Courage Imperial Russian Stout - Wells & Young's Ltd

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

275ml bottle poured into tulip 30/11/12 bottle #6255 2012 vintage from notes

A shes pretty dark alright both the liquid and the foam, the head lasts for few sips leaving a little soapy lace

S dark roasted espresso with some bakers chocolate and licorice, faint fruity notes but I'm not getting the pear the bottle suggests but I do get some of the smokey notes and just a little booze

T the flavors similar to the nose but the intensity of the dark roast is upped a fair bit, some char and more smoke with even stronger espresso and I get some faint creme brulee and even some earthy hops shine through, its pretty intense and I'm loving it

M feels solid, well not quite solid but its pretty thick liquid, a little slick with some faint heat and an aftertaste I'll be enjoying tomorrow at this rate, very nice

O this ones a hit, rich and dark with no real flaws anywhere, just a little booze here and there but that's to be expected in a fresh 10% RIS

for 5 bucks I'm going to throw a few away for aging, strange the bottle says it can be kept for up to 13 years, seems random and unlucky

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 06:11:06 | More by wordemupg

2GOOFY

California

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-20-2013 01:32:58 | More by 2GOOFY

Absolut

California

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-14-2013 17:46:31 | More by Absolut

SSEngelbrecht

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-11-2013 19:37:38 | More by SSEngelbrecht

ewhugh

Colorado

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-09-2013 05:38:59 | More by ewhugh

cdmillard

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-05-2013 03:02:03 | More by cdmillard

juanbon

Georgia

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-03-2013 01:56:48 | More by juanbon

His_Royal_Hoppiness

United Kingdom (England)

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-02-2013 22:15:44 | More by His_Royal_Hoppiness

MrKennedy

Australia

4.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

275ml bottle from Cellarbrations Carlisle, into a Lost Abbey Teku.

Matt black appearance with a lovely tan had that looks more rich the more you swirl it. Great foam retention and a lovely distinction between the black base and the tan foam.

Smells of milk chocolate backed with some licorice and a touch of roasted malt. Basic, but well integrated and really well done.

Licorice and chocolate, pretty much how i remember it from a year ago, just with the chocolate a touch more noted, balancing it out a bit more. I recall this being a licorice bomb 12 months ago.

Bitterness from the licorice upfront and turns smooth mid-palate. Finishes full but with some bitterness to keep you coming back.

Enjoyed this more after a year or so of holding onto it. Less licorice dominated and more integrated with the chocolate. A lovely beer that is fun to drink and something i need to remind myself never to pass up when i see it in the shops. Exudes quality. Good value, even taking into account the smaller bottle size.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 12:25:11 | More by MrKennedy

jealmanzar

New York

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

04-30-2013 18:51:38 | More by jealmanzar

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.04/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

275mL bottle from By the Bottle. May 2011 bottle date.

A: Pure ink black with a dense creme head. Pour is quicker than I might expect. Legs are noticeable.

N: Intense, smoke, leather, and tobacco. Prunes and raisins and rye bread. Very peppery. Dense and rich with a notable essence of dark fruits. Hops show up with the earth and peppercorn.

T: Bitter hops and baker's chocolate dryness. Very very spicy in a black pepper way. Very much in the vein of the hopped-up stout.

M: Oily and medium heavy body. Very prickly. Could use some more heft, but the alcohol is well-hidden.

O: really good stuff. It's well balanced and deft of hand. I want to buy more and age it for the long haul.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 03:50:43 | More by writerLJBerg

slimntubbs

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

04-28-2013 01:43:18 | More by slimntubbs

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

04-24-2013 15:58:36 | More by Jason1337

SLeffler27

New York

4.54/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A dense, creamy chestnut head is long lasting as it leaves a thick coat of lace over a silky black (SRM 40+) Stout.

Roasted malt dominates from within a Dogfish Head snifter while coffee and chocolate submit. Light caramel and prunes can be found over alcohol fumes.

The roasted, almost burnt, malt is quite bitter from beginning and long into a lingering finish. Molasses and licorice develop as greater depth comes out with warming.

The texture is similar to a thick mousse, while light carbonation lifts the dense chewy body. Alcohol is present but well controlled for 10% abv. Residual sugars stick to the lips.

