Great Basin Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by Great Basin Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Sparks, Nevada USA

Serve in Snifter

3oz sample. One of 7 samples tasted while having lunch at the brewpub. I found all 7 to be solid brews and good examples in each of the styles. Overall they had better than average offerings than the majority of brewpubs out there. (actual tasting was on 2/15)

Draft @ Great Basin. Sampled as "Jason Green’s Russian Imperial Stout: 8.8%"; the commercial description was similar. Pours a dark, brownish-black color with some light coming through; thin whitish head with fine-bubbled lacing. Solid amounts of nougat, chocolate chips, and dried dark fruits in the aroma; pleasant. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: lots of cola, lively carbonation, dark fruits and licorice; solid, dense, drinkable imperial stout with very nice cola and dried dark fruit notes; it reminds me of Church Brewworks RIS. Highly drinkable. Lasting finish of dark fruits and smooth chocolate; cola.

Date: July 05, 2009
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub
Appearance: opaque black, scant head
Aroma: sweet dark chocolate aroma, light roasted
Flavor: rich malt flavor, good blend of dark chocolate and light roasted, dark caramel sweetness, touch of fruityness, light bitterness follows the dark chocolate
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4