Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

JEdmund

Kansas

3.13/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance
Black with just a brief, tan film of a head

Smell
Only the slightest aroma detectable; getting mostly cocoa notes

Taste & Mouthfeel
Surprisingly thin body and low carbonation--big letdown; fairly tame from beginning to end; good flavors of cocoa and roast in the mid-palate; pretty small overall for a RIS.

Overall
This was a big letdown for me. It's raved about and Stone makes other beers I've really enjoyed. My bottle had been in storage for approximately eight months, so maybe it's at an off time or just an off bottle. I hope that's the case and the next one I try will impress me.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2009 13:50:45 | More by JEdmund

kosmoraios

Washington

3.15/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Woah. Trying to review for the style here...

Pours black as night into my pint glass. Tan head lasts for a minute or so.

Aroma is of roasted malt, coffee, dark caramel, pumpernickel bread and alcohol.

Taste is of chocolate, coffee, alcohol. There is a dark, almost burnt malty taste to this ale. Alcohol is very prevalent as it warms. Pretty agressive and bitter. There is some sweetness that offsets this at first, but as the ale warms, it starts to become a challenge to drink.

Mouthfeel is chewy, oily. Not a very drinkable ale, unless it's 20 below outside with freezing snow blowing sideways.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2006 21:22:14 | More by kosmoraios

stoutfiend27

North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

2009 22 oz bottle poured into my duvel tulip

a-oil black and thick..no light penetration...short lived espresso colored head

s-sweet, slight notes of coffee but the sweet smell really puts off all other smells and over powers this brew

t-toffee and caramel and very sweet..i cannot pin point what the sweet taste or smell is but it puts me off..

m-thick and oily...it has good mouthfeel for a ris

d-would not seek this out to have another...def a try once and move on to another brew

overall i was let down...i like all of stones year round offerings quite well with the exception of the smoked porter....maybe i had an off bottle but being as i took it out of the delivery box before it hit the shelves i doubt it...

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2009 00:58:07 | More by stoutfiend27

tr4nc3d

Kansas

3.18/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served from a 22oz Bomber into my Maudite Snifter

I have had a beer sitting in my cellar for about 2-3 months now and decided to pick another one up at the liquor store since I did not want to wait a year to review this beer.

Appearance is opaque black with a three inch mocha colored head that fades about on average. As the head fades it leaves a small amount of the mocha colored foam on top of the beer and on the edges of the beer. Very slight lacing is left behind on the sides of my glass.

Smell consist of chocolate, roasted malts,coffee beans, dark brown sugar, slight metallic smell, minerals, and some slight alcohol heat to it.

Some dark roasted malts upfront, leaning towards slight charred, I'm thinking the use of black malts. Dark unsweetened chocolate with a roasted coffee dry bitterness in the finish. This stout is a little on the harsh side if you ask me.

Mouthfeel is full bodied with minimal carbonation. Strong dry bitter finish with a slight alcohol heat in the throat and aftertaste.

I can see why people recommend aging this a year and that is definitely what I will be doing with my other bottle in my cellar. Hopefully it takes down the heat and mellows out. Until then, I do not recommend drinking this fresh.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2009 01:26:57 | More by tr4nc3d

Patrick999

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Nice, the IRS finally showed up down here! I hear this is best aged, but hey, you gotta try it fresh first if possible. 2009 vintage.

A - Poured into a wine glass. Very dark, as you'd expect, and a thin espresso-like crema for a head.

S - Oddly rnough, I find the aromatics a bit muted. It smells like a weaker version of any number of imperial stouts. Mostly roasted coffee - I think I could be fooled into thinking this was a coffee stout if I didn't know better.

T, F - Ahh, I can already tell this needs more time in the bottle. It's harsh...really roasty and harsh. Extremely bitter coffee and bitter alcohol, with some of the currant and anise at the back end. Sticky and viscous, but without being terribly sweet at all. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I could stand for this to come off a bit sweeter. Whether from the roasted malts, hops, alcohol, or a combination of all 3, this is too bitter in its current state. Aside from the hint of currant at the immediate finish, it's just straight bitterness...and unpleasant bitterness if you ask me. With these huge American Impy Stouts, warming up usually takes a lot of the edge off for me, but it doesn't seem to be happening with this.

