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Stone Imperial Russian Stout
Escondido, California
BJCP Category: 13F Russian Imperial Stout
Stone Brewing Co. <visit site>
36
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[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Reducing the alcohol would allow the complex malt and hops to shine through and give a better balance. Still very enjoyable and drinkable. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Balanced aroma of roasted malts and barley, high alcohol and light hop presence. Great first impression for a Russian Imperial Stout. No diacetyl or DMS. Some fruity esters but alcohol masks these pretty effectively. (11/12)
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Appearance: Black. Opaque. Dense tan head dissipated fairly rapidly. Low-medium carbonation. While head was adequate, the presentation would be helped by longer head retention. (3/3)
Flavor: Sweet caramel and roasted malts and barley up front with high alcohol and moderately high hop bitterness. Coffee and black malt characteristics. Finish is somewhat sweet due to malts and the alcohol; balance with hop bitterness is good but could be improved with slightly lower final gravity and alcohol. A more subtle alcohol presentation would be more to style. Lingering roastiness and hop bitterness. Fruity esters of raisins and prunes are evident. Hop flavor is moderate but overpowered by the alcohols. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with substantial alcohol warming and lingering astringency from roasted malts. Lower carbonation was OK for style but may have contributed, along with higher alcohols, to low head retention. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Reducing the alcohol would allow the complex malt and hops to shine through and give a better balance. Still very enjoyable and drinkable. This may be a young beer that will mellow considerably over time. Lay down a case and enjoy a bottle for Christmas Eve for the next 12 years and watch how this improves with age. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 37/50
A person could probably view a solar eclipse through a pint glass of this beer, though I would not suggest attempting it. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Aroma: Caramel acidic roasted malts, with irony treacle, burnt raisins and currants. Some alcohol notes, but no hop aroma is evident. (8/12)
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Appearance: Opaque black brown, does not even have highlights when held to the lamp. Head at first is thick and chocolaty brown, then dissipates to a thick ring of fine brown bubbles around the glass. Leaves some loose lace. (3/3)
Flavor: Malt is deep, Italian roast coffee, aromatic and caramel; dark ripe stone fruit blends with dried currants and unsweetened cocoa. No hop flavor. Alcohol is not at first evident, but emerges as clean and somewhat whiskey-like. Finish has some hop bitterness, and lots of cocoa treacle flavor, with a hint of burnt fruit. Clean, with no diacetyl or solventy alcoholic notes. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body with firm carbonation and alcoholic warmth that lingers into the finish. A bit of astringency helps this beer finish clean, but the warmth dominates. (4/5)
Overall Impression: A person could probably view a solar eclipse through a pint glass of this beer, though I would not suggest attempting it. I find this sample to have developed some age characteristics, such as the intensified dark fruit aromas and flavors. The alcoholic heat has intensified, becoming a little distracting from the wonderful complexity and richness of the other flavors. However, it is developing more complexity with age. This lovely beer will continue to develop additional sherry-like complexity and barleywine richness as it ages. Perfect for a chocolate stout float (or really good French vanilla) with a sweet brownie. The bottle suggests buying a case and drinking one bottle every three to six months. Better get two for safe measure. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Very interesting beer, but needs some fine-tuning to bring the flavors into balance. The finish is toward the hoppy end of the scale for this style, but that’s not unexpected for a Stone beer. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Nutty, roasty aroma with an intriguing blend of sherry-like oxidation, toffee and chocolate malt. Alcoholic strength is evident, but has some fusel alcohols that assault the nasal cavity. Dark fruit esters include plums, raisins and dates. (9/12)
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Appearance: Opaque, but sliver of beer when glass is tilted reveals excellent clarity and mahogany notes. Beige head that lasts surprisingly long in view of the alcohol content. (3/3)
Flavor: The first impression mirrors the aroma—nuttiness with bittersweet chocolate, almost like a macadamia nut covered with dark chocolate. Roasted malts grow in intensity and interplay with the hop bitterness to produce an assertively bitter finish. Balance leans toward the hops. Alcohol and dark fruit esters add complexity, but again comes across with too much fusel character. There is a little grapefruit hop flavor in the background. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Good creaminess, but a fuller body would provide more support for the complex flavors. Alcoholic warmth is intense. There is some astringency from roasted malts and hops—a little too much burnt character, especially in combination with the alcohol. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Very interesting beer, but needs some fine-tuning to bring the flavors into balance. The finish is toward the hoppy end of the scale for this style, but that’s not unexpected for a Stone beer. The malt, fermentation by-products and a little oxidation work together to impart an interesting spectrum of dark fruit flavors, but a cleaner alcohol profile would improve the drinkability. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 34/50
Huge roasted intensity. Needs long cellaring to tame the alcohol. It’s way too early to be drinking this beast. I’d let it age for at least three years before trying it again. more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Aroma: Rich coffee and chocolate, black currant, tar. Intense roasted aroma with some dark dried fruit esters. Warming alcohol develops over time. Layered malt, fruit and alcohol complexity. Nothing off, but seems very aggressive and not fully blended. (10/12)
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Appearance: Tall, deep tan head. Inky, jet black color. Opaque. Like a black hole—I tried to shine a xenon flashlight through it and the beer said “Hmph, is that all you got?” (3/3)
Flavor: Intensely roasted, tarry, harsh flavor, strongly dominated by alcohol. Tons of malt, but hot alcohol flavors overwhelm palate. Not melded at all. Medium-high bitterness. Medium-high hop flavor—citrus, earth, pine. Hot, harsh finish with lingering bitterness and intense roasted flavors. Dark dried fruit—black currant, raisin. Dry finish, a bit chalky, like unsweetened chocolate. No sweetness. Definitely an American interpretation. (12/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-high carbonation. Dark roast astringency. Hot alcohol burn. Medium-full body, but the impression of body is thinned somewhat by the alcohol and carbonation. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Huge roasted intensity. Needs long cellaring to tame the alcohol. It’s way too early to be drinking this beast. I’d let it age for at least three years before trying it again. Be prepared to be impressed once this is aged out. It has a ton of flavor that should contribute to a very complex fireside sipper. Right now, the flavors are not blended at all and the harshness and alcohol heat detract. Fortunately, these characteristics tend to subside over time. (6/10)
