Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

jwc215

New Jersey

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

Poured jet black with a fairly thin, but extremely well-retained tan head.
The smell was mainly of rich, roasted coffee with a touch of alcohol. It was slightly thin, but what was there was very inviting.
The taste was incredible...I drank it before reading the label -which describes it perfectly - It was a complex mixture of coffee, licorice (anise), chocolate-like berries (black currants)...and a slight charcoal-like smoke malt...but, as my roommate (who had the good fortune of sharing it with me) pointed out - each one was like a different level. It was like eating a rich layer cake. You could taste the different levels individually.
The mouthfeel was silky smooth. Perfect.
The drinkability...well, if it weren't for a budget and alcohol-content - I could drink it endlessly...
This is a beautiful beer...
I was prepared to be a bit disappointed because of the hype, which is sometimes overrated. But, in this case the hype was well-grounded!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2006 01:46:48 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2008 version. I like the Cossack hat on the gargoyle on the bottle - awkward, but funny.

This beer pours a complete black, with one finger of soapy beige head, which quickly dissipates, leaving a ring of painted lace around the glass. It smells of roasted malt, dry chocolate, warming alcohol, and mild earthy, piney hops. The taste is sweet lightly-toasted malt, dry coffee, a bit of anise, treacle, an underlying citrus/pine hoppiness, and a mild, but enveloping, warm booziness. The carbonation is practically non-existent, the body thick, unctuous, and velvety smooth, like buttah, and it finishes with a slight citrus hop edge over top of the solid malt.

A very drinkable and enjoyable RIS, but make nice and share this monster of a brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2010 23:42:55 | More by biboergosum

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Let's get straight to the point on this one. It's an amazing beer, but I don't think it's worthy of #3 on Best of BA. Pours black with light brown head and smells a bit sherry-like, chocolatey brandy maybe with a bit of alcohol. The roasted flavors really came our in the flavor. Chocolate, burnt coffe, espresso, more chocolate, and warming alcohol; quite tasty and it really lingers. It has a nice thick mouthfeel, but it took me a while to get through maybe 5-6 oz. I'd call it a great beer, but not an epic.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2006 17:44:04 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Jet black with a coffee with cream colored small ring of head.

S: Smell is full of rich alefruits and a strong presence of alcohol.

T: Flavor is a big chewy amalgum of vinuous complexity, roasted coffee, chocolate and alcohol. As I sip, chocolate covered cherries come to mind, as this beer has the ability to go from chocolatey to fruity from one sip to the next.

M: The ale is very smooth, going down like the oil it resembles. The flavors in the beer are excellent, providing an ever-changing spectrum.

D: The 10.8% is steep and the alcohol is not well hidden. One bomber is more than enough for an evening.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2006 12:15:46 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.65/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Before I start my usual hyping up of the Stone Brewery, just stop me and leave the house and seek out this beer. This is not just any beer this is a beer to be experienced and relived annually like a tradition, only it saddens me to think about the batches from the last two years that have escaped me. This is the 2003 limited spring release, and I am in heaven simply heaven. Pours like crude oil (according to the bottle, but you must see it for yourself), honestly this beer is viscous and opaque it eats up the light that attempts to shine through it. Dark black body with the pleasant thin moccha toned head floating atop of this dark abyss. The aroma contains layers of light milk chocolate tones, dark roasted barley malt, hints of anise in the background, deep plum or any overly ripened fruit in a light brandy liquer all topped off with a light hopping of signature Stone hops to boast it's west coast roots along with an underlying nose of alcohol gracing my olfactory nerves. As the temperature rises so does the amount of alochol that shines through in the flavor of this classic Imperial Russian Stout. A creamy based chocolate/coffe presence along with sweet buttery notes that elegantly dance on my palate. An overall warming effect creates a sense of ecstasy, with notes of fruit tones and acohol notes that are in one word heavenly. Mouthfeel is full and heavy syrup esque, but goes down suprisingly very smoothly. Low carbonation that complements the overall quality of this beer, and definitely a one bottle at a time experience no session beer found here and none wanted from an Imperial Stout of any kind.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2003 20:39:50 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours pitch black. Tan head slowly falls leaving a lot of lacing. Very slightly roasted earthy malts. Molasses tones. Flavor is just beautiful. And amazing. Thick malt tones. Just so robust and consistent. Alcohol doesn't seem to show up at all. Feel is amazing on the liquid. Extremely drinkable. A RIS that sits at 10.8& alcohol? Easily could be a recipe for disaster, but this just comes out magnificently. Easily one of the best beers ever created, IMO. If you haven't had a chance to try it yet, I really hope you get one.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 04:38:52 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to my man Adam back in WA for hooking me up with my first vintage's) Stone IRS.
2008 12oz
Poured a deep, ddep brown almost like burn motor oil with good carbonation and big thick brown head. Nose is deep roasted malts, cocoa, espresso and a skunk soured twinge. Taste is big roasted malts, coffee, dark chocolate. Mouthfeel is medium with a big burnt taste and ABV is more noticable to me.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2009 20:41:06 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wonderful beige head that leaves ring lace after each sip. Nearly black in color--no light shines through.

