Stone Brewing Company Imperial Russian Stout
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What the brewers say
“This massive and aromatic beer abounds with notes of anise, black currants, coffee, and roastiness, and its heavy palate is nothing to be trifled with!”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Roasty, chocolaty, and sweet. Some sweet dark fruit character. Slight coffee. Hints of leather. A little bit of smoky phenol that may be roast char. Slightly salty umami aroma. Interesting.”
Flavor: “Sweet malt character with some caramel notes and chocolate. This beer has some earthy vegetal flavors and sweet fruit and peppery notes as well. The warmth in the finish helps to cut through the sweetness. Flavorful expression of roast: coffee, toast, and bittersweet chocolate. Strong alcohol hit warms the mid-palate and then dries out the finish a little. Finishes with some oxidation.”
Overall: “An interesting take on imperial stout. The tobacco and peppercorn that dominate play fairly well with the umami subtleties. This beer has some good bones. The roast quality is nice and I enjoyed the chocolate, but it did not come together as an extraordinary beer for me. Good, but not great. Chewy. Would pair well with sushi.”
