Courage Imperial Russian Stout - Wells & Young's Ltd

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

275 mL bottle, May 2011. served at cellar temp.

black, thin tan head of fine bubbles. nice lacing. aroma of coffee grounds, black cherry, slightly metallic. taste is a bit of bitter cocoa, booze, wood. acidic aftertaste. thick, viscous, mild carbonation.

overall - good, but not sure why it's considered a classic.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 03:38:00 | More by jmdrpi

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Had the original a few years ago, the 1993 vintage, and thought I would give this re-make a chance. For the record the '93 original was delicious, if a bit oxidized, and still had some carbonation.

Pours a very dark brown, which appears black in the glass. Big, two finger thick tan head that dissipates rather quickly to thin lacing on top and that leaves streaky lacing on the glass.

Aroma is deep and complex with notes of espresso, pear, yogurt, alcohol, raisins, and nougat. Pretty bold aroma and definitely unique. Very successful and I could smell this beer all night.

The flavor is not quite as amazing but pretty decent. Roasted malts, smoky, dark alcohol soaked cherries.

Decent carbonation, pretty full body, and a somewhat boozy finish.

This may not be the same experience as the '93 that I had, but this is certainly a beer in better shape. Really liked the aroma, and I would possibly be interested in trying one of these beers many years from now.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 04:44:30 | More by MusicaleMike

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

275 ml bottle into tulip glass, brewed in May 2011. Pours pitch black color with a nice 1-2 finger fairly dense khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice thick foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of char, raisin, dark chocolate, citrus zest, herbal, floral, and earth. Pretty nice aromas with good balance, but they are really weak for a 10% beer. Taste of dark chocolate, roasted malt, char, raisin, earth, and herbal spiciness. Light herbal bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of roasted malt, dark fruit, char, herbal, and earth on the finish for a good bit. Nice flavor balance with good depth and complexity; no cloying flavors at all on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a creamy, lightly chalky, and crisp mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice imperial stout. Good balance and complexity of flavors; and very smooth to sip on. I was expecting more out of this, but it was still very enjoyable. I will revisit it sometime.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 04:12:31 | More by superspak

ms11781

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

9.3oz bottle poured into a tulip glass.

Pours a solid, ink black. The beer actually looks pretty thin and deep brown going into the glass but once it settles in the body seems fuller and it's definitely solid. A massive tan head develops and it's very active. Only about 3 or so ounces make it into a 10oz tulip before the head reaches the top of the glass. A considerable amount of time passes before more beer can be poured into the glass. An impressive thick cap of creamy foam stick around for the duration. Nice soapy lacing is left on the glass.

The nose is a bit subdued. There are some nice aromas but nothing is too strong or stands out above the rest. Some nice roast and more subtle bitter chocolate are present along with a bit of some dark fruit.

The taste asserts itself considerably more than the nose. There is a very nice bitter coffee-like element that comes across first and is complimented by a touch of dark chocolate. The finish is pleasantly smoky and somewhat acrid. Really nice.

Despite looking thinner going into the glass this beer has a full mouthfeel. It definitely feels full but not too heavy. Low carbonation that is surprisingly lively, especially as the beer warms.

This is a really good RIS. The nose was lacking just a bit but the flavors were really bold. Definitely a beer that seems like it would benefit from some age.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 02:41:26 | More by ms11781

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a four-fingered light tan head that fades slowly to a thin layer leaving a good lace. Black color, no highlights. Medium carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Light chocolate nose and flavor is chocolate, sweetness then burnt chocolate finish. High ABV is hidden. $7.49 for a 275ml bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 22:15:09 | More by jdhilt

julian89

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Drank on 3/22/12 two days after having my wisdom teeth removed.

Appearance: Dark brown light foam, quarter inch head with no lacing.

Smell: Coffee, pear, apricots, and raisins, all singled out in an excellent aroma. Molasses and brown sugar smell and color as well.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and light carbonation. Weird mouthfeel due to my wisdom teeth removal.

Taste: Bitter on the front end. The taste compliments the smell quite well.

Overall: A good strong stout with excellent flavors. I will have to return when I don't have holes in my mouth from having my wisdom teeth removed.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 14:30:55 | More by julian89

jegross2

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewing the Courage Imperial Russian Stout from Wells & Young's Brewing Company. You probably best know this brewery for their flagship beer, Young's Double Chocolate Stout.
Score: 89

Unknown vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter glass. Has what I presume is a "best before" date on the neck: 19/09/24.

