Sprecher Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by Sprecher Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Glendale, Wisconsin USA

Wax-capped bomber, 2006 issue, drunk on 11/8/07, at about 20 months of age or so.
Well if there’s ever a case been made for wax impeding oxidation this is it. Granted 20 months isn’t that great an age for an imperial stout, but A) this is a lower gravity version and B) it comes off as if it is brand-spanking-new!! Not tired, loose, flat in texture/mouthfeel, no soy or old, stale coffee notes in aroma or flavor. The beer even pours with a massive, well-retained head. The only thing old in this stuff is the ivory color of the head. Lacing is minimal, body is black and probably not opaque, with no sediment on the bottom.
What it has gained in absolute graceful aging, it somewhat loses in its sweetness, which is right away notably overdone. It’s not painful, and the beer never really cloys, but it could definitely benefit from convertin some of those fat toffee/molasses sugars in to some vinous, dry/tart fruits. Some coffee notes on the finish hold it together, while a reasonably roasty suggestion of burnt malts helps waylay some of the sweetness. Not to say there is no fruitiness/vinousness, as there are some light raisin/currant hints, but they are eventually re-swallowed up by the sweet malt sugars. Medium carbonation, with a very lush texture on account of all the sugars. For all that, it’s not thick or sluggish, and actually, the lower gravity gives it a more down-to-earth, unimperial feel, in that regard. Good stuff, as much as I’ve resented the past couple of Sprecher beers I’ve had, this one was shockingly nice.

This was not a bad IPS but a little lite on the alcohol side,dark with hints of roasted malts and a little sweet finish overall not bad but i like my IPS stronger.CHEERS!

Well this is certainly not in the world class impy stout grouping I’ve been having recently ~ so it goes. Pours very dark, almost black, with a thick soapy head. The aroma has dark berries, cream, roasted malt and milk chocolate. Medium / full body that is milky and had light soft carbonation. The flavor starts off milky and watery with some mostly hidden roasted malt and cream. The finish has some spicy hops and coffee bitterness. This is not great by any stretch, but still better than I expected.

Pours black with notes of toasted malts and sugars. Deep hints of coffee, and bitter chocolate fold out under the palate. A nice finish that hides the ABV very nicely.

16oz bottle - Pours opaque black color with tiny light brown head that quickly dissapates. Aroma has fair amount of toasted caramel, plum notes, hint of red grape, hint of coffee, dark chocolate, and bit of faint roastyness. Flavor is malty, fairly roasty, fair amount of caramel, bit of chewy malts and ash, slightly salty. Finish is balanced. A fairly good IS, not great but enjoyable.

16oz bottle-A pitch black body with a small brown head which has an aroma of coffee, maple syrup, roasted malt, molasses, and chocolate. Taste of the same with a sweetness and very slight alcohol coming in on the back end. I think a little light but still a tasty Imperial.

Bottle received via trade with Beerlando. Pours opaque with a small, frothy, light brown head, diminishing with spare lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (molasses, burnt grain, chocolate), average hops (flowers, perfume), average yeast (dough) with notes of raisins, prunes, and alcohol. Full bodied, creamy texture, average carbonation, and a bitter finish. Average duration, moderate acidity, bitterness, and sweetness.

Thanks beerlando. The color was deep chocolate. The head was creamy, light beige, and thin. The aroma was molasses, vanilla, some coffee, and some roast. The flavor was smoke, soy sauce, roast, and coffee. The palate was average. The finish was roasty and smoke.