Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

mtstatebeer

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Initially rated 27 May 08.
Growler, 2004 Saturday Night Special Pour. Pours a very dark brown with a creamy light brown head. Aroma is very complex, roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, maybe some molasses, and a touch of smokiness. Flavor is sharp and complex like the aroma. Alcohol is hidden by the bitter chocolate finish. Very good beer.

Serving type: growler

09-02-2008 23:48:57 | More by mtstatebeer

throwitallaway

Alabama

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This review applies to the 2004 vintage of Stone RIS. Picked up Saturday from Stone. Decanted from the growler into a snifter. Pours extremely dark with a small head that fizzles away quickly. Aromas of chocolate, alcohol, and plums. Smells more like an old ale than a RIS. Taste is chocolate, coffee, and a touch of alcohol. The taste in general is smoother and less sharp than younger Stone RISs. Mouthfeel is fairly thick and because of the age it has, this RIS is more drinkable than most. Overall, four years of age seemed to have done this brew some good.

Serving type: growler

07-29-2008 00:09:05 | More by throwitallaway

iconoklaztor

Indiana

4.88/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the Stone 04 IRS growler!

My god the smell is very sweet and delicate. Still has a slight hint of alcohol but nothing crazy like they are fresh.
The taste is very smooth with almost all the hot notes gone. I really love this brew. I do think its hot fresh (still great though) and needs aging. With 4 years its phenominal. The sweet taste of chocolate and malt with no hops make this a great, great brew!

Its very nice on the tongue too. Its not to heavy and very drinkable. All in all very very nice

Overall, this has to be my favorite aged brew right now, and at 4 years not to hard to duplicate! I will be holding my Stone IRS for a min of a year and longer.

Serving type: growler

07-11-2008 02:00:09 | More by iconoklaztor

steelscarab

California

4.78/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had my growler filled with the 2006-cellared brew of this at their brewery and I served it in my goblet.

Appearance: An immensely dark black colour, almost obsidian in nature. It poured with a half inch of mocha-coloured head which quickly dissipated. Moderate lacing did persist around the edges though. I would've given this a 5 if the head was retained more.

Smell: A smoky, sweet smell dominates the nose when smelling. A bit of coffee is present as well, but you primarily smell the roasted malts and alcohol.

Taste: Complexity! One can first detect many sweet things in this brew such as a bit of caramel, coffee, roasted malt, and some sort of earthy berry (perhaps raisin). This sweetness leads to a slight bitter smoky taste with a warming alcohol touch to it. An experience for any beer drinker!

Mouth: This brew holds amazing mouth-feel. It is smooth, creamy, and not too much carbonation. I'd say it's just perfect for the style and silky smooth for its alcohol content.

Drinkability: High drink-ability if you are into Imperial Stouts. This is definitely a sipping beer though, and probably not suited for active social gatherings. This may just be one of the best beers for a night in with the old woman and a marathon of CSI.

Serving type: growler

04-17-2008 07:15:00 | More by steelscarab

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

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

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

TofuDC5

California

3.6/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours completely opaque; black. 1 finger light-brown frothy head that dissipates quickly; only a ring of froth remains once settled in glass.

S: Dark chocolate and molasses. Hint of licorice. Musty.

T: Quite a bit of malty dark chocolate.

M: Creamy, but not too thick. Light bitter sensation in the throat; lingering on the tongue.

O: Typical. Nothing sensational, but definitely a stout worth drinking. I think I'd enjoy this more with a meal than by itself...like a nice juicy burger =]~

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:28:29 | More by TofuDC5

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.29/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice dark tan head that dies down moderately slow and leaves very nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of dark chocolate, coffee/espresso, sweet roasty malts, some licorice and some smokiness.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a some dominant coffee, espresso and chocolate along with some sweet roasty malts, some licorice, faint vanilla and a touch of smokiness. It has a light roasty bitterness.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a very nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with great flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 19:21:27 | More by SebD

ChrisKayler

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Drinking this while listening to Drudkh.

Glass: Blue Mountain Brewery ceramic mug.

Appearance: Dark and thick during the pour, but it's a little hard to see through a ceramic mug. A tiny head appeared and faded within about a minute. Looks like a RIS should.

Smell: Less burnt and bitter characteristics than some RIS's. Predominantly getting the smell of milk chocolate ... like those found from melting chocolate in a chocolate shop. Additionally, I get a little bit of vanilla if I inhale long enough. Maybe a little coconut? It smells absolutely delicious.

Taste: Very tasty! Initial flavor comprised of malt grain, with a surprising bitterness that almost tastes like baking chocolate. After bitterness fades, the real beauty begins. The chocolate comes through again, but in more of a sweet milk chocolate variety.

