Imperial Russian Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2012poured into a snifter

Poured thick and black, a finger size deep brown creamy head sat atop for over a minute. The color is so dark in the glass that the word "black" is all that comes to mind.

If the nose can be described as creamy than creamy it is. A smooth blend of milk chocolate, espresso more than coffee, and I sense vanilla or whipped cream on the back.

The mouthfeel is thick but smooth yet finishes a bit tinny

Roasted malt is at the front, no espresso but coffee on the tongue it finishes with a little alcohol. As the glass warms, the roasted malt comes out much better. I love the initial flavor, strong chocolate, strong malt. There's a touch of tinny alcohol when the beer is cold and I encourage this to be serve at room temperature.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 22:09:02 | More by KYGunner

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4.6/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2012 bomber into a tulip. Huge thanks to Matt for this bottle.

A - Pours black and viscous as hell, with a dense foamy cap of dark tan suds. A mean looking stout, with a nice bottle as well. Always a fan of printing on the bottle as opposed to putting a label on. Sticky webs of lace come and go as the brew sinks down the glass.

S - Aroma permeates the air the second the cap is popped. Burnt malt, coffee roast, cocoa nibs, a touch of anise and peppery spice. Earthy hops are subdued but loom in the background. Smells like a big stout should, roasty, dark, and with understated complexity. At 10.50% ABV I get no booze on the nose.

T - The first sip is an immediate blast of deliciousness. Malts charred black and burnt, with big coffee roast adding to the cacophony of dark abrasive flavors. Earthy hops linger throughout the finish, dank and resinous, but subtle. Cocoa, molasses, and anise all add to the complexity, creating a delicious profile that rivals any stout I've tried before. A touch of spice, and bits of dark fruit round out an already superb profile. There's a smokey/woodsy aspect here I'm really enjoying as well. As it warms I get some sweet residual sweetness, caramelized sugars, and bourbon vanilla. Near flawless.

M - Thick and viscous, with low carbonation and a body that couldn't get any more full and chewy. Maybe not the smoothest, creamiest stout I've tried, but it's up there. Finishes dry and slightly bittering, with a sticky feel after a while.

D - A benchmark for the style to be certain. Everything about this brew is dead on, from the dark roasty profile, to the pungent bouquet, to the massive mouthfeel it packs. Well rounded, but assertive and even abrasive. This is exactly what an RIS should be. Interested to see what happens with my other bottle after some aging. If I had just one complaint, it would be that for 10.50% ABV, I expected a bit more flavor; I've had 9.00% stouts that pack just as much as this one does, and I was hoping the slight increase in ABV over some other stouts would provide even more flavor than a traditional RIS.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 20:04:54 | More by Converge

BeerDocT

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage.

-Appearance 4.0: Poured out a thick, jet-black stream. Very small head and I really cranked the pour. Completely black and opaque in the glass. Like a tiny black hole in my glass sucking up all light anywhere around it.

-Smell 3.5: Nice bouquet, but very subdued. I smell the typical toasted grains and hops, but also notes of dark chocolate and coffee. The bouquet seems flat in the middle somehow.

-Taste 4.0: Front is a little on the sweet side and quickly fades into a very smooth middle that is more sweet than malty with lots of gently blended hops jumping around from foreground to background. The sometimes unpleasant "bleu chesse" hop is not present in this beer, which is good. Finish is very nice: cocoa powder accentuated with alkaline hoppiness. Aftertaste is not very long, is smooth and somewhat raisiny.

-Mouthfeel 3.5: Very smooth mouthfeel; good blending of carbonation.

-Overall 4.0: Good, not great, Imperial Stout. Don't get me wrong, this is a good beer, but it is missing a depth of flavor, particularly in the fore-palate, that I have found so pleasant and satisfying in other Imperial Stouts. This baby is over 10% ABV and it is completely unnoticeable. Great "starter" Imperial before moving on to more nuanced versions.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 02:55:03 | More by BeerDocT

Reaper16

Alabama

4/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz. bomber -- 2008 vintage -- served into a snifter

For being as old as this bottle is there's a decent little dark khaki head. The body is ink-black, and there's lots of alcohol legs on the glass (not much in the way of lacing).

Nothing about this bottle blew me away. I probably aged it a year longer than it needed to be. But what's here is remarkably smooth and well-integrated. The hops stick around just a bit to lend the nose an attractive minty note. Otherwise, the aroma is all deep roast, coffee, and prune.

Any complexity this beer once had has smoothed away into what is a pretty much a cohesive flavor. It's chocolate meets purple fruit. Not much roast. Just dark malts. A touch of malted milk as the bottle gets to room temperature. Very nice, but not amazing. A bit of cardboardy oxidation.

