Iron Hill Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by Iron Hill Newark
Style: Imperial Stout
Newark, Delaware USA

A hand bottling is poured carefully (to preserve carbonation) and summons up a thin dusting of a brownish tan colored head. The beer is quite black in appearance, but showed a chocolate brown hue as I was pouring it. Rich chocolate aromatics are quite evident and they are backed by a substantial toasted malt note, with lots of darkly toasted whole grain bread aromas, a touch of coffee notes . Thankfully this is lacking in the sharp, acrid acidity often found in this style of beer, though there is a touch of roast derived tartness here. A dark fruitiness is also evident with notes of burnt cherries, blackened prunes, roast raisins and even a bit of brandy-like notes when the alcohol is noticeable.

Soft and creamy feeling up front, but it picks up a nice level of carbonation. The carbonation provides a carbonic bite and a bit more texture to the brew and is at just about the perfect level for an Imperial Stout. Huge flavors of toasted malt are found here. It is interesting that the dark, roasted grain notes are not the main think I notice, instead the toasted malt flavors play the leading role with the roast / burnt malt notes adding some sharpness up front and in the finish. A slight roast acidity in the finish and a bitter, burnt-grain flavor at the fore provide an offset / balance to the toasted, darkly sweet, chocolate rich malt middle that is found in this brew. A slight, burnt vegetal note is found in the finish (something I have been noticing more lately in heavily roasted beers). Hops play a minimal role here, but do contribute to a substantial bitterness as does a dark-roast-coffee note.

This is a good beer and it would be great if not for that nagging, burnt-vegetal note in the finish (something a bit like burnt cabbage). The long, lingering finish of this beer tends to get quite roasted / burnt, though in a flavorful way (especially once it shakes the vegetal note).

22 oz. hand bottled from growler via trade with Ty5592 - Pours a dark brown color with a 1/2 finger thick tan head. Very tiny spotty lacing. Aroma is roasted malt and chocolate. Flavor is roasted malt, chocolate, and light vanilla. No lingering aftertaste. Mouthfeel is a tad thin. Overall, a very good beer. Thanks Ty.

25.3 oz bottle, cellared about a year. Inky brown with a slim tan head. Smells like a dark chocolate cake with coffee, vanilla and brown-sugared grapefruit. Light carb, wonderfully smooth medium body. Coffee, mocha with some grassy bitterness and hints of licorice. Compared to a fresh sample i had a few months ago this is softer in the mouth but not as rich flavorwise.

I have a few bottles at home, but I always miss it on tap - so when it was back on at North Wales I jumped. Nice blackish color with a light head. Aroma is roasty, nutty, and has some nice dark chocolate and coffee essence. Flavor is very roasty, toasty, and good. Lots of dark coffee, dark chocolate, and goodness here. Nice, tingly mouthfeel. Of the Imperial stouts I’ve had lately 10-Fidy is the one that comes to mind. Tasty fresh, I can’t wait to try my 06 bottle.

Pours dark brown with a light brown head. Smell combines dark fruit, coffee, chocolate, hints of earthiness. Tastes of coffee and chocolate with some molasses and a bitter finish. Alcohol is not perceivable on this one.

Bottle shared by JJPM. Delicious stuff. Rich, roasty aroma with assertive peanut/peanut brittle notes. Super rich flavor with a perfectly smooth palate, complex roasty chocolate and light, gentle sugars. Really balanaced and gentle, especially considering it’s moderate ABV, at least for the style. Fantastic.

GABF 2007: I hope to get to try this again because the batch they served at GABF had a fair amount of diacetyl. It was the first thing to appear in the aroma followed by some roasty malt. Chocolate as well. The flavor was roasty and sweet but then came some diacetyl. Medium bodied. Poured black with a tan head.

2006 bottle @ Dr. Bills. No diacetyl. Bitter sweet chocolate with some sweetness. Smelled like a brownie. Nice warmth.

@ the GABF Very nice chocolate, roasted aroma. Taste is coffee and chocolate with a nice coffee, sour finish. Very decent.