Vortex II
Pisgah Brewing Co.

Vortex IIVortex II
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From:
Pisgah Brewing Co.
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
11.2%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.01 | pDev: 12.72%
Reviews:
151
Ratings:
272
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 04, 2020
Added:
Jun 25, 2007
Wants:
  127
Gots:
  29
Treat yourself to the drink of choice for imperial czars & nobelmen of the old russian court. One of the darkest of pisgah beers, this stout will explore the boundaries of your pallet while subtly pounding the weaker links between your slower braincells. Enjoy w/ friends, & appropriate amounts of caution.

65 IBU
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Ratings by bros:

  None found.

 
Rated: 3.73 by 2beerdogs from California

Jan 04, 2020
More User Ratings:
Photo of SLeffler27
Reviewed by SLeffler27 from New York

4.59/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very dark brown highlights, otherwise jet black. A wisp of lace forms a ring, but no head. There appears to be no carbonation. A thick, syrupy film forms on the Stone highball glass without developing legs.

Rich malt sweetness opens against dark berries, dates and plums. Charred wood plays off a hint of cherries as it warms. There is a touch of licorice in the middle. Warmth reveals demitasse and Baker's chocolate.

The berries and other fruits take a back seat to the roasted malt and coffee. A light, bittersweet chocolate accentuates figs. The finish starts strong and is followed by a light, bitter progression towards sweetness, while adding charred wood as it fades.

The dense body is syrupy smooth in texture. Alcohol is very present and surprisingly well controlled. Carbonation is delicate.

When drinking this beer, do so with a deeply meaningful book and settle in a leather chair next to a good fire. This beer is an exquisite sipper and would pair well with black forest cake.

This bottle was dated January 2018 and aged a year+.
Jul 04, 2019
 
Rated: 3.78 by Phoodcritic from Michigan

Sep 15, 2018
Photo of zeff80
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a small, tan head of pillowy foam. It smelled of coffee, chocolate, molasses and toffee. Big, bold roasty flavors with coffee, dark chocolate, toffee and piney bitterness.
Aug 01, 2018
Photo of colts9016
Reviewed by colts9016 from Idaho

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottled 2010. A hard pour produced dismal results. The beer is black as night, and the head is dark brown. I can hear the carbonation, but cannot see it.

Nose is dark chocolate, rich espresso, deep roasted malt, caramel, floral, vanilla, biscuits, earthy, and molasses.

Taste is a dark roasted coffee, dark milk chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, floral, vanilla, molasses, figs, cherries, earthy, and brown sugar.

The mouthfeel is chewy, rich, and slightly carbonated.

The beer is good, it has a lot of flavors with it, but not in a harmony. The better Imperial Stouts I have tried the flavor meld seamlessly together and get better with each sip. This beer is good, just missing the seamless part; nevertheless, I am enjoying it.
Jun 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by zekeman17 from Pennsylvania

Feb 14, 2016
 
Rated: 4.08 by jshusc from South Carolina

Nov 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.12 by KingEdward from North Carolina

Oct 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.23 by mbbransc from North Carolina

Sep 16, 2015
Photo of mabermud
Rated by mabermud from Washington

3.17/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This one did not pique my interest. I was not impressed.
Jul 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.42 by Eziel from Ohio

Jun 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by threedaggers from Kentucky

Apr 13, 2015
Photo of maxcoinage
Reviewed by maxcoinage from Illinois

4.32/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
received this as an extra in a trade. almost 2 years from bottling date. Fantastic RIS. nose a bit weak but great tasting. bitersweet chocolate, berry, dark fruits, toffee. body is perfect for the style. Cheers!
Apr 03, 2015
Photo of mattsmith413
Rated by mattsmith413 from North Carolina

3.12/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Way off base...it had soured...great sour if that was what I bought.
Feb 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by Harvest06 from Oregon

Feb 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jan 19, 2015
Photo of olradetbalder
Reviewed by olradetbalder from Sweden

2.35/5  rDev -41.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
Botteled 2009.
Probably the best infected beer I have ever had.

Look great, sparkning like hell and from there it is a sour treat with some raspberrys mixed with some cherries in coffee.
To bad this is not the what the beer is all about.
Jan 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by tiamat8086 from North Carolina

Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by REVZEB from Illinois

Nov 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Roze from New York

Nov 03, 2014
Vortex II from Pisgah Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 272 ratings