Courage Russian Imperial Stout

Formerly brewed at John Smiths (Heineken UK)
Style: Imperial Stout
Tadcaster, England

Serve in Snifter

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Vintage 1993 shared by TheArrogantBastard. Appearance: Pours a dark brown with no bubbles. I wouldn’t expect much in the fiz department from a 17 year old beer. Aroma: Milk chocolate easter eggs. I could pin point it to Cadbury chocolate. Taste: Milk chocolate, caramel and coffee. Mouthfeel: Syrupy. Overall: You could tell it was way old, but I think that is why I enjoyed it so much.

17-year old 1993 Vintage. Pours a velvety black, almost opaque, with trace bubbles in lieu of a head. The nose is of thick roasts and tanned leather, with some smoked peat and dark malt effervescence. The flavors are of subtle dark malts balanced by mellowed ripe cherries, with a mature leather and peat, all enclosed by trace oxidation. The finish closes on a dark cherry sour, with an ever-so hint of roasted malt. The mouthfeel is smooth, with little to no active carbonation on the palate. This is an aspect that I initially thought would be detracting; however, as the brew warms, it’s not detracting whatsoever. Conversely, a thin layer of alcohol permeates every once-in-a-while, lending a slight complexity to an otherwise flat texture. All-in-all, this one gains a few reputation points for being such a leader in the category of sophisticated, retired brews. I would love to try an updated version of this that’s been freshly brewed, to compare the differences. Excellent offering.

22nd February 2008. Bottle at the Kulminator - 1983 Vintage. Some carbonation. Rich strong chocolate and marmite. Dry malt finish.

1983 vintage at Kulminator in Antwerp. Very dark fluid, good looking small brown foam. A lot of coffee, licorice, and dark berries. Not so much chocolate. Aftertaste was not too long, a certain sourness was there too. Rather thin mouth feel. A nice stout aged with dignity

Sampled a 1985 bottle at the DC Local Gathering. Flat, oily black with zero head. Zero carbonation. Aroma is super boozy, sweet, toasted grains, molasses and burnt sugar. Flavor is burnt toast, dark chocolate, soy. Finishes with a weird sour coffee flavor. Definite alcohol burn on the end.

old notes from Kennet 05 - bottle provided by Hopdog - vintage 1980 - aromas of wood, chocolate, and mustiness coming off a dark dark brown body that had absolutely no head. flavors of chocolate, soy, and raisin, very sweet for something so old. tail was a little acidic, and was the only time i really realized i was drinking a 25 year old beer. over all, i think it was more of a glass of wine than an IS.

1993 Nip bottle. Thanks FooFaa. Smokey rich caramel, roasty aroma. A bit of oxidation. Pours in chocolate brown, with no head. Flavor starts a bit old, but then matures with some caramel, deep older raisin, and spice. Lots more spice than expected. It’s not overly oxidated. Holding on a little bit. Interesting to try. Dry and palatable.

1975 vintage thanks to all at realale.com: Loads of gas escaping on opening, this seems to have kept well. Pours a red/black. The aromas are of hoof oil and honey chop, a very horsey beer. Reminds me a lot of my childhood. Very fizzy, still young and lively in the mouth. Loads of chocolate and coffee. Salty. Epic. Shitting delicious.

1985 vintage. Tough one to rate, i’m a bit torn as to wether i liked this or not....on balance i did. Smelt really good, winey, sherry. Fairly thin mouthfeel which i expected and flavours varied from worcester sauce, sherry, intense molasses and then a touch of sourness. Finishes really quite bitter.

1977 from Gunhaver CPLYFO 09. Pours a syrupy deep brownish black almost still. Aroma is obviously oxidized to soy and slight salty meatiness- with dull stale tootsie roll chocolate and some roast that has turned to burnt paper and wet cardboard- very old fruits as well. Chocolate flavor- yet stale and a bit salty- soy and oxidized- green and slight minty, earthy leather, and dried tobacco leaf- spicy and getting some slight medicinal phenols- soy and Worcestershire sauce- beefy and meaty- too old and stale but always fun to try something this old!