Anniversary Ale XV - Real Ale Brewing Company

DCon

Missouri

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap @ the Schlafly Repeal of Prohibition Festival @ the Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, MO. Tapped from the White/Red Tap Handle w/ 15th Anniversary on it into a 16oz Schlafly Cup.

Appearance- Received with a 1 finger, dark brown head that has great retention. Has the deepest brown body you can find in an Imperial Stout. Leaves a few suds behind but doesn't stick.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2012 21:09:12 | More by DCon

DavidST

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got a 1/2 pint of this on tap. This was a pitch black color with a minimal tan head. The smells are of espresso, dark roasted malts and some coco, there was also a fruit presence but I'm having trouble describing it, maybe a dark fruit like a prune. The feel was medium to heavy (thinner than the barley wine I had before it). The taste was pretty good, not the best IRS but good, some sweet dark fruit, the roasted malts and a little hop bitterness, many IRS are more bitter though. I'm glad I got it and I'll have to get a few more pints.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 04:51:29 | More by DavidST

UTCengOwl

Texas

3.83/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this a few times on tap and I had it again last night. It's not mindblowing, but it's quite solid. Figured that I'd give it a quick review... though not as thorough since I had it at a bar where I wasn't aiming to review. This review is based off of last night's snifter at the Addison Flying Saucer.

The XV looks like most any other RIS. That is to say impressive. Dark body with a tan, frothy head. The head melts down and leaves a little on the surface. When the glass gets lower, I can see through the edges and it's a surprisingly thin brown hue. Hunh.

The beer is very stouty, with chocolate notes at the forefront. The XV seems to be a bit low on the hops bitterness relative to what I want in a RIS, but it gives it a smoother flavor. I'd like a bit more of a roasted bitter bite. However, this smoothness plays well into the beer's mouthfeel. Creamy and luscious.... maybe it's molasses in the taste and texture. This tastes like it's been aged for a bit, even though we know it's from 2011.

Overall, this is a solid offering from Real Ale and I keep getting it when it's on tap. However, I'd prefer a bit more bite and maybe a bit of flavor that I can't find in just a standard RIS.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2011 12:49:31 | More by UTCengOwl

bmwats

Louisiana

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured froma tap into a tulip.

a: black. pours about a qtr. finger brown-white head. settles fairly quickly. leaves a nice foam blanket on the surface. some pretty substantial lacing. leaves some dry sticky residue in it's wake.

s: dark unsweetened chocolate. a little molasses, and roasted coffee beans.

t: roasted malt and espresso with a bitter touch of black licorice.

m: bitter bite. dry finish. high alcohol character.

d: bitterness and alcohol qualities make this a sipping beer.

atmosphere is nice. deep, dark appearance. fair head, and really nice lacing. nose is typical of the style nut well done... dark chocolate, roasted espresso, and licorice. flavor follows suit, dark roasted malty flavor, with hints of sweet and bitter. overall, this is a really good quaff.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 01:39:04 | More by bmwats

elNopalero

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a stout black with these wonderful heavy coffee aromas. There’s a bit of a sweet finish to the nose as well. Quite the boozy kick to the palate. I get some black licorice on the finish as well—nothing like the Stone RIS they released this year, definitely more subdued, but hints of it. It’s oily, not a heavy beer, and oh so good. I don’t know how it is in bottles because I’ve only had it on draught but I love it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2011 22:11:22 | More by elNopalero

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Common Table.

The beer pours a very dark brown to black color with a decent-sized tan head. The aroma is a mix of roasted malt, chocolate and some pine from the hops.

The flavor is very hoppy for an imperial stout. I get some roasted malt, coffee and chocolate, but what really comes through is a heavy dose of bitter pine. The beer reminds me a lot of fresh Victory Storm King since both are highly hopped stouts.

Medium to thick mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2011 01:58:38 | More by Mora2000

Sinewave

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Real Ale are masters at making generic looking labels. lol

Pours pitch black with a dark, but small caramel cap. Good lacing.

