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Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Stone Imperial Russian Stout - Imperial Stout

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 Percentile 
100
overall
Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout

Escondido, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
17954.22/5.04.21/5.0Spring10.8%98.1Snifter
View Statistics  P 

Commercial Description:
"There's no question that Stone Imperial Stout is revered among enthusiasts," states Stone CEO Greg Koch. "I know, because I'm one of 'em and I can hardly wait for it to come out each year!" Some may think that a late Spring release for a special brew of this sort is an odd time for it to come out onto the market. Koch justifies this with the rationalization "What better than a warm time of year to come out with a brew that tastes great as it warms up!" That's because "ice cold" is certainly not the appropriate way to serve the beer. Nearly without exception, the darker, richer and more alcoholic a brew is, the warmer the serving temperature should be. The Stone Imperial Stout label describes the brew as being "intensely aromatic (notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate...expect this mysterious brew to pour like used motor oil and taste even heavier! Serve at 55 degrees."
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 beerandIT (177), Richmond, Virginia, USA
4.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/105/510/104/519/20
Apr 8, 2009  
First off I have always loved this beer. It got me started on this big huge beers we call imperial stouts. The bottle I had was a bomber from 09. So nice and hot. Pours dark like worn out motor oil with a consistency that well is even thicker than that. Full bodied for this guy is putting it lightly. On the initial flavor you get coffee, malt, toffee, roasted malt, chocolate and a sweet yet very subtle kind of fruit flavor. Maybe the anise they have talkeda about with this one? As this is hot I am getting what I affectionately call that bit of mystery in there that I can only guess will transform into something even better over time. I had an 05 last summer and thought I was in beer heaven if there is such a place. From vintages past chocolate seems to come out with age more then other characterisitcs that I have been able to tell. I noticed coffee, malts, chocolate in the aroma. Huge aroma that smacks you in the face. I feel an outstanding representation of an imperial stout. Wonderful does not even do this guy justice plus it is super easy to get around my area. I would have done 5 but it is so hot that I had to take .2 away because in about 2 years...we all know.


 Adam77 (407), Eastampton, New Jersey, USA
4.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/59/105/518/20
Apr 7, 2009  
Bottles 04 05 06 07 08. Shared with a couple friends. Both 05 and 06 were the highlights for me. 04 really fell off. 07 and 08 were kind of on the hot side. Sitll very smooth. Poured oily black with a creamy brown head. Perfect. Aroma of coffee with some chocolate. A smooth coffee flavor with some bitter mellow chocolate. Flavors became more dominant as it warmed. One the best stouts. Love its availability.


altehkiller (71), , California, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/519/20
Apr 7, 2009  
Yet another beer from stone that is big in every way. Huge amounts of roasted coffee flavor with some chocolate thrown in. Some alcohol is present and there is enough to get you tipsy before you knew what hit you!


 thefrutigers (100), , Arizona, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/516/20
Apr 7, 2009  
bottle 22 oz: Thin head... black pour. Nice roasted sweet licorice malt smell. Flavor was slighty bitter with coffe and roast burnt malt. alcohol was bit much cold, but mellows as it warms up. Very very good.


 WinoInTraining (104), Longmont, Colorado, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/105/518/20
Apr 6, 2009  
2005 bottling. Wow, what a few years will do. Deep and Opaque. Cascades of Chocolate, molasses, coffee, liqueur. Malty but with a zip of bitterness to tame. Amazing purity and balance. The finish just lingers forever. Killer!


 scoth (261), Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/510/105/518/20
Apr 3, 2009  
Pours black, with a thin tan head, good lacing. Aroma of molasses, espresso, plum, chocolate and pine. Thick, smooth body. Caramel and pine flavors stand out, with some chocolate and plum notes. Extremely well balanced.


 vtafro (452), , New Jersey, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/59/105/517/20
Apr 3, 2009    Updated: Jul 24, 2009
Took awhile to find one, but the wait was worth it. Pours like motor oil but the taste doesn’t disappoint. Wish i could try this on draft.


 snakeoilpete (324), Seattle, Washington, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/516/20
Apr 3, 2009  
Spring 2008 Bottle (April 2009). First shower beer I’ve had in a good while, and I think the first time I ever brought a snifter into the shower- keeping the water out was an epic task, but on the plus side, I didn’t have to stick the glass in the dishwasher when I was done. Pours black with a decent tan head. Strong smoky smell at first; later, roasted malts, oatmeal, coffee. Tastes like it smells. Mouthfeel is nice and smooth but not overwhelming. Finish is mostly roasty with a little bitterness.



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