St-Ambroise Stout Impériale Russe - McAuslan Brewing

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

St.Ambroise 'Stout Imperiale Russe' @ 9.2% , served from the 2012 edition , a 341 ml bottle purchased for $6 (ouch)

A-pour is dark brown/near black , with a small thin tan head that is quickly dissapating leaving some streaky lace film along the pint glass

S-smell is vanilla and chocolate , hints of coffee/espresso

T-no sweetness , taste some smoke and roasted barley , bit of a dry finish

MF-viscous full bodied , low carbonation , dry and bitter on the palate , with a boozy kick

Ov-good beer , ok/good RIS , one of St.Ambroise best

Sampled alongside Brooklyn 'Black Chocolate Stout' , Howe Sound 'Pothole Filler'

prost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 07:24:51 | More by LampertLand

tom10101

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-19-2013 17:11:39 | More by tom10101

laituegonflable

Australia

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very, very black-reminiscent colour. Head is just stunning. Show-stoppingly thick, ochre in colour, with some impressive - if a little thin - lace left behind. Pretty close to amazing.

Smells sweet, and smokey, in equal measure. Weird bubblegum character with some banana and cherry notes, but also, on the other hand, smokey notes. It's completely separate in fact. Quite subtle, with wood smoke and a hint of bacon. The sweetness is a dominant thing though, which is unfortunate.

Taste is an interesting one. Lots of smoke and roast, with a touch of sweetness to it. Upfront there's cocoa, caramel and a hint of banana. Then gets roasty, smokey and burnt midway and to the back. Ends with a slight sweet note, boozey and vanilla, but it has a heaviness to the end. Quite dry on the back, but retaining lots of flavour.

Full body, a little bit sharp late, and yeah, dries up a lot.

Decent, doesn't quite reach the heights the flavours suggested. Not bad at all though.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 08:24:17 | More by laituegonflable

Kelp

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-11-2013 05:03:36 | More by Kelp

potts

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-11-2013 04:50:30 | More by potts

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.41/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice thick dark tan head that dies down slowly and leaves very nice lacing. I don't think I've ever seen a nicer looking RIS.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of sweet roasty malts, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, light bourbon, some sweet molasses and a touch of smokiness.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some sweet roasty malts bringing out notes of chocolate and coffee, along with a light roasty bitterness, some bourbon, a slight smokiness and some woodiness.

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

05-10-2013 20:02:40 | More by SebD

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

4.34/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle poured into a Kuhnhenn goblet. Bottle neck says 2011.

A - Pours uncommonly thick. Tar black in color with a brief showing of Nesquick head. A complete coat of lacing paints the walls of the glass.

S - Overripe bananas, dark chocolate, raisins, and oak. Bourbon and bitters round out this uniquely aromatic brew.

T - Rich espresso, plum, and banana bread dominate. The finish is riddled with char, bourbon, and milk chocolate.

M - Viscous body with a suede-like feel.

O - This is a very good example of the style. Bold flavors of coffee, bourbon and char with a rich, luxorious mouthfeel. It has mellowed over the last few years, but I think I preferred it fresh. I rarely drink foreign beers, but I highly recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 02:23:02 | More by NoLeafClover44

Whatup14

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

04-17-2013 14:44:22 | More by Whatup14

JonnyBeers

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev -6.3%

04-17-2013 05:48:16 | More by JonnyBeers

Beersquad

Ontario (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had the bourbon wood aged version of this beer:

A: Thick black dark pour with 1 finger head that leaves a nice lacing on the glass.

S: Nice sweetness add by the bourban, molasses and black fruit

T: nice roasted malty coffee bitterness with woody tones throughout that drifts off slightly leaving a satisfying aftertaste. A little more carbonated then what I was expecting judging from the pour but still good.

M: The mouthfeel was medium textured at first but leaves a velvety and tingly after taste.

