Empire Strikes Black Imperial Stout - Beer Camp #6
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Empire Strikes Black Imperial Stout - Beer Camp #6Empire Strikes Black Imperial Stout - Beer Camp #6
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From:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.8%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.14 | pDev: 7.25%
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
56
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 22, 2021
Added:
Jun 11, 2009
Wants:
  55
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by stakem:
Photo of stakem
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Stormking47 for the sharing of this brew. Corked and caged 750ml into a tasting glass. The brew pours black with a tan head that has a nice creamy character about it. It displays pretty good retaining powers and leaves patches of lacing on the glass.

The aroma of this brew is roasty coming across like dark grainy character imparting a scent of coffee. There is a citrus element that seems somewhat fruity as well from a combined mixture of the hops and alcohol. The back of the nose shines forth with a sweet chocolate scent.

The taste is roasty from the level of char to the grain. There is a bright citrus hop flavoring present which adds to the bitterness already present from the char of the grain. The alcohol is evident with a fruity ester aspect. As the brew warms a bit of depth comes out tasting minorly of licorice and molasses.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. Fairly easy drinking and surprisingly still fresh tasting. This was one of those stouts that was on the verge of being overly hoppy and going into black ipa territory but it carries enough roasty character to keep it in check. Other than the fruity indication of alcohol, it was fairly well integrated and not all that noticeable for an offering creeping up on double-digit strength. I have a bottle of this I've been meaning to open, with this experience I feel there is no rush, it is holding up quite nice.
Nov 09, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by BradtheGreat7 from Ohio

Aug 22, 2021
 
Rated: 3.96 by imnodoctorbut from Texas

Jun 11, 2020
 
Rated: 4.1 by shoretaxi from New Jersey

Oct 15, 2017
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.88/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Very black pour, has a cherry cola head to it, tiny dense bubbles. Good retention. Aroma of roast, booziness, black/chocolate malt tag team.

Taste hits both heavy roast and bitter dark fruit impressions. Alcohol not too pronounced. Is there wood in this? On one hand, its just a big roasty RIS. Cool name. Substantial hops to it, got that bitterness. The dark fruit and licorice thing isn't my jive, but overall, I'm sure they hit what they were going for.
Apr 04, 2016
Photo of Gajo74
Reviewed by Gajo74 from New York

4.43/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This one poured a dark brown/black with a hint of ruby. A nice tan blackish creamy head dissipated into a thin ring like tan lace. An attractive looking brew!
Aroma consists of roasted malts and coffee. There is also a nice sweet, creamy and vanilla like smell.
Smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Medium bodied to full but very drinkable, not too viscous, it is just about right! The taste is sweet on the tongue. However, there is a bit of roasted malts and coffee as well as some buttering hops in the finish that balances it out. Also, I'd like to add that despite the high ABV, I did not detect any alcohol, which makes it even better.
This beer is close to heavenly. I can't ask for much more out of an imperial stout.
Dec 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by grahamboudreaux from Tennessee

Mar 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by 31Sam13 from New Hampshire

Mar 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by EgadBananas from Louisiana

Jun 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Raziel313 from California

May 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by zestar from California

Aug 17, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by Busker from Connecticut

Jun 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by ste5venla from California

Feb 02, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by t0rin0 from California

Jan 20, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by smutty33 from Connecticut

Jan 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Texasfan549 from Texas

Nov 10, 2012
Photo of ngeunit1
Reviewed by ngeunit1 from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Served a dark black-brown color with a thin frothy layer of tan-chocolate head. The head fades down slowly leaving behind some good lace.

S - Aroma is full of sweet roasted chocolate malts with some coffee. There is a touch of earthiness and dark fruit as well.

T - Starts off with some sweet roasted chocolate malts with a touch of dark fruit. through the middle some more bakers chocolate comes through with some coffee and a touch of burnt malts. The finish is a mix of chocolate, roasted coffee, and a touch of earthiness.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. Overall nicely balanced. Could have used just a touch more body, but it is still a really nice Imperial Stout.
Apr 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Mar 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by nmann08 from Virginia

Mar 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by John11486 from California

Feb 21, 2012
Empire Strikes Black Imperial Stout - Beer Camp #6 from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 56 ratings