Burnt sugar smell. Also, interestingly, there's a sourness that I associate with older fruit.

Strong roasted barley flavor which defers from the typical coffee flavors. Lots of black patent malt. The aftertaste has some hop, but it's still a mostly dark malt. Appropriate body for the style.

I like this beer, but it isn't my favorite from Stone. That said, it is another great beer from them.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2008 00:09:14 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 Vintage
Revisted: 25 Jun 10
Two years later

Pours a very nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy/creamy tan head, which dissapates quickly, with basically no sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some nice roastiness, coffee/chocolate/toffee notes. The taste is malty, sweet, slight roasty, nice notes of chocolate/coffee/toffee. Medium body, the alcohol is hidden pretty well with this one, but kinda watery. Very drinkable still, but not holding up as well as I thought it would.

2008 Vintage

Pours a very nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy/creamy tan head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some nice roastiness, coffee/chocolate/toffee notes. The taste is malty, sweet, slight roasty, nice notes of chocolate/coffee/toffee. Medium body, the alcohol is hidden pretty well with this one. Very drinkable, a joy to drink again, highly recommended.

2007 Vintage

A - Pours a black in color, some carbonation, nice creamy tan head, lots of lacing throughout the drink.

S - Scents of sweet/roasted malts, and toffee/caramel, slight smoked scent.

T - The taste is awesome of sweet/roasted malts, with nice undertones of toffee/caramel. Nice warm feeling going down.

M - Medium body.

D - Very Drinkable. Another awesome brew from Stone, they have not dissapppointed yet.

2006 Vintage

A - Pours a black in color, some carbonation, nice creamy tan head, lots of lacing throughout the drink.

S - Scents of sweet/roasted malts, and toffee/caramel, slight smoked scent.

T - The taste of awesome of sweet/roasted malts, with nice undertones of toffee/caramel. Nice warm feeling going down.

M - Medium body.

D - Very Drinkable. Another awesome brew from Stone, they have not dissapppointed yet.

2005 Vintage

A - Pours a black in color, some carbonation, nice creamy tan head, lots of lacing throughout the drink.

S - Scents of sweet/roasted malts, and toffee/caramel, slight smoked scent.

T - The taste of awesome of sweet/roasted malts, with nice undertones of toffee/caramel. Nice warm feeling going down.

M - Medium body.

D - Very Drinkable. Another awesome brew from Stone, they have not dissapppointed yet.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2006 00:31:14 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a one-finger brown head that quickly fades leaving traces of lace. Black opaque color. Nice, beefy full bodied. Sweet roasty coffee/chocolate nose. Starts sweet, finishes with some alcohol overtones and there is a slight burnt chocolate aftertaste. $6 for a 22oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2005 23:23:57 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

(Served in a snifter)

A- This beer has a blackish black body with a thin wisp of dark chocolate colored head that fades to a thin film around the edge. Even held up to the sun there is no sign of light or carbonation in this beer.

S- Even during the pour the aroma was breathtaking. Dark roasted grains with notes of coffee and black strap molasses, chocolate and port with some nice alcohol aroma at the finish. Prunes and raisins with a hint of dark cherries come through as it warms. Perhaps even a note of hops in the alcohol at the finish. There are some lighter notes of caramel and bready notes also.

