Tunguska
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works

TunguskaTunguska
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From:
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
11.4%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.05 | pDev: 7.65%
Reviews:
58
Ratings:
125
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 12, 2022
Added:
Jun 13, 2010
Wants:
  27
Gots:
  18
Thick and black as oil, this rich imperial stout is complex yet smooth. Rounded roastiness with flavor notes of coffee, chocolate, and dark fruit dominate an intense explosion of flavor.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by prototypic:
Photo of prototypic
Reviewed by prototypic from Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Tunguska pours a very dark chocolate fudge color. It’s not quite “black as oil,” but it is dark. A bit of light does cut through and reveals some burgundy highlights at the edges. Nevertheless, it is a nice color. A soft tan head tops it. It rises to about a finger and a half in height before falling back. Lacing was a little sticky, but on the lighter side.

The nose is a little light on aromatics, but it does smell good. It starts out with a nice mix of roasted and chocolate malts. They seem to be present in roughly equal proportions. Roasted coffee follows. It smells relatively strong and blends well with the malt base. There is a bit of dark fruit, but it smells secondary. I’m getting some plum or raisin. It’s a nice touch and adds some quality depth. Alcohol is there, but really doesn’t smell all that strong. Not 10.8% territory anyway.

The flavor is pretty impressive. The malt base is a blend of roasted and chocolate varieties. The roasted flavor comes through nice and strong. Bittersweet dark chocolate complements it well and tastes really nice. Roasted coffee is nice and strong. As a coffee fan, that works well for me. It blends well with the malt base and adds a lot to the overall flavor. Dark fruit flavors of plum and raisin emerge late. They’re secondary, but definitely add something positive. Alcohol is there, but surprisingly, isn’t warm or hot. Finishes roasty and chocolaty.

Tunguska has a heavier body. It’s definitely viscous. Carbonation is light and soft. It’s very silky and smooth. For such a big beer, it’s very drinkable. I anticipated much more trouble with this bomber.

Tunguska is an impressive release from The Brew Kettle. It’s a nice American/Double Stout that’s relatively complex and very tasty. It’s deceptive for such a big beer though. It drinks far smaller than its 10.8% abv. Very good stuff. Easy recommendation.
Jan 13, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of schoolboy
Reviewed by schoolboy from Ohio

3.99/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
February 12, 2022
This is an odd one - a huge stout that doesn't feel so huge or syrupy.

It pours nicely, with good light brown head. The aroma is roasty, and it is a hugely boozy smell - warning. The taste is a nice roasty, not too sweet, extremely drinkable big brew. It has a surprisingly clean finish.

Recommended. This is a huge brew that goes down dangerously easy.

October 25, 2022
This is nicely bittered - to the point where it tases dry as dirt, and that's a huge compliment. Highly recommended, especially if you are looking for a big Brew Kettle drink to order, this one is huge and dry.
Feb 12, 2022
 
Rated: 4.55 by Danzifer from Ohio

Dec 11, 2021
 
Rated: 4.21 by RichRubes610 from Pennsylvania

Sep 24, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by travelguy from Ohio

Mar 30, 2021
Photo of Ozzylizard
Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tunguska from The Brew Kettle. Purchased on 20/3/21 at TBK, Strongville, OH, for $ 14.99 for a six-pack of 12 oz cans ($ 0.208/oz). In reefer at store. Stored at home at 42 degrees. Reviewed 29/3/21. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Bottom stamped “CANNED ON 03/15/2021”. Served at 53.2 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 58.6 degrees.
Appearance – 4.
First pour – Brown (SRM 20), clear.
Body – Ruby Brown (SRM 24), opaque. When rear-lite, same but ruby shows at the edges.
Head – Large (Maximum 4.5 cm, aggressive center pour), fawn, high density, average retention, diminishing to 18 to 22 mm crown topped by torn curtain lacing and a rocky heaped partial cap. The crown is heavily fed in some areas by effervescence.
Lacing – Good. Narrow bands of almost all nearly microscopic bubbles. Bands are connected by delicate columns. Above the rows is the remains of the degenerated torn curtain lacing.
Aroma – 4 – Moderate amount of slightly bitter cocoa. No hops, no yeast.
Flavor – 4.25 – Moderately bitter with some moderate cocoa taste. No hops, no yeast. No alcohol (11.4 % ABV, as marked on container) taste or aroma. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. The bitterness has a long hang-time.
Palate – 4 – Medium, creamy, soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 A mild cocoa drink with hidden alcohol – too easy to pound. The name implies the sudden destruction that will occur after a couple of these.
Mar 29, 2021
 
