fruits, coffee, dark choclate, citrus (zest), liquorice and dark malts.

Taste has lots of roasted malts, dark fruits giving it sweetess, bitter chocolate, liquorice prehaps, some alcohol and hops.

Mouthfeel is rather creamy and the carbonation is low.

Nice sipper but too flavourfull for me to really like it.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 17:24:39 | More by IPA35

Filosoof

Netherlands

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my first Russian Imperial Stout. With an open mind...I will have to learn to appreciate this. Nevertheless, I think this is a good, but heavy beer.

L: almost black; no light through it; caramel brown top (one finger);
S: chocolate, vanilla, citrus, caramel, coffee;
T: though I love hops, they come through in a way I don't like. Citrus and caramel stay interesting though; cola element plus honey; the finish doesn't invite....
M: lovely, but I miss something; it is just too less inviting.
O: nice beginning.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 15:24:26 | More by Filosoof

nrbw23

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a dark brown almost black color with a huge foamy tan head. Head has really good retention forms a layer of bubbles onto of the brew. Head leaves some great retention.

S- Picking up bitter sweet chocolate, coffee, smoke, charcoal, and oats.

T- Follows the nose well. A fairly strong bitter sweet taste. Roasted malts, coffee, oats, chocolate and charcoal. Alcohol is hidden well.

M- Fuller side of medium and low carbonation.

O- Not too bad there's just something off with the taste that is turning me off.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 11:12:27 | More by nrbw23

Mar02x

Netherlands

4.47/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On the evening before my grandmothers funeral I had to drink a special brew. I was looking for a tasty stout. I drunk this one before but didn't review it yet.

A - Pitch black and a ring of foam against the glass. The foam is beige colored.

S - Oak wood, dark fruits, some sweetness in the scent.

T - Brown sugar, dark fruit, complex body, cherries, raisin, its all in there but it is not overwhelming.

M - Low carbonation, alcohol is present and some medium bitterness in the end.

O - A good stout, nice taste, a bit bitter with a sweet swirl. I think it would be nice with a good supper because there also some wine like tones present.

I am having a fresh one right now (1st of December 2011), and o boy this excellent stuff. I am raising therefore the tasting point by a half and the overall by a half. This beer tastes fresh, the hop is really fruity and present. The wine tones are gone now.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 07:50:59 | More by Mar02x

Thickfreakness

New York

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the first beers my girl bought for me when we first started dating almost two years ago. It's been cellaring ever since. It was probably a year old when she bought it!

A- A two finger dark tan head that hangs around for a decent amount of time. This pitch black ale is what dreams are made of! Little bits of legs hanging on, but mostly it just settles into a puddle of murky goodness. Touches of carbonation pop and break like kahki sea foam on the surface of this Hell dark Imperial Stout!

S- Dark 60% Belgian Chocolate, bitter coffee, dried raisins, figs, subtle citrusy hops. Sweet caramel, vanilla, and cocoa. This reminds me of some belgian style stouts that I've had... perhaps a little bit less yeast tho. This is really awesome and complex!

T- Chocolate, dark dried fruits, anise, and sitting around the fire wood smoke! It has a nice spicey nuttiness that follows the sweet/sour cherry, mocha burst! The sourness from the fruit hits your mouth and gets opened up from the alcohol! It's a subtle 11%, but it creeps in there. Still lively with hops and yeast! Puckering yet sweet, creamy, and smokey! Insane depth of flavor! It really opens up as it warms up!

M- Creamy and such a wonderful mouthful! Tangy fruit, sweet, bitter roastiness, and a chewy complexity! I wish it was just a touch more sticky and thick! It's not thin, but it's not full of syrup stickiness like I was hoping for. Ya know what... I was wrong... This brew envelopes the tongue like a python on a deer! The caramel/vanilla/coffee/chocolate/dark fruit all grab a different part of the tastebuds, and scream "You're My Bitch!"

