Russian Imperial Stout
Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant

 

A - Poured from growler into a snifter - an opaque beer, jet-black color. It had a large bubbly head of light brown foam. It had nice retention and left soapy sheets of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled roasty with a fairly strong chocolate nose. There were some caramel notes and hints of booze.

T - Rich roasty flavor with a touch of coffee and chocolate. There is some caramel and toffee, too.

M - It was crisp and smooth. A medium bodied beer with a subtle alcohol warmth.

D - This is a pretty good beer. Don't know if it really fits the style of Russian Imperial Stout, but it is good.

Dense, creamy uniform tan head. Belgian lace remains. Burnt barley, mildly citrusy hops and light diacetyl in aroma, along with mellow chocolate. Tame, but clean aromawise. Molasses like sweetness upfront in flavor ensued by dark, roasty caramel. Subtle suggestions of prunes and milk chocolate emerge concomitantly with piney hop flavor mid palate. Moderate hop bitterness balances residual malt sweetness, lending an ominous balance. A touch light in body, but dangerously crisp as a result. Finishes with hints of smokey dark grain and lingering bourbon soaked raisins. Not a complex imperial, but damn drinkable, smooth and balanced. A "session imperial", if there is such a beer...