Pozharnik Espresso Russian Imperial Stout - Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.

RobertColianni

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%

11-29-2011 02:00:41 | More by RobertColianni

TrickkyGangsta

Florida

4/5  rDev -3.6%

11-05-2012 02:44:40 | More by TrickkyGangsta

seplo

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%

10-30-2012 18:31:39 | More by seplo

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

07-16-2012 23:42:32 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

MyMagicalPants

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +20.5%

06-17-2012 16:09:40 | More by MyMagicalPants

ILiveOffHops

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

05-19-2012 23:42:12 | More by ILiveOffHops

BierBliss

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-19-2012 23:26:21 | More by BierBliss

rudylaw

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-15-2012 12:12:12 | More by rudylaw

smutty33

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%

05-02-2012 00:26:29 | More by smutty33

jophish17

Georgia

3/5  rDev -27.7%

03-01-2012 21:29:06 | More by jophish17

EvanWilliams

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

01-28-2012 04:53:40 | More by EvanWilliams

DoubleSimcoe

New York

5/5  rDev +20.5%

12-01-2011 23:10:10 | More by DoubleSimcoe

brandoman63

Illinois

5/5  rDev +20.5%

11-28-2011 03:42:18 | More by brandoman63

beerman999999

New York

5/5  rDev +20.5%

11-20-2011 19:30:06 | More by beerman999999

ScreamForMe

Washington

4/5  rDev -3.6%

11-15-2011 21:38:19 | More by ScreamForMe

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1L swingtop (2008) into a Duvel tulip.

A: Deep brown out of the bottle, black in the glass; huge light-brown head fills half the tulip - just perfect - then recedes rockily and leaves chunks of lace. Gorgeous.

S: Starts smoothly with chocolate and vanilla, then transitions seamlessly to a huge, alluring wave of coffee. Nice.

T: Same blend of flavors as the nose, but nothing especially complex or memorable. Maybe I'm just being haunted by the drainpoured Pompier that immediately preceded this, but I'm getting a faint hint of lactic sourness - nothing bad, but it keeps me from really embracing this beer.

M: Fairly thick body with plenty of rich carbonation.

D: Pretty smooth for the style, but I'm just not quite feeling it.

Notes: Worthy stout, but the barrel aging mentioned on the bottle doesn't seem to add much. I won't miss it too much

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2010 12:04:41 | More by woosterbill

kmo1030

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2008 edition.

pours an oily black into the glass, not producing much more than a thin layer khaki head, which fades to a ring.
the aroma has some strong roasty espresso, it's worth noting that it's more roasty and burnt smelling than you might usually find in an espresso stout. less prevalent are caramel, vanilla, a sort of raw molasses and some very faint dark fruits.
the taste is a little sweeter than expected actually, with the same heavy roasted component though. the caramel and vanilla are in there just as in the smell, the caramel also has a soft creamy quality. some undefined dark fruitiness is pervasive and somewhat stronger than in the aroma. the bourbon barrel influence is apparent. the coffee component is there, but it's toned down from what the aroma let on, and is actually quite mellow.
the body is pretty full, and the carbonation is soft, just present enough to move things along.
the drinkability is pretty good, on the whole it's sweet, but it's balanced nicely. there also isn't much trace of the 10% abv. overall it's a pretty straight shotting espresso stout, it doesn't throw you any curves, but what it does it does well.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 02:11:34 | More by kmo1030

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.85/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1.5L bottle poured into a sampling glass - one of the last bottles around before they're completely gone!

Pours a very dark black with light dark black almost coffee like color with no head and just a tinge of lacing.

Taste is very strong in coffee. Chocolate on the finish and a strong toasty/roasty malt. It's an awesome beer and it's too bad their closing!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2009 15:23:15 | More by kingcrowing

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: On tape at a bar I had never been to before. I had some big expectations for this brew considering I had heard good things.

The appearance was opaque black with a small mocha head with almost no retention. Strong bouquet of sweet chocolate, espresso, and raisins. Taste is sweet chocolate and espresso upfront. Some dark fruits, raisins and plums come in toward the end. Very sweet for a RIS. Clean aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied and chewy with almost no carbonation. Drinkability is good considering the high ABV. It is still a sipper though.