T- The dark rich roasted grains and malts have a nice sweetness to them with notes of currants (like the bottle says) and brown sugar. Then a more robust taste comes through of dark roasted coffee with some cigar earthiness in the background. The finish has some vinous taste with a balance of hop bitterness and some alcohol kick.

M- This beer has a medium-full mouthfeel with some silky texture and a nice alcohol warmth to balance the sweetness at the beginning.

D- Even though this is a big complex beer it has a lot of balance and smoothness in flavors. As it warmed in the snifter it really took on different flavors and smells. It wasn't heavy on the burnt flavors but had nice dark flavors of all sorts.


Thanks to karengarys for hunting the beast down for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2006 03:29:19 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 22 oz brown bomber, “Limited Spring 2002 Release” on the label gives you an idea of freshness … not that it matters being that this brew is a towering 9.47% abv.

Appearance: Big pillowing foamy tan head is slow to form as the bubbles of carbonation struggle to the top of this thick crude oil black brew. The head does dissipate but the there is a lace that sticks around for the show.

Smell: The aroma is full of highly roasted coffee (French Roast), fruity esters (dried black currants), slight molasses, mild char, and vague solvent alcohol and lost of roasted grain.

Taste: Nearly syrupy from a huge malty body, carbonation is at a medium crispness with an extremely viscous mouth feel. First the flavours go sweet with maltiness are fruity flavours of black currant and prune. Malt sweetness upfront is more of a mild molasses with a deep following of roasted grain and a chocolaty backing that sticks around until the finish. Hop are thrown in for good measure but don’t seem to get in the way too much. Alcohol flexes quick with a faint solvent flavour as well as the fruitiness providing some esters for more complexity. A smoothness creeps in out of nowhere and pulls the flavours in further which saturates the taste buds. Deep within, after the brew warms up a bit there is a dark caramel flavour that sits next to beer heaven. After the initial wave of flavour there seems to be a Zen of balance as all of the flavours meld together in perfect formation. The roasted grain lingers with an endless trail cleaning up all other flavours in its wake.

Notes: Devastatingly flavourful, highly drinkable and very deceiving for a brew at 9.47% abv. This beer shows-off Stone Brewing’s prowess to take a style a bring it to a greater level than others.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2002 17:21:41 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

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

On tap at BT in NYC, sheesh, Stone is just crushing folks at the Tiger this week! Their I.S. hardly seemed like the appropriate brew for a warm summer night in the big town, but this one had to be tried and enjoyed. Poured black and gooey with a solid dark tan head. Coffee and chocolate in the nose. Body/mouthfeel is rich, thick and motor oil in feel. Big and bold flavors of roasted malt, coffee, raisins, prunes, chocolate. Finishes dry with uggodly hops. This stuff has the style nailed. Classic sipper. I imagine this stuff would age very well also.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2004 12:33:45 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

4.28/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 10/04/10 notes. Had on tap at Churchkey for their Stone Total Tap Takeover event. 2004 vintage.

a - Pours a dark black color with one to two inches of off white head and light carbonation evident. Looks great.

s - Smells of chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla, and coffee. Light dark fruits as well. No alcohol in the smell, very balanced and smells great.

t - Tastes of bitter chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, vanilla, and hint of alcohol.

m - Medium to full body and low carbonation. Very easy to drink for 10.5% ABV.

d - This is a great RIS. I've had it several times and a few different vintages and have always enjoyed it. This one being a 2004 vintage, I didn't think the extra time did too much to improve the beer, but regardless, it is one of the best easily available RIS's out there. Interested to open my 08 bottle soon to compare to, will definitely have again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2010 20:32:46 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet. Great time to review it, sitting through Hurricane Earl. Spring 2010 release.

A nice creamy rich dark head rises up to 1 finger but fades semi quickly over super dark almost pitch black colored beer. It has nice legs running down the sides of the glass too indicating it's thickness.

The nose has plenty of dark roasty malts, lots of coffee and toffee, roasted barley, some oatmeal, creamy chocolate milk, some bakers chocolate, a slight caramel, chewy malt aroma, some sweetness but no real booze. THe nose is a little harder to get out than I expected, lighter.

The taste comes on really rich, velvety, thick, and tasty. It is a little boozy, with some warmth and very light tingle. There is some nice dark malts, some roast, light coffee, toffee, caramel, and somewhat sweet. Lots more creamy chocolate milk and oatmeal, but not too heavy on the oatmeal. Some bakers chocolate as well. A light vanilla flavor as well. A slight bitterness, a little from the roast and some soft earthy hops.