Overall, I'd say drink yer 2008 bottles if you have any. I don't think the beer is getting any better after this.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 22:26:20 | More by Reaper16

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bomber of the 2012 vintage poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a black color with a half finger head and nice lacing.

S: Chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, and raisins. Some alcohol comes through as it warms.

T: Roasted and bready malts up front balanced nicely with some sweet hops and a slight oak flavor. Coffee and dark chocolate come through in the end. Really enjoyable.

M: Full bodied with decent carbonation. Smooth and chewy. A pleasure to drink.

O: This is my first time trying the IRS and I'm very glad I did. It's a great example of what a non-barrel aged Imperial Stout can be. I'll be buying a few more to save for a while.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 23:25:18 | More by nUgZ

tobelerone

New Jersey

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

2011 vintage. A surprisingly top-notch Imperial Stout; despite its lofty spot on the BA rankings it’s always a pleasure to find a beer of this quality just sitting on shelves at a perfectly reasonable price.

Pours jet black, tight, creamy brown head; strong retention and lace; chocolate forward aroma with moderate roastiness; hints of anise; faded but lingering hops; very faint booze. The flavor is really nice and well-rounded, balancing some roasted, hoppy bitterness with a bit of sugary sweetness that’s very much in check and is never cloying. Both bitter and milk chocolate flavors emerge, although not quite as prominently as in the aroma. Again there is a light hit of anise and restrained booze; molasses, and faint coffee notes although that is clearly a tertiary flavor component.

Full bodied but not massive; medium to slightly low in carbonation, so it’s very much alive but not fizzy at all; quite smooth and creamy with just a touch of chewy stickiness. Really a pleasure to drink; I’ll grab this anytime I see it from now on and stash them in the cellar. Again it’s a phenomenal buy at 5 or 6 bucks a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 13:25:40 | More by tobelerone

ElSid

California

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Beers of California

#27

Bottled Date: "2012 Release"

A: Motor oil black with a good amount of light brown head which sticks around. The head dissipates to a blanket of lace which both tops the brew and clings to the glass.

S: Rum paired with toasted marshmallows, fresh coffee, dark chocolate, along with subtle notes of figs and raisins.

T: Creamy marshmallows, espresso, dark chocolate, and hints of woody smokiness, dark fruit and figs. A backbone of bready, toasted sugary malts holds up these wonderful flavors ending with some leafy bitterness and a nice warning alcohol finish.

M: Creamy smooth and full bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Now that the days are finally starting to look a bit cloudy and dreary, it's time to bring out some toasty, dark brews to bring in the holiday season The Stone IRS is a great place to start boasting a 10.5% ABV. A big and flavorful stout showing that California breweries can do more than just brew hoppy ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 04:18:39 | More by ElSid

ChefHopMeister

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle From the Fall 2011 Allocation

Appearance: Deep, rich, black pour with an equally rich lacy head.

Nose: Figs, prunes, cocoa, roasted malt with some java hints

Taste: A classic RIS. Rich and thick in the mouth, low carbonation, sweet roasted coffee and malt, seems a little oaky, stewed prunes and raisins

Finish: Toasted and roasted is the theme with this lengthy enjoyable after taste. Sweet malt slowly surrenders to the drying roasted notes.

Balance: A delicious, textbook example of an elite Russian Imperial Stout. Cellared for about a year, served in a pint glass and gradually brought to room temp, this is one to grab a few of and cellar each year. Glad I have a couple more in the bunker.

Suggestion: Grab 'em if you find 'em. Better served in a tulip or snifter.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 23:08:30 | More by ChefHopMeister

CommanderOfAwesome

California

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

2012 Bottle bought in Oct. About a month old.

A: Pours black. Little head, enough said for an RIS. Looks awesome.

S: Intoxicating. Deep chocolate and coffee aromas.

T: Smooth, chocolatey hints of coffe/toffee goodness. Havent tried it? You're doing yourself a disservice, ESP for the price. Strong Chocolate.

M: Thick and full bodied. Sticky chocolate and coffee on the palate.

O: Fantastic beer, ESP for the price (I paid less than $7 for this). Probably the best bargain in the industry. People would easily pay twice this for this quality of a beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 02:52:53 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

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

Review taken from notes- may 2012 **2012 IRS**

1 pint 6 oz brown bomber style bottle with awesome stone artwork with the usual gargoyle sitting upon the front of the bottle. Poured into an authentic Stone Imperial Russian Stout glass.

