Imperial Russian Stout - Wellington County Brewery

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cask pint at Brothers Beer Bistro. From notes.

A - Poured black with really loose brown head that was gone fast. Seemed typical of a cask pour. No lace, no retention.

S - Really balanced between coffee and chocolate. Some tobacco and really roasty. Very pleasant.

T - Roast, coffee, chocolate, milk chocolate, iced coffee. Complex and tasty.

M - No carbonation, medium to full body, gentle bitterness. Way too smooth.

O/D - A nice RIS. I'd like to try it canned to see what the carbonation levels would be like and how the flavours would change. This was nice and complex while being smooth as well. A nice one.

Serving type: cask

09-11-2012 18:21:23 | More by tbeckett

divineaudio

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

from notes. on cask at c'est what in toronto, served in a pint glass.

a - came to the table an opaque dark brown with a finger of fluffy tan head. leaves a fair bit of sticky lace in the glass and head retention is excellent.

s - roasted malt with herbal hop character and notes of coffee.

t - more roasted malt with dark chocolate and coffee notes, balanced nicely by a mild hop bitterness.

m - medium body, adequate carbonation, incredibly smooth.

o - thoroughly enjoyable and recommended if you come across it. wish i had a cask of this to take home.

Serving type: cask

08-18-2011 06:57:00 | More by divineaudio

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black, with a very thin layer of dark tan head.

Maybe it was a function of the glass, maybe not, but I could smell almost nothing from the beer. Just a hint of fairly typical stout smell. Not bad, but not distinctive at all.

Taste was decent. Burnt caramel and a fair does of bitterness. Enjoyable, but not a particularly complex taste. Alcohol was more hidden than expected.

The beer was much lighter than expected. Particularly for an imperial stout, it was quite thin. However, carbonation was wonderful, perhaps partly as a function of the fact that it is from a cask.

Drinkability is good. Despite the strength, it goes down very smoothly, and is an enjoyable but not exciting beer.

Overall, I would be happy to have another of these, but would not go out of my way for it.

Serving type: cask

03-05-2011 05:02:57 | More by jrenihan

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at Burger Bar.

A - Poured darr black with one finger of very bubbly light brown head that slowly disappeared.

S - A robust nose with chocolate, maple syrup and coffee. A nice overall sweetness to this one but it also had a complimenting bitterness to balance it out. Agreat nose!

T - Chocolate, coffee, and hints of maple syrup. A slight bitterness in the finish at first but as I continued to drink this one, the bitterness became more and more evident. The taste wasn't quite as over the top as the nose suggested, but this was still a good RIS.

M - Creamy & smooth. Lightly carbonated.

D - This was very good - better on cask than it was on regular draft as I remember from about a year ago.
4 to 4.5.

Serving type: cask

02-27-2011 17:48:35 | More by TheSevenDuffs

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Off cask at C'est What?, in Toronto.

At only 8%, this 'imperial' may be on the lighter end of the style's scale but it's certainly not on the light end of the colour spectrum. Dark as a winter night, opaque as coal, giving off not a single highlight and, as if the beer didn't look intimidating enough already, even it's head is stained a deep ebony tone. Frankly, it's a little daunting...

This roasty, malty aroma offers hints of black licorice and coffee. Well, coffee beans. Or coffee grinds. And the character is smoky, a wee thin and a tad harsh - more robusta than Arabica. This certainly doesn't have the bells or whistles that most imperial stouts come decked out in, but it's no worse off: simplicity and reserve have their virtues too.

Although it never saw the inside of a barrel, Wellington RIS soaked up lots of dry, woody characteristics somewhere along the way. Along with the heavy, sooty taste of pure, undiluted cocoa, the beer can sometimes hit the palate rather harshly and travel down the throat with a woolly texture. There's also a distant sour note of dark berries.

I won't complain, however, about the beer's bitterness, which is ample. It comes from a generous addition of hops which have also contributed by way of a vine-y, leafy flavour that proves very compatible with the sooty, roasted malts. The overall impression though, it must be said, is far from the most stimulating, dynamic or distinctive the RIS style offers.