The mouth is heavier but not overwhelming, with good carbonation and a light warming booze.

It finishes slightly dry with some more sticky sweetness, lingering toffee, some coffee and roast, lots of chocolate, creamy milk and bakers, and even a little vanilla still. Some light warming and tingly booze late, but not as much as I expected. A little bitterness It coats the mouth pretty well too and just lingers and lingers. A little bitterness starts to build too and get a little more bitter as it goes, some light spicy hops and somewhat from the earthy roast. With all the dark malts in this I'm surprised there aren't any off flavor minerals and briney flavors, they did a good job with this.

Overall I'm a little disappointed by the nose being too light, but the taste was great, and the whole experience of the beer was pretty nice. I need to crack my aged bottle sometime, although I think I want to keep aging it.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 02:13:43 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22ozer bottle from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA. Spring 2006 vintage.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice, formed a 3/8" dark brown head above the opaque dark brown/black brew. Head quickly falls, but here's plenty of sticky lacing. Aroma is heavy on the dark grains, with glimpses of dark fruit, and plenty of alcohol apparent. Taste is sweet chocolate and bitter coffee at the same time, some hoppy bits, with warming in the mouth and down the throat. Mouthfeel is velvet smooth, and drinkability are excellent for the style. Always worth revisiting, for a new vintage or just a new bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2006 01:26:19 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

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

Much thanks to egajdzis for this bottle...
Appears a dark, cloudy black with a dark tan head and spotty lace. The head slowly fades into a small film and leaves tons of lacing around the lass.
Smell is of fudge brownie, malty ovaltine, chocolate, along with citrusy hops coming through everything.
Taste is of chocolate fudge with a nice malted richness and mild vinous notes.
Mouthfeel is of smooth chocolate with hops that compliments the brew perfectly.
This is a phenomenal beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2006 17:14:53 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a pitch-black brew impervious to light that is darker than a Lawyers soul.

Smell is sweet malty and fruity with a solid coffee background.

Taste is a bit sweet and strong but not harsh. Lots of fruity flavors with a strong black coffee flavor that beats back the sweeter flavors.

Mouthfeel is milkshake thick.

Drinkability isn't as good as Sam Smiths Oatmeal Stout but it is good.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2004 04:26:01 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

On tap @ the Copper Mine Pub (North Arlington, NJ) on 7/24/09. 8 oz pour served in a Chimay glass.

Pours black as night in the glass, with a 1/4 finger of creamy burnt mocha colored head. Just awesome retention here, staying rich & frothy the whole way through the glass, leaving a big cascade of creamy spotty lace and brown goo back. The aroma is just awesome smelling, being quite heavy in the nose, with a perfect evenness between the darkker notes of roast & coffee and then the sweeter tones of chocolate, toffee, and dark fruits. As mentioned before, the alcohol presence gives this some heavy presence in the nostrils but is never stinging, instead imparting a cozy smelling warmth that makes this a pleasure to sniff.

The taste starts with a big crunchy flush of blackened and burnt roast and zippy espresso character. This is then balanced (if you can call it that) by an equally massive sweeter base of dark chocolate, toffee, black currants, and liquorice. Man, the finish on this is absolutely bitter and roasty that just STICKS in the mouth. Very satisfying. The mouthfeel is full bodied with a big mouthfilling prickly carbonation that really brings out the sharp roasty character in this. This then slickens out towards the back, with a chewy feel that carries the bulk of the huge sweetness in this with it. That hefty ABV is present, but just like the best RIS do, it never detracts from the flavors but instead gives them extra gravitas in the profile, helping make everything pop.

A classic from Stone no doubt. Full flavored, full bodied, full everything, RIS that leaves nothing on the table. I love the fact that you don't have to give up an arm or a leg to procur if either. Great stuff!

