Imperial Stout
The St. George Brewing Company

 

Poured moderately hard from a bottle into a snifter glass, forming a finger of brown head that slowly faded to nothing. Deep brown color. Smells of dark fruit, cherries mostly. Pretty standard Russian imperial stout smell. Taste is similar, but more coffee than I was expecting, especially as it warms. Coffee comes first, followed by more dark cherry. Smooth feel, medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Good Russian imperial stout.

A-Pours a very dark color with slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has generous coffee and some cocoa hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a generous and robust coffee and slight cocoa flavor
M-A medium bodied well carbonated beer
O-A good Russian Imperial Stout

 

Tasted from a bomber bottle into a white wine glass.

L - A great looking beer--deep, deep brown and opaque. Tall, fluffy and persistent light brown head. Sheets of lacing.

S - Strong, bitter espresso and dark chocolate notes. Low smoke or peat in the background, mixed with strong cracked grain aroma.

T - Flavors of rich, roasted grain, dark chocolate, bitter espresso. Hops show in mid-palate as a strong, bitter herbal note.

F - Medium body seems a bit light for the flavors. Low carbonation. Strong hops bitterness that leaves the tongue burning. Some alcohol burn adds to that sensation.

O - This is an intense and assertive imperial stout, very appropriate for the style!

One of the best beers I have had in a while. Midnight black, HUGE, long-lasting light brown head, delicious smell of red wine and brownie, taste of the same, super smooth and creamy mouthfeel. A+

Simply awesome!

 

Poured from a bomber into a tulip, the beer pours jet black and thick, with a foamy, creamy, low profile, tan head. Aromas of rich chocolate, subtle bitter roasted coffee, molasses, hints of wood and char, licorice, caramel, tangy sweet cream, and some earthy highlights. Pretty dynamic nose, with a slight lean towards the sweet side. Flavors are rich and sweet forward, with a chocolate blend, both milk and bittersweet, followed by an earthy and peat highlight. Solid coffee backbone, with bitterness and roasted notes. Some accents of vanilla, cream, char, and hints of smoke. Pretty well balanced, and full bodied, with a subtle roasted edge. The aftertaste is more of the chocolate and coffee, but again, leaning towards the sweet side. Extremely smooth and drinkable, through to the smooth, creamy, slick finish with a lingering milk chocolate sweetness that is just great. Good beer.

 

 

 

A: Dark walnut brown, bordering on black with its opacity. The head is 1.5 fingers of caramel colored foam; it lingers very well, although lacing is lackluster.

S: Not potent, but certainly complex. There's molasses, stewed plums, and coffee. I also detect the boozy aroma of bourbon.

T: Sweet malt hits hard at first, then it's a wave of coffee. Baker's chocolate follows briefly, but is pushed aside by a mixture of tart fruit and acrid, burnt grain. The acrid notes turn to a biting hops bitterness that lingers for ages on the palate (basically, until I take the next sip).

M: Very smooth, and well carbonated, but the alcohol burn is surprisingly high, even for 8% ABV.

O: Pretty good, but definitely not excellent. The strong, acrid bitterness and alcohol burn detracted from an otherwise solid example of the style.

 

 

(Note: I added this beer because the name is not the same as the listed "Russian Imperial Stout" and the ABV is different. I contacted the brewery to confirm the style.)

A: It pours pitch black with about a thumb width head that is creamy and tan. The head stays up for a long time, and it leaves some lacing. The lacing is there but it doesn't seem to give the "chug chug" lines that other stouts do.

S: The beer smells of coffee and chocolate, but its a bit weak smelling.

T: It tastes very nice. I get that espresso taste with lots of vanilla and some roasted flavors. It has a hint of chocolate and has a little creamy flavor that is hard to separate from the mouthfeel and the taste. My only qualm with this beer is that it is a bit weak in bitterness.

M: It has a wonderful mouthfeel. It is very smooth and coats the mouth in delicious flavors that last and last. It has a creaminess without being too sticky or sickening.

O: I would definately drink this one again! I can't score it a perfect because I believe it could use a bit more bitterness, however it is superb! I believe it is a strong competitor to other, much larger breweries.