Mouthfeel: Heavy body with low carbonation. A little sticky, but not in a gross way.

Overall: I am enjoying this beer ... a lot! The Espresso version of this beer is a little better, to me, as it adds the coffee in a subtle manner without going over the top. However, if you don't want any coffee flavor this beer is so subtle, balanced, and tasty, with the perfect mouthfeel for the style. Would buy again it again in a heartbeat, and is a great value for the bomber.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 00:56:49 | More by ChrisKayler

watsonmd

Georgia

4.76/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Awesome... 22 oz bottle, serves at 51 degrees, snifter.

A: Black, with thick tan head. solid.

S: STRONG coffee, chocolate, malt

T: Wow. strong, sweet, thick, coffee/oak/vanilla/coffee/malt/cherry(?)

M: Coating, thick, lingers, and strong. Slight sweetness, but also a hint of aromatics (hops?)

O: Need more of this one. For the price, should get a case!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:38:05 | More by watsonmd

stlunatic15

California

4.65/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Bomber poured into DFH tulip.

A: Typical IRS. Dark color, 1-finger head, nice lacing, beige-like head.

S: Lots of dark chocolate and cocoa. Some espresso or coffee bean, and dark fruit (chocolate covered cherries, perhaps?).

T: Mocha and slight coconut & vanilla. Chocolate definitely overpowers the overall taste, however. A slight burn at the back of the throat given the fact that it is still young.

M: Viscous but not overly chewy. Standard IRS thickness, and definitely has a slight creaminess. Almost has a consistency of a creamy & thickened iced latte (which isn't a bad thing IMO). I love it.

O: What can I say, Stone's IRS has always been one of my favorite imperial stouts, and will continue to be. Of course it is an amazing beer after some age, but I personally enjoy it fresh just as much. This beer has a great kick of heat at the beginning with a satisfying smooth & clean finish. Definitely a world class stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 08:36:01 | More by stlunatic15

JFresh21

Illinois

2.99/5  rDev -31.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2013 vintage edition

This beer tastes like oak. The booze is well masked for 10% but its lacking the depth and flavors that make a stout great, chocolate and coffee. Stick with breakfast stout.

Not great but a well crafted beer if you dig the oak flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 03:05:36 | More by JFresh21

bnes09

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Completely jet black with no light getting through. Pours a relatively thick head for the style which a thin, silky blanket over the brew and creamy lace lines on the glass.

Aroma is dark, rich and robust. Full of coffee, tobacco, pine needles, oatmeal, oak chips, maple and gingerbread. Highly complex and well rounded. The bitter, sweet and spicy notes all seem to compliment eachother as I inhale the delicate aroma.

Tons of roastiness in the flavor which is hard to pinpoint due to the overwhelming complexity. Baking chocolate is probably the most prominent along with dark roast coffee, tobacco, smoked woods and charcoal-blackened chicken. Dry malt character overall. Hop notes are subtle at first teasing the tongue with earthy, pine-like qualities. Just a touch of licorice spice. Not a whole lot of sweetness to balance this one. Finishes with a tart and bitter hop character that combats the roasty baking chocolate flavor. Descent, not great, balance in this one. Almost acidic in the finish.

Full bodied and well textured. Loads of carbonation for such a strong beer.

Overall: very well done with a few minor complaints. Love the complexity in both aroma and flavor but could use some more balance. Also, seems to get more hoppy and bitter as it warms which opposed the expectation for the style. Still a well crafted and intriguing imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 04:08:11 | More by bnes09

alpineclimber

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A revisit on a 2009 bottle, May 6, 2013. Served up at cellar temp, into a chalice.

A smallish tan head on a deep mahogany brew.

Looks good enough, pretty standard really.

Not a big nose on this one either. The usual sweet dark malts. Just slightly alcoholic, not near as much alcohol as the 2011 which was drank fairly fresh.

Tast is quite good. Toffee, caramel, dark chocolate and a slight tinge of alcohol. The alcohol is very well hidden and probably tamed down with 3+ years in the cellar. Not a single note of oxidation, no dark fruit, cobwebs or cardboard. I believe this beer to age like a Boss!!!

Nice thick mouthfeel.

Overall this is a great RIS! It's a cellar champ. I had a 2008 a while back and it was awesome, so sad I did not review it.

Points go as follows:

A 4
S 3.75
T 4.5
M 4.5
O 4.25

Total: 4.2

A 2011 bottle at cellar temperature poured into a beer chalice.

A two finger mocha head on a deep black brew, looks enticing. A decent amount of lacing is left on the glass.

The nose is cold black coffee, burnt notes from the malted barley and a slight smell of alcohol. The nose is fairly subdued.