A - about as black as you'll find in a brew. I mean this is the blackest of black with touches of so dark brown it's ridiculous cutting through the edges in the light. Hell, it may even be black as well. A mean brown head sits on top with some good stick to the walls of the glass that bears it's name.

S - Roasted chocolate and black roasted malt up front. Some molasses and hints of sticky caramel down within the depths of this black pit of a liquid. Dark fruits with some tight spice of alcohol finish out a brilliant aroma.

T - A complexity of malt character. Black and chocolate Malts with roasted black coffee. Sweet molasses and caramel stay true to the style it represents. Roasted barley and a slight smokey character. Good portion of dark fruit. Bitter hops and alcohol spice round out the flavor very nicely.

M - Thick and chewy bottle completely coats the mouth leaving a massive stout that's hearty and very enjoyable. Thickness allows for a smooth experience. Some brewers miss the mark with the RIS simply because they make it too thin. Stone nails the thickness with this and allows us to enjoy this super stout.

O - This massive stout is top shelf. The class Stone puts in this bottle is 2nd to none and can be enjoyed when first released or after it sits in your personal cellar awhile. Most Russian Imperial Stouts call for some sitting to get the smooth easy drinking brew, but not this one. It's ready to go from its release. Sure it would sit well and age nicely, but the sheer complexity and masterly crafted balance allow we snobs to bust one open right away. This is an expertly crafted imperial stout from one of the best breweries in the world. A yearly favorite of mine and IMO you can't find many better stouts than this. A top 5 for me any day. Absolutely flawless.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 18:00:29 | More by BradtheGreat7

Nutwood

Kentucky

2.5/5  rDev -42.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this on tap in a shaker pint after work.

The appearance is striking and maybe a bit strange. Pours a drk, seemingly purplish black. The head came to one finger and was dense, with a bit of an odd buised purplish dark brown hue.

Aroma was agressively boozey, to the point of overpowering the faint roasted malt and a bit of vinous fruit note. I did not get much in the way of chocolate or coffee. There was a hint of hops present.

Flavor here was a bit off for me, more like a burnt barleywine with some molasses and caramel. I found the alcohol to be pushy and distracting, and I was put off by a presence of what seemed to be some fusel heat in there.

The mouthfeel was again all alcohol, along with some decent body and moderately low carbonation.

Overall I would not cite this as a good example of Russian Imperial Stout style. I get the impression that Stone was trying to push the envelope and sacrificed flavor for alcohol content. It's missing the roasty malt goodness and full flavor, balance, and body that smooths out the alcohol. If you want to try this beer, do it early in your session and consider making it a one beer session.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2012 15:33:46 | More by Nutwood

founder26

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2012 release poured into snifter served at around 45 degrees.

A: pours jet black, pretty thick. left a 2 finger light tan head, pretty carbonated with some lacing, looks like a good stout!

A: Smells of anise, coffee, chocolate, dark fruits, once warmed I get some of the burn from the high abv. lots of dark roast in here.

T: first sip I get a load of anise and chocolate. as it warms the coffee and chocolate dominate. get alot more of the abv when warm as well

M: Very creamy, decadent mouthfeel on this one, good carbonation, about as perfect as it gets for a RIS

O: I would have to give this one a A. I have had this aged 4 years and thought it lost alot of its prominate flavors which kinda bumbed me out. I would like to try this aged a year or 2 to see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 02:54:54 | More by founder26

MarioM

California

4.69/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

22 oz 2012 Release poured into Stone RIS Snifter served at 55 deg f.

A: Dark black, completely opaque to light, nice brown head, good carbonation with a nice creamy head composed of small small bubbles on top floating over larger to medium sized bubbles beneath. Very nice lacing is left behind as the head dissipates slowly.

S: Dark sugars, molasses, figs, licorice and a bit of coffee but mostly just fruity and not as much roastiness as I would expect.

T: Sweet, fruity, dark fruits like figs, dark sugars at the beginning. A tad bit of licorice with some good bitterness in the middle and finishes with a good alcohol taste which reminds you its a RIS and not your everyday stout. Flavors are surprisingly mellow and not as roasty as I would expect or compared to others of this style. Still an amazing brew, but this mellow character does not take away anything from its awesomeness but simply makes it quite drinkable and pleasant.

M: Bitterness lingers along with the boozyness and roastiness, which is where most of it come forth. Damn, the mouth feel and overall aftertaste is amazing. The complexity of this beer comes out of the closet best after sipping and letting it do its thing. Coffee notes and great roastness and sweetness is balanced beautifully and makes for a great beer to enjoy on a late night.

