KGB Imperial Stout - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

tectactoe

Michigan

3.34/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Kevin or Jeff for this one, not sure who it actually belonged to. It pours out nearly black with some very, very dark brown tints that stain the extremities. The khaki, almost half-inch head actually has decent retention (for a Russian Imperial Stout, anyway) and leaves a few spots of chunky lacing along the sides of the glass.

Straightforward and simple is the aroma, possibly almost to the point of being a little one-track minded. Heavy roasted malts, embarking on the modest trail of light ash and light char. Sprinkle something faintly reminiscent of cocoa powder over that, and you've pretty much summed up the aroma of this one. It's missing out on a lot of great, yet typical RIS elements, and that makes it seem kind of bland and boring.

After taking a few sips, it unfortunately doesn't seem like the flavor profile will end up being the redeeming factor of this beer. It's far from bad, offensive, or gross - it just happens to be far too stripped down and painfully average when other beers of the same style are considered. Some deeply roasted, almost charred and burnt malts scrape the palate along with a dark cocoa bean finish, and now I'm struggling to pick out anything else.

The one and basically only addition the flavor has that the aroma doesn't is a bit of alcohol. In retrospect, it really isn't good nor bad, it's just there. I guess it gives a bit of robustness to an otherwise basic and slightly wimpy RIS. Even the mouth feel is lacking a bit; it's medium bodied, but still thin within the style; more oily and wet than creamy or smooth. Carbonation is pretty good, and sadly, it looks like that may be the high-point.

A pretty big "meh" in regards to a style that's full of huge, robust, and complex beers. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with lighter, simpler brews - hell, I love me a nice German Helles Lager... but when I pick up a Russian Imperial Stout, I have certain expectations and they just really weren't met here. Not bad, but uninteresting to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 11:24:40 | More by tectactoe

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

2013 edition. Has it really taken this long for a Russian imperial stout to be named in honor of the KGB? Regardless, this stuff pours a murky black-brown topped by a finger of khaki foam. The nose comprises mild roasted malts, light chocolate powder, and a dash of blackened pretzel. The taste brings in more of the same, with a strong roasty bitterness pervading the second half of things, along with a hint of nondescript booze. The body is a stolid medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a thickly smooth feel. Overall, a middling RIS, one that just doesn't bring the proper amount of robustness or control necessary to communicate the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 20:50:16 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

3.74/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a finger high tan head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of dark roasted malts are present in the nose; these become a little stronger as the beer warms up.
T: The taste has flavors of dark roasted malts along with notes of coffee beans and faint hints of raisins. It has a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels a little more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The roasted malts leave some dryness in the finish.
O: This Russian Imperial Stout is really easy to drink compared to other beers in the style because it's not overly full-bodied, bitter or roasty and hides its alcohol very well.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 01:31:35 | More by metter98

screamking

Ohio

3.11/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into snifter.

Pours pitch black with a thin tan head that disappears very very quickly. Lacing from side to side. The aroma in this is quite faint, for such a strong style there is just not a lot here. Dark fruits are present but just barely. That's all.

The taste leaves me wanting more also, there's a nice bitter rasian quality but that turns to a bad old coffe flavor. Worse than that its watered down bad coffee. I would be completely disappointed with this beer if I had any indication of its quality. This was a complete shot in the dark and it missed badly.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 04:01:42 | More by screamking

PorterLambic

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Arrives a decadently rich brown with a creamy, thick, golden cocoa colored head. Great lacing but the retention is not so special having dropped to a few chunky islands and a partial ring within 3 minutes.
Smell is a bit weak. Some sweetness, some malt, some chocolate and vanilla all in good balance but the search is annoying.
Taste is better and more pronounced. Bittersweet chocolate, malt, some light hops, vanilla and just a hint of some spice in the background. Really good balance.
Exceedingly smooth, this full bodied brew just slides across your tongue and down your throat willingly. Effervescence is almost non-existent, more of an afterthought once the head formed. Drying finish works well. And it only gets better as it warms.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 22:01:28 | More by PorterLambic

SHODriver

California

3.15/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A: pours black into a snifter with a fingr and a half of dense and deep tan head that slowly fades to a small mat
S: my nose is trashed from cleaning my bathroom but I get a bit of hop bitterness(or cleaning agent astringency) some roast malt and a bit of chocolate
T: surprising hop bitterness up front with a bit of roasted malt and some dark chocolate. swallow brings more roastyness, piney hops and some chocolate
M: seems a bit thin for the style but still feels smooth and a bit creamy in the mouth. carb is a bit too high as well
O: it isn't terrible but it isn't great.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:01:25 | More by SHODriver

TheSixthRing

California

3.54/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours an opaque black with a cocoa powder colored head that sits just over a finger thick. Fair retention. Streaky lacing with good stick.

