Revolution
Propeller Brewing Co

RevolutionRevolution
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From:
Propeller Brewing Co
 
Nova Scotia, Canada
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #393
ABV:
8%
Score:
89
Ranked #11,861
Avg:
3.98 | pDev: 8.29%
Reviews:
65
Ratings:
107
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 05, 2022
Added:
Jan 19, 2007
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  14
This beer was born for greatness. Sent by English brewers via the Baltic Sea to the court of the Czars, Russian Imperial Stout was brewed to very high gravities and allowed to ferment on the long voyage. The result? A dark, strong and bracing brew.

Propeller's version weighs in at a whopping eight percent alcohol content, with a deep, rich, black colour. The taste of alcohol is well masked by the intense hop bitterness, extreme roasted malt and dark fruit notes.

Propeller Brewing Company has brewed and bottled this unfiltered ale each year since 2006, making Propeller the extreme brewing pioneers of Nova Scotia. This seasonal offering is only available at the Propeller Cold Beer Store on Gottingen Street, and select private retailers in Halifax.

Russian Imperial Stout - imbibed by Peter, adored by Catherine and now reclaimed by you, the People. Za Vas!

60 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by thehyperduck:
Photo of thehyperduck
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)

4.16/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
500 mL bottle from the LCBO; bottled in week one of Nov 2012. I've been looking forward to popping this one open since I picked it up a few weeks ago – but I was a little saturated on imperial stouts at the time and decided to put this one off until 2013. I've had a sample of this RIS before and really liked it, but this mug contains my first true glass of the stuff. Served slightly chilled.

Pours an opaque, inky black colour, topped at first with two fingers of puffy, foamy, tan-coloured head. The abundance of bubbles within the foam kind of make it look like a spongecake, at least for five minutes or so - after which point the head has seeped away, leaving behind a smooth, dense, creamy cap at the surface. A few modest smears of lacing stick to the sides above the collar. The aroma is malty, sweet, a little roasted and a little fruity, with hints of cocoa, butterscotch, molasses, prunes and milk chocolate. A faint smoky note becomes more noticeable as the drink warms.

Tasty, though perhaps not the most bold-tasting RIS I've had in the last little while. The flavour has more roasted malt than the aroma let on, with a mixture of dark chocolate and brown sugar notes. Not much dark fruit; rather the chocolate is directly overtaken by anise-like herbal notes in the finish and the sweet, malty, somewhat roasty, bitter aftertaste. The alcohol is noticeable, but works well with the bitter finish. Medium-bodied; there's some thickness to it but this one is kind of straddling the line between 'ok' body and 'just plain weak' body. The carbonation is also a bit high for an RIS which doesn't help the situation. One thing I will say is that it's very drinkable for the style, almost dangerously so.

I really enjoy the taste of this stuff, but it's worth pointing out that I wouldn't consider this a particularly complex or rich-tasting RIS. It's flavourful in a relatively straightforward, carefully manicured way, with just enough kick from the booze to remind you to expect a punch once you're finished the glass.

Final Grade: 4.16, an A-. This is my first review of anything in Propeller Brewery's portfolio, but if their other beers are anything like Revolution Imperial Stout, I've been depriving myself for no good reason. This stuff is better than most of the OCB RISs I've tried over the last few months, and pretty good value at its Ontario price point. More body would be appreciated, but this is still one of the better imperial stouts in the country as far as I'm concerned. A brew I hope the LCBO keeps bringing back every winter.
Jan 05, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.34 by polloenfuego from Canada (NB)

May 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.89 by JoshuaCCampbell from Canada (NS)

Feb 06, 2017
Photo of Grogsky
Reviewed by Grogsky from Canada ()

4.55/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Aged this for 10 months. Was not disappointed. Highly recommend aging this beer. Fantastic chocolate notes, nice head that lasted throughout the beer. I'm not an imperial stout lover, but this beer has changed my attitudes.
Nov 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.51 by Coronaeus from Canada (ON)

Aug 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.97 by jfreeze from Canada (NB)

Jun 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Powers30 from Canada (NB)

May 07, 2016
 
Rated: 4.72 by Cris4545 from Indiana

Feb 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.46 by Tmappin from Canada (NS)

Sep 22, 2015
Photo of souvenirs
Reviewed by souvenirs from Canada (BC)

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: As black as black coffee, with just a few millimetres of tan head.
S: Very appealing. Molasses and burnt sugar.
T: Coffee, dark cocoa. Rich.
F: Velvety.
Aug 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by TheRiot from Canada (NB)

May 10, 2015
Photo of PorterPro125
Reviewed by PorterPro125 from Canada (NB)

4.07/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Serving Type: 500 mL Bottle

A- Black and opaque. Beautiful tan 1 1/2 finger head that has pretty good retention. Lots of lacing

S- Deep roasty malt and dark chocolate. Absolutely perfect in terms of a stout.

T- Roasted malts, chocolate, and a coffee-like aftertaste

M- Heavy yet silky Body (Yup! It's an Imperial Stout LOL) and medium-low carbonation.

O- Easily the best stout I've ever had. Perfect combination of smoky/roasty malts, chocolate, and an incredibly smooth body.
Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.96 by mylespetro from Canada (NS)

Mar 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by graybayou from Canada (AB)

Mar 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.98 by wethorseblanket from California

Feb 27, 2015
Photo of byronic
Reviewed by byronic from Canada (ON)

3.5/5  rDev -12.1%
Thanks to CaptainMurphy for this one!

Pours black and leaves a nice thick collar in a snifter glass. Definite presence of chocolate and roasted malts in the nose. Interesting blend of malts, coffee and chocolate with a hint of smoke. The finish is on the bitter side with a strong presence of coffee and dark chocolate. Very little carbonation with a rich creamy texture. Simple yet quite drinkable.
Dec 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.81 by SchoonerNS

Nov 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by KeKeKumba from Canada (ON)

Nov 01, 2014
Photo of DaveBar
Reviewed by DaveBar from Canada (ON)

4.31/5  rDev +8.3%
Got on a trade from Curtis. Thx Curtis! Served at 8deg C in a tulip

A- 4.5- WOW this is dark. BLACK. Pours a nice head that is gone in no time

S- 4.0- Nice roasted malt and chocolate

T- 4.25- Nice RIS. Very roasted and chocolaty. Super rich palate. Coffee. Yum

M- 4.25- Yup it's thick! LOL nice RIS

O- 4.31- This is a winner. Wish I had more.

Food Pairing

This wonderful RIS went well with..... Beef Stew heavy on the root vegetables.

Enjoy!!
Oct 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by BRYeleJR from Massachusetts

Sep 09, 2014
Revolution from Propeller Brewing Co
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 107 ratings