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Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Percentile
100
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
18244.22/5.04.21/5.0Spring10.8%98.1Snifter
Commercial Description:
"There's no question that Stone Imperial Stout is revered among enthusiasts," states Stone CEO Greg Koch. "I know, because I'm one of 'em and I can hardly wait for it to come out each year!" Some may think that a late Spring release for a special brew of this sort is an odd time for it to come out onto the market. Koch justifies this with the rationalization "What better than a warm time of year to come out with a brew that tastes great as it warms up!" That's because "ice cold" is certainly not the appropriate way to serve the beer. Nearly without exception, the darker, richer and more alcoholic a brew is, the warmer the serving temperature should be. The Stone Imperial Stout label describes the brew as being "intensely aromatic (notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate...expect this mysterious brew to pour like used motor oil and taste even heavier! Serve at 55 degrees."
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 Allen (1340), Switzerland
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/516/20
Jan 23, 2009  
Botled 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz. Courtesy of Nearbeer. The nose is extremely strong, complex with hints of coffee, roasted malt, a huge amount of vanilla, blue cheese, raisins, brown sugar and alcohol. Sweet taste. Full bodied. Strong roasted malt notes accompanied by a lot of mocha, aniseed, hops, jam tarts and alcohol. Marmite in the finish which I don’t really like. A strong beer, it may pour like used motor oil and taste heavier... but honestly: The india pale ale from Stone is a thousand times better compared to this! Thanks a lot nearbeer!


 ryanknock (150), San Francisco, California, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/103/518/20
Jan 19, 2009  
A huge, thick, robust stout. Intense burnt, dark fruits, cacao, vanilla, toffee, chocolate and toffee. The flavors don’t have anywhere to hide, this is a really warm ale that hits you in the face with flavor and doesn’t let up.


 yumyum (122), barrie, Ontario, Canada
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/57/104/516/20
Jan 18, 2009  
I have to say this beer failed to meet my expectations (which granted were quite high) Pours dark as night, some licorice notes and coffee an hops in both the aroma and the flavour. A very good beer but was expecting something more expeditionesque. Have a couple more bottles so will re-rate then.


 gnoff (3568), Göteborg, Sweden
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/515/20
Jan 17, 2009  
355 ml bottle thanks to deft! On January 16, 2009. Black color, brown head. Malty, sirup, grainy, dried fruits, aclohol scent. Roasted, sirup, malty, alcohol, fruity taste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium bitterness.


 msante79 (822), Orland Hills, Illinois, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Jan 16, 2009    Updated: Jan 18, 2009
#400. 12oz bottle. Huge thanks to lagunitasfan for this awesome brew that I have been waiting to try forever. Pours black and oily with very thin tan head. Aroma is heavy on roasted malt with molassas, coffee, chocolate and some dark fruits. Flavor is dominated by roast malt and coffee with some chocolate, molassas, dark fruit and some light booze. Mouthfeel is good for the style. Very balanced which is what you expect from a Stone brew. Very good RIS.


MishkinBeer (64), , New York, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/510/105/520/20
Jan 16, 2009  
This beer pours dark black and is completely opaque. What head there is disappears quickly. Aroma is mostly chocolaty. As you take a sip you are introduced to some mild carbonation and a multitude of flavors including dark chocolate, licorice, roasted coffee beans, and some caramel. The body is full and creamy. Later, an immense sharpness kicks in with smokey, hop laden bitterness. This swooping bitter component is a wonderful counterpoint to the sweet and flavorful opening act. After the bitter climax, the falling action leaves remnants of chocolate and stinging bitterness. This is truly a phenomenal creation. Like music you can not just play in the background while doing something else, this beer demands your attention and it is worth every minute.


 DuffMan (2752), the land of bitumen, beef & beer, Alberta, Canada
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/58/104/516/20
Jan 16, 2009  
Bottle bought at the brewery. Oily black pour, slow-to-rise firm brown head. Burnt malt aroma, very roasty, pruney, molasses. Heavy dense mouthfeel of bitter coffee and roast with nuances of anise and dark fruits. Very bitter, very hoppy finish. Very big, very enjoyable, but not overly complex.


 mugabe (216), Sweden
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/516/20
Jan 14, 2009  
Bottle. Black, thin head. Aroma of coffee, soy and chocolate. Taste of creamy coffee, licorice, roasted malts and dark fruits. Very rich bitter finish with a pleasant alcohol warmth.



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