Another beer courtesy of the beautiful Kiki. One of Stone Brewing Company's most popular beers (after their Pale Ale and Arrogant Bastard) is their Imperial Russian Stout (IRS). FYI, I recently reviewed a Stone collaboration. Previously, I reviewed the Belgo Barley Wine (that review gives you some Stone history), and the Double Bastard Ale. I've toured the Stone Brewery, but that was before creating this blog, so I'll have to go back and make another entry.
Imperial, besides being a Costa Rican brewer, means that its an extreme beer. An extreme stout means it's going to have more malt and more alcohol. The bottle and the website say that this beer is: "Brewed in the authentic historical style of an Imperial Russian Stout, this ale is massive. Intensely aromatic (notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate, this brew goes where few can -- and fewer dare even try. The style originalted from Czarist Russia's demand for ever thicker English stouts." Wikipedia basically says the same thing, that Catherine II of Russia had a brewery in England brew strong dark beer.
As for this beer, at 10.5% ABV this beer is almost as strong as wine. It's 52 IBUs if you're into knowing that kind of thing. When you pour it and look at it, this beer is dark like diesel fuel. When you smell it, you know its a stout. IRS has a thick, heavy, yet smooth, body. The dark burnt roasted malts stay on your tongue leaving a long aftertaste. It's mostly incredibly malty, but there are subtle hops that add complexity. The aftertaste reminds me of dry cocoa. Kiki likes the aftertaste and says it, "Tastes like a milk shake."
This was the 2011 classic release. What Stone means by "classic release," is that they started brewing a "Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout" and people were worried that IRS would never be brewed again. Some people even said that IRS was their favorite beer ever made. Stone responded by continuing to brew the IRS that they had always brewed before going Belgo. The difference with the Belgo is that there is more anise and oak flavors, which gives it a little of a banana flavor and it is slightly more bitter.
One thing that makes IRS a cool beer, is that its ready to drink now; however, if you're really an enthusiast you can save it and let it age for several years. Stone recommends that if you age it, you keep it at cellar temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Overall, I give this beer two thumbs up (for a stout its really good and it stands out), and I'm not alone since Beer Advocate gave it an "A."
No comments:
Post a Comment