Courage Russian Imperial Stout

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

Serve in Snifter

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1983: Muddied charcoal with a rich brown edge. Fair amount of carbonation considering its age. Irony aroma layered with musty grape, dried plum, stone, and cellar notes. Raisin and chocolate notes possess enough heft to cut through the 21 year-old must. Immensely vinous, almost to the point of tannic, and heavily oxidized. Such a soft body and mellow carbonation, as expected from such a mature brew. Astonishing balance of soured fruits, tingly vinous notes, and musty stone and oak flavors at the front underpinned by buttery caramel and rich, charred malts. Firm raisiny acidity matched with tingly tannins. Finishes addictively musty and continually vinous alongside charred malts and subtle vanilla undertones. A myriad of musty oak flavors linger beneath the delectable charred malts. Even more mind bending after a couple revisits with this beauty.

rbesg07 grand tasting in glasgow, sampled both 1975 and 1977 botles. the ’75 was richly black with next to no head; rich tarry aroma; hints of choc chip ice cream flavour, surprisingly sweet withsome woody, port hints; luscious texture and very enjoyable. the ’77 had oxidised somewhat with the tar mixed with some sour mustiness, not in such good shape as the ’75

Pours black with a med tan head. Bit of roasty bitterness in the aroma. Smooth full bodied sweet start and a well balanced finish. Good strong brew nothing remarkable ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

170ml bottle, vintage 1993, dark brown color, with no head, faint chocolate praline, madeira wine, plummy, oxidized sweet dark fruits in the nose, with a light soy sauce, molasses, caramel, leather note in the aroma follows through on a medium-bodied palate with a nice port-like, chocolate, molasses, dark dried fruit sweetness character with a burnt molasses, fruitcake, red wine acidic, brown sugar flavor, and a faint coffeeish backbone, leading towards a juicy plummy, burnt molasse, red wine acidic dry finish.

Bottle. Pours black with a tan head. Aroma of chocolate, dark fruit. Nice full flavor.

Bottle from 1992 thanks to Enjoyit. Very dark brown with tiny to no head. Aroma is roasted malts, oxidized, vinous and caramel. Flavour is roasted malts, sweet, little oxidized, caramel, little chocolate, vinous, little port, little liquorice, little toffee and flat.

Entered to celebrate my # 9100 Rating. 1992 Vintage. Thanks to Enjoyit. Pours black with bubbles on top. Nose is roast , soy and an evident oxidized note. Flavor is plum, raisin and chocolate. Helds up pretty well. Cheers Svend!

Vintage 1992. Almost black with a diminishing beige head. Aroma is sweet, roasted malt, chocolate, liquorice, dried fruit and oxidized. Flavor is very sweet and rather bitter. Dry and moderate bitter finish. Thanks, Svend. 280112

1992. Deep black of color - no head. An oxidiced aroma with notes of liqurice, sweets, prunes, sweets and raisins. An oily flavor of port, liqurice, prunes, weak bitter, raisins and sweets.

Bottle from 1992 @ fonefan tasting. No head. Color is black. Aroma and taste are earth, mold, caramel, raisin, plums, soy sauce, alcohol and malt. Oily palate.

I think they’re remaking this one. Pours a dark rich bakers chocolate black with some light on the edges and two fingers of rich creamy tan head. Nose is interesting, lots more fruit skins and fruity esters than standard American versions and a lot less molasses and burnt character. Rich flavor with a good showing of chocolate and coffee with a mild fruity aspect. Full rich body and coating mouthfeel with a light carbonation and medium bitterness.