tarc (47), New Jersey, USA
Jul 17, 2008
Bottle: The chocolate aroma is not to be denied. It pours like motor oil with a minimal brownish grey head. I was aprehensive about the taste of bitter chocolate oats and malt but it works well. To me the bitter was not too bitter... Not your everyday beer but very good.
 SilkTork (3941), Rochester, Kent, England
Oct 10, 2008 GBBF, Trade Day, 2008 Gravity cask. Smooth, tasty, easy drinking and sweet. American hops and American cookie dough. Very tasty and enjoyable.
NobleSquirrel (686), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Bottle from Discount in Milwaukee. First off, pour is black and thick, dark brown head that eventually goes away. Nose is strongly chocolate and Nutella, a little bit of fusel alcohol as well. This, to me, blows Stone RIS out of the water. Taste is much roastier and rich, very dry and distinct bitterness. If this had another 6mths on it, it would be perfect. As it stands, a bit alcoholic and boozy. There is some burnt cherries in the finish. Very damn fine beer, wish I had more to lay down...
gunsho (134), Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Oct 9, 2008 this beer cascades slowly into a glass like an espresso mixed with molasses, thick like oil - almost gurgling. it is of the darkest shade of brown with a thin hazelnut colored head. it is smooth and rich, with a finish of dark cherries, bulgar, and cacoa. fundamentally strong and classic in its endeavor, truly delicious, far from revolutionary.
Strykzone (1011), Wood River, Illinois, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Pours so rich and thick. It looks like the oil from my last oil change. Almost black with some red and a dark tan head that disappears quickly. Aroma is not pronounced but offers coffee, chocolate, and must. Flavor is also somewhat muted and has plenty of alcohol. Also noted are dark chocolate, ok, even bitter dark chocolate. Some vanilla and oatmeal add nice texture. Some chocolate milkshake. The balance here is bitter and sweet with both showing nicely. Hops are buried so deeply they are barely noticed. This beer warms so nicely. It feels thicker and smoother with temperature. Almost like it should be eaten with a spoon. This might be the longest rating I have ever written but there is just so much to say about this beer.
gsteph (227), seymour, Tennessee, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Damn dark...super black. Thin, dark head. Not very sticky though considering the residual sugar that has to be in this. Heavy malty nose, molasses, vanilla, scorched brown sugar, metal, heavy dark chocolate and ETOH. Flavor is strong with bitter chocolate, espresso and very sugary but is softened by the oatmeal. Body is medium. Finishes almost vinous and has a hint of overly sweet molasses. Definitely not bad. Good as a once in awhile kind of thing. Not the best impy I’ve had and not as good as Russian Impy.
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