Big Swede
Valkyrie Brewing

Big SwedeBig Swede
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From:
Valkyrie Brewing
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.85 | pDev: 10.65%
Reviews:
91
Ratings:
115
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 30, 2020
Added:
May 13, 2002
Wants:
  19
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
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Ratings by TheLongBeachBum:
Photo of TheLongBeachBum
Reviewed by TheLongBeachBum from California

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: Just like the picture in the BA database, a thick golden foil completely wraps the crown cap and the entire neck of this 22ounce brown glass bottle. The top of the foil has a red round sticker with the words ‘Something Special from Wisconsin’. The main (and only) label has a nice shiny metallic gold background with black text. A Viking Longboat rides the froth atop a large Mug. Listed as ‘Big Swede’ and described as a ‘Swedish Style Imperial Stout’. No strength or freshness date listed. I noted that this is somewhat confusingly labeled as Cask-Conditioned, I assume this means prior to bottling?!? However, as the sediment (which it recommends you leave IN the bottle) this really leads me to believe that Viking mean the Big Swede is unfiltered and merely allowed to age in a wooden cask, prior to bottling. I assume that this is therefore ‘Cask Aged’ and bottled “sur lees”, hence really ‘Bottle-Conditioned’.

Appearance: Thick black pour, oooh just how I like it. Upon closure examination, and with a strong light, the body is a very dark brown color, like a deeply polished dark teak-mahogany sideboard. It oozes danger as the nicotine stained brown head easily forms from the partial pour into my half pint glass. The head is a solid ½” offering at first but it fades at a reasonable pace to leave a nice ring like caged lacing and a thin collar like neck that stays throughout, but which occasionally breaks to expose a tar like black surface. A quick swirl reinstates the head. Superb carbonation, which has a nitro look to it at times.

Nose: Broodingly Baltic. Dark malts with a slight vinous twist that warns of alcohol. Roasted malts, dark cooking chocolate, you know the really bitter stuff. Some plums, figs dates and a light caramel toffee odor as it warms. Delicate hints of Port soaked Plums that I sometimes got the chance to try at the homes of posh people at Xmas. Nice nose.

Taste: Thick roasted malts carpet the introduction and allow the dark chocolate sponge cake middle to smoothly enter. Some plums and figs with a date like sweetness in the back third linger with warming but soothing alcohols. This has a very nice Imperial Stout feel and taste profile, albeit with a vinous thread that runs through it start to finish but which never becomes over bearing.

Mouthfeel: Starts with an incredibly smooth creamy mouthfeel, which has some coffee and bitter chocolate traits. The feel is soon altered as the vinous alcohols take over in the back end leaving a somewhat warming feel in the mouth on the swallow. Lingering warmth in the gullet.

Drinkability: Rather easily imbibed, and even though I do not know the strength of this, I believe that its Drinkability belies it strength – maybe I should limit myself to the one Bomber of this tonight and leave the bottle of Berserk Barleywine for later in the week.

Overall: I am not that up on styles, but this certainly has a Baltic influence to it, the creamy bitterness, roasted malts and vinous traits are nicely placed and add power to an already Big beer. Very nice indeed!! Certainly worth seeking out.

A massive Bjorn Borg “Aye am Kumming vrom Sveedan, Thhhaaank-ahhew” to Minnesota’s finest ABBA lover, Sir Big of the Blond Hair and Blue Eyed Huge, for this Swedish-Wisconsin Imperial Stout. As the Swedes would say, “Tack Joe”.
Jun 03, 2004
More User Ratings:
Photo of scaliasux
Reviewed by scaliasux from Wisconsin

3.59/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L - Very dark brown. Quite thin, tan head.

S - Rich and malty. Coffee, toffee, dark fruit.

T - Rich roasted malt flavors. Sweet. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate, toffee.

F - Full.

O - A sweet malty slow-sipper.
Jun 30, 2020
Photo of Victory_Sabre1973
Reviewed by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

4.07/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with a minimal, off white head. What little is there has great retention and there's some lacing on the glass.
The nose has some hints of chocolate, and a slight boozy aroma. Nothing too strong.
Taste - Starts out mellow, then the flavors kick in. Some vanilla, and chocolate. Nice boozy finish, but not harsh.
Decent body, maybe a bit thin for the style, but not bad at all.
A solid RIS and I'm glad I picked up a couple when I was there last.
Sep 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.78 by Angerhaus from Rhode Island

Feb 02, 2016
Photo of Cfred371
Reviewed by Cfred371 from Minnesota

4.39/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I let the beer sit and warm for 10-15 minutes.
Look: the beer pours black, with a very slight tan head. There is little to no carbonation it appears.

Smell: I get raisins, vanilla, brown sugar.

Taste: Chocolate, vanilla and brown sugar come through strong, and dark fruits rise mid palate.

Feel: the beer seems a little light in body for a stout, certainly syrupy, but not as thick as I prefer. There is a light hop bitterness on the finish as well, leaving the mouth watering for more.

Overall: This beer is a nice surprise, and I'm happy that a town near my hometown has such good offerings.
Dec 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.43 by 22Blue from Kansas

Nov 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by harpus from Alabama

Aug 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.45 by gregy55902 from Minnesota

Aug 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by donnie_vendetta from Wisconsin

Apr 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.77 by tommy5 from Michigan

Mar 20, 2015
Photo of charliedrama
Rated by charliedrama

3.33/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
An aggressive pour gives a 1 finger head. Heavy alcohol taste.
Mar 01, 2015
Photo of egrace84
Rated by egrace84 from Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Was looking forward to this, but was hugely let down. A strange plastic note on the taste.
Feb 02, 2015
Photo of Duff27
Rated by Duff27 from Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Nothing about this beer was appealing.
Feb 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by npendres from Wisconsin

Nov 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by einman from Minnesota

Nov 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by derkfromwi from Wisconsin

Oct 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by s_wit from Wisconsin

Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by cl3 from Wisconsin

Sep 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by mychalg9 from Illinois

Jul 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JasonSullivan from Wisconsin

Apr 05, 2014
Big Swede from Valkyrie Brewing
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 115 ratings