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Russian Imperial Stout
Berkshire Brewing Company
- From:
- Berkshire Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #350 - ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #8,314 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 10.86%
- Reviews:
- 323
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 19, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 30, 2001
- Wants:
- 84
- Gots:
- 71
You don’t need to be royalty to enjoy Berkshire’s dark-as-night interpretation of the traditional Russian Imperial Stout. Rich maltiness produces hints of chocolate, licorice, toffee, and ripe, dark fruit. Its velvety texture bathes your palate in luxury,begging to be paired with a dessert or to be enjoyed as a nightcap. Suitable for drinking now, this fine ale also ages beautifully in a cool, dark place…waiting patiently to transport you to the time of the Czars.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by blitz134:
Reviewed by blitz134 from California
3.65/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.65/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nearly opaque, but a tiny amount of reddish-brown light makes its way through. Pours with two fingers of light brown head that reduced down to a dense 1/8" layer that just doesn't leave.
Interesting aroma, has some subtleties I'm not used to in RISs. Typical dark toasted malts. Has some dry coffee. A bit of sweetness with some caramel. And what comes across as very weak sassafrass, possibly some Coke syrup flavor.
Dark toasted malts again, a fairly solid breadiness in there too. Dark chocolate hints and weak coffee. Has that Coke syrup flavor again, weak but I pick it up. Other random spices come through as well. Alright flavor. The faintist touch of alcohol at the end.
Medium bodied, low carbonation. Coats the mouth well and has a wet feel to it, flavor doesn't hang around for too long.
Pretty easy to drink, lacks anything that really stands out to me.
Jun 15, 2007Interesting aroma, has some subtleties I'm not used to in RISs. Typical dark toasted malts. Has some dry coffee. A bit of sweetness with some caramel. And what comes across as very weak sassafrass, possibly some Coke syrup flavor.
Dark toasted malts again, a fairly solid breadiness in there too. Dark chocolate hints and weak coffee. Has that Coke syrup flavor again, weak but I pick it up. Other random spices come through as well. Alright flavor. The faintist touch of alcohol at the end.
Medium bodied, low carbonation. Coats the mouth well and has a wet feel to it, flavor doesn't hang around for too long.
Pretty easy to drink, lacks anything that really stands out to me.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Roy_Hobbs from Connecticut
3.54/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.54/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Almost ink black with a finger of short-lived head that receded to a very thin ring. Decent legs. Nice malts & chocolate on the nose. Nice roasted malts on the tongue. Smooth with no alcohol burn. Feel is on the thin side. Solid beer.
Apr 29, 2022Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Steel Rail (2021) from Berkshire. Received from @Roy_Hobbs in BIF #14. 12 oz can. Stored at home at 38 degrees. Reviewed12/12/21. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Can stamped on bottom “VINTAGE 20??”. Served at 52.8 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 59.3 degrees.
Appearance – 4
First pour – Deep Amber (SRM 15), clear.
Body – Ruby Brown (SRM 24), opaque. When rear-lite, slightly translucent with reddish overtones.
Head – Large (Maximum six cm, aggressive center pour), wheat with top rocks, rapidly diminishing to a five to twelve mm jagged lacy crown and a complete cap with rocks. Second pour produces a 0.7 cm head.
Lacing – Fair. Single narrow ring of extremely tiny bubbles with stalactites.
Aroma – 4 – Initially milk chocolate and some burnt malt, no hops, no yeast.
Flavor – 4.25 – Taste follows the nose, no hops, no yeast. Some raisins show up as it warms further. No advertised licorice or coffee. No ethanol (8.7 % ABV, according to website, NOT marked on container) taste or aroma. Marked gastric warming. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Some slightly bitter maltiness builds on the aftertaste.
Palate – 4 – Medium, velvety, soft but lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 Seems a bit thin for a RIS but otherwise quite good. I was unable to convince myself or either the advertised coffee or licorice in the flavors, but the chocolate, burnt malt, and dark fruit (raisins, anyway) were distinctly present. Overall, a decent RIS.
Dec 14, 2021Can stamped on bottom “VINTAGE 20??”. Served at 52.8 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 59.3 degrees.
Appearance – 4
First pour – Deep Amber (SRM 15), clear.
Body – Ruby Brown (SRM 24), opaque. When rear-lite, slightly translucent with reddish overtones.