Overall, an impressive and memorable RIS although the price tag is a little high.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2009 05:21:10 | More by Gosox8787

Avagadro

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: black and opaque, with no real head despite the vigorous pour.

S: chocolate, molasses, and a hint of coffee combine to form a surprisingly intense bouquet, given the lack of head.

T: as promised by the nose, this brew is dominated by chocolate and molasses, but somehow the espresso is lost.

M: medium body with no significant textures.

D: an ordinary brew offered at an extraordinary price. I don't mind paying a bit more for a better brew, but this just isn't anything special.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2009 03:06:03 | More by Avagadro

boatshoes

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Had this on tap at the Amsterdam Alehouse in Manhattan when meeting up with BA and old buddy Charlatansin on a recent trip to New York. My understanding is this beer is best on tap, as many of the bottles got infected due to poor quality control. Lucky me I guess!

Appearance- Comes off the tap the usual opaque RIS black with a minimal cap of thin head that dies back immediately to a ring. A touch of lacing as I drink.

Smell- Roasted malt and burnt coffee overwhelm here. Nice smells but very two-dimensional on the nose. I really don't pick up on much else despite trying for awhile.

Taste- Again, two-dimensional for me. Lots of roasted malt and espresso/burnt coffee flavors. I don't find a whole lot to be going on other than these two flavors. They are nice and well integrated however, just used to more complexity.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- The mouthfeel is quite substantial and solid with an appropriately minimal level of carbonation. However, the drinkability really takes a hit for me given the lack of complexity for the style. If this were five or six percent and a porter, I would probably love it.

Overall, for me this is a fairly average RIS at best. Good, well integrated flavors but lacking in interesting flavor profile. Worth a try if it is on tap but only in the event that it is the only RIS.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2009 05:20:34 | More by boatshoes

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-thick jet black color, no light comes through. A beautiful thick, dark tan colored head, no lacing.

S-strong roasted malt smell, some chocolate and then a hit of espresso

T-roasted malt up front, then a chocolate malt sets in followed by a sweet taste of dark fruit, plums and maybe some raisins, I feel like there is a hit of citrus hop in there towards the back and then the espresso taste finishes it off. All of the flavors are slightly mild for the big bold color.

M-smooth, thick, and creamy, almost chewy. Not too much carbonation but it is there.

D-the array of flavors and nice creamy texture makes it very drinkable. Actually too drinkable as I am reviewing before an evening meeting and will finish the liter (at 10% that isn't the best idea; but you only live once!)

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2009 20:06:45 | More by cpetrone84

bminor7

New York

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml from Half Time in Poughkeepsie, NY. 2008 vintage. Consumed 10/31/2009.

A - opaque black with a fluffy brown head...lacy

S - rich dark malts and espresso, hops, chocolate, super phenols and some alcohol

T - same...wonderfully complex. vanilla present. plenty of sugar.

M - medium-thick, perfect for the style. too heavy handed a pour can take away from the carbonation.

D - good - not overwhelming at all. tasty to the point that it can act as a dessert once dinner is over.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2009 03:35:44 | More by bminor7

david18

New York

3.8/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not the best Russian Imperial that I've had but not a bad one either. I guess my biggest complaint was that the taste was a little flat and uninteresting. A great aroma, excellent color but the taste didn't deliver on it. If there's no others on tap this is definitely worth getting. Again, just not my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2009 15:17:47 | More by david18

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had originally 10/23 lost the review
2009 Release
A: This beer pours an almost opaque black though just the slightest hint of chocolate brown edges when held to the light. A 1/4 inch of tan head stands on top of this leaving nice sheets of lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is of chocolate and big coffee notes, touch of dark fruits creep in.

T: Taste is - ooo this one has a kick! Starts with dark roasted malts up front, lending to a bitter chocolate and strong espresso flavoring. Alcohol is definitely resent though doesn't deter.

M: Medium body, low carbonation, silkmy smooth with a a bitter aftertaste of coffee.

D: This is a highly drinkable beer, though a pint or two could knock you on your keister.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 14:15:54 | More by Jayli