D - I don't know if I can finish the bomber. I have to get down to the last pour, though, so I can swirl in the dregs from bottle conditioning and see if/how that affects this.

Now, I do see the potential here. This is highly regarded on BA for good reason. I am going to buy another bottle - but it's not going to be opened for a good long while. Right now, though, drinkability is really limited.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 22:12:02 | More by Patrick999

JDFish

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Big bottle poured into a S.A. modified pint:

A: Very dark and rich. You can tell by the head that this is quality.

S: Decent, but I knew I wouldn't rate this as high as others as it hinted at that gagging molasses smell

T: Sure enough, a good solid brew, but like some others it has that molassses sickening sweetness to it..along with other flavors of course. Not as sickening as some of the Bell's stouts or S.A. I.R.S., but its still there.

M: Huge, deluxe, definite quality brew here
D: Not very drinkable for me, I'm afraid

Overall, a high quality sipping brew. Just a tad too much of that molasses sweetness. I prefer the Old Rasputin, same thick quality, but more roasty than sweet

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 01:33:39 | More by JDFish

ccrida

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

"Limited Spring 2007 Release" - a new bottle.
Poured from a 22oz. bomber into a snifter, the Stone RIS is absolutely jet back, with a medium sized burnt tan head that quickly faded to a thick collar with mild skim, leaving only the slightest lace. Served at cellar temp.
The aroma is rich and deep, toasted malt and sweet, with caramel, cinnamon, anise, vanilla and coffee. And lots of alcohol!
The taste, whoa is it rich! Sadly, not nearly as deep as the aroma - I'm hoping that will drastically change for the better with time. Very roasted and boozy, not nearly as sweet as the aroma, lots of bittersweet chocolate that fades to a pure alcohol finish. Holy hobo breath!
The mouthfeel is heavy and a bit oily, with a slight creaminess
This is not to drinkable right now. For one, it tastes way to boozy. Two, it is boozy! 10.8% ABV, how many of these do you think you can drink in one sitting? Rather then try to find out, why don't you just stash some for a while, and then savor one or two on occasion. As they so altruistically suggest on their label, "We recommend getting a case (of our expensive most expensive beer!) and opening a bottle every 3 to 6 months to enjoy it's journey." I opted for four, and will probably have 1 a year or so. As I often feel about young RISs, this was nothing that will have me clamoring to break into my stash earlier then I should. With certain barelywines though, that's a whole other story!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2007 03:13:18 | More by ccrida

Crosling

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Opaque. Black. Gentle aroma of rich malts, providing chocolate, coffee and roasted notes accompanied by a thick resiny hop leaf and scents of dark fruits, vanilla and brandy. Intense raisin, black licorice, molasses and brandy character ending with a huge dose of anise and a hint of chocolate and coffee. All, somewhat put together by a well hopped profile and a cunning bitterness. It’s a nice beer, no doubt, but to me, it’s too hoppy and it’s a little to fruity, thin and sweet. After about 8 months in the bottle, after its allowed to mellow, its a 4+ for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2006 01:50:30 | More by Crosling

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

3.28/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Intense. Extremely thick, heavy, alcoholic mouthfeel. Not as roasty as i would have liked, some vanilla, and toasty/roasty/choc, quite citric and extremely hoppy, hop bitter. In fact the malts play a secondary role to the intensity of the hops, hops are quite citric/acidic/bitter. To be honest felt a little out of place for me, especially when mixed with the vanillin/choc malts, some vegetable stock and spice in there aswell. Very intense, and lots going on. Not quite my style, but cheers to Greg from Stone for giving me this opportunity to try it, Greg is an absolute legend.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2004 11:03:20 | More by rastaman

n811

Michigan

3.28/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Spring 2008 version.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, revealing a small head despite an aggressive pour which dissipated almost immediately.

This brew has a great smell - dark roasted grains, coffee, and hints of licorice.

Taste was less than stellar. The alcohol is not very well masked, with a slightly astringent flavor. A bit of a disappointment.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2009 00:43:03 | More by n811

rosmhuire

New York

3.28/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a pint glass from a 22 oz bomber

A: Dark black with tan colored head. Head was not significant.

