iStout
8 Wired Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Stout - Russian Imperial
Ranked #326 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #4,817 - Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 9.56%
- Reviews:
- 109
- Ratings:
- From:
- 8 Wired Brewing Co.
- New Zealand
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 21
- Gots
- 54
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Beware, this is a BIG beer. Brimming with luscious roasted coffee and chocolate malt flavours which are balanced by a brisk bitterness and bold freshness from the hops.
If you’re feeling politically incorrect try it with your favourite cigar, or a dram of your best single malt whisky. Or, if your tooth is sweeter, why not jump in at the deep end with the most decadent dessert of all; half a bottle in a glass with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top (beer geeks like us know it as the Imperial Stout Float). Or simply enjoy it on its own as a decadent dessert or night cap - the perfect winter warmer!
If you don’t already know the history of Russian Imperial Stouts please check it out on the internet, it’s a good story. But remember, although based on that century-old classic style, this beer is a very modern interpretation, like all our beers!
70 IBU
If you’re feeling politically incorrect try it with your favourite cigar, or a dram of your best single malt whisky. Or, if your tooth is sweeter, why not jump in at the deep end with the most decadent dessert of all; half a bottle in a glass with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top (beer geeks like us know it as the Imperial Stout Float). Or simply enjoy it on its own as a decadent dessert or night cap - the perfect winter warmer!
If you don’t already know the history of Russian Imperial Stouts please check it out on the internet, it’s a good story. But remember, although based on that century-old classic style, this beer is a very modern interpretation, like all our beers!
70 IBU
Reviews: 109
| Ratings: 323
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Reviews by travolta:
travolta from California
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Oct 28, 2015
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Oct 28, 2015
More User Reviews:
ubersky
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bought this black beauty at Tasty Bev in Raleigh after Soren, the owner of 8 wired did a tasting of 2 completely different beers (DIPA - impressive, Imp Brown Ale - average). He convinced me to try the iStout and the Batch 31 Stout after we talked about the new craft brewery movement in New Zealand (the basic domestic traditional beers from NZ are terrible). He is proud of his heavier offerings, and I see why.
A: Black body with a brown hue at the top...not an overwhelming head, but enough carbonation to hold it up. Head dissipates halfway through a 10oz pour.
S: Smell was average..nothing truly pronounced, but subtle presence of espresso and bittersweet chocolate.
T: Roasty malts with and assertive espresso backdrop...Classic Russian Imperial style. Aggressive but not offensive. Mochaccino on the finish, and it lingers nicely.
M: Silky texture for a Russian Imperial. Carbonation trickles all the way down the glass.
O: After disappointing the nose, my palate thanked me for the purchase.
Jun 24, 2012
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bought this black beauty at Tasty Bev in Raleigh after Soren, the owner of 8 wired did a tasting of 2 completely different beers (DIPA - impressive, Imp Brown Ale - average). He convinced me to try the iStout and the Batch 31 Stout after we talked about the new craft brewery movement in New Zealand (the basic domestic traditional beers from NZ are terrible). He is proud of his heavier offerings, and I see why.
A: Black body with a brown hue at the top...not an overwhelming head, but enough carbonation to hold it up. Head dissipates halfway through a 10oz pour.
S: Smell was average..nothing truly pronounced, but subtle presence of espresso and bittersweet chocolate.
T: Roasty malts with and assertive espresso backdrop...Classic Russian Imperial style. Aggressive but not offensive. Mochaccino on the finish, and it lingers nicely.
M: Silky texture for a Russian Imperial. Carbonation trickles all the way down the glass.
O: After disappointing the nose, my palate thanked me for the purchase.
