Rick August Russian Imperial Stout
Russell Brewing Company

Rick August Russian Imperial StoutRick August Russian Imperial Stout
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From:
Russell Brewing Company
 
British Columbia, Canada
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
10.8%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.2 | pDev: 5.71%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
22
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 01, 2015
Added:
May 29, 2012
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Ratings by FondueVoodoo:
Photo of FondueVoodoo
Reviewed by FondueVoodoo from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Black brown with a tiny bubble head the colour of good espresso crema. Poured with 2 fingers of this rich tan head, but settled down to a slight rim round the glass.

S: Smells like the best fruit cake you could hope for. Deep rich dark dried fruits, black strap molasses, toasted malts, dry coco & ground espresso topped with a big waft of dark rum.

T: More dry than the scent suggests. Forwards with big flavours of coco & rum similar to rum balls, but with dark coco bitter aftertaste, that's entirely enjoyable. Sweet at the front end with molasses and dark raisins, only to be balanced out at the end with dry bitter espresso and rich boozy rum.

M: Low carbonation and a thick oily coating that envelops the entire mouth. Leaves a coating along the glass like a port.

O: The round rich coco and well balanced finish of bitters evoke thoughts of years and year of practice. Not only is this brew big on scent and flavour - it's clear the commitment and dedication of a artisan is evident in each sip. Nice work!
Jul 29, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.87 by CheapBeerBuzz from California

Jun 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.87 by westcoastbeerlvr from California

May 31, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

May 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

Dec 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by smekermann from Canada (BC)

Oct 20, 2013
Photo of papat444
Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)

4.16/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Part of my CanBIF 2013 haul. Thanks Boozecamel!

Poured from a 650ml. bottle, no freshness info.

Appearance: A black body atop which sits a dark brown head that cascades gently as the beer is poured.

Smell: Fudge, baker's chocolate, prolonged roasted aroma.

Taste: Lots of dark chocolate, underlying espresso flavors, figs as well as black currants.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation, very easy feel, not a chore to drink.

Overall: Worthy of being with the big boys of the brewing world. Great stout that i hope the make again.
May 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by JonnyBeers from Canada (BC)

Jan 11, 2013
Photo of OF001
Reviewed by OF001 from Canada (BC)

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
650 mL btl in a tulip at 8c

Rich thick black pour, some melted dark-milk chocolate colour initially. Thick two finger (plus an inch) hear that is dense enough to stand a full inch above the rim without a drop flowing or condensing over; macchiato in colour. No additional visible carbonation, I would like to see some cascading head on the initial pour.

Smells roasty and smokey. Well roasted coffee, decent chocolate and hints of over cooked sugars for sweetness, more on the aroma. Licorice from anise and additional sweetness. Some bright, cooling over tones that I think are the juniper berries and some citrus hops? Very deep and complex while still being basic, heavy and low malty stout.

Lots of smoke and char, some sweetness comes up from underneath to prevent the dry and bitter center from dominating everything. Some bright hops, acidic berry, and light hop oil aided by a phantom carbonation bring a lightness to the profile that balances it, arguably in the wrong direction, towards the brighter end of the stout spectrum. The licorice it present but although I am not a fan, the anise gives a physical numbness to the palate that is likened to a concentrated anise liquor like arak than the amount present in this brew, strange and wonderful.

Thick initially but is lofted slightly by the carbonation that is otherwise not present, even upon swirling, other agitating and use of a glass with etchings. Smooth and very slight dryness and numbness on the finish along with some alcoholic warmth and evaporative qualities.

I greatly dislike licorice, and especially half-assed anise usage. That being said there is something deeply appealing about the numbness that this brew generates. I always prefer some more general thickness(especially on the finish) and subtle natural elevation on the profile and mouth feel that just doesn't seem great, good but not great. The flavour is likewise brought down by the deficient mouth feel. cascading on the head is a must for me on stouts less than a year old. Few beers can get a 5 on the nose, mainly because my nose is shit, but this is close.