Overall: A complex premium stout with a little more carbonation then what I would have preferred but with a bourbon wood aged touch that adds so much to the nose and pallette. I'd love to try this beer on tap or cask!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 19:42:32 | More by Beersquad

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.95/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours pitch black with a large, creamy dark tan head.
Nose shows liqourice, alcohol, sweet coffee liqueur, heavy roast, bready malt and coconut.
Decadent flavour. Soft roasted malt, cocoa, sweet malt, coconut and oak with a little bourbon and booze as well.
Nice creamy carbonation and slick body.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 07:33:13 | More by CrazyDavros

phirleh

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

04-04-2013 13:05:58 | More by phirleh

IanSpindler

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

03-24-2013 02:41:36 | More by IanSpindler

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Thanks Seblp for the hook up, vintage 2012

The beer pours jet black with a generous inch of dark tan head that laces. The nose is a potent mix of roasted coffee and milk chocolate. The taste slaps you in the face with s'mores (caramelized marshmallow, chocolate, and hint of graham cracker) and brown bananas (?) that are both incredibly distinct and flavorful. The beer leaves a pleasant, slightly lingering burnt/bitter caramel aftertaste. I was not expecting such pungency in the flavor. It's full bodied, rich, milk chocolate forward, well carbonated, and leaves a slight bitterness that lingers. I can barely detect the 9.1%abv. I must say, this is an impressive RIS that's definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 00:28:10 | More by ThePorterSorter

twelveinches

Washington

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

03-03-2013 18:42:11 | More by twelveinches

ThinkAgain

Ontario (Canada)

5/5  rDev +17.1%

03-02-2013 03:59:43 | More by ThinkAgain

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

02-15-2013 02:20:41 | More by DaPan

wizo

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

02-10-2013 20:32:35 | More by wizo

emerge077

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 bottle, 12 oz. twist off, Quebec sticker on the bottle.

Pours like motor oil into a tulip glass, black with brownish edges. A good amount of creamy mocha foam on the surface, that fades to a swirling skim after a few minutes in the glass, with spotty lace around the edges.

Aromas of chocolate and light soy at first, autolysed yeast. Flavors of creamy smooth chocolate, hints of vanilla and barrel in the aftertaste. Full bodied with a light sweetness at first, segueing into dry roast and light bitterness in the middle. Overall it's drinkable and remarkably smooth. Thanks for sharing Chris!

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 19:04:39 | More by emerge077

DmanGTR

New York

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

02-10-2013 15:41:43 | More by DmanGTR

FondueVoodoo

British Columbia (Canada)

4.36/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Black & tan, black brew that practically swallows light and an espresso creme tan head that's creamy like toothpaste. Some lacing and when swirled leaves a thin oily coating up the glass.

S: Big whiff of espresso followed by a chocolate with notes of lactose or milk chocolate, finishing with a big boozy brandy ester. Big whiffs of smoky wood, but smooth smokiness , rich and dark.

T: Darkest chocolate and molasses with cigar box smokiness and dry coco. Similar to a red wine that's been in American oak barrels. The lingering taste of smokiness and dark coco hangs on the tongue long after the last sip.

M: Velvety smooth and enough alcohol esters to warm the palette, just the barest minimum of carbonation. Oily and thick and coats the mouth leaving enough to enjoy well after the last sip.

O: A wonderful late night sipper that's smokiness compliments the chocolate and espresso offering a characteristic unique of a Russian Imperials. The boozy brandy esters suggest an after dinner aperitif, lending to a terrific paring with a late night snack of good chocolate and fresh fruits. Truly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 04:34:30 | More by FondueVoodoo

Luk13

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

01-23-2013 00:46:30 | More by Luk13

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 341ml bottle. Pours a ridiculously blackened brown with an iodine-like head and lacing. This is a dense, hearty brew. The nose is a delightful blend of baking spcies, citrus and pine. Taste reveals spicy fruitcake, chocolate, molasses and smoke. Incredibly complex. Truly a unique tasting Russian imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 03:30:48 | More by CookstLiquor

bauermj

Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.3%

01-14-2013 01:58:29 | More by bauermj

spycow

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

01-14-2013 01:08:01 | More by spycow