Appearance: Pours an opaque black coffee color with brown highlights atop the glass. Pours two and a half fingers of soapy tan colored head that slowly recedes into a thin layer. Excellent lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Huge aromas of roasted malts and dark fruits. Milk chocolate, prunes, some coffee, and alcohol. Some licorice, mocha and toffee aromas too. Smells a lot like Great Lakes Blackout Stout. 4/5

Taste: Taste follows the aroma. Dark fruits and roasted malts upfront -- figs and prunes are most prominent. Chocolate and alcohol on the mid-palate. Toffee and vanilla on the mid-palate too. Finish is chocolate, toffee and alcohol flavor. I think I detect hints of stainless steel flavor three-quarters of the way through the glass, though I may just be imagining things and confusing the boozy flavor. Honestly, this brew is a little boozy in the flavor (10.0% ABV), but pretty delicious nonetheless. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Thick, creamy mouthfeel. Near full bodied with moderate carbonation -- perhaps a touch too much carbonation. Finish is dry and bitter. If the beer was just a little less carbonated, it would have gotten a much higher mouthfeel rating. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid Russian Imperial Stout that could have been excellent if the booziness was throttled back. For what it is at $6.49, however, this one is a bit overpriced. This beer's best comparable is Blackout Stout, and Blackout Stout is better (and cheaper).

Recommendation: Not a good starter Russian Imperial Stout for casual beer drinkers. Beer geeks should probably enjoy this one, though the booziness is not very balanced.

Pairings: Warm chocolate cake.

Cost: $6.49 for a 9.3 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 04:33:20 | More by jegross2

Mississipping

Mississippi

3.98/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours extremely dark brown with a one-finger caramel colored head that dissipates slowly leaving behind moderate lacing. 

S: Dark chocolate, roasted barley, and a touch of dark fruit.  A hint of coffee, hops, and booze in the background.

T: A lot of dark fruit (raisin and fig) with some dark chocolate up front.  Some roasted barley and a touch of booze toward the back end, but overall pretty well balanced. 

M: Thicker side of medium with a good bit of carbonation.  Smooth and creamy on the tongue.  Slightly drying at the finish as the hops shine through.

D: Very drinkable, but just a little underwhelming.  It's really neat to get to try this, but it wasn't quite as balanced as I was hoping it would be.  A bit of booze on the back end and a little sweeter than I would have liked.  Overall, though, it's a nice treat.  

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 06:25:16 | More by Mississipping

champ103

Texas

3.98/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a pitch black, opaque color. A massive tan head rises with excellent retention. Spiderweb lace is left all the way down the glass.
S: Roasted malt, coffee, chocolate all intermingle. Dark fruits of cherries and plums. Very nice and well balanced.
T: Lightly roasted malt, some chocolate and coffee. Dark fruits again. Kind of grainy and sugary.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. A bit on the watery side. Easy to sip on. The alcohol is nice and warming.

This is very welcoming and warming. A nice imperial stout, and obviously has roots as one of the original. Something I enjoy and would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 00:26:17 | More by champ103

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brewed in 1975 sampled in 2008 at the ripe old age of 33 this is officially the oldest beverage that I have knowingly sampled.

Bottle opened with a nice hiss and poured a solid black with a smallish tan/brown head that lasted forever. I'm really surprised the carbonation has held up so well all these years.
Aroma is heavy with wine/port like smells. A slight chocolate and some band aid in there too. Taste is port or sherry, salty with a bitter aftertaste that doesn't quit. Quite a unique experience. This beer has stood up well, but was obviously better years ago. Definitely a sipper.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2008 06:22:06 | More by johnnnniee

mdfb79

New York

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 01/08/12 notes. Shared by Huhzubendah; thanks Matthew.

a - Pours a pitch black color with one inch of medium tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, bitter chocolate, dark fruits, and light coffee. Pretty nice and roasty.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, bitter chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet vanilla, and dark fruits. A tiny step up from the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. A tiny bit overcarbonated, but nice.

o - Overall a very nice RIS. Very roasty and the taste has some nice vanilla to it as well. Would like to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:42:11 | More by mdfb79

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I've been waiting for this one to come around. Finally popped the top tonight and have another 'on age'

Pours a black/brown/ruby body. Big off brown head, tan, thick and rich. Nice lacing. Darn thing looks great

Aroma isn't unique and is very nice. Black currant, cocoa, burnt toast, leather, plum and raisin.

Taste falters a bit, partly due to the drinkability and feel. Flavors are black fruit and red plum. Leather here and there. Soft raisin and hints of melon. But there is something thin going on here. Just when I think it's going to be thick and chewy, it dissipates. Tannin on the end. Bites without a dryness. Alcohol is high. Hoping age will make this beer better than good.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 06:48:59 | More by Mebuzzard

SpdKilz

Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brewed May of 2011. 9.3oz bottle.