O: This RIS is unique compared to others but still a great beer. Surprisingly easy to drink and gains in complexity as it warms and lingers on the palate. Flavors aren't too overwhelming but enough that its a satisfying flavor bomb, again, especially in the aftertaste. Damn, just took another sip and this brew never gets old and keeps getting better with temperature. Definitely a must have from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 07:54:47 | More by MarioM

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Decently thick. Something of a brown head that quickly dissipates and leaves a nice lacing.

S: Big alcohol with this one. Vanilla. Smoky roasty. Nice but not mind blowing.

T: Theres a sourness hidden in there that is a little off... Otherwise oaky, alcoholy, vanilla, smoky. To be honest the alcohol very much overpowers and leaves a dry sourness in the finish.

M: Sits with a medium body. Alcohol really cuts through and theres a lingering sour bitterness that is rather out of place.

Overall this is IMO a pretty poor showing from Stone. The thin body really allows a bitterenss to cut through that lingers and is super gross. Great vanilla and smoke notes but not as great as I've known stone to be.

Serving type: growler

11-18-2012 21:56:39 | More by Jamesthebrit

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle of the 2012 vintage. Into a dfh snifter

A: pours black.... With a finger of dark brown chocolaty head. A little bit of lacing.

S: roasty grain and light coffee aroma, dark chocolate, mild hints I'd dark fruit and alcohol.

T: much like the nose, I get notes of coffe, toasted grain, dark chocolate, along with a light hint of smoke, darkfruit and licorice, everything is very well balanced and very delicious.... Oh yah there is a touch if bitter hops in there as well to help balance out the touch of sweetness this brew has.

M: heavy bodied with a velvety creamyness, just enough carbonation to keep this brew from being too syrupy, while low enough it is still pleanty viscous.

O: this is a great IRS, one of my favorites, look forward to it every year.... A must try for serious stout fans.... Well balanced, aggressive and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:38:53 | More by PeterIngemi

AgentMunky

Alabama

4/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a BrewDog cervoise glass. Vintage 2011. From notes. Reviewed 9 July 2011.

A: Super-dark with vague head and little lacing.

S: Dark milk chocolate. Faint hops? Sweet and dry, smells like oak aging.

T/M: Like the smell -- sweet and dark. A round and malty imperial stout with fewer hops than anticipated. Noticeably strong. Significant carbonation precludes stickiness.

O: A solid imperial stout, but not overwhelming. Still, I would recommend and drink again.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 23:29:21 | More by AgentMunky

Ranz

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was so excited to see this at my local pub for International Stout Day, and what a treat it was.

A: When the waitress brought my tulip-ware with a finger's worth of thick head, I could already see the thick lacing and creaminess. The trail left on the glass was gooey and inviting.

S: Malt and roasted toffee dominate here; however, there's also a nice hint of alcohol wafting beneath the surface. What an incredibly nice beginning.

T: Roasted pine, malts, and some of the darkest cocoa imaginable forward the awesome assault on your taste buds before it finishes with a thick aftertaste of oven-roasted grain and spent malt. Just lovely.

M: With a viscous mouthfeel you expect from any competent stout, the play on the tongue here was creamy and excellent.

O: Overall, I found this quite similar to another favorite stout of mine, Old Rasputin. Still, this was a great try and one I'll certainly seek out again. Top notch work, Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 02:51:17 | More by Ranz

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

650ml into snifter.

A - Pitch black with a small light tan head.

S - Roasted malt, coffee, sweet milk chocolate.

T - A tasty mix of roasted malt, black coffee, dark chocolate, and light dark fruit. Sweet initially, but is balanced out with mildly bitter hops. Slight hints of molasses, alcohol, and wood.

M - Smooth, creamy, medium-full body. Low-medium carbonation.

O - A really nice imperial stout. An absolute steal at this low of a price point. Flavor has everything you'd expect from a complex stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 03:43:14 | More by mooseo

martyl1000

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On

The aroma ia the best thing avouttap at Amsterdam Cafe, San Francisco. Absolutely beautiful in a tulip glass. Jet black with a dark brown choco- meringue-like head. Chocolate syrup, black coffee, raisin, and an asteongency tjat keeps it from being cloying..

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2012 05:24:15 | More by martyl1000

SometimesIfart

Michigan

4/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A -Pours pitch black with a two finger mocha head. No lacing is left.

S - Vanilla, alcohol, molasses, oak, and more alcohol.

T - The taste is much less itimidating than the smells leads you to believe. A medium amount of black coffee up front with a mild oakyness in the middle met by a medium alcoholic finish without the alcoholic burn.

M - Surprisingly, medium bodied with a low amount of carbonation.

