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

B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher - ReserveB.O.R.I.S. The Crusher - Reserve
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From:
Hoppin' Frog Brewery
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #300
ABV:
9.4%
Score:
91
Ranked #6,718
Avg:
4.1 | pDev: 6.83%
Reviews:
26
Ratings:
118
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 13, 2022
Added:
Dec 18, 2015
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  17
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
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Jeffo:
Photo of Jeffo
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands

2.82/5  rDev -31.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
Got this one in Buffalo last summer

From a bomber into a snifter. Cap came off very, very easily on this one.
OG: 1.107
IBU: 60

APPEARANCE: Pours black and relatively thick and vicious looking. Pour yields a 2+ finger, medium looking dark mocha head that quickly fades to a splotchy wisp and ring. Jet black body and zero carbonation evident. A ring and splotchy wisp remains until the end leaving some dots of lacing that slowly slide down the glass after each sip.

SMELL: Roasted malts, smoke, dark baker's chocolate, and oats on the nose. Slight hints of caramel and coffee notes. Lots going on here and it’s definitely bold enough to make a statement.

TASTE: Roasted and smoky malts, with some dark chocolate, caramel sweetness and boozy red wine character. Definite dark fruit and wine on the flavor here, with a sharp metallic note after the swallow. Definite oxidization on this one. There’s a bold and lingering finish of metallic flavor, red wine, booze and some roasted malts as well. This is not the roasted, chocolatey beer that the original was. Unfortunately this doesn’t match the nose at all.

PALATE: Medium-full body, slightly lower end carbonation, and creamy smooth on the palate. Weighty as well. Goes down smooth with no real bite at the swallow and finishes slightly mouth-coating. Solid feel, as always.

OVERALL: Crap. What a disappointment. The regular BORIS and all its incarnations have been outstanding, but it looks like the bottling process didn’t go very well on this one. Too bad, as I was really looking forward to this one. Drain enjoyed most of this.
Oct 30, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of Luscious_Malfoy
Reviewed by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
poured from a 22oz bomber (uncertain on date but i’ve personally had it for well over 5 years) into a snifter. pours an inky black with a creamy dark brown foam cap. roasted malts with a hint of dark fruits. taste follows with a slightly hoppy, chocolate / coffee finish. medium-full, silky mouthfeel that’s appropriately carbonated. solid oatmeal Russian imperial stout.
Oct 13, 2022
 
Rated: 4.04 by nmann08 from Virginia

Apr 19, 2020
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
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
 
Rated: 4.12 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

May 06, 2019
Photo of Bum4ever
Reviewed by Bum4ever from California

4.31/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
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
 
Rated: 3.93 by LostHighway from Minnesota

Oct 28, 2018
Photo of TheDoctor
Reviewed by TheDoctor from Canada (QC)

4.09/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
 
Rated: 4.22 by JakerLou from New Hampshire

Oct 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.22 by npachl from Wisconsin

May 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.44 by ummswimmin from New Jersey

Apr 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.88 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida

Feb 18, 2018
 
Rated: 4.22 by REVZEB from Illinois

Jan 19, 2018
Photo of zeff80
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri

4.21/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
 
Rated: 4 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands

Dec 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Nov 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by heysuz from Indiana

Nov 18, 2017
Photo of josanguapo
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
Photo of Dzu
Reviewed by Dzu from Russian Federation

4.49/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
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
 
Rated: 4.71 by akopczyk from Ohio

Sep 24, 2017
B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher - Reserve from Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 118 ratings