Wellington RIS is a pleasant drink and strikes a good middle ground between those options that are too plain and those that are too strong. On the whole, however, it makes for an underwhelming example of the style. Like an aging veteran athlete whose body can no longer keep up physically, a beer with this kind of subtle and collected temperament simply doesn't compete with the new generation of bigger, more exciting stouts.

Serving type: cask

01-27-2011 16:29:42 | More by biegaman

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a pint of this on cask at C'est What, one of 5 casks available while I was there (!). This was dark brown colored with a thin tan foam made up of finely grained bubbles (in other words it looked like a RIS on cask). It smelled really good, roasted and toasted malts with more coffee than I expected, this isn't listed as a coffee stout. The coffee isn't really there in the flavor, more sweet and roasted malts, a little chocolate, and an earthy quality not unlike peat (at least it gives me the impression of wet soil, in a good way). The body is great, light carbonation (cask) which makes this extremely easy to drink quickly. Delicious.

Serving type: cask

09-05-2010 23:38:13 | More by TurdFurgison

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Half pint at C'est What on cask, would've liked to have had it in a snifter, but I guess I'll deal with the pint glass. Pours jet black, almost opaque when held up to the light. A trace of head when I received it, no head retention and no lacing whatsoever. Got some molasses, some cocoa/coffee in the smell. Tasting this I got a bit of the same cocoa/coffee, some mild sweetness and roasty malt. Mouthfeel is a bit thin, lacking body as others have indicated but still pretty good, low carbonation. Not as 'imperial' of a stout as I was expecting. Drinkability is dangerous, half pint was gone in less than 5 mins, as scary as that would be for an 8% ABV.

Serving type: cask

05-01-2010 03:12:00 | More by liamt07

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cask at Volo.

This beer appears black, black, black, with very slight tan edges, and zero head or lace. It smells of mild roasted malt, and dry coffee. The taste is a bit stronger, with roasted malt being joined by some more coffee and a spot of dry chocolate; the extra ABV is well hidden. The carbonation is low, the body medium weight and smooth, and it finishes dry and clean.

A decent, if a bit plain, RIS.

Serving type: cask

03-22-2010 22:29:35 | More by biboergosum

eat

Quebec (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled at Volo's Ontario Cask Imperial Stout event. This brew arrives as the least attractive of the four Imperial Stouts I sampled. Black body, no head at all. Also, there were some large chunks of sediment at the bottom of the glass, which I only noticed on the last sip. Like sizable chunks of cork or something, I'm not really sure what they were. Strange.

Very fruity smelling for a stout. Dates, blackberries, pear, light molasses and roasted malt. The only stout I've experienced along the lines of this is Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout, which I love. This doesn't quite match that, though. Not as complex and too light smelling.

The usual suspects of dark chocolate and (light) espresso are joined by some interesting fruitiness (mostly pear and berries). Nice roastiness, a little smoky even. Warming alcohol. The finish is lightly bitter. Nice, but the flavour could be beefed up a bit.

Slightly viscous medium body and light carbonation. Decent feel.

Yeah, this is drinkable. The flavour could definitely be intensified, though it is nice. Not a bad stout. Cool to see an Ontario brewery taking a style in a different direction than usual.

Serving type: cask

03-13-2010 07:04:16 | More by eat

uno99

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Cask at Ces't What?

A: looks thick and chewey. nice head and retention.

S: not much going on in the scent catagory. chocolate and sweet. slight sour tinge.

T: chocolate and dark fuits. malty and satisfying. pretty one dimensional and basic. not as complex as I was hoping but very tasty none the less. slighty sour and bitter finish.

M: perfect thickness. almost feels like a nitro. quite oily and low carb.

D: a strog beer for sure but alchol is well hidden. its not so over the top flavour wise so you could drink 2 or 3 pints and not get bloated and ill feeling.

Serving type: cask

03-06-2010 22:53:32 | More by uno99

Clubchat

Quebec (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at C'est What? in Toronto

A- Black color with some brown reflects, not a big head retention, a bit syrupy down the glass

S- Smell is ok, not really the habitual smell for an imperial stout but it's good, maple syrup, dark malts, cold coffee notes and peat

T- Maple syrup is the first word's coming, probably from the malt sweetness, roasted and chocolate in final

M- Ok mouthfeel, not so thick, extra-light carbonation (cask), no alcohol sharpness going along with the ABV

D- Flavors are well balanced, easy to drink for the style, not a really complex brew but I appreciated it

Serving type: cask

02-23-2010 19:03:28 | More by Clubchat

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the closest local imperial stout, and isn't too shabby either. I've had it in can, on tap and on cask, and while I prefer the cask format slightly, there's not a huge variation between the different serving types.

