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


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- From:
- Hoppin' Frog Brewery
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Stout - Russian Imperial
Ranked #154 - ABV:
- 9.4%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,302 - Avg:
- 4.23 | pDev: 9.22%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 14, 2022
- Added:
- Nov 10, 2006
- Wants:
- 291
- Gots:
- 570
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding


Notes:
This Bodacious Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout will crush you like no other! This is the grand-daddy of all stout styles, with an intensely deep roasted and full bodied flavor. A robust hop character adds a refreshing balance.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.4 by Zanico from Ohio on Apr 14, 2022
4.67 by Racer102589 on Apr 10, 2022
3.66 by sbradley41 from Pennsylvania on Apr 01, 2022
5 by doctorgary from New York on Dec 28, 2021
4.25 by shelby415 from Oregon on Dec 17, 2021
2.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia on Oct 18, 2021
4.64/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by mynie from Maryland
Traded a Dark Lord for one of these in like 2010? Maybe 2009 or 2011. But definitely a long time ago. This fucker has been aging.
Pour is inky black but still very nicely fizzy. Wisp of a brown head. Really incredible pour, considering the strength and age.
Aroma is, likewise, surprisingly bright and nice. I remember someone, in some vague context, telling me I had been hosed in the trade. I dunno. Back then I was lousy with FFF rarities. This wears its age nicely, and there's no hint that it wouldn't have been good-to-great if consumed several years earlier. Very dark chocolate and coffee, some pleasantly sharp grain. The nodes that are discernably aged mellow it out but don't overwhelm it with the sort of overripe fruit nodes that often denote staleness.
Flavor is, again, surprisingly great. It tastes like a more or less fresh double stout, only wonderfully smoothed over. Aggressive but never overwhelming. Dark, dark, dark and bitter chocolate up front, bittersour grain in the middle, and a wee bitty kiss o' the hops on the finish.
Maybe I'm just an aging man with atavistic pretensions. Maybe beers were just better before the market got oversaturated. I dunno. What I do know is I liked this quite a bit.
Sep 28, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by mynie from Maryland
Traded a Dark Lord for one of these in like 2010? Maybe 2009 or 2011. But definitely a long time ago. This fucker has been aging.
Pour is inky black but still very nicely fizzy. Wisp of a brown head. Really incredible pour, considering the strength and age.
Aroma is, likewise, surprisingly bright and nice. I remember someone, in some vague context, telling me I had been hosed in the trade. I dunno. Back then I was lousy with FFF rarities. This wears its age nicely, and there's no hint that it wouldn't have been good-to-great if consumed several years earlier. Very dark chocolate and coffee, some pleasantly sharp grain. The nodes that are discernably aged mellow it out but don't overwhelm it with the sort of overripe fruit nodes that often denote staleness.
Flavor is, again, surprisingly great. It tastes like a more or less fresh double stout, only wonderfully smoothed over. Aggressive but never overwhelming. Dark, dark, dark and bitter chocolate up front, bittersour grain in the middle, and a wee bitty kiss o' the hops on the finish.
Maybe I'm just an aging man with atavistic pretensions. Maybe beers were just better before the market got oversaturated. I dunno. What I do know is I liked this quite a bit.
Sep 28, 2021
4.07/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois
Tasted in a snifter from draft at Consume on August 1, 2021.
Sep 21, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois
Tasted in a snifter from draft at Consume on August 1, 2021.
Sep 21, 2021
3.79 by dsshuck from Delaware on Jun 15, 2021
4.16/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by stevoj from Idaho
Bomber from Tavour. Near black pour, ring of brown head. Aroma is chocolate and roasty malts. Taste is sweet, chocolate, roast. Simple but so deep. Slick feel from the oats. Wonderfully smooth with a nice warm, bitter finish.
Jun 03, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by stevoj from Idaho
Bomber from Tavour. Near black pour, ring of brown head. Aroma is chocolate and roasty malts. Taste is sweet, chocolate, roast. Simple but so deep. Slick feel from the oats. Wonderfully smooth with a nice warm, bitter finish.
Jun 03, 2021
3.64/5 rDev -13.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Sigmund from Norway
Rerate, 1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger.ABV is 9.4%. Pitch black colour, low tan head. Fairly strong sweetish aroma, also roasty notes, loads of molasses and chocolate, also notes of mild coffee and liquorice. The flavour is very roasty with loads of malty sweetness and molasses, also notes of strong coffee, liquorice and dark bitter chocolate. Powerful stuff. I’m upping it a few points.