S: Burnt coffee beans, bread undertones, a little bit of chocolate on the nose.

T: Wow - very stong. Bitter burnt coffee beans. Heat present from the alcohol. This is almost too much for me. A RIS is supposed to be a Big Boy, but I think Stone took it a bit too far.

M: Very rich, creamy.

D: Definitely felt the alcohol after I polished off the bomber. Not very drinkable, yet Stone doesn't intend this to be a sessionable beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 15:53:38 | More by rosmhuire

callmescraps

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Just barely went for this over the Souther Tier Cherry Saison, mostly because I wanted to try something new. Not always my favorite style, but most reviews are glowing.

Appearance - Poured thick, and black. It almost looked like molasses pouring in there. Topped by a half inch of hearty, coffee-colored head.

Smell - Definitely smell the roast, almost like coffee, but also something like toasted marshmellows and a little raisin.

Taste - Roasted malts with quite a bit of coffee-ish bitterness. A small hint of those raisins, and a boozy aftertaste. Yet, the biggest disappointment may be that it seemed a little weak. Just, a little something missing. It's more or less what I expected BEFORE I smelled it. After smelling, I had hopes of a more complex beer.

Mouthfeel - Pretty disappointing. I figured a creamy goodness, but there was a lot less here than expected. Smooth, but just sort of disappears.

Drinkability - The mouthfeel makes it easier to drink, but it's still heavy in taste. Not bad for the style, but I find it hard to throw down a couple stout's, no matter how good. Although for the abv, it's pretty smooth.

Weaker in taste than some stout's, and also lighter. No creamy goodness, but some malty coffee-ish vibe. This isn't always my favorite style, but occasionally I find ones that I really enjoy. This wasn't one of them.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2008 21:03:11 | More by callmescraps

dancinwillie

Wisconsin

3.3/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Spring 2008 release.

A: Pours, um well, black. Crowned with a mocha head that slowly disappears. Frothy looking, and seemed viscous during the slighty aggressive pour.

S: Hit me while pouring. Coffee, Chocolate, a general fruitiness.

T: A bittersweet chocolate mixes with slight bitter coffee, dark fruit(iness). Perhaps more of a cocoa flavor than chocolate. A lot of roasted flavor. A noticeable hop bite. Pretty tasty, but honestly, a bit tame. I will say that it's impressive that absolutely none of the alcohol flavor can be detected. None.

M: Smooth and silky. Low carbo. Full bodied.

D: I COULD drink a few of these at a sitting. But I don't think I would. For my money, there's many better examples of the style. This isn't bad in any way, it just doesn't stand out from many others in an overpopulated style. Good, but no better.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2008 19:10:54 | More by dancinwillie

chrisgalvin

California

3.3/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Like the Abyss, I wasn't feeling this one. I'm quite partial to all Stone Beers (IPA, CaliBelgi, etc.) and this one didn't do it for me. I'm still not sold on Imperial Stouts. Yes, I am an arse and I tend to like DIPAs, Belgis and Koslch. Then again, it's all subjective, right? :-)

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 04:39:39 | More by chrisgalvin

tjthresh

Indiana

3.33/5  rDev -24%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aaak! This beer sure looks good, but it sure aint of me. Stone RIS pours an oily thick pitch black witha huge brown head. As the head disapates, it leave so great lacing. In the nose there is some dark chocolate and alcohol. The bottle mentions anise. That must be the scent that is turning me off. Same with the flavor. After a while of drinking, I’m starting to come around. I think its somewhat astringant. Hard to drink. I surley don’t think this is one of Stone’s best.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2005 12:25:31 | More by tjthresh

amatuerbeerguy

Oklahoma

3.35/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

With an opaque color on the pour. Which included a tan head that shot up to the glass top, then almost as fast went away. No lacing apparent.

Aroma has coffee, dark chocolate, only noticeable aroma.

Flavor of coffee, chocolate, roast, and alcohol warming.

Mouth feel was low/medium body, with little to no carbonation.

Overall it is an average/below average RIS. I have had it before, and it was better this may be a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2006 01:17:59 | More by amatuerbeerguy

kojevergas

California

3.35/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Served on-draught into a stem-goblet at Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach, California. Reviewed from notes. Expectations were above average; Stone is direly overrated but I heard good things about this brew in particular, and I like the style.