Smell - Not much, to be honest. Earthy, with mild hints of chocolate and roasted malt.

Taste - Moderate notes of deep roastiness. Darkened caramel. Earthy. Mild bitter chocolate tones. Finishes with a lingering coffee bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Medium to full body. Moderate carbonation. Super smooth and creamy. Entirely drinkable; near quaffable. That's not nearly the case with most imperial stouts.

Overall - Pretty tame by RIS standards. Might be a good intro brew for the style. Even near room temps this thing didn't have much kick to it. In a way, trades a punchy flavor for a smooth, drinkable experience. Old Rasputin's doppelganger, if you will. Certainly nothing that's going to satisfy the hardened Imperial Stout drinker, but I wouldn't call it unpalatable, either. Just a bit safe, is all.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 06:48:48 | More by TheSixthRing

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.19/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I gotta say, I really enjoyed this 2013 version.
In a tulip glass the beer was near black in color with a small tan head and a little bit of lace.

Roasted malt aroma. Coffee and chocolate; strong coffee and dark chocolate.

Taste of espresso and dark chocolate. Some tobacco.

Dry, appropriately bitter.

Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 19:02:30 | More by lordofthewiens

dheacck11

Connecticut

3.54/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2013 KGB RIS
Poured from bomber into tulip glass

Pitch black. Not even a hint of light coming through.
No head at all, just a little thin peach fuzz around the rim.

Nose is suprisingly mild, hints of oak, whiskey, and tobacco.

Taste is really earthy, with a rich minerality going on. Lots of cedar, tobacco, hints of vanilla and smoke. Sharp hop bite at the finish. Generous dark malts throughout. Not super boozy, but the alcohol is noticeable.

Mouth feel is thick and full, but not syrupy like other RIS. Just feels creamy and full. Leaves the mouth watering.

Big and bold, worth a try, but just above average for the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 00:45:36 | More by dheacck11

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Forgot what color it was when I poured it but KGB sits black in my big ol' goblet o' RIS. Dark beige head fades to a lazy skim and leaves a few polka dots of foam.

Smells like brown sugar, charcoal and molasses.

Roasty caramel chocolate nougat desert sweet stout. Dried dark fruit in back. Flavors dull and muddle as it warms which is a shame because it starts great. Hearty, smooth mouthfeel.

Brewed with "Midnight Wheat" which is trademarked so don't try and steal that great name. I didn't know one could trademark wheat.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 20:31:42 | More by donkeyrunner

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle tried 5 Mar 2011. Served in the (512) One snifter.

Large thick brown head. Well carbonated. Very dark brown, opaque. Aroma is roasty, smokey, burnt coffee, and sweet dark sugars. Starts much the same. Well roasted coffee bitterness. Touch of tobacco. Some chocolate milk sweetness. Medium body, ethanol is warming. Lingering roasted/burnt bitterness.

Overall, not bad but towards the middle of the pack for this style.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 15:28:42 | More by htomsirveaux

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +23%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on-tap at Bailey's Taproom in Portland, OR.

Pours a solid black-brown, with a fine and full, but relatively bubbly head of caramel brown. Great lacing as it subsides. Solid body to it with a firm bead. Looks great.

Robust nose with big, smooth roasted characters coming through, giving caramel and a touch of light coffee. Creamy chocolate noticeable too. It's so smooth. Wonderful stuff.

Taste is smooth and clean, but with lingering complexities on the back. More sweet caramel, dark more brusque roasted coffee beans, and chocolate in a silky high-cacao way. All is layered with the smoothness of character which seems to epitomise it. Awesome.

Lovely drop. It's smooth, round, clean and complex. Everythign you want in an imperial stout. Love it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2012 14:58:08 | More by lacqueredmouse

Scotchboy

Idaho

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz long neck bottled on 20 Dec 2010, poured into my CBS snifter.

A: Opaque black as you would expect, practically no head in this expansive glass; splotches of tannish/brown lacing and alcohol lacing stick to the glass.

S: I like it, sweetness and hops meet the nose; molasses and hints of chocolate, oily herbal hops, perhaps a bit of tangy wheat as well? Dark dank malts and hints of coffee, roasted notes.

T: Taste follows the nose, there is a good amount of chocolate, the molasses and sweetness of burnt caramel mix with roast and coffee and charred wood, herbal hops are still here, between those and the wheat there is the slightest hint of the presence of a citrus rind.