Original rating: Bottle, as Hoppin’ Frog B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout, ABV 9.4%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Pitch black colour, low brown head. Surprisingly moderate aroma of oats and roasted barley, notes of mild coffee, hints of chocolate. The flavour has loads of malty sweetness, verging on sickly, and loads of roasted barley too. Notes of coffee, hints of liquorice and dark chocolate. Slightly acidic finish. Not the best impy stout I’ve had.
May 14, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Sigmund from Norway
Rerate, 1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger.ABV is 9.4%. Pitch black colour, low tan head. Fairly strong sweetish aroma, also roasty notes, loads of molasses and chocolate, also notes of mild coffee and liquorice. The flavour is very roasty with loads of malty sweetness and molasses, also notes of strong coffee, liquorice and dark bitter chocolate. Powerful stuff. I’m upping it a few points.
Original rating: Bottle, as Hoppin’ Frog B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout, ABV 9.4%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Pitch black colour, low brown head. Surprisingly moderate aroma of oats and roasted barley, notes of mild coffee, hints of chocolate. The flavour has loads of malty sweetness, verging on sickly, and loads of roasted barley too. Notes of coffee, hints of liquorice and dark chocolate. Slightly acidic finish. Not the best impy stout I’ve had.
May 14, 2021
4.25 by brittanylicious from Indiana on Apr 16, 2021
4 by Scott17Taylor from Iowa on Mar 24, 2021
4.27 by entenduintransit from Tennessee on Jan 02, 2021
4.25 by ilikebeer03 from Texas on Dec 12, 2020
4.16 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois on Dec 06, 2020
4.07 by PaulSlazinger from Pennsylvania on Oct 12, 2020
4.02 by Unclevince from West Virginia on Oct 09, 2020
4.18 by Danzifer from Ohio on Sep 24, 2020
4.54 by DOCRW from Washington on Sep 02, 2020
4.72/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by trevormajor from Ohio
poured from a bomber into a snifter, I let the bottle warm for 2 hours prior to drinking. This seemed to enhance many of the underlying flavors. A great beer from my hometown!
Aug 13, 2020
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by trevormajor from Ohio
poured from a bomber into a snifter, I let the bottle warm for 2 hours prior to drinking. This seemed to enhance many of the underlying flavors. A great beer from my hometown!
Aug 13, 2020
4 by Patches826 from Massachusetts on Jul 30, 2020
3.86 by j0hnc2468 from New York on Jul 13, 2020
4.25 by Beer-A-Lot from Virginia on Jun 11, 2020
4.25 by HungarianCount from California on Jun 09, 2020
3.75/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by janubio from Spain
Bottle bought at Las Buenas Pulgas, served at home in a snifter glass.
Black colour, small brown head with no retention nor lacing.
Aroma of coffee, chocolate, varnished and dried fruits.
Medium body, viscous texture, no carbonation.Sweet finish.
Taste of chocolate, coffee, dried and red fruits, .
Pretty good, more in the nose than in the tongue.
Jun 03, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by janubio from Spain
Bottle bought at Las Buenas Pulgas, served at home in a snifter glass.
Black colour, small brown head with no retention nor lacing.
Aroma of coffee, chocolate, varnished and dried fruits.
Medium body, viscous texture, no carbonation.Sweet finish.
Taste of chocolate, coffee, dried and red fruits, .
Pretty good, more in the nose than in the tongue.
