Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

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BA SCORE
97
world-class
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4,482 Ratings

THE BROS
93
exceptional
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read more »

rAvg: 4.38
pDev: 9.82%
Reviews: 2416
Hads: 2066

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Stone Brewing Co.

California, United States

Style | ABV
Russian Imperial Stout | 10.50% ABV

Availability: Spring. bottle (2217), on-tap (165), growler (29), cask (2), nitro-tap (2), nitro-bottle (1).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

View: Beers (85) | Reviews (242) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by Unchi:

Unchi

Arizona

4.75/5 rDev +8.4%

10-03-2012 03:35:37 | More by Unchi

More User Reviews:

duceswild

Maryland

4.5/5 rDev +2.7%

05-24-2013 02:56:23 | More by duceswild

MarkJBurch

New York

4/5 rDev -8.7%

05-24-2013 01:39:30 | More by MarkJBurch

Tacoboomerang

Virginia

5/5 rDev +14.2%

05-24-2013 00:27:10 | More by Tacoboomerang

IrishColonial

Virginia

3.5/5 rDev -20.1%

05-24-2013 00:17:51 | More by IrishColonial

Billz187

Ohio

4.5/5 rDev +2.7%

05-23-2013 23:41:44 | More by Billz187

CATVDK

Maine

5/5 rDev +14.2%

05-23-2013 22:40:09 | More by CATVDK

DRTBrewster

Arizona

4.25/5 rDev -3%

05-23-2013 21:33:30 | More by DRTBrewster

visionaries

California

4.25/5 rDev -3%

05-23-2013 17:17:01 | More by visionaries

Texas

3.98/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours like motor oil, jet black, with a respectable khaki-brown head that recedes quickly to a light ring. Looks like an RIS if I've ever seen one..

Aroma is almost 100% licorice, behind it are very faint notes of chocolate and roasty malt goodness. If the nose is any indicator, this will be a stout for lovers of Anise.

Hmmm. Up front there's an extreme anise attack, with underlying notes of roasted malt. It's almost 2-dimensional, but still pleasing and fitting of the style. If you aren't a fan of licorice dominating your RIS, you need to try this beer's Espresso counterpart, but this one is definitely an anise-bomb. Hints of dark fruit are noticeable, and there's a bit of alcohol warmth, but it adds to the flavor instead of being off-putting. Without the alcohol notes, there'd be just licorice. This has enough thrown in to keep it interesting.

Thick, though not the muddiest of the muddy. Enough carbonation to drink well, enough body to keep you satisfied. Filling, and holding on to a nice bite from the carbonation. Enjoyable drinker for sure.

All in all, I'd prefer to have discovered a little more complexity in this beer, but even so, the anise is not as off-putting as some reviews lead me to believe. However, if you aren't into the licorice stouts, this is not going to be up your alley.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 15:54:15 | More by BigBarley

AaronBricking

Kentucky

4.25/5 rDev -3%

05-23-2013 05:02:43 | More by AaronBricking

mbw314

California

4.25/5 rDev -3%

05-23-2013 03:34:58 | More by mbw314

firecrack0r

California

4.5/5 rDev +2.7%

05-22-2013 22:54:42 | More by firecrack0r

smitty5245

California

4.5/5 rDev +2.7%

05-22-2013 22:34:18 | More by smitty5245

DangerDawg

Ohio

4.75/5 rDev +8.4%

05-22-2013 20:42:41 | More by DangerDawg

BKBassist

New York

4.25/5 rDev -3%

05-22-2013 16:25:19 | More by BKBassist

jklecko2

Missouri

4/5 rDev -8.7%

05-22-2013 15:41:34 | More by jklecko2

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5 rDev -3%

05-22-2013 03:27:34 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Hopmodium

Washington

4.5/5 rDev +2.7%

05-22-2013 02:44:45 | More by Hopmodium

richj1970

Alabama

4.41/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 22 oz bottle into teku glass.

A: Pours pitch black with nice one to two finger head.

S: Coffee mixed with bitter chocolate and roasted malts. Maybe a bit of smoky scents here also.

T: Lots of roasty flavors with chocolates and coffee up front. Flavors definitely more prominent as it warmed up. Don't drink this one cold. It was supreme as it approached room temp.p

M: Nicely thick as you would expect from an IRS.

O: Very nice. One of my favorite stouts. I think I prefer this to the espresso version, but want to drink another of each before reaching final conclusion.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:10:33 | More by richj1970