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
ABV:
10%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.02 | pDev: 9.95%
Reviews:
300
Ratings:
618
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 29, 2020
Added:
Jan 09, 2009
Wants:
  44
Gots:
  48
SCORE
90
Outstanding
Otter Creek Russian Imperial StoutOtter Creek Russian Imperial Stout
Notes: 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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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
Photo of GuitarIPA
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
 
Rated: 4.18 by lakamoso from Massachusetts

May 31, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by jkermitj from Mississippi

May 19, 2016
Photo of fitzy84
Reviewed by fitzy84 from Massachusetts

3.71/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Bought in Vermont at the Cold Hollow CIder Mill in Waterbury. The beer pours with a thick black appearance, brown creamy head, and eventual good, bubbly retention with some thick lacing on the sides. The aromas are attractive, though restrained, with coffee, chocolate, nuts, maybe a hint of spice like cinnamon. The taste variable included more vocal flavor attributes. This included a bitter, but buttery, chocolate flavor with a slight burnt sugar aftertaste. Mouthfeel is great with a creamy body that envelopes the ingredients and alcohol into a warm blend. Overall, not too bad, especially in terms of appearance and mouthfeel.
May 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.22 by leroybrown10 from Missouri

May 07, 2016
 
Rated: 3.79 by cbawls357 from Pennsylvania

Apr 23, 2016
Photo of cjgiant
Reviewed by cjgiant from District of Columbia

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This beer poured nicely into my glass - the black liquid rolling out and bringing a little beige froth that ends in a thick ring. The rign easily grows thicker with a little agitation. The body itself seems black, but later in the glass, it does appear to lean a little more brown with a fair amount of clarity.

Nose is quite nice, powdered cocoa cocoa and dark roast brewed coffee. Subsequent whiffs bring the chocolate the brewers' notes talk about, mainly in brownie form, maybe with walnuts, even. Other notes include a little licorice spice and a little tang. Some of the scents turn a little woody later in the beer.

The taste is mostly expected. Bitter, bitter chocolate and coffee notes hit me first. These seem very harsh, and add to a rough feel in my first sips. The strong bitterness is really the dominating sensation throughout the pour. It takes on slightly different variations as the beer warms, from chocolate to unsweetened coffee to dark-skinned nuts to cut wood resin. These aren't distinct, but all impressions I get.

I wasn't thoroughly enjoying the rough bitterness feel of this beer, but appreciated the flavor sensations it brought. The nose was very nice. If you like strongly bitter stouts, I think this will be to your liking. If you like a little malt sweetness and a smoother feel, this one may be one to be cautious about - and definitely let it warm a bunch.
Apr 17, 2016
Photo of imonhiatus
Reviewed by imonhiatus from New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
snagged a bottle locally. big roastiness with a sludge chocolate undertone. nose leads with crisp chary roast...a bite of winter. flavor follows but leads with chocolate...chocolate speaks more as the brew warms. good beer.
Apr 09, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by SurrenderToTheFlow95 from New York

Apr 07, 2016
 
Rated: 4.3 by kkazemi from North Carolina

Apr 04, 2016
Photo of SawDog505
Reviewed by SawDog505 from New Hampshire

4.48/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured slowly down the middle at almost room temperature into a 16 oz snifter. Pours a slick black with a 3 finger light mocha head that clings to the sides of the glass like a fat kid holds a Charleston Chew.

Smell is roasted expresso, toffee, vanilla bean, anise, leather, caramel, and some hints of booze.

Taste follows toffee, chocolate covered coffee beans, anise, vanilla, leather, caramel, and some warming alcohol.

Mouthfeel is almost large, silky smooth with a little heat from the alcohol, a little chewy, moderate carbonation, definitely on the dryer side, and way too drinkable for 10% ABV.

Overall this is a serious stout, very complex from start to finish. Well done Otter Creek.
Mar 25, 2016
Photo of Immortale25
Reviewed by Immortale25 from North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured into a Duvel tulip. No readable freshness date.

A- Pours a fully opaque black color with a 1/2 inch medium brown head that retains well before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of sheer surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing leaves tiny clots behind.

S- Big roast character that's slightly sweet but still also somewhat hoppy. There's also this slight chemical aroma that's a bit off-putting.

T- Nice rush of dark roast, dark chocolate and char and then there's that damn plastic-y thing again. Once the palate acclimates it fades but there seems to be something a bit off here. The good amount of sweetness is helping though. Alcohol is masked quite well. Coffee aftertaste.

M- Thick and creamy with medium carbonation and a full body.

O- Disregarding the initial astringent aroma and flavor, this is a very good RIS with great drinkability and deep flavors.
Mar 23, 2016
Photo of tekstr1der
Reviewed by tekstr1der from New Hampshire

4.65/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Delicious! Black pour with lasting, clingy brown foam. Aroma is rich, with lots of roast and dark cocoa. Flavor is similar - very roasty, but never too bitter, with lots of chocolate notes and a mild sweetness mid-sip. Incredibly smooth from start to very clean finish, with just a slight lingering cocoa. Easily the best RIS I've had.
Mar 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by stevehagy from New York

Mar 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.7 by Celtics76 from Rhode Island

Feb 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4.34 by Patlee3324 from Massachusetts

Feb 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.13 by LeftHanded666 from New York

Feb 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by Klister from Maine

Feb 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.15 by ChrisMyhre from Massachusetts

Feb 07, 2016
Photo of scotorum
Reviewed by scotorum from Massachusetts

3.96/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
OTTER CREEK RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT 2/2/16

Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a Tree House stemmed tulip.

a: Opaque black with a hint of clear ruby at the very bottom. Half finger thick tan head receded to thin surface foam and spotty lacing.

s: Primarily chocolate.

t: Dark roasty malt with dark chocolate notes and a moderate bite which lingers in the back of the throat along with a little throat burn. Roasty malt finish. The chocolate becomes more prominant later.

m; Medium, very good body and loads of carbonation tingle.

o; A flavorful RIS which nicely covers its high ABV.
Feb 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by AMCimpi from New York

Feb 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.09 by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

Feb 01, 2016
Photo of Scliff27
Reviewed by Scliff27 from New Jersey

4.39/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Mouthfeel is abit light for Russian imperial which honestly I kind of like
Very easy drinking Russian imperial coffee chocolate are present slight caramel like advertised
It poured great too with wonderful aroma very enjoyable deserves an outstanding
Jan 24, 2016
Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout from Otter Creek Brewing
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 618 ratings