Due to the brew's intense character, high alcohol level, massive viscosity and bottle conditioning, it can easily be cellared for at least a year or more. Koch suggests that collectors open a bottle from their cellars every six months or so to experience the various stages of the brew's maturation over time. "The very best way to enjoy archives of the Stone Imperial Russian Stout is to taste various years of the brew side by side."
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by MarkFraghert from Houston, TX, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (2/10/2010 12:43:05 PM)
"Bottle Date: 2008 (current when tried)
Aroma: roasted malt, dark fruit, coffee, yeast
Appearance: pitch black, tan cap
Mouthfeel: full bodied
Flavour: very malty with coffee, chocolate, and plums
Overall: A good beer!
"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.7)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[2] Review by Brett from Far from good beer, OK, USA who has tried this beer once. (12/10/2009 10:19:40 PM)
"Sampled from bottle thanks to Louis! Pours pitch black with a dark tan head and remarkable lacing. Prunes, cocoa and coffee dominate the aroma. Balanced with roasted malt and dark fruit. Very thick. A must try, of course!"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.3)
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure Compared to this brewer's other beers: Not Sure
[3] Review by Ragnarok from Tacoma, WA, USA who has tried this beer many times. (11/24/2009 2:12:58 AM)
"Pours a nice, thick tan to brown head (jkbpill states) and is a thick, dark-bodied stout. The aroma is heavy with molasses and chocolate notes backed by smokey malts. Body is heavy and as it warms, the alcohol intrudes in an almost dominating way. Best enjoyed at under 65 deg F. Solid mouthfeel with an uncharacteristicly smooth texture. The head lingers momentarily before lightly lacing the glass. Finish gets stronger as it warms, but I like the heavyness that this stout offers. A serious stout drinkers stout. Add a bit to your next bbq sauce. "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.3)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $3.45 Unit Cost: $2.51 per Pint
[4] Review by jkbpill from Birmingham, AL, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/6/2009 3:19:55 PM)
"This beer is dark so dark the foam is not even what I would call tan it is brown. The smell is great with I nice chocolate flavor and none of tabacco after taste you sometimes get but the flavor was a little on the disappointing side as it did not live up to it's aroma. Good beer but smell was to good and over powered the taste."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
6/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $6.99 Unit Cost: $5.08 per Pint
[5] Review by Jabah from Fort Pierce, FL, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/14/2009 5:48:33 PM)
"Spring 2009 Release (10.5% ABV)- I heard great things about this IPS, so was dang eager to sample it and compare it to my favorite and top rated IPS, which is Stoudts Fat Dog Stout. They are very similar in many ways, yet this may have a slight edge in flavor. Maybe a little more robust, but can't quite give it a 10 for taste, as it is quite possible there is something better somewhere in the world. Until I find it, this is right up there with Fat Dog as my top IPS. Next time I try this though, gonna look for a Spring 2008 or let it age about a year - 18 months."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $6.99 Unit Cost: $5.08 per Pint
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(3.7)