Jun 03, 2020
4 by vfgccp from New York on Jun 01, 2020
4.34/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Somehow no review for this, must have been eaten by server crash
Pours a rich thick frothy 1/2 finger chocolate colored head with good retention, nice soapy lacing, good legs as well, pitch black thick beer
Nose has a nice RIS aroma, loads of chocolate and some fudge, cocoa, some roast but not a lot, little coffee and biscuity cookie wafer, a bit of creamy oatmeal like, light fruity note in the background, little toffee, caramel, and baking spices, plenty of cookie biscuits as it warms
Taste brings brings loads of dark malts and smooth rich beer, plenty of creamy oats, a little biscuity cookie dough as well, light caramel and toffee notes, fair lush creamy chocolate, like Lindor rich chocolate, velvety as well, fudge and cocoa, little baking spice and hint of alcohol, a bit of roast and coffee but light, a touch of vanilla in there as well, fair sweetness in general with a touch of bitterness up front, then finish dries a bit and borders to med bitterness but still on the lighter side for the style, lots of lingering creamy lush cocoa and spice
Mouth is fuller bod, rich creamy thick velvety, med-light foamy carb, very light warming alcohol (a touch more carb brings this to 4.75)
Overall solid RIS with oatmeal, lots of great malt characters, cocoa, chocolate, light roast, cookie wafer, lots of creamy oats brings more biscuity notes and super velvety, alcohol hidden fairly well, nice spices and light fruity notes, enjoyable
May 16, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Somehow no review for this, must have been eaten by server crash
Pours a rich thick frothy 1/2 finger chocolate colored head with good retention, nice soapy lacing, good legs as well, pitch black thick beer
Nose has a nice RIS aroma, loads of chocolate and some fudge, cocoa, some roast but not a lot, little coffee and biscuity cookie wafer, a bit of creamy oatmeal like, light fruity note in the background, little toffee, caramel, and baking spices, plenty of cookie biscuits as it warms
Taste brings brings loads of dark malts and smooth rich beer, plenty of creamy oats, a little biscuity cookie dough as well, light caramel and toffee notes, fair lush creamy chocolate, like Lindor rich chocolate, velvety as well, fudge and cocoa, little baking spice and hint of alcohol, a bit of roast and coffee but light, a touch of vanilla in there as well, fair sweetness in general with a touch of bitterness up front, then finish dries a bit and borders to med bitterness but still on the lighter side for the style, lots of lingering creamy lush cocoa and spice
Mouth is fuller bod, rich creamy thick velvety, med-light foamy carb, very light warming alcohol (a touch more carb brings this to 4.75)
Overall solid RIS with oatmeal, lots of great malt characters, cocoa, chocolate, light roast, cookie wafer, lots of creamy oats brings more biscuity notes and super velvety, alcohol hidden fairly well, nice spices and light fruity notes, enjoyable
May 16, 2020
4.23 by OtisCampbell007 from Tennessee on Apr 18, 2020
4.23 by Blogjackets from Ohio on Mar 18, 2020
4.71 by reitzbrewing from Pennsylvania on Mar 06, 2020
4.21 by deschamp52 from Michigan on Feb 10, 2020
3.5 by rare_bird from Michigan on Dec 03, 2019
4.35 by Mickt465 from New Hampshire on Nov 17, 2019
4.72 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Nov 12, 2019
4 by BalancingBrooms from Illinois on Nov 02, 2019
4.08/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by osheamatth from New York
On tap near the brewery in Ohio. This Imperial Stout is pretty damn good but more in the looks and the nose than the taste. I don't mean to imply that it's not a good tasting brew, it is but it's a gorgeous looking and smelling quaff. Dark dark black but not syrupy in any way. Oh that smell! Double espresso, burnt maple syrup, cacao and overripe cherry. The taste follows the nose with some added burned sugar and vanilla. With all that sweetness it's not cloying but I wouldn't call it a dry finish either. Really good stout.
Sep 14, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by osheamatth from New York
On tap near the brewery in Ohio. This Imperial Stout is pretty damn good but more in the looks and the nose than the taste. I don't mean to imply that it's not a good tasting brew, it is but it's a gorgeous looking and smelling quaff. Dark dark black but not syrupy in any way. Oh that smell! Double espresso, burnt maple syrup, cacao and overripe cherry. The taste follows the nose with some added burned sugar and vanilla. With all that sweetness it's not cloying but I wouldn't call it a dry finish either. Really good stout.
Sep 14, 2019
4.25/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Newbeergeek1 from Maine
Great brew.
Aug 05, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Newbeergeek1 from Maine
Great brew.
Aug 05, 2019
4.19/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
Bottle into pint glass. Pours a viscous inky black with a brief dark tan head. Initial impression is roasted malts and dark chocolate. Mouthfeel is smoother than I expected at 9.4%. Carbonation is quite light. Finish has more dark chocolate and malts, but aalso adds notes of caramel and molassses. All of the above improve as it warms. This is not overwhelmingly sweet, but it's sweet enough to offset the dark chocolate bitterness. It's not incredibly thick, but it certainly qualifies as a hefty RIS. This beer shows Hoppin Frog's restraint and respect for the style. Kudos.
Jul 04, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
Bottle into pint glass. Pours a viscous inky black with a brief dark tan head. Initial impression is roasted malts and dark chocolate. Mouthfeel is smoother than I expected at 9.4%. Carbonation is quite light. Finish has more dark chocolate and malts, but aalso adds notes of caramel and molassses. All of the above improve as it warms. This is not overwhelmingly sweet, but it's sweet enough to offset the dark chocolate bitterness. It's not incredibly thick, but it certainly qualifies as a hefty RIS. This beer shows Hoppin Frog's restraint and respect for the style. Kudos.
Jul 04, 2019
3.81 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington on May 31, 2019
B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher from Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
2831 ratings