Southampton Imperial Russian Stout

Brewed by Southampton Publick House
Style: Imperial Stout
Southampton, New York USA

2008 vintage, courtesy TheCheeseMan. Tasted alongside a 2008 Portsmouth Kate The Great. This looks beautiful in the glass. The body is nearly pitch black in color with just the faintest possible hint of mahogany showing when backlit. A well retained, thick, coffee colored head leaves thick flares and obtuse spots of sticky lace on the glass. Dark, roasty elements fill the nose, with baker’s chocolate and coffee dominating lesser notes of anise, licorice, and a hint of lactic cream. Flavors are just as roast-forward, chocolate and espresso calmed by smoothing molasses and vanilla. A surprisingly potent, earthy hop finish creeps into the picture. The body is medium-full and suffers from a very slight case of overly active carbonation. Alcohol is hardly noticeable, which is a major accomplishment in a beer of the magnitude. Excellent brew from start to finish. Beats the Kate The Great out by the slimmest of margins.

Pours a nearly opaque black. Tan head quickly subsides into a thin blanket across the surface. Aroma is deeply roasted with some pie spice notes, licorice, bittersweet coffee, molasses. Very nice. The flavor is as rich as you are led to believe, with no noticeable alcohol.

Bottle shared with HogTownHarry, blankboy, tupalev, jerc & garthicus - courtesy of HogTownHarry. Deep, deep ruby-black with a small tan head. Aroma of dark roasted malt, coffee grounds, dark cocoa, a hint of herbal hops. Leaves a serious film on the glass when it’s swirled, so I’m not surprised by the big mouthfeel. Flavour is outstanding - lots of dark malt and coffee, a touch of cream, an acceptable level of alcohol warmth, and a well hopped finish. Beautiful stuff!

Shared with HogTownHarry, GregClow, Tupalev,Jerc & Blankboy -- courtesy of HogTownHarry. Appearance: Pitch black, gray head. Aroma: Chocolate, coffee and malt. Flavour: Chocolate and alcohol, with turf/peat too, some coffee for good measure, very very drinkable, very very enjoyable. Tremendous. Thanks for sharing this Harry.

Hand bottled. Shared by badbeer. Thanks! Thick, oily pour. Opaque black with a brown head. Smelled of chocolate (ala tootsie rolls) with a dash of soy. Full bodied and sweet with moderate bitterness and a warming alcohol effect. Tasted of baker’s chocolate, burnt toffee, and chocolate liqueur. Pretty tasty.

Pours darker than used oil. Creamy off white head. Aroma is roasted malt and alcohol. Taste is chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. Very good; a pleasure to drink very highly recommended. I wish I had more of this, looks like I’m gonna have to wait for the next release! Hurry up!

Bottle (750ml) shared with HogTownHarry, GregClow, tupalev, jerc & garthicus -- courtesy of HogTownHarry. 2008 vintage. Pours black with an average size somewhat-lasting creamy light-brown head. Aroma’s very roasty, lots of dark malt, lots of coffee, some mild green hops, alcohol, chocolate and dark fruit -- so very nice! Flavour: Oh man, that’s delicious!! Roasted malt, coffee, milk chocolate, alcohol and a long, dry roasty bitter finish. Nice creamy mouthfeel, good body. Wow, this is amazing stuff, I’m pretty sure this is in my top 5 best Stouts ever! Thanks HTH for sharing!

2008-08-15. Pitch black body with a decent sized dark brown head. (4+) Good aroma, subtle melange of chocolate and roast is not as assertive as some but instead woos you gently. Chocolate and roast carry over to the flavour, roast is restrained somewhat, sweet malt core gives up a fair bit of bitterness growing into the finish. (7+) Smooth medium bodied palate is very lightly carbonated. Its rather nice but I am not sure if I love it. Surprisingly drinkable regardless. 2008 vintage bottle shared by HogTownHarry