Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Escondido, California USA

"this one’s right at the top of the Imperial Stouts...drink it in a goblet or snifter. it fits the style to a tee. Not much they could do to improve it. pours black as night, strong roasted notes on the nose & flavor, alcohol kicker in both as well. surprisingly smooth."

Pours black w/a nice amber/brown head that laces the glass. To the nose you smell dark roasted malts and it really livens up as it warms to room temp. The first taste is coffee and its a really dark roast. Also get some notes of maybe dark chocolate and burnt caramel? Overall this is an awesome stout that I will buy again. Enjoy.

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.

Absolutley beautiful out of the bottle. Pours like an oil slick and sits thick in the glass. Head forms up a nice tan color. Aroma brings chocolate and coffee to mind but with a harder punch. Better served closer to warm than cold as the flavors become more intense. A very substantial feel on the palate. Chocolate and coffee in the foreground with beautiful raosted background. All in all a fantastic beer.

I"m not a wordsmith but simply put this is the best stout I have ever drank.

22 oz. bomber- Pours black as tar with a chocolate colored tan head, little lacing, but thats probably because of the alcohol. Flavor is of licorice, definitely chocolate, and coffee. Note: I made the mistake of pouring this beer too cold, If it’s in the fridge let it sit for fifteen minutes or so, because the flavors opened up as it warmed in my glass, an outstanding stout.

One of the best beers I have ever had. Wonderful balance of Sweetness and bitterness. A top 10 beer for me!

Has the aroma that I would expect from a great russian imperial stout. Toffee/roasted background in the aroma. Appearance is right on as well.....A little initial creamy head that dissappates fairly quickly. Very Black (can’t see any light go through). Almost perfect taste. Roasted coffee with a hint of chocolate. Perfect thickness...not too thick not too watery. Best stout I can remember having for a while (until I try world wide again).