Paired with sweet potato fries.

A: Pours a half finger head of khaki colour, nice cream, okay thickness, and bad retention. Colour of the body is a nontransparent solid opaque black. I prefer the head colour of beers in this style to be more of a tan - the darker the better - but khaki does alright. I'm not anticipating a great beer, though. Due to the nontransparency, no yeast particles are visible (if they're there).

Sm: Vanilla, cream, chocolate, caramel, and hints of roast. A mild strength aroma. Roast should be more present given the style. I'm alerted.

T: Generic chocolate and tame cream over a dark malt (chocolate malt inclusive) foundation with underlying caramel. Some vanilla hints that don't amount to much. No real layering here. Not at all complex for the style. Stone played this beer surprisingly safe. Why is it they pick this style to do that on? They seem to force unwelcome flavours into most otherwise simple styles. Decently balanced but built without boldness, experimentation, or inspiration. As Imperial Stouts come, this is pretty generic.

Mf: Silky smooth and wet. Completely wrong for the style; a stout demands dryness and coarseness (from roast) overcome masterfully by cream. That isn't the case here. Too thin. Adequate carbonation.

Dr: Drinkable but unremarkable. Russian Imperial stouts like this one are a dime a dozen nowadays. There are far better beers in the style, even at the same or lesser price. It's decent, and I might pick it up in bottled form at a good price, but don't expect masterful brewing. I wouldn't recommend it to friends. In fairness, it'd be a pretty good beginner's Russian Imperial Stout. My main problem with it surrounds its lack of inspiration or specialization; as a generic example of the style it'd be a good introduction for people new to the style.

A decent candidate for aging, but I wouldn't do it meself.

Would pair okay with chocolate. Not real suitable to barbecue.

B-

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 21:59:08 | More by kojevergas

ej285701

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

2006 release, 22 oz bottle

Pours out thick and black from the bottle into a Chimay goblet, with a light brown half inch head.

Like the bottle says, the aroma is of anise, dark fruits, alcohol, and roastiness. However alcohol seems to be the most dominant.

Taste is similar to the smell, anise, dark fruits and alcohol. Some roastiness in there as well, but not as much as the smell. No hops to balance the sweetness. Very cloying.

Nicely cabonated and a fairly light body for an imperial stout. The carbonation is lost about half way through my glasss however.

Average drinkability. The sweetness definitely hinders this. It seems like a chore to finish the whole bottle. The 2005 release was so much better than this. It seems odd that this was the same recipe. My other two 2006 release bottles will remain in my basement for a year or two, hopefully developing some positive characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2006 04:31:22 | More by ej285701

bunnyhustle

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

2007 vintage, aged approx 1 year. I have to say I had very high expectations, not only due to the high rating of this beer but I am a huge fan of most all of Stone's offerings. This did not live up to those expectations and was a very mediocre beer. Pour was good, nice mocha colored head, dark as can be, decent head retention with some lacing. Smell was very disappointing. Stong smell of alcohol, particularly vodka which I found weird. Some smell of toffee and raisin, but mainly alcohol. Taste was of some coffee, chocolate, dark fruits but again a very sharp alcohol bite, especially as it goes down. Mouthfeel is medium, carbonation is great. Overall this was a good beer, but not great and not their best offering IMO. I was overwhelmed by the alochol presence and did not enjoy that.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2008 03:01:41 | More by bunnyhustle

pdoran10

Minnesota

3.38/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Shared with my sister from a 22oz. bomber a few months ago, 2009 vintage. I think I've finally found my first beer in BA's top 100 that I don't like nearly as much as others.

The pour into a standard pint glass was exciting. Good carbonation produced about a half inch of rich head. The smell was complex, of roasted malt with a definite hop presence. This is one thing I love about Stone's beers, their aggressive hops! I am left disappointed by the taste. I get roasted malt right away, but then I am hit by a pretty biting alcohol taste. Surprised that this bothers me. I've enjoyed many bigger beers than this. Not impressed with the taste. Maybe with some aging and mellowing...