O- I need to get some more of this! This is damn close to brilliant! As good of an Imperial Stout as I've ever had! This one needs to be drank almost warm to really apprieciate! Sticky, bitter, sweet, and tons of love in this one!!! Highly recommended!!!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 01:58:59 | More by Thickfreakness

Brabander

Netherlands

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We had a grand beertasting a few days ago thanks to Mar02x. A new BA member with a great mind on beer.

This was the seventh bottle or so.

Poured in a normal winelike glass.

This is one of the better beer Emelisse makes. Fluid as to be expected deepdarkbrown with a lightbrown head. Taste is very 'round'and tasty. There is some bitterness at the end but quit a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 20:37:08 | More by Brabander

Brewski4Drewski

South Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm unsure if there are multiple labels are there was a change because the bottle I have looks a lot different.
Poured into Houblon Chouffe tulip.
A: Pours creamy black with good tan, two and a half finger head. Head dissolves to leave thin foam on top. Looks yummy.

S: Notes of chocolate blend with nice roasty malts. Smells yummy!

T: Mild chocolate and coffee, tasty roasted malts, then slight taste of alcohol. Harmonious blend that hides the 11% abv wonderfully. Looks like these cats in Holland seem to be doing a few things right. Oh yeh, it tastes yummy also.

M: Creamy, silky, almost sticky. Coats the entire mouth nicely.

O: Normally reluctant upon encountering new brews, I am satisfied with this impulse buy. I am most likely going to try any Russian Imperial I come across, and if you like this style you should try. Another "solid brew" that I will certainly revisit. Lacing! Shout outs to the swampy gator for looking out.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 04:30:24 | More by Brewski4Drewski

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an oil slick black body with a creamy, dark brown head that sits generously atop the beer before patiently dissipating to leave a thin, yet sticky lacing.

Robust aromas of sweet chocolate and roasted malt float from the glass and are pretty much all I am detecting.

Similar to the aroma, roasted malt and sweet milk chocolate hints make up the palate, and they seem to be muted by the carbonation until the beer warms a bit.

Thick and full in body with abundant carbonation and a syrupy like coating on the mouth.

This is a decent RIS, not as complex as some of its counterparts with more muted flavors and a bit too much carbonation in my opinion. Certainly worth a try still.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 02:05:09 | More by CHADMC3

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.35/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

33 cl. bottle.
This beer, allthough ok aroma, is just a bit too simple. The alcohol doesn't get covered enough.

Light brown head on a very dark brown beer.
Smell and taste of clear roasted malts and nutts character. Some espresso coffee and dark chocolate. Some spice.
A lot of liquorice aroma/flavour in this particular beer. Not much to my liking.

Mouthfeel medium, with a lot of alcohol bite.

Ok beer, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 07:08:50 | More by RuudJH

rvdoorn

Netherlands

4.72/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Look: The beer pours a dark black color, with a small dark brown head.
Smell: Roasted malts, chocolate, sweet molasses, licorice.
Taste: Malts, coffee, dark chocolate, sweet molasses, and licorice. Warming alcohol in the bitter coffee aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, creamy, silk with low carbonation
Overall: Very nice brew, maybe not overly complex, but I prefer a simple RIS over most of the hyped overly complex unbalanced American brews.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 16:02:21 | More by rvdoorn

sendsilk

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received as an in a trade with caroroberts, thanks Carly!

A- The pour makes for an interesting head gathering here. Very nice mocha colored head, tons of bubble, very nice.

S- standard for a Russian Imp Stout, chocolate & tobacco.

T- This is very nice. What a great surprise! Chocolate, raisins, toffee, tobacco, heavy booze. Really, excellent.

M- Nice and thick and chewy but not overly done. Brilliant!

O- I could drink a bunch of these. Very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 22:44:05 | More by sendsilk

Tone

Missouri

3.48/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black color. 1/4 inch head of an off-white color. Slight retention and slight lacing. Smells of pale malt, slight sweet malt, slight roasted malt, and a hint of earthy malt. Fits the style of a Russian Imperial Stout. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of pale malt, slight sweet malt, slight roasted malt, hint of earthy malt, and alcohol. Overall, decent aroma and body.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 12:23:05 | More by Tone

ChadQuest

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Has a big dense head of brown foam over a black body, head stays a bit before dropping out of the picture. No real legs on this one dispite being a hefty weight stout, the viscosity isn't really there on looks.
The aroma has roasted malts and chocolate malts doing a little dance.
Flavors are pretty balanced between dark chocolate bitterness and sweeter malts and milk chocolate and vanilla sweetness, the roasted malts give that espresso character and it finishes really dry in the end, a clean imperial for sure. didnt really notice the oak that it is aged on much, only for 2 months so more then likely it just rounded out some from it. Wanted more viscosity like i do with every stout though.