Jun 24, 2012
mick303 from Canada (ON)
4.13/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
8 wired iStout
Poured a thick black colour with a plentiful dark tan head, and impressive lacing. Good film and looks solid all round. 4.25
S – tons of bitter dark chocolate, coffee, huge roasty dark malts, alcoholic presence is apparent, spicy pepperiness and chili, strong coffee, intense, and bitter, but rpunded and complex. 4.25
T – thick syrupy chocolate, dark and bitter, espresso and coffee grounds, ending with a dry roasty grainy finish and coffee grounds. Lots of chocolate, highlighted with a touch of toffee, hops are there with a big earthy woody character. Very big and the alcohol presence creeps in a bit, adding some chili, overall very robust, and a pleasing spicy intense sipper. 4
M – syrupy, light carbonation, a huge thick body, very full feel. Slightly slick and oily oily finish. Dry and spicy end. 4
It was a very good but not great imperial stout. It does well at this strength but could be said at this strength the flavours are bound to be intense. This hasn’t hit a bourbon barrel but shows some interesting woody notes and phenolic spiciness along with a ton of coffee. This is in the middle ground between a blow away lower-ABV IS and a mindblowing +10% IS, which it falls short on complexity of, at this strength it does work well but doesn’t really deserve the next level of accolades. Certainly worth a try if you see it, lots of rich chocolate, coffee, spicy notes, balance is pretty spot on, an excellent stout. 4.25
Dec 23, 2013
4.13/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
8 wired iStout
Poured a thick black colour with a plentiful dark tan head, and impressive lacing. Good film and looks solid all round. 4.25
S – tons of bitter dark chocolate, coffee, huge roasty dark malts, alcoholic presence is apparent, spicy pepperiness and chili, strong coffee, intense, and bitter, but rpunded and complex. 4.25
T – thick syrupy chocolate, dark and bitter, espresso and coffee grounds, ending with a dry roasty grainy finish and coffee grounds. Lots of chocolate, highlighted with a touch of toffee, hops are there with a big earthy woody character. Very big and the alcohol presence creeps in a bit, adding some chili, overall very robust, and a pleasing spicy intense sipper. 4
M – syrupy, light carbonation, a huge thick body, very full feel. Slightly slick and oily oily finish. Dry and spicy end. 4
It was a very good but not great imperial stout. It does well at this strength but could be said at this strength the flavours are bound to be intense. This hasn’t hit a bourbon barrel but shows some interesting woody notes and phenolic spiciness along with a ton of coffee. This is in the middle ground between a blow away lower-ABV IS and a mindblowing +10% IS, which it falls short on complexity of, at this strength it does work well but doesn’t really deserve the next level of accolades. Certainly worth a try if you see it, lots of rich chocolate, coffee, spicy notes, balance is pretty spot on, an excellent stout. 4.25
Dec 23, 2013
reyna311 from Delaware
4.27/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Really excellent stout. A bit of dark fruit yet still roasty with a hint of chocolate at the end.
Well balanced and smooth mouthfeel
Sep 28, 2015
4.27/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Really excellent stout. A bit of dark fruit yet still roasty with a hint of chocolate at the end.
Well balanced and smooth mouthfeel
Sep 28, 2015
MylesMac from Canada (MB)
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
Appearance (3.8)
Black as night
Some lacing
Mocha head but not much of it
Smell (4.3)
Cola
Smoky
Pepper
Dark chocolate
Warming alcohol
Taste (4.8)
Cherry
Sweet Honey
Toasted caramel
Smoky
Coffee
Bitter dark chocolate
Alcohol
Mouth feel (4.0)
Creamy
Full body
Slightly sticky
Dry
Overall (4.2)
Very complex on the noise and palate. Like a party in my mouth!
Smooth for the ABV
Very good
Sep 24, 2014
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
Appearance (3.8)
Black as night
Some lacing
Mocha head but not much of it
Smell (4.3)
Cola
Smoky
Pepper
Dark chocolate
Warming alcohol
Taste (4.8)
Cherry
Sweet Honey
Toasted caramel
Smoky
Coffee
Bitter dark chocolate
Alcohol
Mouth feel (4.0)
Creamy
Full body
Slightly sticky
Dry
Overall (4.2)
Very complex on the noise and palate. Like a party in my mouth!
Smooth for the ABV
Very good
Sep 24, 2014
Davepoolesque from Massachusetts
4/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Viscous. Great hop bitterness. Good roasted malt character. Impressed.................................................................................
Oct 20, 2014
4/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Viscous. Great hop bitterness. Good roasted malt character. Impressed.................................................................................
Oct 20, 2014
mmilyko from Nevada
3.75/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Apr 12, 2018
3.75/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Apr 12, 2018
Ciocanelu from Romania
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pitch black color with mocha head. Aroma has dark fruits and some astringent roasted malt notes. Taste has milk chocolate, caramel, toasted malt, some coffee bitterness on the finish, really well balanced overall. Medium to full bodied, smooth mouthfeel. Really well made, easy drinking imperial stout.
Oct 19, 2017
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pitch black color with mocha head. Aroma has dark fruits and some astringent roasted malt notes. Taste has milk chocolate, caramel, toasted malt, some coffee bitterness on the finish, really well balanced overall. Medium to full bodied, smooth mouthfeel. Really well made, easy drinking imperial stout.
Oct 19, 2017
groleau from Canada (QC)
3.77/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
May 27, 2016
3.77/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
May 27, 2016
BeerBeast from Florida
4.21/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
May 17, 2017
4.21/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
May 17, 2017
iStout from 8 Wired Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
323 ratings
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