Full Circle Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by Full Circle Brewing Co
Style: Imperial Stout
Fresno, California USA

Tap at brewery. The brewer said that this was a 06 version that was aged. Pour is pitch black with nice lacy brown head. Aromas of roasted malt, chocolate, and strong coffee. Flavor is outstanding with coffee notes, nice malt presence, and a slight vanilla in the finish. The body is so thick on this guy. This is what a RIS should be.

On tap at the brew pub. I had both this and the bad-ass barley wine on the same night and what a shock to find two such great beers at a hole in the wall kind of place in Fresno. this beer poured a deep deep black color with a thin tan head. Aroma was roast roast and more roasted malt, with just a hint of caramel and some coffee, chocolate and yeast in the background. The mouthfeel on this was smooth as silk. Went down very easy, no harsh bitter aftertaste. This was a tremendously tasty beer. If you’re in Fresno this is worth the trip into the sketchy neighborhood.

Holy shit! I found a gem in the middle of the Fresno ghetto! I am really stoked because the head brewmaster Bill takes aging very serious. This was an ’06 on tap!!!!! For a small brewery this guy knows what is good for a beer. Time in the fuckin dark! California brewers watch out. This RIS is fuckin insane. No joke probably the 2nd best RIS I’ve ever had. Poured dark with an eight of an inch of brown head. Nose was toasted marshmellow and coffee. Taste was incredibly smooth and easy drinking. As it warmed it got better and better. Got a ton of coffee and was really really wet on the finish. Very full bodied and thick. A little too pricey is the only downfall.

Beer was released in November ’06. The pour looks good, pitch black. The head is totaly missing, not sure why. Smell is good, a little light for a russian imperial stout. Taste is all caramel, with a hint of roasted malts. Mouthfeel is full, and finishes smooth for the 11% ABV and caramel fullness.