Danielle
Amherst Brewing

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From:
Amherst Brewing
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
9%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 14.17%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
14
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 01, 2016
Added:
Apr 21, 2012
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  2
Formerly Black Friday Russian Imperial Stout
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DelicateDelirium:
Photo of DelicateDelirium
Rated by DelicateDelirium from Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -18.3%

Sep 04, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of GeeL
Reviewed by GeeL from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
April 1, 2016 the bottle is dated August 2012 . It is bottle number 49 of 100 from batch number one.

A: Pours thick and viscous, it's thick with a thin bead around the edge zero head whatsoever. The color is spot on for a Russian Imperial Stout. It is dark brown, almost black.

S: Upon opening and it was slightly chilled, we sensed a briny character. It faded into coffee, unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate. With continued air and warmth it developed spice notes such as cinnamon or allspice, but this was much later on.

T: Initially, it was one dimensional and tasted of mocha. Over time,,it developed further complexities typical of a quality Russian Imperial Stout.

F: Some additional carbonation would have improved the beer feeling brighter in the mouth and may have distributed the flavors more uniformly. As it is, the feel is thick but not oily.

O: After 3 1/2 years, this beer is not in danger of losing its appeal. I would have no problem enjoying this beer again, in fact, I shall because my friend bought two bottles. :)
Apr 01, 2016
Photo of cbutova
Reviewed by cbutova from Massachusetts

3.94/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Tallboy pours into two pint glasses with a shiny oily pitch black body. The crown rises up to two fingers with a thick and creamy consistency. Good retention and lacing consists of a few small patches.

S- Deeply roasted grains make up most of the aroma yet they do not come off as astringent or burnt in any way. Cocoa is the largest presence leading to toasted nutty, coffee, caramel and earthy hops tones.

T- Mostly mimics the aroma but a slight raisin to cherry dark fruit comes slightly to light without being disruptive. Cocoa and deeply toasted grains open up to medium roast coffee, caramel, toffee and light sweetness. Hints of earthy hops.

MF- The body has a substantial creaminess to it with some chewy consistency in a body of medium thickness. Medium level of carbonation suits the flavors promoting smoothness and silkiness. Slightly roast bitter ending.

Another good offering from ABC. The four pack of mixed singles I recently picked up has gone 4/4 and now I am excited to try all of their canned brews.
Mar 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.35 by gphelps70 from Massachusetts

Feb 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.6 by SABERG from Massachusetts

Feb 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by Rideguy64 from New Hampshire

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by DerekMorgan from Massachusetts

Oct 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Bob6518 from England

May 25, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Nowaveradio from Massachusetts

Dec 08, 2012
Photo of pisano
Reviewed by pisano from Massachusetts

2.91/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
bottle #13/100, purchased at Table & Vine, West Springfield, MA

a: thick and black like used motor oil with no head whatsoever

s: tons of soy sauce with little else, but it does hide the alcohol fairly well

t: just like the nose, i'm getting straight up soy sauce with very slight hints of dark roasted malts, coffee and very dark chocolate on the finish

m: rich, thick, viscous, no carbonation

o: quite disappointed with this one actually. luckily I was able to get two more bottles so hopefully they will develop nicely over time.
Sep 05, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by bootdown21 from Connecticut

Aug 29, 2012
Photo of ryan1788a5
Reviewed by ryan1788a5 from Massachusetts

4.12/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500ml wax dipped swing top bottle poured into a large snifter. Bottle number 75 of 100, released exclusively at Table and Vine.

A: Inky, oily black on the pour. Even an aggressive pour yields little to no head. Lacing is spotty and patchy.

S: Fudge, brownie batter, french roast, bakers chocolate, hint of chocolate covered black cherries, bruised plum, currant. Earthy and yeasty undertones. Touch of spicy alcohol in the background. Great nose.

T: Distinct bruised plum and currant. Acrid roasted malt flavors build, but never go overboard. Black cocoa powder and brown sugar. Acidic black coffee. Bakers chocolate. Undercurrents of earthy yeast. Bruised darkfruit comes back to the forefront. Whisper of spicy alcohol stays far in the background. Dries a touch toward the finish and ends with lingering black cocoa powder and black coffee.

M: Very hefty body. Thick, heavy, and sludgy in the mouth. Smooth and silky. Very little in the way of carbonation, though it isn't necessary. Absolutely no heat despite the 9.5% abv.

O: This is one big, rib-sticking Russian Imperial Stout. Very true to style and a real treat to drink. One of the best-kept local secrets at the moment, though I hear it has started to make a name for itself at some of the bigger Boston-area beer fests.

Notes: Two quick criticisms: 1.) It needs some carbonation. Although it didn't affect my score or enjoyment of the beer too much, a little more carbonation would certainly enhance the mouthfeel. As it is the beer is almost dead flat. 2.) I'm going back and forth with myself as to whether or not I was detecting some oxidation. There seemed to be some of that wet cardboard kind of thing going on, but it wasn't very noticeable. I'll have to revisit this one again to see if this is the case.
Aug 20, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by SirHefeweizen from Massachusetts

Jun 24, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by bluerabbit from Massachusetts

Jun 04, 2012
Danielle from Amherst Brewing
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 14 ratings