The taste is of black coffee, dark chocolate, a high level of bitterness most likely from the malt and a slight taste of alcohol. A good thick mouthfeel.

This is a fairly classic Russian Imperial Stout, not overly complex and definetly not lacking. I am glad I have a few more bottles of this in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 23:10:27 | More by alpineclimber

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

2.94/5  rDev -32.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2012 scores (4.5/3.5/4/4/4.5)

After having the 2013 vintage (and the Espresso version), I can now safely say this isn't quite for me. While it looks good and has a big feel, I just don't care for all the licorice in the flavor profile. And that's the problem here - it's too licorice dominant with no real complexity, depth, or even bold flavor. The thick, viscous mouthfeel means little if it doesn't have a great taste to prop it up.

I've got another bottle, and that one won't be cracked open until after tax season...in 2014. Right now, I can think of quite a few readily available imperial stouts that wipe the floor with this one.

---

Poured into a Williamsburg Winery wine glass.

A: Pours a damn near pitch black body with good thickness and viscosity. The head is a two finger light tan color with excellent texture, decent retention, and solid lacing.

S: All the usual RIS notes are here; slight soy, dry baker's chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, leather, and tobacco nicely mingle on the nose. While it's a nice melange, it's too subdued, much to its detriment.

T: The flavor starts off with some dark fruit notes (raisins, currants, plums) along side some leather and licorice. Afterward, it progresses toward dark chocolate and roast notes, and it finishes salty and slightly boozy. There are hints of tobacco and piny hops throughout the flavor progression. Balance is decent, but not impeccable, as it slightly leans towards fruitiness. On the plus side, it featured the kind of complexity I was expecting from a beer of this caliber.

M: Decently heavy with good viscosity and low carbonation, with a dry finish, almost to the point of causing the mouth to water. The aftertaste lingers nicely with dried dark fruits. Touches of alcohol can be felt on the tongue, throat, and stomach.

O: A tough beer to digest at first - but one that rewards its drinker with good complexity and a breadth of flavor storytelling. It isn't immensely drinkable, but then again, something like this should be savored slowly. Given its price point, it's one I can heartily recommend.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 23:51:20 | More by ThisWangsChung

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I have had several Russian Imperial Stouts lately and this one is near the top of the list (only Ten Fidy was better to me). I did expect more from this RIS as I had heard it was better than Ten Fidy, but nevertheless I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed with the appearance, a beautiful beer, very dark with an amazing tan head!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 14:28:02 | More by DenverHopHead

dar482

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

It pours in a black, dark color with small khaki, brown head.

The aroma is wonderful. Dark chocolate, big roasted malt, and slight chocolate.

The taste is similar. It’s important to warm this up. There’s big bitter chocolate, strong roasted malt, and then some licorice and anise. The spice flavors are not big and offensive. The aftertaste is slight strong, but not offensive. Probably the only negative of this beer for me.

Call me crazy, but I prefer this over the Espresso new version of the beer. The finese is where this beer shines. It really shows what a Russian Imperial should be. Next to Ten Fidy and Peche Mortel, this might be one of my favorite Russian Imperial.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 07:04:16 | More by dar482

spoony

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

From a 650 ml bomber (2013 Release) into a snifter.

A-As you might expect, the brew is thick-looking, black in color, and completely opaque. The head is thin and dark tan in color. It drops quickly to a collar and leaves no lacing. Pretty standard.

S-An intense, but balanced, mixture of rich, dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of char. As the beer warms up, I detect more dark, dried fruits like raisins and prunes. Alcohol is pretty well integrated for 10.5%.

T-The taste follows the smell pretty closely in both intensity and profile. I get roasted coffee, chocolate, and sweet, dark, dried fruits. Malts certainly dominate, but this fresh bottle still had traces of hops, as well. The alcohol is well concealed at 50 degrees, but as the brew warms, you get some pretty serious fruity, sweet, heat. The heat, however, fits nicely with brew. The finish is long and satisfying.

M-The feel is medium body with a bit more carbonation that some other examples of the style. The carbonation is mild and creamy, and actually diffuses the alcohol heat, I think.

