Stone Imperial Russian
Stout brewed by Stone Brewing - Escondido, California
Brewed in
the authentic historical style of an Imperial Russian Stout, this
beer is massive. Intensely aromatic (notes of anise, black currants,
coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate, this brew
goes where few can - and fewer dare even try. The style originated
from Czarist Russia's demand for ever thicker English stouts. Expect
our version of this mysterious brew to pour like Siberian crude and
taste even heavier!
Review by Jason of
Beer Advocate
Appearance: Big pillowing foamy tan head is slow to form as the
bubbles of carbonation struggle to the top of this thick crude oil
black brew. The head does dissipate but the there is a lace that
sticks around for the show.
Smell: The aroma is full of highly roasted coffee (French Roast),
fruity esters (dried black currants), slight molasses, mild char,
and vague solvent alcohol and lost of roasted grain.
Taste: Nearly syrupy from a huge malty body, carbonation is at a
medium crispness with an extremely viscous mouth feel. First the
flavours go sweet with maltiness are fruity flavours of black
currant and prune. Malt sweetness upfront is more of a mild molasses
with a deep following of roasted grain and a chocolaty backing that
sticks around until the finish. Hop are thrown in for good measure
but dont seem to get in the way too much. Alcohol flexes quick with
a faint solvent flavour as well as the fruitiness providing some
esters for more complexity. A smoothness creeps in out of nowhere
and pulls the flavours in further which saturates the taste buds.
Deep within, after the brew warms up a bit there is a dark caramel
flavour that sits next to beer heaven. After the initial wave of
flavour there seems to be a Zen of balance as all of the flavours
meld together in perfect formation. The roasted grain lingers with
an endless trail cleaning up all other flavours in its wake.
Notes: Devastatingly flavourful, highly drinkable and very deceiving
for a brew at 9.47% abv. This beer shows-off Stone Brewings prowess
to take a style a bring it to a greater level than others.
 
Stone Brewing Timeline:
• Stone Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve
Wagner in San Marcos, CA. (In the spot where our friends at Port
Brewing Company/The Lost Abbey now call home!)
• First keg of Stone Pale Ale sold on July 26, 1996 to Vince
Marsaglia of Pizza Port fame
• Arrogant Bastard Ale unleashed upon the world November 1, 1997
• Moved to our current facility in Escondido, CA, in December 2005
• Opened the adjacent Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in
November 2006
• Named "All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" by BeerAdvocate
magazine in 2008…AND 2009! "The most popular and highest rated
brewery – ever!"
• In December 2009, we published a formal Request For Proposal to
evaluate potential sites for a brewhouse in Europe. We have narrowed
the field from 79 different submitted locations (from nine different
countries!) down to two—Berlin and Bruges—and hope to reach a final
decision soon
• In May 2011, we unveiled huge local expansion plans, including
Stone Company Store – South Park, Stone Farms, Stone Catering, Stone
Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station (Spring 2012), and
Stone Hotel (Early 2013)
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