Pavlov's Russian Imperial Stout
Lucky Labrador Brewing Company

I'm sure I tried this beer on one of my many visits to the brewery. Don't remember any specifics about it though. Up until yesterday hadn't been there for about 7 years. This was one of my 1st Imperial Stouts.

 

 

 

On draft at Oregon Brewers Fest, no vintage listed. I rarely return for extra pours at big festivals, but this was too good to pass up.

Deeply roasted malts and chocolate greet my nose. Some toffee and caramel notes too, but mostly the aforementioned. Taste follows suit, focusing on the chocolate roastyness. Not too complex, just very well crafted. Hint of hops at the end. Reminds me of Darkness.

Dare I return for yet aother pour? Yes, yes I do.

On tap at HAF, multiple tastings.

Dark brown almost black body, no visible carbonation with minimal lacing. One finger light brown head resulted in broken layer on top of beer. Nose features a big chocolate hit, some roast and coffee, noble hops. Taste mirrors the nose, chocolate, coffee, fairly bitter finish, though not sure the Pinot barrel aging did much good. Mouthfeel is quite thin for the style, this is no meal replacement, a bit sticky. Drinkability effected by booziness.

08 keg on tap at Bailey's Taproom in Portland, OR served in a snifter.

Appearance - Nice silky head with medium to heavy lacing. Very dark. Looks like a 90-100% chocolate bar.

Smell - Very delicious smell of chocolate and malt.

Taste - Up front the taste of chocolate was very prominent, as well as some notes of molasses and malt. Shockingly, as good as this was, it probably could be aged even another year. I don't mean that in a negative manner...it was amazing.

Mouthfeel - Had a reasonably thick mouthfeel for a stout, which is a good thing in my opinion. Very smooth and velvety.

Drinkability - Very drinkable for an Imperial Russian Stout. I could have had 2 or 3 but the alcohol would have gotten to me. So if that's your thing, then by all means...drink up if you're privileged enough to try this.

2008 vintage, on draught at Bailey's Taproom. Served in a snifter, Pavlov's is pitch black with a tan head that leaves nice lace.

Smell is huge baker's chocolate, I really dig the pure intensity, although a little sweetness comes out as it warms to room temp, a bit like white wine.

Taste is more dynamic, there's a chocolate flavor, that reminds me very much of a dark chocolate bar that got stale/dried out, and gets that whiter color on the edges. A kind of waxy, phenolic vibe, a bit vinous as well. Nice and full, a satisfying RIS that really grew on me as I worked through it.

Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, all the creamy heft I look for in the style.

Drinkability is pretty good, this is a very tasty, smooth RIS that I'm really happy to have gotten a chance to enjoy on draught after proper cellering of the keg. I can't believe I'm only the 8th reviewer of this beer - damn we're spoiled here in Portland!

Half pint at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall last month for less than three dollars, reviewed from notes, black color, we were sitting outside and you could not see through the glass a bit, big one inch tan foamy head, great lacing for its style, head stayed around for almost ten minutes too, aroma consists of dark chocolate, coffee, roasted and smoked malts, burned toffee, mild hops, and , starts off with chocolate and coffee, faint hops in the middle, some earthiness in the finish along with a dry coffee flavor, some roastier malts and floral accents come out later on, dry, roasted, and semi-sweet mouthfeel, medium to full bodied, soft carbonation, taste lingers well, drank this whole glass with ease and wanted, alcohol is hidden well, not heavy on the stomach, even went well with the food, one of my favorite beers in Portland, certainly one of the best stouts, wish I could find some bottles of this stuff, this beer has flown under the radar and hopefully it gets some respect like it deserves

Deep black with thick creamy cocoa head thats sticky and yummy.

Big dark malty smells with some hops and whiff of (rather pleasant) alcohol aromas that balance the initial sweet impression. Caramel, marzipan, chocolate, vanilla.

Thick, syrupy roasted malts with caramel, vanilla and some cacao bean. Creamy and medium-heavy, full mouthfeel make this a true Imperial Stout experience. Nice find in a hop-centric brew city.