Russki Imponerande Stout
Ahlafors Bryggerier AB

An extra from Bosse and one of the more unique beers I have come across. Served at cellar temp and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 03/1/2010.

The pour was as close to black as I could imagine one getting. No light shining through on this one at all, nothing, nada, zilch. Small head of tan quickly fades leaving a bare top that just barely holds its own. Aroma is all over the place, dark, almost sour fruits, hints of crazy smoke notes, lots of licorice and peat. Then the chocolate hits. What a crazy mix. Not as heavy as I would have thought, lighter in body, but it worked actually. Deep, smoked malts hit first, warming with loads of licorice and a hint of vanilla in the back. Smooth, mellowed and subdued untl you get smacked with prunes and dark fruit. Rich, a purple taste( figure that out) and a smooth, dry and lightly tart finish.

Overall one of the most unique beers I have tried in quite a long time. Glad to be able to take a stab at this one.

Extra in a recent trade with bosse. 33cl.

A: Very close to black with some brown accents when held to the light. A few tan bubbles emerged from the murk, but they don't stick around very long. A few clumps of bubbles around the edge, with a few rings of lacing.

S: Molasses, caramel, bitter chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits, plums, soy sauce, and a bit of booze. Has a sort of black pepper note to it as well. Cinnamon and a few other spice notes as well. Unique.

T: Roasted malt, vanilla, a few notes of wood, not quite straight up oak, but pretty similar. Dark chocolates. And what is most unique about this beer, fruits. Very fruity, not estery, but a lot like a plum. Interesting. Slightly bitter aftertaste, with some nice coffee notes. While not my favorite in the style, it is a unique take.

M: Medium to medium heavy body, very light carbonation, very smooth and velvety. Just a hint of alcohol warmth.

D: A very unique RIS, but still tasty. Not sure I'd drink a whole lot of it if it were regularly available, but I'd definitely revisit this. Which sadly can't happen because it is retired. Very interesting.

Thanks Bo!

Lots of burnt malt, some unsweetened licorice candy, espresso, dark baker’s chocolate and low salt beef boullion in the aroma. Beautiful flat black with a lush and creamy two finger thick mocha head. The flavor is much less complex..weak unsweetened esspresso plum peels, some tart metallic notes a bittersweet middle and a fairly acidic finish. Thin for what I am used to in the style, but thicker than the other Nordic IS’s I’ve recently had only with this one the flavor isn’t as good as the others.