Reserve Ale Russian Imperial Stout
Cricket Hill Brewing Co.

Reserve Ale Russian Imperial StoutReserve Ale Russian Imperial Stout
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Cricket Hill Brewing Co.
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
10.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 8.23%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
45
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 01, 2019
Added:
Feb 11, 2012
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  5
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by sulldaddy:
Photo of sulldaddy
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

3.74/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Sampling a cellar temp bottle poured into a snifter.

Picked up a bottle on a whim from my local beer store in their "clearance" section. Didnt go wrong here.
The beer pours a fairly thick black color with creamy tan head of 2 cm foaming up and fading away slowly to a sturdy surface layer. Looks the part of a robust imperial stout.

Aroma is pleasant yet maybe a little one dimensional, I get roasted malt and dark cocoa, but not much else. The roast is clearly dominant over other scents. No hint of booze and I dont get any real hop presence, maybe a little earthy aroma, but that is very faint.

First sip reveals a thick body and smooth rolling carbonation.
Flavor is roasted malt and roasted malt, I get a little burnt molasses, but otherwise not too much diversity on the flavor either.

Both the nose and flavor on this beer are appealing but maybe one dimensional. Some dark fruit or chocolate or other stout notes would really boost my scores. I didnt dislike the beer, in fact I enjoyed it, I just wouldnt put it in the excellent category.
May 05, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.93 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

May 01, 2019
 
Rated: 3.94 by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

Jan 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by YeastEnthusiast from New Jersey

May 28, 2015
Photo of kkleu357
Reviewed by kkleu357 from Wisconsin

3.99/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Good solid stout. Poured a dark black. Aroma was slightly lacking. Had this dullness to it. Flavor was fine though. Great example of a RIS. Lightly roasted with big chocolate and leather flavors.
May 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.96 by itchytasty from Connecticut

Apr 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaemeno3 from New Jersey

Mar 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.02 by ctbrewer227 from Connecticut

Mar 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by dfhhead25 from Pennsylvania

Mar 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by Dougwillhike from New Jersey

Feb 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Denzo from Massachusetts

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by bourassa23 from Massachusetts

Jul 19, 2014
Photo of Nugganooch
Reviewed by Nugganooch from California

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the 22oz bottle sent as an extra from mdfb79 – Cheers Dan!
*Notes taken on 05/22/14 – with my Stone IRS snifter glass

A: Pour is black as cole with s smidge of dark brown and a nice reflective sheen across the body. A ridiculously stubborn sponge of dark tan head fills more than half of my glass. Sinks down to something a bit more regular but never subsides completely. Leaves the glass looking wiped clean which is odd given the amount of head involved.

S: Opens up syrupy sweet with some dark molasses and sorghum followed by a heavy dark roast and charcoal character. Kind of gives off a bit of marshmallow likeness which is nice. Has a touch of soy sauce/umami there and a good dose of earthy hops. Some alcohol also noted. Not bad and you definitely get the sense this will be on the sweeter side.

T: Dry and roasty with lots of dark char notes and there is a big hoppy bitter bite to this. More so than expected and it comes off a touch acrid when combined with the spent coffee bitterness. I get some light crème and a bit of powdery cocoa in the middle. Lightly smoky with some alcohol heat coming through and a finish of earthy licorice and molasses. A little rough around the edges at times but overall enjoyable.

M: The body is full but the feel is lighter and super frothy. Almost like an upper level of carbonation going on. It is spritzy and bitter which cuts through the syrupy thickness quite well. Comes across much thinner actually. Good drying finish with some mellowed alcohol warming. Clean mostly with some light slickness on the tongue.

D: A sweeter stout with a ton of roast, some big hop bitterness, and a bit of lurking alcohol. A little clunky at times between the high bitterness and sweet malts but in the end I did enjoy this and would have again. I would probably avoid if you are not into hoppy stouts however.
Jun 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Latarnik from New Jersey

May 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Sammy from Canada (ON)

May 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Stinger80OH from Ohio

Jan 08, 2014
Photo of robwestcott
Reviewed by robwestcott from Indiana

3.92/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured cold and black to a Stone 10oz goblet with a full finger, long lasting tan head leaving a sheet of lace to the run.

Aroma of smoky dark malts, hint of earthy hops.

Medium bodied, big carbonation, smooth and creamy. Cocoa, hints of coffee and big smoke.
Dec 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Dec 26, 2013
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From the 22 fl. oz. bottle. Sampled on December 3, 2013.

It pours like a decent Russian Imperial Stout should with its deep black color, modest tan head and opaque black oil quality. The head fads after a bit.

Lots of vibrant aromas of dark toasted malts, dark fruit, and a slight earthy hop quality to it. The 10.5% ABV can be picked up a smidgen.

The body is medium to full.

The taste is also full of toasted malts but there is more of a fruitiness in the flavor that is not as notable on the nose. Dry finish. A nicely done Impy Stout.
Dec 04, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by ChesterHop from Connecticut

Aug 30, 2013
Reserve Ale Russian Imperial Stout from Cricket Hill Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 45 ratings