Anyways, mouthfeel was solid. Good consistency for a imperial stout. Feels solid and not sticky in your mouth. Drinability was not good. I could taste biting alcohol and it made me hesitant to want more than one glass.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 17:58:37 | More by pdoran10

jegross2

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewing the Imperial Russian Stout (2012 vintage) from Stone Brewing Company out of Escondido, California.
Score: 82

2012 vintage bottle purchased from a new bar in the Northwest Chicago Suburbs called "The Beer Market." Served in a snifter glass and enjoyed on 06/29/12. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Color is jet black with a thin strip of caramel of highlight atop the glass. Creamy mocha-colored head off the pour settles to a ring around glass. Average lacing, average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Milk chocolate, light roast and anise/black licorice. Hint of fig. Touch of dark chocolate too. 4/5

Taste: A lot more anise flavor on palate than nose. The bitter, acidic black licorice flavor is prevalent throughout. Chocolate and cocoa too. A little unsweetened dark fruit, and a straight alcoholic booziness towards finish that is "metallic" in flavor when the beer is on the colder side. A hint of roasted chocolate comes out as the beer warms up. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, low carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Acidic, mildly bitter and surprisingly "boozy." 3.5/5

Overall: This is the first time that I have ever had this beer, and given its reputation, I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed. I found it to be nothing special, and way too boozy and licorice-forward. Given how much licorice flavor I got from this brew, I can only imagine how much is present in the Belgo-Anise variation from 2011. Still, you can't beat the price point...

Pairing: Stilton cheese.

Cost: $7.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 04:44:20 | More by jegross2

blindnil

Oregon

3.38/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

This is too young to tell how good it will be eventually. My guess is a year in the cellar and it will be superb.

As of now, its hot alcohol bite is pleasantly neutered by deep chocolate, raisin and date syrupy mouth feel combined by nice hop overtone that fades in the clean finish.

Deep espresso color with chateau b malt colored head that laces nicely.

Can't wait for this to age but its still worth drinking one now.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 05:20:23 | More by blindnil

odeed

California

3.4/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2004 bottle....damn this is black!!!not something to be messed with at all!(but really,what stone is right?)
pours almost no head,with VERY BLACK apperance.not much carbonation,and has a little syrupy taste to it.for serious imperial stout lovers only.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2004 00:26:57 | More by odeed

beerluvr

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2002 version. Pours out with a light tan head that collapses upon black as night opaque liquid. The nose is very plummy/dark fruit-like. Taste is very malty, deep dark and rich, with prune and and malt sweetness dominating. Alcohol soon follows with warming and soothing sensations. The hops are there...just not enough for my taste, I was expecting to taste a bit more with this being a West coast brew. Finishes tangy, more sweet than bitter. Nice, but there's more exciting examples availiable out there.

Thanks to "Gloworm" Gusler for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2003 22:04:22 | More by beerluvr

LPorter33

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Purchased 22oz Bomber of limited early 2005 release from Bauer Wine & Spirits (Thanks, Nick!). I bought this many months ago and had it sitting in my fridge for awhile. I was waiting for the perfect moment and person to share it with, and just happened to get a random guest drop by tonight, so out came the bottle opener, in my desire to intoxicate her by my charm, i.e. get her drunk. So here goes....

Appearance = Thick and black as the darkest night. Liquid seems extremely dense and heavy. Very little carbonation and head which surprised me. Looks like Texas tea.

Smell = Dark, toasted malt with hints of really bitter baking chocolate. A bit of tanginess and sourness I'm guessing from the hops. Smells lighter than expected in the alcohol department. I was imagining a stronger presence of overpowering fumes.

Taste = Sweet, powerful and full of intense alcohol like flavors. This is a very well blended beer with the syrupy sweetness coming in nicely. It's just a bit too overwhelming for my taste buds. I can appreciate this beer and realize it's quite well made but it's not my ideal. It did go very well with a strawberry yogurt Zone Perfect bar though.

Mouthfeel = really thick and coating. I enjoyed the way it warmed the inside of my mouth. Like getting a massage for your gums.

Drinkability = I wouldn't be able to have more than a 1/2 bottle of a 1/2 bottle shared. It's just too overpowering. I think I need more food to compliment this beer, like a calzone from Bova's Bakery.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2006 06:53:19 | More by LPorter33