Head – Large (Maximum six cm, aggressive center pour), wheat with top rocks, rapidly diminishing to a five to twelve mm jagged lacy crown and a complete cap with rocks. Second pour produces a 0.7 cm head.
Lacing – Fair. Single narrow ring of extremely tiny bubbles with stalactites.
Aroma – 4 – Initially milk chocolate and some burnt malt, no hops, no yeast.
Flavor – 4.25 – Taste follows the nose, no hops, no yeast. Some raisins show up as it warms further. No advertised licorice or coffee. No ethanol (8.7 % ABV, according to website, NOT marked on container) taste or aroma. Marked gastric warming. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Some slightly bitter maltiness builds on the aftertaste.
Palate – 4 – Medium, velvety, soft but lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 Seems a bit thin for a RIS but otherwise quite good. I was unable to convince myself or either the advertised coffee or licorice in the flavors, but the chocolate, burnt malt, and dark fruit (raisins, anyway) were distinctly present. Overall, a decent RIS.
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the older bottle, it pours a very dark, clear, reddish brown color with a nice light brown head that lasts a while. In the nose, it is roasty malty with black malt and burnt notes. In the mouth, it is smooth, creamy and the taste follows the nose. Nice!
Mar 30, 2021Rated by Manta200 from Kentucky
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Courtesy of IMN0P.
Nov 03, 2020Reviewed by tradershmulie from Connecticut
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark brown, not black. Typical brown head.
Definitely some interesting smell -
Nice taste. Medium mouthfeel. Not heavy, like you would expect from a RIS, but good tasting. Full flavor, but not especially interesting.
Easy to drink, smooth. Not particularly strong for the style, but alcohol still well hidden.
Very good beer. I expected more, but still worth drinking.
Aug 16, 2020Definitely some interesting smell -
Nice taste. Medium mouthfeel. Not heavy, like you would expect from a RIS, but good tasting. Full flavor, but not especially interesting.
Easy to drink, smooth. Not particularly strong for the style, but alcohol still well hidden.
Very good beer. I expected more, but still worth drinking.
Reviewed by harrypowers from Massachusetts
4.13/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.13/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a warm opaque black with little head.
Smells of malt and fruits like raisins and figs. Tastes of malt, molasses, coffee and raisins. No bitterness.
Lighter in body and ABV in comparison to other russian imperial stouts I have had. Smooth lush mouthfeel. Low carbonation.
Very enjoyable. Recommended!
Jul 18, 2020Smells of malt and fruits like raisins and figs. Tastes of malt, molasses, coffee and raisins. No bitterness.
Lighter in body and ABV in comparison to other russian imperial stouts I have had. Smooth lush mouthfeel. Low carbonation.
Very enjoyable. Recommended!
Reviewed by Wxb1111 from Rhode Island
4.46/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I found a 4pack in cans and gave this a shot. Smell was superb. Taste really struck me as very complex with some nice vanilla notes. A nice sweet malty flavor very drinkable... Overall a wonderful Russian Imperial well worth searching for.
Dec 14, 2019Rated by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington
2.77/5 rDev -31.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
2.77/5 rDev -31.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Bottle aged for 6 months. Little of that characteristic Russian stout feel. Would have thought this to be the American stout variety.
Apr 30, 2019Rated by Pete9094 from Pennsylvania
3.98/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Very good RIS but just a tad bit thin with the body. May improve with age. Still a good RIS, though.
Mar 19, 2019Reviewed by illpass78 from Maine
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bomber poured into stemware.
Appearance: Black with an off white, short head that dissipates. Not a ton of lace.
Aroma: Vanilla, coffee beans, dark chocolate.
Taste: Follows nose. Very nice mix of vanilla and black coffee. Some booze. Very tasty. More flavor emerges as it warms.
Mouthfeel: Boozy enough to drink slowly, but not an overpowering beer on the palate.
Overall: Very well executed RIS. A delightful cold weather beer.
Dec 03, 2018Appearance: Black with an off white, short head that dissipates. Not a ton of lace.
Aroma: Vanilla, coffee beans, dark chocolate.
Taste: Follows nose. Very nice mix of vanilla and black coffee. Some booze. Very tasty. More flavor emerges as it warms.
Mouthfeel: Boozy enough to drink slowly, but not an overpowering beer on the palate.
Overall: Very well executed RIS. A delightful cold weather beer.
Russian Imperial Stout from Berkshire Brewing Company
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
580 ratings
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