A good russian, but not great, probably better in a year (jan-may 2014, 18-24 months from release)vbut I can see it getting better after that, not that much better on the whole. Spotty and jagged in places where there should be some smoothness, especially in the mouth feel. Well worth it if you can pick it up now, and I have seen it, for the release price. there are much better russians for less than 15% more that will age better.
Jan 11, 2013
Photo of canucklehead
Reviewed by canucklehead from Canada (BC)

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice to see these Homebrewing collabs in BC and this one lives up to the style. Big and black with lots of dark chocolate notes on the finish. Very drinkable and still complex at the same time. Not on the same level as Singularity but comparable to the The Hammer from Phillips. With this and their new Double IPA Hop Therapy Russell shows they mean business.
Dec 13, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by 604growler from Canada (BC)

Nov 04, 2012
 
Rated: 4.75 by ElenaGance from New York

Oct 19, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by 4ster from Canada (ON)

Sep 30, 2012
Photo of Jeffo
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands

3.65/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Huge thanks to Rutager for sending this rarity over. Really enjoyed this trade man. Thanks again!

From a bomber into a snifter
IBU: 86
Golden Stag Home Brewing Contest 2011 winner
Brewed with licorice and jupiner berries

APPEARANCE: Pours a thick, muddy dark brown body and yields a two finger, medium looking, mocha colored head with good retention. Head fades to a thick foam cap. Black body with lots of carbonation evident. A ring remains but leaves no lacing down the glass. Decent body and nice head, but too carbonated for the style really.

SMELL: Dark malts, burnt malts, licorice and some dark chocolate on the nose. Dark fruits in there as well from the berries. Quite bold, and lots of charred aromas on this one. Quite burnt.

TASTE: Dark and burnt malts with some dark fruits again. Caramel sweetness, then lots of bitter chocolate and roasted, burnt malts at the swallow. Bold and persistent aftertaste is plenty bitter with chocolate, licorice and burnt, charred malts. Light jupiner berries linger as well. Pretty interesting and plenty flavorful.

PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. A touch light on the palate, unfortunately, but creamy enough on the palate, goes down fine with a bit of a burn and finishes slightly sticky. Some heat lingers as well. Needs to be a bit heavier and thicker for the style.

OVERALL: Quite a good beer, and definitely well made. I usually like charred, burnt stouts a la De Molen and Mikkeller, but dark fruit notes in a stout beer don't usually get me too excited. This would have been more my bag if they had left the berries out of the mix. Still, this is a solid effort. Very flavorful and interesting, and with a heavier, fuller palate, this would be a top class beer. Cheers again for this one Rutager. If you can get a chance at this one, give it a shot.
Sep 20, 2012
Photo of Rutager
Reviewed by Rutager from Canada (BC)

4.21/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance. Pours black with two fingers of thick, creamy tan head that rises from the depths and lasts an eternity, painting the sides of my glass with lace.

Smell. Roasty dark malts,licorice and molasses, just a bit of sweet chocolate and coffee. A little booze, but it's smooth and nice, not sharp and nasty.

Taste. Dark roasty malts, liccorice and molasses again. Booze is a little stronger in the taste than the smell.

Mouthfeel. Full body with smooth, low carbonation.

Overall. A great stout. Big and about as easy drinking as could be.
Sep 12, 2012
Photo of BDTyre
Reviewed by BDTyre from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big, black beer with a light brown head. Coffee, rum, raisins, chocolate, a bit of alcohol and fruitiness.

Big, roasted malt, coffee and chocolate malt taste. Pleasant, low alcohol burn. Definite presence of rum, raisins, plums and even a bit of wine. Nicely bitter finish to it; slightly dry.

Good body, but I think this could be a bit thicker. Clings nicely to the glass though. Even at 10.8%, this is still a great beer to enjoy. I hope they make this at the very least a recurring seasonal.
Jul 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by rodrigueZflyingf0x from Canada (BC)

Jun 24, 2012
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

4.32/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Black with a tan head, thin ring of retention leaves a little lace.

S: Big rum-like alcohol aroma, black licorice, blackstrap molasses, peppery spice, espresso & pumpernickel rye bread.

T: Molasses, black licorice... OH THE RUM... espresso, dry woodsy spicing, bakers chocolate, rye, good bitterness, some serious alcohol warmth, though it's not at all harsh or fusel-like.

M: Fairly full body has a light acidity and a very drying alcohol finish.

O: Overall this is a really good brew, by any standard. It's great that this homebrew winner was brewed commercially for everyone to enjoy. I wish I picked up a few bottles.
Jun 19, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by Tmappin from Canada (NS)

Jun 05, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by chickenm from Canada (BC)

Jun 02, 2012
Rick August Russian Imperial Stout from Russell Brewing Company
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 22 ratings