Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

cerevisiaephilus

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Finally getting around to trying this one compliments of my roomate Logos.

Decent looking beer. Dark as all hell. No red around the edges when held up to the light. But the head is a bit skimpy even when roused.

Nose is quite nice. Definately get the roasty toasty scents and maybe a bit of hops, but I also get some nice dark chocolate dank cherry cake notes and some breadyness to boot.

Taste is a little disapointing. Definately the massive roasty toasty notes backed up by massive hop bitterness and flavor, some smooth caramel crystal malt flavors there as well and a touch of wineyness but finishes a bit chalky, like some of the second tier Imperial stouts I've tried like Great Lakes. Little disapointed.

Nice mouthfeel. Very appropriate, but not quite perfect.

Pretty drinkable for such a big beer, but awfully bitter after a couple sips. Woudl like something a little smoother.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2004 05:09:05 | More by cerevisiaephilus

atone315

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-26-2013 03:35:24 | More by atone315

Rihup

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -20.1%

05-26-2013 03:08:56 | More by Rihup

girlbrew

District of Columbia

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-26-2013 01:52:37 | More by girlbrew

sd123

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-26-2013 01:40:14 | More by sd123

IpaSipa

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-26-2013 00:40:47 | More by IpaSipa

sabitu

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-26-2013 00:38:20 | More by sabitu

Bubba569

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-25-2013 19:21:24 | More by Bubba569

Hoozierdaddy

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-25-2013 19:18:58 | More by Hoozierdaddy

WKole81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-25-2013 12:24:20 | More by WKole81

RayUF07

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-25-2013 05:52:12 | More by RayUF07

hilgart1

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-25-2013 05:30:04 | More by hilgart1

No1Smitty

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-25-2013 03:18:49 | More by No1Smitty

stoppertb18

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 22:19:23 | More by stoppertb18

Spaz7

California

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-24-2013 19:44:25 | More by Spaz7

creal92

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-24-2013 19:10:19 | More by creal92

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

BigBarley

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