Unorthodox Russian Imperial Stout
Two Roads Brewing Company

Unorthodox Russian Imperial StoutUnorthodox Russian Imperial Stout
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From:
Two Roads Brewing Company
 
Connecticut, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #441
ABV:
9.2%
Score:
86
Ranked #19,509
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 9.19%
Reviews:
58
Ratings:
246
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 04, 2022
Added:
Aug 04, 2014
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  77
This most unorthodox Russian Imperial Stout is brewed with malted rye and aggressively hopped with four different Pacific Northwest varieties to create a depth of character that's unmistakable. Full-bodied with notes of rye, treacle, chocolate and espresso that join together to create a crescendo of flavor. You’ll want to do an unabashed Kalinka after just one taste!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by fank2788:
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Reviewed by fank2788 from Connecticut

3.92/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz served in a couple of pint glasses
Pours a deep dark near black in color with a frothy fine bubbled dark khaki head that is all classic RIS. The smell is sweet coffee, a touch of rye spice, some piney hops and chocolate. The taste is a touch sweet overall but there is a great dark coffee character and a solid bitterness that comes without much in the way of hop flavor. The rye is mildly apparent if you look for it but it is really just a minor addition to what is a solid stout. The finish is quite dry and puckeringly bitter both from roasted malts and the assertive hops. The alcohol builds with time but is surprisingly hidden despite its strength. Good overall but the taste may lack just a bit of the complexity that you'll find in other world class examples of the style, but still worth a try if you get the opportunity. Another good one from Two Roads!
Jun 17, 2016
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.02 by NYR-Zuuuuc from Connecticut

Apr 04, 2022
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Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

3.62/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into a tulip. Bottled 1/4/17, so not far from 4 years old.

Looks outstanding in the glass. Jet black body with a nice tan head. This shrinks to a fat ring, and continues to leave very good lacing.

Aroma of dried fruit, licorice, and red wine.

Then the taste. Ouch. None of the above aromas translate to the tasting, except maybe licorice. Quite bitter, though not from the hops after nearly 4 years. Heavily roasted taste as well. There is nary a trace of sweetness to begin to balance it out.

Mouth between medium and full, finish roasty and bitter.

Overall, it seems this has not aged well. Bitterness and roast not softened by age, treacle and chocolate mentioned on the bottle have faded with age. Will struggle to get through this one.
Nov 08, 2020
Photo of TheSupremeAJ
Reviewed by TheSupremeAJ from Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I like that this is not cloying or sweet. The coffee profile is suited to a whole bean connoisseur. The chocolate profile reminds me of a Hershey bar. The hops are a bit too westy and uncomplimentary. The ABV is nice and hidden fine. TBH I poured it in a Coke glass and one might think it is Coke based on the foam and lacing. It's not overpowering. Creamy and refreshing just a bit all over the place. Curious to see how this one ages. I got it from Shangy's in Emmaus, PA and they gave it a five mug rating.
Jul 18, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by The_Beer_Guru from New York

Jun 21, 2019
 
Rated: 3.99 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

May 02, 2019
Photo of izraelc
Reviewed by izraelc from New York

3.3/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
A lot going on here. Maybe too much. Pours opaque. Deep brown foam. Smells like burnt coffee. Too may layers. You get bitter coffee and sweet chocolate and an alcohol finish. Someone's trying too hard.
Jan 12, 2019
 
Rated: 3.83 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Dec 03, 2018
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Reviewed by EmperorBevis from England

3.96/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottled
Pours a jet black body with good tan head
Aroma ma has
Bevis Maun
Two Roads Brewing Company by Unorthodox
Bevis Maun is drinking an Unorthodox by Two Roads Brewing Company

Groovy baby

Bottle
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Dec 03, 2018
 
Rated: 3.76 by snowdog23 from New York

Oct 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 6thstreetbrewpub from District of Columbia

Sep 30, 2018
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Reviewed by JJKBeerLvr from Pennsylvania

4.32/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Sampled September 2018 from 12oz bottle in pint glass. Bottled on date Jan 12, 2018..

Appearance: Very dark black, dark color, with a dark tan head of less than 1 finger. The head flattened and dissipated quickly. The head left a little coating on the glass.

Smell: Strong hops aroma, especially for a RIS. There are also roasted malt aromas, coffee, and a little chocolate in the aroma. Interesting combination and balance between the hops, malts, and other aromas.

Taste: Strong mix of bitterness from the hops, coffee and burnt malt flavors. Full-bodied with nice balance. It is very smooth. There is a hint of sweetness like chocolate, but that is definitely overshadowed by the hops and coffee flavors.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, with strong alcohol which matches with the 9.2% on the label.

Overall: This was the first time I tried anything from Two Roads brewery. This is a big RIS in both typicaly stout flavors of coffee and roasted malts, along with the prominent hops flavor. This is a very good Imperial stout. It has strong flavors as well as alcohol, and the mix of malts and hops makes for a unique and interesting stout. As someone who loves RIS and IPAs, this is a nice mix and I would buy it again. I am very interested in trying their other stouts now.
Sep 29, 2018
 
Rated: 3.63 by Quafftastic from Virginia

Sep 03, 2018
 
Rated: 4.57 by entenduintransit from Tennessee

Aug 01, 2018
 
Rated: 3.25 by Knickfan3 from New York

Jun 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.31 by anomalousclouds from New York

May 31, 2018
Photo of Mr-Beer
Reviewed by Mr-Beer from New York

4.02/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Dark in color andDark in taste. Rich Espresso dark chocolate in flavor with hints of nuttiness. Another of the dark beers. Another highly recommended dark beer
May 19, 2018
 
Rated: 3.99 by spointon from Illinois

May 03, 2018
 
Rated: 3.93 by Diura from New York

Apr 21, 2018
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Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

3.91/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark, opaque body; thick, frothy, creamy head. Rather faint aroma of roasted grain and chocolate notes. Excellent flavor of cocoa and chocolate with a boozy undertone; somewhat spicy. Heavy body yet a tad watery; a nice sweet residual sugar note on the palate.

A very tasty RIS delivering a nice balance of chocolate sweetness and deep roasted and charred grain goodness. Perhaps it is a bit weak in the aroma and the mouthfeel, but the taste will satisfy lovers of big, rich stouts.
Apr 10, 2018
Unorthodox Russian Imperial Stout from Two Roads Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 246 ratings