B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher - Reserve
Hoppin' Frog Brewery


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Hoppin' Frog Brewery
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Stout - Russian Imperial
- ABV:
- 9.4%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.1 | pDev: 6.83%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 19, 2020
- Added:
- Dec 18, 2015
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 17
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
After brewing B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher successfully for many years, our creative minds wander. We imagine a B.O.R.I.S. brewed with even better dark grain - the finest imported dark grain - for a smoother and mellower deep-roasted flavor. When we finally made our dreams become reality, it was a symphony of beautiful flavors, a higher level of B.O.R.I.S. born from our creativity, that deserves the name B.O.R.I.S. Reserve!
60 IBU
60 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.04 by nmann08 from Virginia on Apr 19, 2020
3.4/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Unknown vintage; drank 7/7/19 @ the Yarchives.
Midnight black appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small, noisy dark tan head; almost no lace.
Dark chocolate, fresh earth, dark roast coffee bean & faint dill pickle notes in the nose.
Creamy, thick mouthfeel.
Dark chocolate & dark roast coffee bean flavors up front; fresh earth and a faint dill pickle hop bite on the finish.
Too harsh for me; nice mouthfeel, but overall this was a bit unpleasant. Not one I'll seek out again.
Jul 08, 2019
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Unknown vintage; drank 7/7/19 @ the Yarchives.
Midnight black appearance.
A rough pour yielded a small, noisy dark tan head; almost no lace.
Dark chocolate, fresh earth, dark roast coffee bean & faint dill pickle notes in the nose.
Creamy, thick mouthfeel.
Dark chocolate & dark roast coffee bean flavors up front; fresh earth and a faint dill pickle hop bite on the finish.
Too harsh for me; nice mouthfeel, but overall this was a bit unpleasant. Not one I'll seek out again.
Jul 08, 2019
4.12 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington on May 06, 2019
4.31/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by Bum4ever from California
Super dark black pour with little dark tan head that dissipates quickly, no lacing.
Smell is dark roasted malts, dark chocolate, coffee and a sort of smokey char scent.
Taste is dark chocolate with a charred smokiness to it, also getting hints of vanilla, caramel and coffee.
Feel is thick for a oatmeal stout and this is super smooth. Hides the abv well and has a nice creamy feel to it.
Overall this was an excellent oatmeal stout.
Jan 28, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by Bum4ever from California
Super dark black pour with little dark tan head that dissipates quickly, no lacing.
Smell is dark roasted malts, dark chocolate, coffee and a sort of smokey char scent.
Taste is dark chocolate with a charred smokiness to it, also getting hints of vanilla, caramel and coffee.
Feel is thick for a oatmeal stout and this is super smooth. Hides the abv well and has a nice creamy feel to it.
Overall this was an excellent oatmeal stout.
Jan 28, 2019
3.93 by LostHighway from Minnesota on Oct 28, 2018
4.09/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by TheDoctor from Canada (QC)
Serving: Bottle
No date
A:
It pours a super thick oil black with a tight finger of dark cinammon colored head that is not long for this world. Little retention; no lacing. (3.75)
S:
Licorice and chocolatey roast aromas predominate. (4)
T:
The taste follows the nose and is pretty roasty and chocolatey, while dark fruits and molasses are added to the mix in the flavor. (4.25)
M:
It is a little bit warming from the alcohol and has a big, sticky body to it with low carbonation. (4)
O:
This is another very solid stout from these guys!
It was a little harsher and not quite as smooth as the original one, but still a thick, velvety stout with lots of chocolate and smooth roast character. One thing I do have to comment on it the color of the head. I don't know if I've ever had a beer that looked quite like it. A rainbow of espresso foam colors. It may not have been as nice-looking as its brother on the whole, but I was intrigued by that subtle difference. A very nice beer that I'd gladly have again. (4)
Oct 18, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by TheDoctor from Canada (QC)
Serving: Bottle
No date
A:
It pours a super thick oil black with a tight finger of dark cinammon colored head that is not long for this world. Little retention; no lacing. (3.75)
S:
Licorice and chocolatey roast aromas predominate. (4)
T:
The taste follows the nose and is pretty roasty and chocolatey, while dark fruits and molasses are added to the mix in the flavor. (4.25)
M:
It is a little bit warming from the alcohol and has a big, sticky body to it with low carbonation. (4)
O:
This is another very solid stout from these guys!
It was a little harsher and not quite as smooth as the original one, but still a thick, velvety stout with lots of chocolate and smooth roast character. One thing I do have to comment on it the color of the head. I don't know if I've ever had a beer that looked quite like it. A rainbow of espresso foam colors. It may not have been as nice-looking as its brother on the whole, but I was intrigued by that subtle difference. A very nice beer that I'd gladly have again. (4)
Oct 18, 2018
4.22 by JakerLou from New Hampshire on Oct 17, 2018
4.22 by npachl from Wisconsin on May 23, 2018
4.44 by ummswimmin from New Jersey on Apr 15, 2018
3.88 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida on Feb 18, 2018
4.22 by REVZEB from Illinois on Jan 19, 2018
4.21/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by zeff80 from Missouri
22oz bottle. Poured an opaque, jet-black color with a tiny, light brown head of foam. It smelled of chocolate, molasses, toffee and coffee. Strong roasty flavors with chocolate, molasses and coffee flavors.
