Redwood Lodge Russian Stout

On tap...Classic stout appearance with a nice lasting mocha colored head. Aroma is of weak dark malts. Flavor is very smooth, really not what I would call an Imperial Stout, more of a plain old stout. Nicely balanced, not bad at all.

(Tap @ Redwood Lodge, Flint, MI): Dark black color. Brown head, frothy. Chocolately, cofffee aroma. Bitter chocolate, coffee taste. It’s a stout.

On tap at the restaurant. Deep brown body, thick creamy ochre head. Aroma of charred roasted malts and sweet, tart fruity notes. Coffee and charred malts dominate the body, but there is an unusual tart fruitiness I associate with homebrews that almost tarnishes the palate. Alcohol minimal.

Sample at the brewpub: This beer is jet black with a medium and rocky tan head with good retention. Very little lacing is apparent. Robust coffee aroma, with some malt here and there. The body is not in the same league with most of the good beers of the style but it is close. Coffee and malt flavors dominate, and there is some hops presence as well. The finish is roasty with a lingering coffee aftertaste. Barely "Imperial" in some regards, but a passable beer nonetheless.

Lower ABV for an Imperial of any kind...the roasted flavor is quite prevalent and even a bit nutty in the middle. The typical stout coffee & chocolate flavors ultimately take over in the end.