Reserve Ale Russian Imperial Stout
Cricket Hill Brewing Co.

 

 

 

Good solid stout. Poured a dark black. Aroma was slightly lacking. Had this dullness to it. Flavor was fine though. Great example of a RIS. Lightly roasted with big chocolate and leather flavors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the 22oz bottle sent as an extra from mdfb79 – Cheers Dan!
*Notes taken on 05/22/14 – with my Stone IRS snifter glass

A: Pour is black as cole with s smidge of dark brown and a nice reflective sheen across the body. A ridiculously stubborn sponge of dark tan head fills more than half of my glass. Sinks down to something a bit more regular but never subsides completely. Leaves the glass looking wiped clean which is odd given the amount of head involved.

S: Opens up syrupy sweet with some dark molasses and sorghum followed by a heavy dark roast and charcoal character. Kind of gives off a bit of marshmallow likeness which is nice. Has a touch of soy sauce/umami there and a good dose of earthy hops. Some alcohol also noted. Not bad and you definitely get the sense this will be on the sweeter side.

T: Dry and roasty with lots of dark char notes and there is a big hoppy bitter bite to this. More so than expected and it comes off a touch acrid when combined with the spent coffee bitterness. I get some light crème and a bit of powdery cocoa in the middle. Lightly smoky with some alcohol heat coming through and a finish of earthy licorice and molasses. A little rough around the edges at times but overall enjoyable.

M: The body is full but the feel is lighter and super frothy. Almost like an upper level of carbonation going on. It is spritzy and bitter which cuts through the syrupy thickness quite well. Comes across much thinner actually. Good drying finish with some mellowed alcohol warming. Clean mostly with some light slickness on the tongue.

D: A sweeter stout with a ton of roast, some big hop bitterness, and a bit of lurking alcohol. A little clunky at times between the high bitterness and sweet malts but in the end I did enjoy this and would have again. I would probably avoid if you are not into hoppy stouts however.

 

 

 

Poured cold and black to a Stone 10oz goblet with a full finger, long lasting tan head leaving a sheet of lace to the run.

Aroma of smoky dark malts, hint of earthy hops.

Medium bodied, big carbonation, smooth and creamy. Cocoa, hints of coffee and big smoke.

 

From the 22 fl. oz. bottle. Sampled on December 3, 2013.

It pours like a decent Russian Imperial Stout should with its deep black color, modest tan head and opaque black oil quality. The head fads after a bit.

Lots of vibrant aromas of dark toasted malts, dark fruit, and a slight earthy hop quality to it. The 10.5% ABV can be picked up a smidgen.

The body is medium to full.

The taste is also full of toasted malts but there is more of a fruitiness in the flavor that is not as notable on the nose. Dry finish. A nicely done Impy Stout.

 

Bottle from RSVP
Pours a solid black with a huge creamy tan head that persists forever leaving lots of sticky lace on the way down. Aromas of chocolate and roast with hints of dark pitted fruits, licorice, and just a touch of oxidation. The flavor is chocolate drizzled sweet cherries and raspberries up front with just a touch of warming alcohol. Licorice, caramel and brown sugar with a touch of earth hop flavor round this one out nicely. Thick body with a velvety creamy smooth mouthfeel, and a light level of carbonation. This is a very nice brew, the chocolate and fruity flavors integrate very well and the abv is well hidden.