Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

hctap00

4.31/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours pitch black with solid light brown head that reduces to a thick lacing. Head is not too bubbly or fizzy, which is a turn off in other beers.

Initially, the nose is very chocolate heavy. Very rich. Some roast, noticeable alcohol. As it warms, the anise that I knew this beer would have becomes very pronounced. I like it. Still enough roasted malt and chocolate to balance it. Aroma lacks the complexity and layers of other top stouts, but is still very nice.

I rather like this one. Not the best RIS I have had, but very bold, unique, and assertive. Not much in the way of bitterness of roasted malt flavor. Anise, chocolate, and booze dominate, in that order for the most part. While the anise/licorice is powerful, it is not overwhelming. There is always enough rich malt backbone to balance it out. Alcohol is assertive throughout. Finish leaves something to be desired, a bit bland.

Mouthfeel is fantastic. Very creamy and smooth. Makes me want to go back for another sip. Exactly what I want from and RIS.

Glad I finally tried this one. Would definitely buy again when I am looking for a change of pace. An interesting take on the style. It does not have the complexity of others, such as Founders Imperial Stout, but still very enjoyable. I like what Stone has done here.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 00:16:19 | More by hctap00

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

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