Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout
Otter Creek Brewing

Otter Creek Russian Imperial StoutOtter Creek Russian Imperial Stout
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From:
Otter Creek Brewing
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #375
ABV:
10%
Score:
90
Ranked #9,671
Avg:
4.02 | pDev: 9.95%
Reviews:
300
Ratings:
619
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 26, 2023
Added:
Jan 09, 2009
Wants:
  44
Gots:
  48
Every so often we brew this tasty treat that clocks in at 10% ABV. A silky smooth, motor-oil black pour reveals rich, roasty notes of caramel, chocolate and coffee. Like the first stouts brewed for Russian Czars, this offering is big, bold and built to last. Grab a few for the cellar, a couple for your comrades and enjoy because—like those Czars of yesteryear—this beer may be gone soon.
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Ratings by freeHorizon:
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Rated by freeHorizon from New York

3/5  rDev -25.4%

Apr 18, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.34 by sewerchewer from New York

Oct 26, 2023
Photo of tradershmulie
Reviewed by tradershmulie from Connecticut

4.41/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Found an old 4 pack in a local store - so this was "shelf-aged"

Poured beautiful deep black color. Head was nothing special.

Not much smell.

Very good taste. Nice balance of dark rich flavors and only a slight hint of bitterness.

Smooth and silky as it should be.

Overall a very fine Russian Imperial Stout.

Second bottle update. Better than first. Really exceptional and absolutely stunning. Great balance of sweetness and bitterness. Not too much of either. Like liquid dark chocolate.
Nov 29, 2020
 
Rated: 3.94 by liquorpig from Massachusetts

Dec 01, 2018
 
Rated: 4.21 by zotzot from Vermont

Apr 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.03 by khoff5 from Connecticut

Feb 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.3 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Dec 08, 2017
 
Rated: 3.98 by Didier from New Hampshire

Nov 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Patches826 from Massachusetts

Oct 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.35 by Dougwillhike from New Jersey

Aug 12, 2017
 
Rated: 4.29 by DanGeo from Michigan

Aug 07, 2017
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a snifter. The appearance was a dark brown close to black color with a thin wisp of tan foamy head. Gentle thin lacing slides into the beer. The smell had a nice sweet to roasty blend of coffee, cocoa and a light amount of vanilla. Light bitter coffee grounds slide in underneath. The taste was mainly sweet with a nice roasty to sweet blend of the coffee to cocoa once again. A light dry sweet to roasty coffee aftertaste leads into the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body with a fairly decent sipping quality about it. Carbonation seemed good as an RIS, as there’s enough dry and bitter roastiness on my tongue. Overall, I say this was a pretty good RIS that I would have again.
Jun 10, 2017
Photo of DraconusDesanctus666
Reviewed by DraconusDesanctus666 from Florida

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
P- Poured from a 12 oz bottle,into a large Funky Buddha snifter.No date on the bottle.

L- Thin brown head with low retention,and minimal lacing.Jet black body with no light showing through the glass.Low on carbonation.

S- On the nose I get roasted malt,with some trace noted of coffee,dark chocolate,and caramel.

T- The palate follows the nose with roasted malt and coffee up front,caramel in the middle,and dark chocolate and roasted malts on the back end.A little bit of alcohol flavor,but not bad.

F- The mouth feel is full bodied,with minimal oxidation on the tongue.Smooth on the finish,with slight alcohol warming.

O- This is a pretty damn good RIS.Not one of my favorites,but definitely up there.I would absolutely drink this one again.And if you are a Russian Imperial Stout lover like myself,I suggest you give this one a try.I just wish it had more dark fruit characteristics.Still a really good one.
Apr 27, 2017
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Rated by GuitarIPA from Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Classic Russian Stout - black, dark roast coffee and chocolate - nice bite on the finish
Feb 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by Dirk_Chappelle from New Hampshire

Feb 06, 2017
Photo of Gajo74
Reviewed by Gajo74 from New York

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours an opaque black. Coming out of the bottle there is no visible head, however, once all contents have been emptied, a nice tan foam head suddenly materializes. It soon disapates into a very thin collar with some lacing.
The nose is predominantly sweet and comprised of chocolate, vanilla and dark fruit. There is a roasted malt, toasted dark bread, and subtle coffee presence that compliments things nicely. There are also hints of liquorice and alcohol.
The taste mostly aligns with the nose in terms of the chocolate and dark fruit sweetness. Despite the 10% ABV, the alcohol flavor is so well masked, thus making it unique amongst other Russian Imperial Stouts I've had that can be downright boozy. There is even a nice touch of hops that provides slight bitterness, herbal qualities and balance.
Full bodied but not too thick. A cross between a sipper and something that is easy to drink. Viscuous but not too heavy. A great balance. Smooth and velvety to boot, with a soft carbonation.
A real fine RIS that is tasty, not over the top boozy and balanced.
Oct 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by rickklein9 from Pennsylvania

Aug 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.29 by Keananmichael5 from California

Jul 22, 2016
 
Rated: 4.12 by thoglund from New York

Jul 14, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by vfgccp from New York

Jun 25, 2016
Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout from Otter Creek Brewing
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 619 ratings