Rated: 4.02 by Blogjackets from Ohio

Mar 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4.17 by spark3148857 from Ohio

Mar 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by Lukass from Ohio

Feb 23, 2021
Photo of BB1313
Reviewed by BB1313 from Ohio

3.67/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Canned on 3/24/20. 12oz can poured into a tulip. Pours black; nice creamy dark khaki head that falls slowly leaving great thick retention and sticky lacing. The aromas are malt forward. Some chocolate coming through. Subtle hop aromas. The flavors basically follow the nose. More chocolate leading the way, especially dark chocolate. More hops in the mix. Moderate bitterness. Moderate to low sweetness. Nice malt backbone. Mild warmth in the finish, but the alcohol is ultimately well hidden considering the ABV. Mouthfeel is full-bodied with moderate to low carbonation. It's very fluffy, creamy, velvety, smooth and dangerously drinkable.

This is a solid Imperial Stout. It's not super flashy, but it's simply enjoyable. It's big, but doesn't feel too big. It's probably a little bit better than my "numerical score" might indicate. Not bad at all. I do like it and it's fun to drink. The craftsmanship is on point.
Jul 23, 2020
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the 12 oz can in a snifter. This beefy brew pours a
rich oily black with a very nice head of tan foam that
settles to a thick ring, thin light layer, and sports some
nice light lacing. Nose of char, smoke, dark espresso,
dark cocoa, brewers licorice, and deep roast. Flavors
surpass the nose with dark coffee, faint cream, licorice,
char, brulee, dark bakers cocoa, and rich layers of roast with a
faint herbal hop. Nice mouth feel; full body, smooth, rich,
coating, lightly slick, light carbonation, and a chewy
warming finish.

Overall, excellence from the Kettle!

Cheers
May 07, 2020
 
Rated: 4.1 by chrismattlin from Ohio

Apr 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.33 by j0hnc2468 from New York

Apr 20, 2020
Photo of janubio
Reviewed by janubio from Spain

3.97/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
On can at The Situation. Served in a wine glass. Black colour, small beige head with short retention. Almost no lacing.
Aroma of chocolate, brown sugar, molasses, sweet sherry wine, dried fruits, tobacco.
Full body, dense sticky texture, flat carbonation sweet finish.
Taste is just as rich as the aroma, but, unfortunately can is noticeable in some disgusting metalic notes.
Sep 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.59 by CDBeerDisappear from Ohio

Feb 21, 2018
 
Rated: 3.67 by Zaphog from Michigan

Sep 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.9 by beergorrilla from Michigan

Sep 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.8 by Coho11 from Ohio

Jul 01, 2017
Photo of SomethingClever
Reviewed by SomethingClever from Ohio

4.12/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into tulip glass

A: Pitch black body with almost no head just a slight film around the rim of the glass.

S: Rich umami flavors, earthy, inky smells like salty meat

T: Lots of the same flavors shine through umami, rich salty meats, a touch sweet, some rich burnt malts

M: Heavy beer not really thick but clingy. This beer holds your tongue.

O: This is a different beast then I think most stout drinkers are looking for, but for some reason it resonates with me. It's rich Umami, soy sauce base and slight smokiness work for me. I think most people will not like it, but I am digging this beer.
Mar 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.66 by trparky from Ohio

Feb 21, 2017
Tunguska from The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 125 ratings