Wellington's RIS pours a very dark brown with a reddish tinge, and a medium mocha head. On cask thge head retention and lacing is excellent, whereas the canned version leaves something to be desired. The aroma is has vanilla notes complimenting a deep roastiness, with hints of oatmeal in the background. In fact its very reminiscent of a rich oatmeal stout, especially considering the alcohol is nowhere to be seen.

The flavour exhibits the superb balance that's sometimes lacking in bigger beers, and there are pleasant notes of rich chocolate, caramel and molasses, with a hit of coffee in the finish. As noticed in the nose, some oatmeal stout flavours come through, and this brings a light touch of tobacco. Hopping is kept to a minimum, and the alcohol is skillfully concealed. A medium body and carbonation suit this beer fairly well, though I do feel that something slightly thicker would have helped it out more, and made it feel more like an RIS rather than an export stout.

This is certainly a well-made beer, but there are moments when I wonder if its really an imperial stout. The alcohol presence seems to fall a bit short, and the roast profile suggests something closer to an oatmeal or export stout than anything. Its almost like a lighter version of Stone's RIS. Nonetheless, a decent beer, and very drinkable for its weight.

Serving type: cask

11-24-2009 03:18:14 | More by bobsy

AaronHomoya

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On cask at C'est What? in Toronto. Delicious with my lamb burger.

Black color with dark-tan head. Not too oily. Pretty good head retention.

Smell is nice, with dark roasted malts and coffee notes. Very good, but not as complex as some RIS's.

Taste was very pleasant with some malt sweetness followed by chocolate and coffee flavors and finished with a nice bitterness and lingering, smooth roastiness.

Medium-thick mouthfeel. Light carbonation, as to be expected from a cask. Very smooth.

Very drinkable for a RIS. The mouthfeel and balanced flavor profile made it relatively easy-drinking for the style and enjoyable throughout.

Serving type: cask

05-17-2008 00:42:57 | More by AaronHomoya

francisweizen

Australia

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pint at C'est What?

Dark ruby brown/black with red edges and a small off-white/beige/tan cappa foam. Aromas are a bit weak/watery, but the roasetd malts are there along with slight burnt toast and mission fig. Taste is all sweet cocoa and roasted malt. Mouthfeel is creamy smooth, but thin, but awesome as this is on cask. Drinkability=killer.

solid effort

Serving type: cask

02-13-2008 23:37:04 | More by francisweizen

BrewSomerville

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -14%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Aroma: very muted. Chocolate.

Looks: Black. Small, tan head. Poor head retention.

Taste: Chocolate, coffee, a touch of black licorice (but not bad). Some pine-like hoppy flavours that build up on your tongue.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied. Smooth, velvety, silky, and chewy. Light carbonation with very fine, small bubbles. Good cask conditioned mouthfeel.

Overall, I like this Beer much, much better in it's cask conditioned version. I don't care much for the black licorice flavour, but this RIS didn't have much of it. This Beer certainly hides it's 8% ABV well.

Serving type: cask

08-26-2007 23:20:45 | More by BrewSomerville

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

sampled on cask as part of the volo cask days 2006. thanks to ralph and all involved for putting together an awesome fest.

pours an opaque black colour with a nice dark moderate head.

the aroma is nice. great roastyness balanced with a nice slightly sweet malt background.

taste is good. fairly bitter start. nice malty body. notes of bittersweet chocolate.

mouthfeel is good. a little thinner than expected. slightly astringent.

drinkability is ok. it's nice, but does feel a little off its usual self.

Serving type: cask

10-22-2006 23:06:47 | More by grub

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not the Iron Duke, rather an experimental template on cask at Volo Cafe Cask Day 2006. A good head, medium mouthfeel, and dry and roasty. Between a stout and a real thick Russian one. Worked on cask for stout fans. Had it on cask again 16 months later and it worked very well.
Four years later at C'est What and still very solid, upgraded mouthfeel.