Hardcore roasted malt on the nose. Dark fruit, chocolate, and some grassy hops.

Chocolate...and roasted coffee bean. Plenty of sweet vanilla and cream. Others mentioned some traces of piney hops, but I didn't pick up too much of that. Though the finish was pretty bitter and damn roasty. Still balanced by sweet chocolate malt. I really enjoyed this. Real Ale does beer good. I cracked a bottle later in the day and the hops seemed more present. They're not huge, but the fruit and pine are a nice addition.

MF is pretty thin. Although this doesn't seem to affect my raiting. I'm not one who believes a stout has to pour like motor oil to be good. There was no "watery" presence at all. Nice, big flavor on a creamy, slick mouthfeel.

Great anniversary beer from a great brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 23:09:15 | More by Sinewave

jefe2

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Real Ale XV Imperial Stout
9.8%
a - dark black, med thin white/cream head
s - sweet dark malts
t - roasty sweet, little bit woody, nitty chalky, but sweet dark malts dominate and keep chalkiness at bay. Boozy. Good balanced sweet malty imperial stout with just enough woody roasty earthiness to balance. I'd give it an A-
m - fairly thick viscous imperial stout, with some creamy carbonation
d - a bit much for more than a pint maybe, but a good balanced creamy earthy boozy imperial stout

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 22:04:30 | More by jefe2

TenHornsProud

Colorado

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Moth. Poured a solid black with a tan head.

Smelled of roasted, sweet malt and some spicy hops.

Tasted of roasted malt and sweetness that is complimented by an interesting hop character. It's almost spicy, which I'm guessing comes from some noble hops?

It has a medium to heavy body and is almost creamy.

This is a solid Imp Stout with a different hop profile than I'm used to, which makes it interesting. Nothing knocked me out, but it is a big enough beer and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 00:40:24 | More by TenHornsProud

ElCommodoro

Texas

4.95/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Deeelish. This was a perfect blend of malt, roasted malt, hops, and spices. The ink black concoction was neither too sweet nor too astringent, nor was it too burnt tasting. It was marvelous. I highly recommend this particular brew if you can get a hold of it. Great stuff.
Oh and it smelled like spiced dried fruit. But who cares, it's the taste that matters.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2011 05:17:17 | More by ElCommodoro

2xHops

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am not an usual stout drinker, but I saw this being served at a local bar, then I had to try it.

The head was foaming and the color of the beer is just dark, dark, dark as it should be.

The taste of this beer was pretty good, but it was not something that had something unique to bring to you. It had a strong ABV, but it took a while for the alcohol to come alive. When it did, it still wasn't too overpowering, so I think that is something to like about the beer.

For me, the mouthfeel didn't feel too overly thin like you might find in some stouts.

I personally like this better than some of the other stouts I have drank in the past, so I think it is something I would drink whenever I'm in the mood for something strong. I can't say with certainty it is a strong beer for the style, as I will need to try more stouts that people think are the standard.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2011 15:39:44 | More by 2xHops

crusian

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Review from my phone, so apologies for weird autocorrect and shortened review.
Stopped in trinity hall with the girlfriend and was pleasantly surprised to see this on rotator. Server told me it is served in a sort of flute, but asked for it to be in a tulip before he brought it. Came out with about a finger of head and looked nice and dark!
Nose was a little disappointing, it seemed a bit muted. For some chocolate, coffee, hint of ginger, and booze. After it warmed more I got some anise out of it.
Taste was following the nose, very lacking in the flavors department... they were all there, but really toned down.... with anise coming out more as it warmed, as did the boozy finish.

the biggest issue I had was how thin it was. it looked like it was going to be this big thick masterpiece, but wasnt. really thin for the style... almost seemed watered down. It was nice and creamy, though which made it MUCH more enjoyable than it actually was.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2011 00:37:43 | More by crusian

fatmcb1

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served at the Flying Saucer in Fort Worth on tap into a snifter

Poured deep black with a finger of brown head. Incredible lacing covered the glass

Chocolate, very sweet, and dark fruit.

