Pennichuck Pozharnik Espresso Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by Pennichuck Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Milford, New Hampshire USA

Poured a dark brown / black color with a small, tan head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of milk chocolate, coffee malts, vanilla beans, and roast. Taste of sweet chocolate, roast, coffee, light anise and more creamy vanilla in the finish.

Bottle. It tastes like espresso but not a very good one. Theres a good amount of anise, which I don’t care for. Smooth though.

1 L bottle, 2006 Vintage. Pours a clear dark brown body, almost black, under a small tight bubbled creamy brown head that faded a bit too fast to a whispy film and a clingy ring. The nose is really fruity for an Imperial Stout, with heavy roast and a coffee undertone. There’s a bit of grape soda under that roast as well. Just minimal hints of vanilla and bourbon in the nose. The flavor isn’t especially intense, this is a really laid back Imperial. Roasty and full of coffee with a moderate bitterness up front, fading to a dark fruit laced finish. Long after the swallow a chalky dryness lingers. Very well hidden alcohol, I would not have guessed 10% at all, seems more like 7 or so. Had I not known that this was barrel aged I would have never guessed it either. No bourbon or oakyness to speak of. As it warmed up towards room temperature, some sweeter caramel and brown sugar emerged on the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a fairly oily texture and nice soft slightly fizzy carbonation. Lingering mouthcoating finish. Overall, this was decent enough, but not one I’d buy again.

Thanx to Alldaydrinker for this bonus.Pours black as night with a small dissipating head.Huge espresso nose that was rich and inviting.Flavor was spot on espresso, roastedness with some bitterness

2006 swing top 1.5 liter bottle poured very black with fizzy dark tan head. Nose is burnt strong coffee. Deffinatelly taste the dark fruit. Raisins and dates, touch of earth and trace alcohol. There is a strong coffee and bitter harshness here and a low level of carbination.

Bottle at Pre RBSG gathering. Dark brown pour with a light tan head. Aroma of roasted malt, light raspberry, melba toast, dark chocolate and coffee. Flavors of dark chocolate, roasted malt and coffee. Medium thick body, roasty/bittersweet with a roasty finish.

Almost black, tan head, good lacing. Mellow coffee aroma w/ toffee, caramel... a tad nutty. Taste is mostly coffee...favors sweetness over bitterness. Low carbonation, full bodied. Really, really, good.

Bottle sampled at the Pre-RBSG ’Tosa gathering on 6/21/07: Pours an oily opaque with a thin, wispy dark tan head and dark brown edges. Aroma of sweet dark caramel and chocolate malts has some dark fruity notes and earthy light oxidation. Body starts full and malty sweet with nice dark and aged caramel complexity. Finishes smooth, a nice Russian Imperial Stout.