$5 a 12oz bottle at Binny's. Good for the try, i enjoyed it and think it's solid. Glad it comes in 12oz cuz that has been all i drink lately. If you are a RIS type of guy def give it a whirl.
*my bottle looks differant, and is purple with a building on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 02:39:08 | More by ChadQuest

LtCracker20

Connecticut

3.28/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a deep dark reddish brown, not quite black. Thin, 1-finger khaki head that falls to a thinner cap.

S- Molasses, slight vanilla, but not much else. Very mild in any aroma.

T- Chocolate, oakey vanilla, but not much else, maybe some slight flavors of dark fruits. The abv does come out in the finish.

MF- Creamy, but still pretty thin.

O- Not a bad beer, but not a very good show of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 23:30:24 | More by LtCracker20

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.63/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Strong, oily aroma has roast coffee, molasses and miso components. It pours a deep, opaque sable just a whisker above black with a thick, fizzy and rather persistent light tan head. Rich, mouth-filling flavor has firm coffee, molasses, unsweet chocolate and nutty tones with hoppy and miso underpinnings, as well as quite an alcohol bite. Texture is smooth and thick, but tingly and lively as well, quite satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 01:56:48 | More by Cyberkedi

GoldenVIKE

Illinois

2.6/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had a bottle at The Publican, and paid $14!!

A: nice thick pour, creamy beige head that with nice retention and lace.

S: did not smell too great when it was served, but I think the restaurant served it too cold. probably around 40-45 degrees. smelled way more alcoholic than a 11% ABV been should. otherwise, standard coffee and chocolate notes came through, and it smelled much better and richer as the beer warmed.

T&M: first tastes were overwhelmed by alcohol and bitterness, which i didn't expect from a $14 12oz bottle of stout. tastes mellowed nicely as the beer warmed and become much more espresso like by the end. porter-like.

O: for the price there are much better beers out there. while this one did warm up nicely, it didn't offer anything that you can't find in other good stouts or porters.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2011 02:12:39 | More by GoldenVIKE

SolomonGrundy

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Taking the backlash at Beeradvocate for my thoughts on beer trading...Sheesh!!!

Very close...so close I can, and will, taste it!!!

Pours a dense and syrupy black. Not quite completely opaque, as it hints at mahogany around the edges in the light. Very small to no head and lacking lacing. Par for the course, I'm 'fraid.

Very big, sweet, chocolately and roasted malt aromas. Wonderfully melded, too. Not too much of one or the other...A touch boozy, but other than that quite nice and to style.

Flavor is a touch thinner than expected. The kicker on this is the super long, roasty and bitter finish. It lasts forever!!! Not nearly as thick and chewy of a beer as the pour suggested. This is actually a wonderfully complex RIS. Think of the upfrontly powerful Old Rasputin and reverse it...This is that beer. Not as complex or powerful as Raspy, and it drops a touch for that reason. Nice beer, though except for....

The basics: $5.49/12 oz. bottle (ouch!) and 11% ABV (YEAH!!)...

This is really good, but won't be anything super special for those accustomed to big RISs...

What I like most: The nice and complex flavor profile.

What I like least: The price and thinner than expected mouthfeel.

Verdict: Big and complex, but too expensive when there are other cheaper alternatives. Try it if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 01:00:05 | More by SolomonGrundy

Halcyondays

California

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours black with a creamy off-white tan head, solid head retention and lace.

S: Good notes of chocolate and orange oil, but I also notice a hint of acetone and hairspray in the background, a fault, but doesn't ruin it especially as it warms up.

