Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Escondido, California USA

Black with good, creamy brown head / Toasty molasses and chocolate nose / Full body, chewy, with good balance and good hops on the excellent finish / Winey flavors of molasses, vanilla, dark roast coffee, bittersweet chocolate, cream, and dry hops

This is one of the easiest imperials to drink. It never fails to have the perfect carbonation, velvety mouthfeel, and complex roasted malts. Chocolate, cafe au lait, nuts, and licorice dominate the flavor. I’m in love with Stone’s yeast and hop profiles...all around. Great imperial.

Pours black as night with a thumbs worth of tan head with little retention or lacing until swirled around a bit. Smell is of dark roast coffee, a bit of molasses, and dark chocolate. The molasses hits the tongue right away immediately followed by the dark roasted coffee. The chocolate then splits through and blends with what seems to be a slight dark fruit flavor, possibly prunes or dates. All of these swirl together in a nice creamy finish. The alcohol is very well masked. The mouth feel is nice and viscous. The carbonation is balanced perfectly. Just where it all should be for the style. For a mighty RIS, this one is extremely drinkable. The description on the bottle does it justice. An exquisite brew! Reviewed on: 04-17-2007

Wow, what a great looking beer. This beer had a solid and thick pour. Did not look watery at all. The head, even though I tried to get it to foam up a little did not foam up, but the head, from what I saw, was a nice and dark chocolate brown. The beer is obviously opaque; there is no chance of seeing through this black beer. Lovely range of aromas: coffee, chocolate, , wood, roast, and some sweet which I cannot describe. I have to say so far this beer is great. One comment about the aroma. It is not as pungent as I would like it be. The aroma isn’t weak, but it is not smack you in the face which is what I was hoping for. Wow, this beer has an amazing palate, it is very creamy and nice. I mean this beer is extra smooth. Not as good as my favorite imperial stout Ten FIDY, but close. Ah the beer taste great, a nice bittering hop on the back of my tongue with some great roast, chocolate, and coffee flavors just bursting on my tongue. This is a damn good imperial stout. The beer has a nice sweet finish. I would definitely drink this beer again. The beer leaves some nice lacing behind. Overall, this beer looks good, tastes good, and smells pretty good. It is a little on the expensive side for a 12 oz., but the Ten FIDY (which is my favorite imperial stout) costs 11$ for a 4 pack. I will definitely be drinking this again.

12oz bottle, 2008 release. Pours pitch black with small mocha head. Aroma and taste of roasted malts and dark fruit. Exceptionally complex with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Alcohol burn progresses nicely. So good. Update: On tap, 2009 release. More dark fruit both in the nose and on the tongue. Some bourbon, vanilla, and sweet caramel notes as well. Still love it.

black. small brown head. roasty chocolate, coffee aroma. flavor is roasty, smoky, meaty, salty, coffee, dark chocolate and hoppy while still well balanced. a bit hot on the tail end but great things are in store for this beer brewed in spring 08. full bodied. smooth palate already with a dry finish.

11/5/08 notes: popped this bomber in celebration of Obama’s victory. Pours deep brown with a medium-sized tan head. Lacing is creamy, but curiously does not “stick” to glass. Aroma is rich of coffee, chocolate malt, dark chocolate, and roasts. Classic R.I.S. Upon first sip, I notice that this brew is not as viscous as I expected. But the flavors are as rich as ever. There is, firstly the crisp notes of roasts and dark chocolate. This is followed by the introduction of a coffee-bitterness that will remain throughout the tasting experience. In the mid-palate I thought some more milky chocolates as well as hops are revealed. This imperial stout finishes on the bold note of espresso, wood, roasts and alcohol. Great, but I just didn’t get the distinctive character that I ascribe to DDC’s Peche Mortel, ST’s Oat, or GD’s Yeti.

22oz poured into a glass. Like the commercial description says, this brew is as dark as russian crude! Dark tannish colored head. Smell of deep fruit, hint of caramel malts. Very intense flavor, keeps growing on me as I take another sip. Roasted malt would definitely be the strongest flavor, good finish with a hoppy taste. I started out with this beer too cold, as it warms up the flavor improves. Very smooth on the palate, but certainly nothing you could chug. Overall a masterpiece by Stone, which will open your eyes to the possibilities of stouts.