MF: Oily medium feel, with lower carbonation and a hint of alcohol still.

O: Still a good drinker after a year+, and a great value. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 13:42:51 | More by Scotchboy

ehammond1

California

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Dark black throughout with a thin brown head that leaves spiderwebs of lace down the glass, though the beer looks a bit thin.

Bold and complete aroma of roasted malts, a touch of chocolate, and a bit of tangy licorice.

The flavor is simple, with the roasted malts dominating most of everything else. There's a bit of sweetness, though this is a simple, but complete stout.

Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.

Decent enough big stout, but there are better options available practically anytime, anywhere.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 20:10:53 | More by ehammond1

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My man Erik hooked up a bottle of this - thanks man!

Poured to a pint glass.

A - The beer pours very dark, not quite pitch black, but dark with reddish brown edges and a a 1/2 finger brown head. Not much retention or lacing.

S - Aroma is that of a lot of roasted malts: chocolate malts, black patent, etc. A light hop aroma barely detectable and a bit of alcohol.

T/M - Just where the nose left off the flavor starts: A good amount of roasted malts on the tongue. In addition to the chocolate malts and patent malts there are hints of coffee and espresso. A very mild bitterness throughout and a noticeable alcohol warmth. The beer doesn't finish as smooth as I would prefer though fairly balanced. There is a sting of alcohol and malt that I can't quite describe, not terrible, but noticeable and deters from the enjoyment of the beer. Full bodied with decent carbonation.

D - It's better than average.

Overall, I was disappointed slightly in this beer and likely won't be back for the price. Too many other Russian Imperials out there that are far superior.

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 03-10-2011 13:50:12

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 14:14:59 | More by hopfacebrew

army01

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Black Gold. This pours like used Pennzoil. Light tan head that disappears quickly to light lacing around the rim of the glass

S: bold coffee and dark chocolate scents

T: The chocolate flavor is first on the tongue, but lighter than expected, followed by the much bolder burnt coffee taste. A decent amount of bitterness

M: Not nearly as heavy as one would expect by the appearance, but seems to lack something.

Overall: This is a decent imperial stout. I would drink another if someone were to bring one to me, but would not race out in search of another bottle.

Serving type: 1 year aged bottle

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 04:53:03 | More by army01

zoolzoo

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pitch black, motor oil pour. Head is slow to form, never really amounts to much. Big coffee and bitter dark chocolate nose. Taste basically follows suit, bitter dark chocolate, coffee, not too roasty. Hops linger beneath, and unfortunately throw in a dash of soy sauce.

MF is pretty thick, carbonation is higher than the head indicates. Not a bad impy, solid offering from Widmer.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 20:58:58 | More by zoolzoo

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bitter dark chocolate monster! Wow this is one of the better dark/bitter chocolatey beers I've sampled. Pours near black, tan head, and a modest nose of roasty aromas. Palate is unambiguous with bitter chocolate and roasty flavors. Such a full flavored beer. Same flavors extend into the long finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 03:50:48 | More by yemenmocha

HopHead84

California

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

10/18/2011

On tap at URGE. I wish Widmer distributed their German pretzels around here instead of their beer. Those are really good pretzels, especially with their fondue and stone-ground mustard.

A: Very dark brown, not quite black, with a small tan head.

S: Lots of coffee and roasted malt with a touch of licorice and evident molasses. Hops are buried beneath dark chocolate and the aforementioned roast, emitting a feeble earthy note.

T: Burnt malt with a little coffee and an unexpected nutty character accompanying dark chocolate. Chocolate, coffee, and a nuttiness linger in the finish. There's a moderate bitterness. That burnt note is a touch acrid near the end, and there's some alcohol flavor with molasses.

M: Lower full in body with upper moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is chewy and sticky.

Overall: A solid RIS, though I'd still prefer a pretzel with fondue. Chance would be a fine thing.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 02:09:23 | More by HopHead84

stabzmcgee

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Aroma is chocolaty with a bit of malt and nut. Appearance is black with a healthy stable brown leather colored head. Taste is nutty, chocolate with a sweet bitterness. palate is tingly with a huge amount of creaminess. Wish I had cellar stock of this.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 21:28:00 | More by stabzmcgee

SWMeyer4141

Texas

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Snifter

Appearance-Black, but not that thick body you want in a big stout. Two finger tan head that dissipates quickly and leaves some pretty nice lacing.

Smell-Huge roasted malts, tons. Some coffee and dark chocolate. Very light hop still in the smell after 6+ months.