Taste is much fuller and stronger. Tons of dark chocolate and sweet roasted malts. It finishes with a bit of dark fruit and hops, which add complexity and balance.

Incredibly rich, creamy carbonation. The ABV is very well masked.

Though I only had one pour, I could have had an entire bottle and not gotten tired of it. My new favorite from Real Ale.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2011 15:32:42 | More by fatmcb1

champ103

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Anvil in Houston.

A: Pours a near pitch black color. No light gets through. A one finger head forms with good retention. Plenty of lace is left behind.
S: Chocolate, roasted malt, and brown sugar. Some hops intermingle in the nose. Lightly grassy. Some dark fruits of cherries and raisins. Very nice.
T: Again lots of chocolate. Lightly roasted with some sugar sweetness. Baked bread and biscuit. Light alcohol is present. Some hops in the finish with a lingering bitterness. Very nice.
M/D: A full body that is low on the carbonation. Smooth and velvety. So easy to drink. There is a bit of alcohol. Which is expected for the style, but it is a great sipper.

This is a really good Imperial Stout. Something I really enjoyed and would highly recommend. Way better than last years anniversary beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2011 03:50:13 | More by champ103

jamescain

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a wine glass at Blackstar COOP in Austin, TX

Appearance: Black and opaque, no chance of seeing anything though this guy, with an off white head about a finger thick that fades into a ring around the side of the glass.

Aroma: Chocolate, Roasted grain, hints of dark fruits and cherries, and toffee.

Taste: Dark, roasted and chocolaty, with a subtle fruitiness in the background. No noticeable alcohol sensation, making it dangerously drinkable.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation and a thick full body making this one a sipper for sure.

Overall: Very pleased with this one and I’m glad I got a chance to try it since I couldn’t make their anniversary party. I hope they throw it in some barrels and add it to the mystrium verum seriers, or at the very least bottle it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 15:54:39 | More by jamescain

Phoenix2443

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Real Ale anniversary party. Black with a tan head, this left alot of lacing behind in the anniv glass.

Coffee and dark fruits, nice hop smell too.

This beer was tasty albeit a little thin but then again it was getting warm in my glass with the heat outisde. Hop presence was noticeable but balanced well with the coffee tones that loomed.

Good beer from one of my favorite local breweries, good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2011 18:59:05 | More by Phoenix2443

bisonkron

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Light black in color, with a light brown head. Lacing sticks around to the end. Carbonation seemed a bit low.

Smelled sweet and roasty. With some chocolate and dark fruit.

Very smooth with sweetness and chocolate following the nose. Roasted malt and coffee. Body is light.

Overall: Very easy drinking, but lacked a bit of kick in the flavor. Does not seem like it would hold up well with age, but perhaps they will barrel age some.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2011 02:58:29 | More by bisonkron

bread112

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served at a Real Ale's anniversary party in a plastic cup on 6/25/11.

Perfect day for a stout with the relative humidity at 104, no seriously! First impressions: light to medium roast with an coffee underlining. Light body. Tad bit high on carbonation for this style of beer. Reminds me of their coffee porter. Finishes with coffee and a bit of bitterness hop finish.

Overall: There're are a lot of representations of this style on the market. Many push the limits and some miss the mark. This one missed the mark. Looking towards the future to taste the same beer with a bit of age and in a barrel?!?

Label as: session-able RIS

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2011 01:24:19 | More by bread112

drummermattie02

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Real Ale anniversary party. Pours black with a nice tan head. Leaves good lacing and legs.

Lots of hops in the nose and a nice roasted coffee note as well.

Taste is slightly sweet with quite a bit of hop bitterness. Roasted malt and coffee in the finish. Very smooth finish despite the hops, I suspect this will age well.