T: Sweet milk chocolate to dark chocolate with a mild hopping but it makes it from being overly sweet. None of the solvent character from the nose carries through. Good overall flavours, enjoyable, never really roasted.

M: Smooth, creamy, frothy, easy drinking with a medium to full body.

O: This is quite a good beer, a very Americanized style out of the Netherlands which was surprising. Price is a problem, when Yeti or Ten Fidy is half the price and you're not getting as much, why would I buy it again? That being said, I liked this beer quite a bit, it's well made, if you've got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, go for it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2011 22:35:12 | More by Halcyondays

sk8man121

Maine

2.98/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

11.16 oz bottle poured into Allagash chalice. Lot A, best by 2013.

A: Pours a completely opaque pitch black with plum highlights. 2-finger mocha head settles into a thin cap, leaving elegant lacing on the glass.

S: Creamy chocolate is strong up front, surrounded by campfire notes and sweet, dark fruits. Little to no hop presence. Ethanol heat is detectable and slightly astringent in the nose.

T: Chocolate has been replaced by smokey barrel notes. Oak and extremely hot alcohol are in the center, followed by a cloyingly sweet finish. Leaves a distinctly unpleasant bitterness on the tongue; likely a result of oak tannins and alcohol, as the hops in this are barely noticeable.

M: Medium-light carbonation, thick and chewy; typical for the style.

O: I'm not going to be able to finish this. Each sip becomes more cloying and hotly alcoholic than the last. While there are certainly a few interesting things going on in here, it feels like I'm drinking a bottle of rubbing alcohol that fell into the fire. This may be worth throwing in the cellar to cool down for a few years, but with so many great (and cheaper) alternatives on the market, why bother?

Boozy and unpalatable when consumed young.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 02:02:58 | More by sk8man121

Beejay

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep black in color with a beautiful dark tan head. Looks very nice.

S: Lovely dark chocolate aroma. Caramel and Molasses with a nice touch of licorice.

T: Very sweet. Almost cloyingly so at first sip. After the sweetness calms down a bit a bitter roasty flavor takes over. It is almost a touch astringent. There is a bit of coffee grounds and dark chocolate in the finish. It is good, but the balance seems a little out of whack for me.

M: Fairly thick on the mouth, carbonation is a touch much for me.

O: Good, but with so many stellar stouts out there I could easily overlook this one for another that is a bit more put together and rounded off.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 03:52:25 | More by Beejay

Urbancaver

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours like a typical thick imperial stout. Vry nice appearance. Smells roasty and coffee heavy. Lots of sweetness on the nose. The malts are overwhelming and strong. Too much going on in this one. The mouthfeeel suffers from the bitterness from the roast overpowering but interesting

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 15:23:51 | More by Urbancaver

zoolzoo

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pitch black center, cocoa around the edges of the glass. No head until the trailing end of a motor oil-ish pour...a half finger coffee bean head appears and quickly disappears into barely a cap.

S: Burnt malts, smoke, and an oaky character backed up by chocolate sweetness and booze.

T: Burnt stuff up front, smoke...wood....lots of roasted character. Semi-sweet chocolate and a bit of coffee provides a suitable base. Theres some heat, a little alcohol note in the finish.

M: Thick and chewy, low carbonation. The motor oil pour is re-affirmed in body.

D: Pretty good despite the heat. In non barrel aged stouts, I really seem to prefer char and smoke up front as opposed to lots of chocolate sweetness. This is giving me what I want, while allowing that sweetness to remain in a supporting role.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 21:38:46 | More by zoolzoo

bluejacket74

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.16 ounce (330 ml) bottle, best before 12/2012. My buddy Denis picked up this goodie for me, so thanks! Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about a half inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is roasted malt, coffee, chocolate and some piney hops. The taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, but with the addition of some licorice, dark fruit and burnt/charred malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's a bit slick and creamy with decent carbonation. Drinkability is good, it's smooth and easy to drink, and the 11% ABV isn't very noticable at all. I think it's a good brew, not sure if it's worth $4.99 a bottle or not but I thought it was a solid overall brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 00:43:04 | More by bluejacket74