Appearance – Pours into a tulip with an utter dark viscosity. About a finger of mocha colored head that dissipates slowly leaving a nice coating of lacing.

Smell – Chocolate, roast, slight metallic aromas, cocoa, caramel.

Taste – Similar to the aroma but more vanilla and dark fruits. An apparent plum flavor, cocoa, milk chocolate, and raisins.

Mouthfeel – Medium bodied, lower carbonation.

Overall – An interesting stout. Heavy in the dark fruits…more so than I have experienced in others. Honestly, not my favorite RIS.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 04:08:27 | More by SpdKilz

Brad007

Vermont

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a bog standard pitch black with a two-finger head that parts not too long after.

Aroma is strong on alcohol with a sweet, creamy backbone. Not much else here.

Dark fruit, roasted coffee and cream stand out as the dominant flavors, followed by the alcohol itself. A bit more aging will bring out the bouquet of flavors obscured by said alcohol.

Mouthfeel again is warm from the alcohol, resulting in an unpleasant dose of carbonation.

Again, there is hope for Courage if aged for a sufficient period of time.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 02:27:44 | More by Brad007

womencantsail

California

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black in color with a finger or two of khaki head. Nice dark fruit aromas which offset the roasted malt aroma. Dark chocolate, plenty of coffee, and a hint of licorice. Some nice burnt sugar notes and just a touch of smoke. The flavor is fairly sweet, but still a good roast and coffee character. Some dark chocolate, a touch of toasted nuts, molasses, mild licorice, and some dark fruit sweetness. A well balanced Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 07:27:52 | More by womencantsail

bonkers

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured from a 275 ml bottle, 2012, into a snifter. The pour is inky black, light tan head. The aroma is more fruity than expected, notes of coffee and chocolate. The flavor is rich with chocolate, coffee, and some fruity notes. The finish lingers with a mix of chocolate and fruit. The beer is smooth, light carbonation, no dicernable booze. Interesting beer, IMO it should improve with some age on it.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 14:07:33 | More by bonkers

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

slowhead

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

1992 Vintage

A: Poured from a nip sized bottle into a snifter. Completely opaque with no head.

S: Smells of chocolate with a subtle roast character. Lots of soy sauce aroma. No hops (obviously).

T: Wow...still very sweet. The age has smoothed out the alcohol. Sweet chocolate up front. No hop flavor at all. Very thick, silky and smooth, with a big roast character. Sweet and creamy as it swallows with a balanced bitterness. Evolving as it warms.

M: Almost completely still with a very big body. Sits on the tongue like a grease spot. Very mildly warming.

D: Production stopped in '93 (I believe). Definitely worth a taste, if you can get it. Very smooth beer, however may have been more prime 5 or so years ago.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2008 14:31:55 | More by slowhead

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

May 2011 bottling

A: Deep brown-black body. A massive pale khaki head leaves behind a nice coating of lacing.

S: Cocoa powder, espresso, roasted malts, lightly fruity hops, and some caramel.

T: The flavor lacks the fruitiness and sweetness that was in the nose. Cocoa, espresso, and a healthy dose of roasted malts. The hop presence provides a pinch of bitterness.

M: Smooth, evenly carbonated. Semi-dry finish. Lightly bitter in the finish.

O: A nice imperial stout that is clearly British in character. Glad this has been revived and I hope it's offered for many years to come.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 04:30:15 | More by callmemickey

emerge077

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Brewed May 2011, BBD 19/09/24... 13 yr., 4 month shelf life?

Thick layer of mocha foam, leaving striated layers of lace all around the glass. After 15 minutes or so the foam recedes into a floating island, but the skim remains unbroken.

Very mellow chocolate aroma, slight roast, also something vaguely acidic, sweet and ashy.

Creamy and smooth milk chocolatey feel, pleasant residual mild hop bitterness in the background. Definite sipper, very smooth and easy drinking in small sips. Slight nuance of fruity plum in the aftertaste. Cocoa nibs and mild char. Rich and exceptionally smooth as mentioned before. Residual chocolate and dry ashy elements. Pretty nice stuff, glad it's seeing a new revival.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 05:02:01 | More by emerge077

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to shibbypwn for adding this to a nice trade.

Pours a huge 2.5 finger fluffy and darker colored head that fades fairly slowly, with some lacing but less than I expected, the beer is not quite pitch black but close, with some light sneaking through.

Nose has nice stout tones, plenty of chocolate, dark chocolate, powdered cocoa, hot cocoa, some baker's choc, hint of roast, some light caramel and dark malts, a nice creamy coffee like aroma with that, and a light toasty bready like malt aroma.