Overall a very good beer from one of my favorite Texas breweries.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 17:25:18 | More by drummermattie02

mactrail

California

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown with a golden glint. Nice beige foam doesn't stick around too long, but leaves plenty of lacing and a sprightly mouthfeel. Poured from the 12 oz bottle bought at Texas Wine Cellars in Fredericksburg, TX.

Sugary sweet to start. Brown sugar and burnt sugar. The hops come on suddenly in a rush of bitterness. This is quite a complex and interesting interplay of flavors. A touch of sourness from the burnt malt. Warm caramel flavors with a winey character. Sort of a Vermouth taste of sweetness and bitterness. Hot and spicy on the tongue. Quite pleasant sipping and conveys a lot of flavor as well as power.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 04:23:27 | More by mactrail

kellypodz

Texas

5/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Real Ale 15th Russian Imperial Stout has taken the throne as my favorite beer OF ALL TIME. It's not black as night, but it's close. Mocha head starts thick but dissipates to a ring of bubbles. Lots of chocolate in the aroma. The beer doesn't report to be wood-aged; but I'm getting oak on the nose as well. More chocolate on the tongue with some coffee notes, and a mild citrus hop on the finish. I wish this wasn't a one-time only brew. I have five left I will be rationing cautiously.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 01:19:47 | More by kellypodz

HardTarget

Texas

4.04/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Opaque black glass refused to allow even strong back lighting to show anything more than a thin slightly ruby edge. Long lasting tan foam clings to the edge of the glass leaving distinct, widely spaced tide marks.

Smell:Black strap molasses mingles with dark roasted barley. Sweet, burnt, under attenuated , this is a tough neighborhood more than a refined fireside sipper.

Taste: Sugary malt cut with West coast citric hops save the day! The charred blackened nose runs as a ribbon through the candy base giving a complex, satisfying and easy drinking beer (for close to 10% abv.).

Mouthfeel: Body is a tough thin but that helps lighten the beer. Carbonation is almost cask, a bit low in my view, but it doesn't hurt the package much.

Overall: A great celebration beer for a great Texan brewery. Looking forward to many more, and hope this one shows up on a seasonal rotation!

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 04:43:28 | More by HardTarget

brentk56

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: The liquid is an inky brown but, with even a hard pour, very little head could be raised; lacks lacing, too

Smell: Dark fruit (blueberry, black cherry and prune) with roasty undertones of chocolate and molasses

Taste: Roasty, with chocolate and dark fruit joining through mid-palate; after the swallow, the molasses adds earthy sweetness but the roasty elements dominate the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with low carbonation

Overall: A cut above the other beers I have sampled from this brewery but still a middle of the road example for the style

Thanks, Phoenix2443, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 23:34:42 | More by brentk56

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz, 2011?
Foothills stout snifter

A: Pours pretty dark brown, leaning to almost completely black. About a quarter finger of tight bubbles tan head. Faded quickly into a ring around the edges.

S: Really deep dark chocolate. That blueberry strange fruity sweetness. Roast malts. Coffee. Although the coffee is certainly secondary.

T: Tip of the tongue, it's all dark chocolate bitterness. Deep rich cocoa. Lingers. Then you get that touch of blueberry sweetness or fruitiness. Roasted malts. Slight dark coffee. Finish is long and lingering with that dark cocoa flavor. Sticks on the palate.

M: it's full bodied but nicely carbonated. Could here the bubbly carbonation during sip.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 14:38:13 | More by inlimbo77

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

pours a thick black with a slight foamy ring of carbonation. smells of sweet chocolate, coffee, raisins, dates, vanilla. very sweet flavors of toffee, vanilla, chocolate, and molasses up front followed by a tar-like coffee/roasted bitterness. a very delicious stout with a full mouthfeel.. heavy, rich, creamy, low carbonation - everything you expect from a russian imperial stout.

one of the better RIS i've encountered, and by far the best beer from real ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 14:13:29 | More by facundoCNB