Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

davidchollar

Washington

4.63/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enveloped in darkness, an absence of light in my tulip. Fat, brown head on top. The retention and lacing are adequate. This beer looks really good but smells even better.

Like the best doppelbock I've had the pleasure of quaffing, this is obviously a malt bomb. But wait, there's so much more! While initial smells reveal whoppers and coffee, a little more sniffing brings out the IBUs. And tasting confirms this. Holy hoppy ... wow. All together now, mocha, chocolate, coffee, cookies and liqueur. With a big vicious liquorice bite.

Mouthfeel is outstanding, so full and smooth. But at nearly 11%, it loses a point for drinkability as a bottle of this is dangerous. I've only had a few RISs, but I would say Stone's has a pretty unique flavor. Yeah, I'll be getting this again!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2008 20:08:04 | More by davidchollar

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

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