Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

dbell23

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

11-19-2012 23:06:15 | More by dbell23

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

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

tviz33

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-21-2013 23:15:46 | More by tviz33

Claytonbrewsby

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-21-2013 23:10:23 | More by Claytonbrewsby

tadmuchowski

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-21-2013 22:31:35 | More by tadmuchowski

VirginiaJeff1

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-21-2013 19:23:52 | More by VirginiaJeff1

verge

California

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

05-21-2013 18:01:52 | More by verge

PlinyBeMiney

California

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-21-2013 07:20:47 | More by PlinyBeMiney

Envelopes

Ohio

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-21-2013 05:46:36 | More by Envelopes

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-21-2013 04:26:28 | More by CosmoHopHead

rvajohn

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-21-2013 01:10:34 | More by rvajohn

tittymcj

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Important: Do not drink this cold. It is a completely different beer when cold or chilled. Let it sit out for a while. You'll thank me.

A: Beautiful thick, dark black/brown body with a light brown head. Sticks slightly to the glass as it falls. Dark enough as to not let any light in.

S: Smells of dark coffee and chocolate. Interestingly, there is also a bit of spice in there. This helps keep it light and not overwhelm the palate.

T: Dark and roasted, as to be expected. Aftertaste is heavily of coffee notes that sit on your tongue. At the end, as with the smell, there is a bit of spice and citrus.

M: A bit thin at this point in it's aging. Like other reviewers have noted, it will likely settle a bit as it ages.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 00:18:47 | More by tittymcj

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-20-2013 19:13:15 | More by megamass

powz87

Illinois

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-20-2013 17:20:41 | More by powz87