Jan 07, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by zeff80 from Missouri
22oz bottle. Poured an opaque, jet-black color with a tiny, light brown head of foam. It smelled of chocolate, molasses, toffee and coffee. Strong roasty flavors with chocolate, molasses and coffee flavors.
Jan 07, 2018
4 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands on Dec 27, 2017
4 by brittanylicious from Indiana on Nov 18, 2017
4.16 by heysuz from Indiana on Nov 18, 2017
4/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by josanguapo from Spain
From Boxbeers. In Teku glass. Shared with Carlos. With Pok cheese. The very definition of balance and equilibrium, with a smooth body. I only miss something that stands out to give it a higher score.
Nov 17, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by josanguapo from Spain
From Boxbeers. In Teku glass. Shared with Carlos. With Pok cheese. The very definition of balance and equilibrium, with a smooth body. I only miss something that stands out to give it a higher score.
Nov 17, 2017
4.49/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Dzu from Russian Federation
Poured from tap into teku glass.
L: Pitch black with a tan foam head.
S: Whisky, caramel.
T: Chocolate, whisky.
F: Awesome balanced, tight body with soft carbonation.
O: Incredible beer. Recomended!
Oct 04, 2017
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Dzu from Russian Federation
Poured from tap into teku glass.
L: Pitch black with a tan foam head.
S: Whisky, caramel.
T: Chocolate, whisky.
F: Awesome balanced, tight body with soft carbonation.
O: Incredible beer. Recomended!
Oct 04, 2017
4.71 by akopczyk from Ohio on Sep 24, 2017
4.25 by Sweffin from Wisconsin on Sep 24, 2017
3.85 by Latarnik from New Jersey on Sep 17, 2017
4.25 by tvenne from Minnesota on Sep 14, 2017
3.93/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by Vierenner from Ohio
Very dark in appearance, very roasted in taste ... little else remarkable.
Sep 10, 2017
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by Vierenner from Ohio
Very dark in appearance, very roasted in taste ... little else remarkable.
Sep 10, 2017
4.41 by Chackman151 from Arizona on Aug 13, 2017
4.1 by Bowers-Brew from Illinois on Jul 29, 2017
4 by t2grogan from Arizona on Jul 23, 2017
3.9 by RBuckley73 from Nevada on May 23, 2017
3.69 by ivegot3Dvision from Oregon on May 21, 2017
4.45 by stephenlee from England on Apr 27, 2017
4 by paulish from New York on Apr 03, 2017
4.1 by Allurex from Kansas on Mar 27, 2017
3.72 by cencless from Minnesota on Mar 12, 2017
3.99/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Smakawhat from Maryland
Poured from the bottle into a large snifter glass.
Inky pour, and a little bit lifeless when hitting the glass. Body color does remain extremely dark no surprise, almost jet black, but a hint of midnight, and definitely black. Tan like faint color, no head upon pour, giving to creamy collar, and some spotted leopard like lacing on the legs.
Solid aroma but also pretty standard. Good roast malt body sensation and hints a bit of nutty flavor. Faint dark cocoa slightly but very small on that note. Thick as well.
Palate sticks to basics. Slightly fruity character, but the malt and roast certainly are the stars. Good roast malt body in the mid palate but washes a little wet just ever so slightly. An almost berry like aftertaste that gravitates towards cherry which is quite nice.
Has some nice properties, but doesn't come out as much of anything special or memorable. Just a good solid stout.
Mar 11, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Smakawhat from Maryland
Poured from the bottle into a large snifter glass.
Inky pour, and a little bit lifeless when hitting the glass. Body color does remain extremely dark no surprise, almost jet black, but a hint of midnight, and definitely black. Tan like faint color, no head upon pour, giving to creamy collar, and some spotted leopard like lacing on the legs.
Solid aroma but also pretty standard. Good roast malt body sensation and hints a bit of nutty flavor. Faint dark cocoa slightly but very small on that note. Thick as well.
Palate sticks to basics. Slightly fruity character, but the malt and roast certainly are the stars. Good roast malt body in the mid palate but washes a little wet just ever so slightly. An almost berry like aftertaste that gravitates towards cherry which is quite nice.
Has some nice properties, but doesn't come out as much of anything special or memorable. Just a good solid stout.
Mar 11, 2017
4.06 by TylerJ from Iowa on Feb 18, 2017
4.1 by Zazzi82 from Tennessee on Jan 26, 2017
4.1 by Kevinpitts from Illinois on Jan 15, 2017
4.12/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
by OldDirty from New York
Beautiful looking beer. Smelled very nice but nothing special. Taste was good but boozy. Great feel. Overall very good but not mind blowing.
Jan 04, 2017
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
by OldDirty from New York
Beautiful looking beer. Smelled very nice but nothing special. Taste was good but boozy. Great feel. Overall very good but not mind blowing.
Jan 04, 2017
4.04 by jorgerod99 from California on Jan 01, 2017
4.19 by loganburgh from Michigan on Dec 20, 2016
4.24 by msscott1973 from North Carolina on Dec 04, 2016
3.75 by a77cj7 from South Dakota on Dec 04, 2016
B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher - Reserve from Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
117 ratings