Black Blizzard
Dust Bowl Brewing Company - Brewery Taproom
- From:
- Dust Bowl Brewing Company - Brewery Taproom
- California, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #360 - ABV:
- 9.4%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #13,507 - Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 10.17%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 9
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 17, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 04, 2013
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 15
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
Originally a stout of British origin, this style of beer became popular with the Czarist Court in Russia. High hop levels and alcohol content, as well as large amounts of dark malts, allowed it to survive the journey to Russia and the surrounding regions. These qualities also make for a beer that ages well, providing layers of flavor that continue to develop over the years. A combination of chocolate, coffee and roasted malt flavors and aromas are complemented by an assertive bitterness from both dark malts and British hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by EdHinPasadena from California
4.6/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.6/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
(Canned 9/16/20. Enjoyed earlier today. From a market in Pasadena, CA.)
Dust Bowl is an incredible brewer, and I have a particular taste for RIS brews, so greatly anticipated this. Verdict? Lived up to my expectations. Love the black appearance of this in the glass, and it made a decent, foamy head. The aroma was quite enjoyable, as the roasted malts, chocolaty (more like cocoa powder, though) and coffee notes stood out. There was a slight smokiness as well.
It was when it hit my palate that the flavors stood out even more. Enjoyed the chocolaty, coffee flavors, notable roast in the malts and the smokiness was noticeable, too. The aftertaste is where I noticed the roasty malts even more, and the bitterness from the hops. I noticed a couple of folks like the Old Rasputin better, but IMHO, this one edges that great brew. It was that enjoyable.
I have a couple more, but reading the comments, maybe I should let them age a year or so and enjoy (even more) later. For now, if you get one fresh, you won't regret it!
Oct 23, 2020Dust Bowl is an incredible brewer, and I have a particular taste for RIS brews, so greatly anticipated this. Verdict? Lived up to my expectations. Love the black appearance of this in the glass, and it made a decent, foamy head. The aroma was quite enjoyable, as the roasted malts, chocolaty (more like cocoa powder, though) and coffee notes stood out. There was a slight smokiness as well.
It was when it hit my palate that the flavors stood out even more. Enjoyed the chocolaty, coffee flavors, notable roast in the malts and the smokiness was noticeable, too. The aftertaste is where I noticed the roasty malts even more, and the bitterness from the hops. I noticed a couple of folks like the Old Rasputin better, but IMHO, this one edges that great brew. It was that enjoyable.
I have a couple more, but reading the comments, maybe I should let them age a year or so and enjoy (even more) later. For now, if you get one fresh, you won't regret it!
Reviewed by NatAsmai from California
4.46/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
4.46/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
This is a richly textured, full-bodied, palatable and unique stout. I loved it! Whether room temp or chilled, this is one fantastic brew. Iconoic coloring, slightly caramel taste, and Just a hint of bitter.
Nov 15, 2018
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California
4.24/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 9/23/15.
Pours an opaque black with a foamy super dark khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. A foamy lattice of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, molasses, earth, char, and burnt coffee aromas. Taste is much the same with cocoa powder, unsweetened dark chocolate, char, earthy hop, and slight smoke flavors on the finish. There is a medium amount of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that only gets better as it warms up, especially in the smell.
Serving type: bottle.
Mar 09, 2016Pours an opaque black with a foamy super dark khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. A foamy lattice of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, molasses, earth, char, and burnt coffee aromas. Taste is much the same with cocoa powder, unsweetened dark chocolate, char, earthy hop, and slight smoke flavors on the finish. There is a medium amount of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that only gets better as it warms up, especially in the smell.
Serving type: bottle.
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