Serving type: cask

10-22-2006 13:01:14 | More by northyorksammy

FondueVoodoo

British Columbia (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Tip of the hat to cattersley for the trade, much appreciated.

A: A solid black brown brew capped with a pale oak microfilm that only sticks around long enough to suggest it's a beer briefly, some minimal foam holds onto the glass.

S: Scents of chocolate and espresso, some earthiness, suggestive of wet moss and woods. Finishing with some toasty molasses. Overall the scent is subtle and smooth emphasizing the rich base notes of chocolate, espresso & earthiness.

T: Sweet molasses and smoooth coffee followed with deeply toasted malts. A herbal note in the mid palette of licorice root and mild coffee-esque bitters. Mild alcohol at the end that reminds you of the 8% without overwhelming the brew.

M: Medium bodied, a tiny bit on the light side for a RIS, but doesn't take away from the overall enjoyment. Just a bare minimum of carbonation followed with a warming alcohol heat at the end that compliments the chocolate & coffee notes.

O: A good choice in a RIS to pair with rich food, red meats, stews and roasted chicken. The flavour and notes are not overly sweet, but rich and earthy matching well with rich foods. Like a great wine at the dinner table it compliments the food while still being enjoyable on it's own.

Serving type: can

04-16-2013 02:38:37 | More by FondueVoodoo

mintjellie

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Very dark brown (almost black) body. Thick tan head, poor retention, no lace. Mild roasted aroma with notes of coffee, burnt sugar, dried fruit, and a hint of chocolate. Bittersweet with black coffee, raw sugar, char, and light chocolate. Moderately bitter finish. Medium-bodied with low carbonation. Feels smooth, but slightly thin. Warming alcohol, while not completely off-putting, could be slightly better hidden. A decent Imperial stout that would benefit from a chewier mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 21:44:05 | More by mintjellie

Kremlock

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Deep dark black colour with hues of dark ruby red in the bottom of the glass. Brownish head that pours 1 inch thick then falls to about 1/16 inch. Lacing is medium.

S: Coffee and chocolate dominate the aroma. Plum in the background with some noticeable sweetness. Hop aroma is med-low.

T: Raisins and plum come threw right at the beginning. Roastiness is well balanced with some fruity esters present. A nice dark coffee flavour comes threw. Alcohol is present but is not harsh or distracting.

M: Carbonation is low-medium. Full body and smooth.

O: A very good RIS. IMO I would enjoy a bit more hop bitterness but overall this is a great bee.

Serving type: can

01-18-2013 03:03:59 | More by Kremlock

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

473ml can from the Ottawa LCBO for 3$ - been wanting to try this for a while

Appearance - Black/Brown colour with an average size fizzy brown head. I can't make out the amount of carbonation showing and there isn't much lacing. The head lasted for only 2 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, chocolate, light smoke, nuts

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, chocolate, and some roasted/toasted nuts. There is also a bit of a smokiness and a bitter coffee flavour and a hint of vanila. It ends with a chocolatey sweet aftertaste with a bit of lingering bitterness.

Overall - I expected a bit more based on reviews, but it's still an above average brew. It needs a bit more sweetness and it comes across as a tad watery for a RIS. There is also something odd with the smell that I can't put my finger on.. something plasticy/chalky.

Serving type: can

10-26-2012 23:46:58 | More by spinrsx

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

473 mL can from the LCBO; best before May 28 2013. I've heard from various sources over the years that this RIS is one of Wellington's best brews, and have always wanted to try it - so I was particularly pleased to see these cans appear on shelves in Sarnia. As far as I know, there aren't any other imperial stouts available locally, at least on this side of the border. Served in a pint glass, only slightly chilled.

Pours an opaque black colour, with some deep chestnut tinges under a light. Seated atop is a modest, single finger of foamy, tan-coloured head that is mostly gone before a minute's time has passed. The aroma is pleasant, comprised of a blend of roasted malts, coffee, dark chocolate, molasses and herbal hops. Starts off with a good blend of sweetness and earthiness, but leans a little too heavy on the sweet as it warms.