O-This is a great and classic-tasting RIS. The flavors are intense, but well-balanced, and everything seems to work well together. There is no standout characteristic to throw the equilibrium of this beer out of whack. On the other hand, in today's world of "brett-this" and "barrel-aged that," I almost feel like something is missing here.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 02:45:52 | More by spoony

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

650ml bomber poured into tulip 28/4/13 cheers Rutager for sending me one of my longest standing wants

A black liquid with a large mocha head that's a little noisy at first but calms down to a thick film and sits there, perhaps a dirty glass? a single ring of lace is left behind

S dark roast is strong with some char, espresso, licorice, bakers chocolate, maybe I'm crazy but I'm picking up some citric hops but its very faint, just a hint of booze and vanilla

T the intense dark roasts even darker in the mouth and even after a year hops are detectable, a little rich dark chocolate fudge and char without much smoke and a little less licorice, tastes pretty solid but the nose was just a little better

M thick, rich, and creamy, a mild bitter bite and a long finish of char, dark chocolate and coffee, a little slick after the fact, no complaints in this department

O well rounded dark roasted RIS or IRS according to Stone, hits all the spots and I can see some age working wonders but at the same time I could see a fresh bottle being a big black hop bomb

this one would be in my regular rotation without doubt, about what one should expect from a big stout this one hits the spot

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 06:54:31 | More by wordemupg

screamking

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bomber poured into wine glass.

Appearance-pours black with a thin light chocolate head. Lots of lacing dancing around the glass. 4.25

Aroma-lots of milk chocolate in the front end, some mild espresso notes as well. Plenty of dark fruits lingering around, mainly plum and a slight hint of dark cherry. As it warms I'm getting more of a vanilla tone. 4.25

Taste-strong bitter coffee at first with a nice slice of hot alcohol burn. That's not a bad thing by the way, I quite like it. Then you start to get the sweet notes of chocolate and hints of vanilla. One of the stronger alcohol burns I've had in some time. 4.25

Feel-slightly higher carbonation then I like, full bodied, coats palate extremely well.3.75

Overall-this thing brings the heat. All of the typical RIS notes are here and this holds up with some of the best of them. Although I wouldn't consider this a world class stout, it's on the edge of WC. 4.25

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:35:20 | More by screamking

EigenBeer

Florida

4.46/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Note: Drinking a one year old bottle

A- Thick khaki one finger head with a curtain of lacing. Nothing special here.

S- The smell was quite strong, even before pouring it into the glass. Smells like a licorice coffee combination.

T- Very strong roasted malt up front with a delicate coffee/cocoa after taste.

M- This was a very velvet like beer with moderate carbonation levels. It left a frothy pool in my mouth which helped spread the great taste all around.

O- This was a great standard RIS, but that's what it is, standard. I feel that a variation, such as a Vanilla BA version would make this one of my top three favorite beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 00:08:26 | More by EigenBeer

Roman5150

Michigan

4.9/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Bottle poured into Duvel glass, purchased from Stones River Total Beverages in Murfreesboro, TN

Paired with swiss gruyere cheese

Appearance: Pitch black, 1 finger mocha head

Smell: Chocolate, caramel, coffee

Taste: Very chocolatey, caramel, roasted malts, slight coffee aftertaste, bready and even a slight hint of dark fruits.

Mouthfeel: Perfect, very full

Overall: One of my favorite stouts, too bad it's so hard to find for me. Very chocolatey, and it's jsut so balanced you don't taste any alcohol. Got my hands on 2 of these and two espressos. This wold be my first choice to convert a non-stout person into a stout lover. Another amazing brew by Stone, never disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 22:52:38 | More by Roman5150

MaineBrewing

Maine

4.36/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - poured a completely opaque pitch black with a almost two finger tan head that quickly dissipated. Very viscous when swirled, intense legs.

S - Deep malt character with hints of chocolate, sweetness, slight roastiness and alcohol.

T - big malt character, there are more subtle notes of roasted malt and chocolate however it is overshadowed by Bittering hops and alcohol in the finish. Not to a fault, just for a RIS it seems more hop forward and hot, not smooth and silky. The differentiation does not detract from my enjoyment of this delicouse beast of a beer.

M - Thick viscous and alcohol warming. Very slow going and enjoyable.

O - Overall this is a great RIS, hi IBUs and just plain brash. I will certainly seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 22:17:51 | More by MaineBrewing

raynmoon

California

4.04/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a few of these last summer and can't wait to get into this one. I only chose this over the Espresso version because I forgot to put it in the fridge ha.

2013 vintage.

a: Viscous, very dark brown. Together in the glass you can see nothing through it. Light brown head that has disappeared a bit, but still holds with the beer.

s: huge roasted notes. As i was pouring it I could smell some yeast, but the bitter roasted malt is overwhelming. Not a very strong smell, but delicious nonetheless. Some sweet, dark chocolate as well in there.

t: Very sweet and smokey right away, it then goes down smooth and lingers with bitterness from the hops and alcohol. Very little alcohol detected, just the warmth as to be expected. Bitter, bitter roasted, smokey malt, and alcohol. Slight balance from the hops.

m: light carbonation, not too viscous.

overall: It's a little hot, probably needs a little more time to balance out. Still very good.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 05:26:32 | More by raynmoon