O - Does this beer belong in the top 100...In my honest opinion, no it does not. I have
had better stous at a much lower price. It is a good beer though. But I would not pay $8 for another 22oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 05:34:41 | More by SometimesIfart

tectactoe

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a dark and dense black, essentially no color coming through this beer at all, with a thick, creamy, deep-tan head that has great staying power. Nice lacing left on the glass, especially for a RIS. The nose hits with some bittersweet chocolate and dense, dark fruit sweetness (think raisins and prunes). The initial taste is very sweet to the tongue, following heavy with that raisin-prune flavor, along with bits of anise. Roasted malts are plentiful as well as the bittersweet chocolate flavor that sits heavy on the back of the tongue. Halfway through the sip, the oats, grains, woody, and burnt oak flavors come alive followed by a final bite of bitterness that resonates in the mouth upon swallowing. Coffee is heavy and noticeable as the main aftertaste in this one. Very nice. Very heavy and creamy with medium-low carbonation.

Good RIS here. In the beginning, a bit too sweet for my tastes, however, as it warms up, it becomes more balanced with the deep oats, grains, oak, and coffee flavors. This beer definitely gets better as the glass gets warmer and the sweetness starts to mellow out a bit.

EDIT: 4/5/2013

2007 vintage, thanks Chris. Either this beer transforms amazingly with age, or my palate has been refined over the last half year, but this was much better than I remember it from the first time (and I still thought it was pretty good). Less of the nearly-cloying anise and licorice (much less, actually) and quite a bit more cocoa powder and even a hefty dose of coffee beans in the aftertaste. Decent roast from the malts and still a solid alcohol warmth after all these years. Mouth feel wasn't as amazing as I remembered it, though. No oxidation - wow.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 12:00:10 | More by tectactoe

rarbring

Sweden

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A black brew with brown hues, a brown head with little lacing but good curtains.

Dark dried fruits, coffee and dark chocolate.

Sweet brown bread, dark chocolate, soy sauce, bitter orange peel.

Medium low carbonation, thick and sticky, a big body and dry finish.

A very capable RIS, no half measures.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 19:45:12 | More by rarbring

Morey

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 bottle into a snifter.

Appearance: Pours pitch black with over 2 fingers of medium-brown head. I'm getting absolutely no light through this bad boy. The foam reduced to a thin layer after about 5 minutes or so, but there's plenty of lacing on the glass (especially for a beer that weighs in at 10.5%).

Aroma: Probably the tamest feature of this beer. Chocolate & molasses are most notable, but there are subtle hints of dark fruits as well as a faint roasted smell. Surprisingly clean nose overall though!

Taste: Hello! The taste comes at you with the force of a haymaker. I'm getting a really nice creamy sweetness up front, followed by a nice roasted bitterness which is accompanied by a thick creamy texture on the palate. You can taste the hops ever-so-slightly towards the middle. The finish is creamy, sweet, and bitter all at the same time.

Mouthfeel: Full creamy bodied Imperial Stout with a low carbonation level. Spot-on.

Morey's Bottom Line: This is actually my 1st time having this beer, and it more than lives up to the things that I've heard about it. One of the BEST non-barrel aged stouts that I've ever had. Top notch! I need to grab a bottle to age. Also, I forgot to mention that at $7.99 a bomber, this beer is incredibly fair priced as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 21:07:37 | More by Morey

williamjbauer

West Virginia

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

Bottled served in a weizen glass

A - Motor oil black sludge with 2 finger dark tan head with excellent head retention and good foamy lacing.

S - Espresso, chocolate, earthy, molasses.

T - Quite robust chocolate and rich coffee notes, a bit sweeter and of cocoa than I expected from Stone and surprisingly the finish is pretty bitter for the style but not quite the bite you get from many other Stone brews. Very good, I'd love to age a bottle sometime though I've heard mixed reviews on the benefits of aging this one.

M - Slick, thick, oily. Full body, moderate-low carbonation.

O - A very well done imperial stout, the mouthfeel is more oily than any beer I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 19:10:21 | More by williamjbauer

bens0n

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got a 2012 bottle a couple months back...

This beer pours a very very dark brown color with a nice amount of creamy tan head that leaves big lacing chunks on the glass.

Smell wise its got a really nice dark fruit/licorice smell going on, definitely has a boozy twist to it though.

Flavor wise the dark fruits are more subdued and you get a boozy roasted malt base with a tiny bit of licorice, something syrupy plus whatever hops stone uses that seem to always stand out to me.

It has a decent viscosity but it just doesn't have one of those finishes that is characteristic of a stone brew that I'm just not a fan of. I can't really say that's a bad thing but, just not my favorite twist on an imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 18:27:00 | More by bens0n