I've been a little nitpicky so far, but I feel no need to keep it up when it comes to analyzing the flavour - this is a tasty stout, with lots of big, roasted malt flavours. Chocolate sweetness, weak coffee and some herbal, licorice-like notes are the main features, with an earthy, herbal finish. The abv/heat is mildly apparent, and works perfectly with the flavour profile. Medium-bodied, bordering on watery - too thin for my tastes, although this does contribute to its high drinkability. The carbonation gives a good bite, but in general the beer seems to improve as this facet weakens in intensity (while the beer settles and warms).

Quite good, but I have a feeling this is something I'd need to have from a tap or cask to truly appreciate. Very tasty and easy to drink, and pretty good value at its price point, but a little too thin for me to believe this is a truly great example of its style. It won't be a regular purchase for me, but I'd certainly consider it once in a while.

Final Grade: 3.95, a solid, respectable B+. Wellington's Russian Imperial Stout is easily one of their best brews, right up there with Iron Duke and maybe a few others. This is a style I am rarely able to sample from due to a dearth of locally available examples. While I still think this particular stout is very good as far as big, drinkable dark beers go... when I think of an 'RIS' I just think of something with more body. Everything has its own unique flaws, I suppose - but for what it's worth, this is definitely worth a try as a particularly quaffable, fairly tasty, heavier stout with increasingly wide distribution.

Serving type: can

10-11-2012 19:19:55 | More by thehyperduck

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to cattersley for the can!

Pours black, with a medium tan finger of head. Low retention and no lacing. The aroma is roasted malts, chocolate sweetness and a touch of coffee. Not a bold aroma, but good. The taste is quite nice! Chocolate, big roasted notes, some coffee and a hint of bitterness. The feel is definitely creamy, though a bit thinner than most RIS's. Solid medium/upper medium body with moderate carbonation.

A good, well made RIS. Not too filling and not the most robust, but very well drinkable!

Serving type: can

09-22-2012 01:41:30 | More by EgadBananas

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.65/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Got a few of these in trades last summer. Thanks for the cans guys!

From a 16oz can into a snifter.
Canned in 2011

Note: Pitted this one against Grand River's Russian Gun Imperial Stout in an All-Ontario stout showdown!

APPEARANCE: Clear black pour yields a one finger, looser looking, tan head with decent retention. Black body with higher levels of carbonation evident. Head fades to a good, full wisp, though only splotches remain leaving some dots of lacing down the glass. Didn't start out that well, but finishes strong.

SMELL: Mild nose with some roasted malts, licorice and cocoa powder. Touches of caramel too. A little too mild to be memorable.

TASTE: Roasted malts and some caramel sweetness up front, then some licorice notes and dark chocolate at the swallow. Decent lingering aftertaste of roasted malts, dark chocolate and sweet molasses. Pretty nice after the swallow, and more impressive than the nose had led on.

PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. A touch watery perhaps, but still creamy enough. Goes down fine and finishes slightly mouth-coating.

OVERALL: This was pretty good, as the flavor after the swallow saved it from being mediocre. Though it is nothing to write home about, I would gladly drink it again, and especially fresh on-tap. This one actually kicked the Grand River brew around the playground. Give this one a go if you find it. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 20:19:08 | More by Jeffo

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(3.5) A: Black with a tall mocha coloured bubbly head that recedes to a glass ring with minimal lacing down the glass.

(3.5) S: Molasses, caramel, anise, dark chocolate, and mellow citrus qualities in the background. Quite smooth and rich, and appealing, albeit somewhat subdued.

(4.0) T: Flashes of smoke and tart probing citrus gives way to a caramel malt backbone. Fairly light and refreshing for an imperial stout with an emphasis on the hoppy side of things. Hints of dark fruits (cherries and dates) coupled with hints of dark chocolate compliment the initial rush of flavour. The finish reminds me of a chocolate covered blueberry of sorts. Pretty tasty.

(3.5) M: Medium bodied with a moderate carbonation. Prickly citrus on the tongue with a lingering bitter and dry mouthfeel.

(3.5) D: Really enjoyed the lighter bodied take on this style and find it quite refreshing, especially with the hoppier elements highlighted. Very easy drinking and worthy of any recommendations.

Serving type: can

08-27-2012 00:55:06 | More by Digimaika2