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2009 12:24:11 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Haven't had this one in a while. Pours an opaque black/brown, small tan head, some thick lacing on the glass, and nice retention. Smell is killer, roasty chocolate and coffee, vanilla, sweet and malty, some alcohol. Taste is roasty sweet, very chocolate and coffee, vanilla, some licorice/anise, little cherry, very smooth for such a beast. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, with low carbonation, super smooth, 2005 edition. Thanks DrJay!!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2006 01:49:42 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

ReReview as of 11-11-03:

My first review (below) came at the end of a long review session. Here's a new look at it with a fresh palate:

Beer is pitch fucking black. The color of death. Man I love it. The absence of head is fitting for the style. A slight brown rimming leaves sparse lace. Some charcoal, tobacco, burnt malt and chocolate on the nose. Surprisingly subdued nose for a Stone brew. The taste is chock full of burnt, roasted, bitter goodies. Charred malt. Anise. Dark fruits. Bitter high alph hops. Brown sugar. Molasses. Dark currants. Great flavor combo. Alcohol is hidden nicely. The mouthfeel is like silk. And the body is about medium full. This is a great tasting Imperial Stout.

Gotta shoot out props to LongBeachBum for serviing this one up for me.




First of all, I almost split a gut laughing as I watched my brother ZAP moan and groan in pleasure as he smelled his portion of my 22 oz bottle. It was as if he were experiencing an intimate moment with a beautiful woman rather than a beer.

This beer is black. Just that way I like my Imperials. A very small brown head dissipates into and edging that laces adequately. Exceptional aroma. Honey, dates, molasses, roasted tones and chocolate. The taste of this beer is phenomenal. Burnt malt, dark fruits, anise, licorice, roasted malt and black currants all intermingle nicely. There's a bit of an alcholic warming sensation, but not a ton. And there's some evident bitterness too. The only drawback, and a slight one at that, is the body of this beer. It is not real thick. I'd say it's in the medium to full range. A little light for my liking.

Add another elite Imperial Stout to my list.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2003 04:26:46 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a dep dark black with a chocolate/coffe colored head. Aromas has hints of roasted malts, coffee, alcohol, and chocolate. Full bodied with a lot of roasted malt flavor. Also, chocolate, alcohol(not overpowering thought), and roasted coffe flavor. One of the best stouts I've ever tasted. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 05:59:46 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

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

I think Stone might have been the first to coin the term "used motor oil" in an RIS. This one certainly looks the part. Aroma is deep and heavy on the chocolate and alcohol.

Taste, is exquisite. Chewy, almost to the point its oatmeal stout, covers the alcohol unlike the aroma. Throw in some coffee. Gargantuan. And of course, the Stone trademark of hops and bitterness. So enjoyable.

Mouthfeel, fades when you swish it around a little, which might be good, this is a big beer. Drinkable for being so strong, thick and yet, reasonably priced for everything that goes into it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2010 17:26:30 | More by Beerandraiderfan

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.15/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Brown botle containing 1 pint and 6 fl oz. Spring 2009 release, drank Jan 2010. Poured into a Westmalle chalice and my huge 'Judas' tulip.

Looked very impressive, dark, black in fact jet black. The head was a full tan coloured head covering on both glasses.

The aroma was all darkness, roasted coffee, toasted malts and dark chocolate.

The taste followed the smell to the letter. The ground coffee was the most forward of the flavours, it also stayed the longest in the aftertaste. The alcohol content began to arrive towards the end of the moutfeel and was more prominent as the beer warmed.

Really enjoyed this beer, most likely the best beer from the USA I've had so far. Can't remember what score I gave Ten FIDY, but this is better in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 19:05:29 | More by BlackHaddock

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours the expected black brown color, with pretty good head retention and plenty of sticky lacing. On the nose there is a huge blast of coffee, coupled with some roasty malt and vanilla. Flavors on the palate replicate the nose, except there is an underlying creaminess that is really nice. Interestingly, the beer starts off with some moderate sweetness, but the finish is pretty dry. There is also a hint of cherry, licorise and chocolate in this impressive stout. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, but there is a long, creamy, smooth finish that is impressive. Drinkability is pretty good, though you can tell the alcohol is up there a bit. This is clearly the sort of beer that you won't be pounding down a whole lot of.

A couple of thoughts. This is a very good beer, but I have to say, that at least in my opinion, it's not in the same league with Dark Lord, Abyss and KBS. In fact I would probably take the Goose Island Bourbon County over this beer. All that aside, this is still a very fine beer, and an absolute treat to find on tap. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2009 19:19:27 | More by johnmichaelsen