This is a luscious and mesmerizing Stout to be enjoyed for its opulence and richness while sitting and relaxing.

Bottle No. 042140

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 21:24:53 | More by SLeffler27

Gmann

New York

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a murkey black/deep deep brown color with small yeasties floating about. The creamy light brown head was short and settled into a light ring.

The aroma is of a smooth roasted malt, a touch woody. A hint of chocolate and toasted pumpernickle. Some anise. Overall aroma not all that strong.

Big roasted malt flavor. Lots of burnt toast and a good amount of dark fruit. The roast is heavy with lots of char. There is a caramel sweetness that transitions into a slightly sour dark berry flavor. Dark chocolate and anise round everything out. Pretty much the definition of a RIS here; big, bitter, and malty.

Thick feel with semi-soft carbonation that leads to a mostly smooth flow. Sweet and bitter on the palate; good initial balance but the finish is a bit bitter. Sticky finish as you would expect.

A good traditional RIS. I imagine more of the dark fruit flavors would come out as it ages.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 00:53:40 | More by Gmann

bostonryan

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +17.1%

04-14-2013 05:02:32 | More by bostonryan

sneaks2210

New York

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

04-11-2013 01:00:14 | More by sneaks2210

CanisMajor

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

04-10-2013 01:50:50 | More by CanisMajor

Balvenie

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +17.1%

04-08-2013 19:19:56 | More by Balvenie

travispowers

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -6.3%

04-07-2013 20:52:11 | More by travispowers

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark black with a big finger of frothy chocolate-khaki head. Fades fairly slowly.

S - Roasted chocolate and a bit of caramel malts, some dark fruits, molasses, black licorice, vanilla, earthy hops, and a touch of booze.

T - Dark chocolate and caramel malts, some plum and other dark fruits, molasses, black licorice, roasted coffee, cocoa, earthy hops, some bitterness, and some booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth and almost creamy with a sweet, roasty, and warming finish.

D - Great RIS. Great balance and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 06:23:48 | More by ngeunit1

eriknordlund

Sweden

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

04-05-2013 17:28:46 | More by eriknordlund

05Harley

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

2012 vintage
Estimated calories - 300/12oz

Purchased through Let's pour

Price - $9.75/9.3oz bottle

One inch lite tan head covers this near pitch black jem. Foam bergs float effortlessly along a thin veil of silk. Sticky with great legs and plenty of lacing. With each sip a rejuvenation of bubbles adds to the head, nice...

Aroma is roasted malt, raisins, licorice, sweet molasses, chewing tobaco and leather. I'm actually frightened that I picked up the last two ingredients. The nose is perfect in strength to read.

The tastebuds have nothing to complain about with the usual expectations for the style. Un-sweetened chocolate, coffee, dark fruit and a hint of smoke. A big blast of black licorice though in the finish was a surprise. I'm a fan of licorice but this is much more prominent than I've experienced.

Mouthfeel is extremely well balanced between sweet and bitterness which makes this on the smooth side. Carbonation is all but non-existent. The hops are kept in check as expected with a UK brewed Impy Stout which is why I wanted to review this as fresh as possible. There is enough hops to offer that pleasently dry finish I look for.

Overall a quality representation of the style from an American point of view. The 10% alcohol strength is well hidden and makes this somewhat smooth if you can overcome the extreme licorice flavor and metalic aftertaste. Over priced IMO.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 23:09:31 | More by 05Harley

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into a Hair of the Dog tulip -

A: Relatively dark and opaque body - creamy brown head, some lacing.

S: Heavy malt base, less hopping that usual for a RIS (I would expect this out of a Brit). Dark roast, hints of sweeter malt, dark caramel, hints of coffee and licorice.

T: There is a hint of leafy hop here; dominated by roast, coffee, caramel, moderate dark chocolate, and a hint of licorice again.

Not quite as robust as Americanized offerings but a solid, pleasant drinker.

MF: Creamy body is more medium than full - hides the alcohol very well on the plus side. Dry finish.

O: Decent, more than decent really. Its a good RIS, with no trace of the 10% anywhere, and solid roasty, malty characters.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 13:51:55 | More by Scotchboy

Razorback09

Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

03-29-2013 21:05:44 | More by Razorback09