Taste-Roasted malts up front all the way. Lots of it, even some smokiness. Middle get some dark fruits and some coffee. Finish is just straight dark chocolate bitterness. Not sure if it's coming from the malt or the faded hops, but it really lingers on the tongue. Alcohol is no where to be found.

Mouthfeel-Medium bodied, compared to other big stouts I had it's a little thin, but still nice. Carbonation is pretty moderate.

Overall-A very easy to drink RIS. ABV is almost non-existent. With what else is out there this is lacking some depth, but still a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 01:44:37 | More by SWMeyer4141

BeerNutz324

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into an oversized wine glass.

Ap- VERY dark brown, almost black, nice cinnamon colored head about 1 inch high. Retention good, looks creamy.

Ar- Choc, alcohol, sweet roasted malts.

T- The roasted malts hit first, then the chocolate and a wee bit of coffee. The alcohol hits in you in the back end and is definitely present. Maybe more than it should be for 9.3%

M- normal body for a stout, good carbonation for this style. Alcohol warms the mouth a bit.

O- A good beer, not awesome though. A really good price for this "big" of a beer. I would probably buy this stuff again, especially as it gets colder and all ya wanna do is sit inside all day.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 14:14:52 | More by BeerNutz324

jbakajust1

Oregon

2.93/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured from a cellared 12oz bottle into SN Tulip

A - Pours thick as oil and black as night, no light shows through at all, tan 1/4" head fades quick.

S - Smells of coffee, dark chocolate, lightly burned toast, cherries, and hot alcohol

T - Tastes like burned toast, Starbuck coffee w/ the grounds (burnt), light dark fruits, dirt, very astringent.

M - Quite astringent, even though it coats the tongue and pours thick, it has a thin body. No real carb to speak of, alcohol burn prevelant. Enough bitterness to balance the malts.

O - Not too impressed. I remember enjoying it fresh (which is why I bought a 6er to cellar), but this is quite a let down. No carb, pours promising but then fails, way too thin, too astringent, too burnt.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 16:06:23 | More by jbakajust1

kevosbob

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

It’s finally available: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company’s KGB Russian Imperial Stout as part of their “W” Brewmasters’ Release Series. The W’ Series is the brothers yearly attempt to brew a new beer from the ground up. KGB has been in the Widmer tap system but rarely ever seen outside of Portland, Oregon. Now it is available in bottles across the country and can currently be found within the Widmer Brothers variety 12-pack. KGB has a 9.3% alcohol by volume and will only be available for a limited time. Our bottle cap says, “A Prost: To the Unwritten Rules.”

This beer pours a one shade off from being pitch black. The head is a sandy cream color and is very thin but never seems to diminish entirely. The beer smells as expected, dark and roasted with hints of chocolate and coffee malts. It also smells a little sweet with no signs of being a high alcohol stout.

Tasted like a big stout or a small imperial stout. Tastes a little thin for a imperial stout and a little too sweet for a Russian imperial stout. KGB has the proper amount of carbonation to give itself a creamy texture and drinks nicely with no alcohol burn, surprisingly nice for a big beer. The chocolate and coffee tones are bitter and dry at first but quickly become tolerable and less abrasive. This drinks easy which may be disappointing if you are looking for a powerful beer to sip on, but on the other had this may be a perfect beer to try if you typically don’t like big, roasted, stouts.

This is a great beer for the price and current availability. I would suggest finding a 6-pack or buying the Widmer variety 12-pack and enjoying KGB along with Widmer’s hefeweizen and pale ale. With that said, the KGB is not all terribly impressive. I would not suggest going out of your way for this beer but if you find one, drink and enjoy.

My Beer Rating: 3.5

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 22:05:21 | More by kevosbob

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This isn't the greatest RIS on the market, but it's hard to beat a beer this good for the price.
Nice malty aroma with mild to moderate roast, a little coffee, some chocolate and sweet caramel/toffee. I've been sitting on this for a bit, so maybe there was more hops when fresh, but not too much now.
Very dark black with little hints of light on the edges. Smallish dark head that leaves some lacing and doesn't know when to leave.
Nicely balanced flavors for style. The hops are here pretty big and bold and preventing any excess on the sweetness. More roast here and the dryness bitterness from that with the bitterness from the hops make quite a finish. I like the hop flavors along with the bitterness.
Very nicely carbonated beer with soft, yet full bubbles that soften the moderately heavy drink very nicely.
This beer drinks dangerously easily. I repeat the sentiment of my first line.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 18:31:46 | More by garymuchow