Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

Lauthaha

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a tall-boy bottle into a beer taster (4 oz.) glass for optimum enjoyment.

Appearance: Pours a totally-opaque cola color with a minimum amount of excess carbonation. Two-finger head exhibits a cappuccino-style frothiness that scintillates. The head recedes *very* slowly, leaving a very thick lacing on the sides of the glass. After five minutes, I've only lost about 1/2 finger of head. Amazing retention.

Smell: Heavily roasted caramel-type malt dominates the nose in this particular batch. Medium-sweet chocolate and gentle coffee bean tones are also present, with just a touch of licorice and/or anise thrown in for good measure. A slight suggestion of purple fruit (raisins, plums, etc.). Just a touch pungent in the fruit area, but otherwise spot-on.

Taste: So much to taste here! A really intriguing combination. Bitterness hits first (hops/coffee). As the beer foams a bit, the sweetness is revealed (chocolate/cola/caramel). The alcohol is only mildly offensive, quite a feat for a beer boasting a 10.50% ABV. Aftertaste is a smooth bitterness akin to dark chocolate, with some alcohol flavor.

Mouthfeel: Beer enters smoothly, endures only a mild carbonation, and leaves just a slight, oily residue upon imbibing.

Overall: Nearly perfect...the last time I had this, I don't remember it being so pungent...perhaps I had better let the beer warm up a touch next time (it came out of the fridge...I usually cellar it for a while)...there may be another review of this soon.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 01:08:43 | More by Lauthaha

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-19-2013 15:16:08 | More by ShawnMH

mc4z

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-19-2013 05:46:15 | More by mc4z

canders0927

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-19-2013 04:17:00 | More by canders0927

cosmonick

Indiana

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-19-2013 01:25:30 | More by cosmonick

afrokaze

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-18-2013 22:37:56 | More by afrokaze

Skeeze

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-18-2013 21:01:16 | More by Skeeze

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

05-18-2013 18:24:36 | More by eyeenjoybeer

bunkyzzz

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-18-2013 18:20:39 | More by bunkyzzz

Kreko7

California

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-18-2013 17:28:57 | More by Kreko7

Dbrag

Maine

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-18-2013 16:25:07 | More by Dbrag

jono0101

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-18-2013 16:21:33 | More by jono0101

greenbr

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-18-2013 13:46:04 | More by greenbr

Hobo

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-18-2013 12:34:39 | More by Hobo

GinsuDave

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

05-18-2013 01:11:04 | More by GinsuDave

Oldkentman

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-18-2013 00:46:28 | More by Oldkentman

abeerdude

California

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-17-2013 22:10:36 | More by abeerdude

powdersoldier

Washington

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-17-2013 21:27:20 | More by powdersoldier

Thedrizzle

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-17-2013 19:14:09 | More by Thedrizzle

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-17-2013 19:06:36 | More by EricClayton

BigbROB

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-17-2013 18:56:07 | More by BigbROB

hsaye

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-17-2013 18:45:49 | More by hsaye

darvinlikemarvin

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-17-2013 18:25:44 | More by darvinlikemarvin

saburky

Ohio

3/5  rDev -31.5%

05-17-2013 15:44:29 | More by saburky

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-17-2013 15:11:33 | More by HinghamRick