Taste is similar, dark malts but adds some extra roasty malts this time, more coffee and espresso, but think and gets a bit syrupy and over roasty, not quite acrid but more like over roasty. Then chocolate with a nice dark chocolate, cocoa powder, baker's, etc. and a bit of caramel. Some hops I think add some earthy bitterness but could be more of the roasty malts adding it, which get slightly soy sauce like but not quite. A chewy over spicy earthy hop comes through a bit more as it goes towards the finish. Then finishes fairly bitter, a bit salty almost briny with over roasty malts, roasty malts, and a bit of chocolate linger, with an over dry finish, and a light booze.

Mouth is fuller rich bodied, fluffy, decent carb, bit of warming booze.

Overall pretty good, quite big and probably needs a couple years to settle the large overroasted malt flavors, but nice chocolate, nice bitterness, dry finish, quite a bit beer, much bigger than I expected from a U.K. beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 02:14:50 | More by jlindros

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Do beers get any more regal? With tried-and-true, time tested recipe and fantastic brewing technique; it shows that we just don't make'em like they used to... or do they?

Same as it ever was, this true imperial Russian stout boastfully displays his masculine dark side with slight-of-black coloration, complete opaqueness with a slight haze that's noted by it's less than mirror sheen. But its billowing tan head shows exuberance and puts on quite a show as the foam builds and then recedes, leaving silhouettes of lace behind.

Strong French-pressed coffees, cocoa, burnt fruit and molasses starts the show with a rich and luscious aroma that swirls around rummy alcohols for a slight plummy vinous scent. Brown sugar, apples, and pears join in the fun but only in background notes.

As delicious as the aromas seem, the flavor spread proves equally as rewarding. Bittersweet chocolate wraps around a strong coffee taste, deeply caramelized sweetness, heavy toast, and creamy smoke. Roast and fruity tartness take turns as roasted barley alternates with slight vinous wines, grape skin, green apples, and blackberries. Low in hops, only a shadow of bitterness follows the complex malt and ester display and does so with a supportive wood taste-turn-bitter in finish.

Full bodied, but not overtly sweet or sugary, there's a right amount of malt and residual sweetness that weaves into the dry roast texture and full carbonation. A long draw into the finish results in firm alcohol warmth, slight burnt grain astringency, and tart wine-like tannin that provides a slightly powdery yet powerful finish.

This is a tremendously respected beer that defies style, prescription, or expectation. It's effortless and gentlemanly personality exudes the notion of tall, dark, and handsome.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 05:09:03 | More by BEERchitect

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I know this beer was out of production for quite a while and was a favorite of many in years past but I found it to be merely good, not great. Perhaps the quality was a little higher in earlier years or the standards for this style have risen, or both. Needless to say it's a nice imperial stout but it didn't knock my socks off.

The appearance is right on; black bodied, with a big rocky tan head that has strong retention and nice lacing. Aroma is quite roasty and bitter, with notes of anise, plums, and baker's chocolate and hints of booze.

The flavor follows suit; it's complex and tasty and comes in decidedly on the less sweet side. Strong roasted malt and bitter qualities; anise and chocolate/cocoa powder, again some booziness is detected; dark fruity notes of plum and raisin; a touch of herbal hops detected in the aftertaste. Some charred smokiness and molasses notes also emerge. The finish is fairly dry for this style.

Medium-full body; medium carbonation; reasonably smooth overall feel. Worth a try for sure; this beer has a reputation for being a great cellar candidate but I couldn't resist drinking mine after only about a year in the bottle. Will return in the future and take another look, I think.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 12:06:14 | More by tobelerone

rarbring

Sweden

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A brown and black colored beer. A high tan head with good lacing and good curtains.

Smelling of sweet dark bread, dates and figs, dark coffee and chocolate.

Tasting of sweet bread, grown sugar, dark coffee and grape-fruit zest.

Medium carbonation, a soft and sticky texture. A big body with a very dry finish.

Crammed with lots of taste. Not bad at all :)

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 21:33:38 | More by rarbring

nickfl

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with a healthy head of off white foam that receedes slowly and leaves nice, thick lace. The liquid comes out of the bottle a clear, reddish brown, but fills the glass with an opaque, black body.

S - Roasty malt with lots of caramel and dark fruit.

T - dark chocolate up front with candied cherries and figs. Some orange and more dark chocolate in the middle with a finish of licorice, mint, anise, and light char.

M - Medium thick body, moderate carbonation, and a balanced finish.

D - Nicely made, it has a really nice balance of dark fruit and chocolate malt with almost no coffee like roasted character. Spicy and very seasonally appropriate for winter.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 04:48:34 | More by nickfl