Big Swede
Valkyrie Brewing

Big SwedeBig Swede
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From:
Valkyrie Brewing
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.85 | pDev: 10.65%
Reviews:
91
Ratings:
115
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 30, 2020
Added:
May 13, 2002
Wants:
  19
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by orbitalr0x:
Photo of orbitalr0x
Reviewed by orbitalr0x from Illinois

3.82/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours into my tulip black with dark brown edges and just a wisp of light tan head that quickly fades to a ring around the top. Aromas of somewhat sweet dark malts along with nice chocolate and molasses undertones. Caramel and some dark fruity accents as well. Mellow overall but still nice.

First sip brings smooth semi-sweet dark malts upfront with chocolate, toffee, molasses and dark fruit flavors weaving in and out. Flows down with some bitter accents and a clean finish. No alcohol to be found even though I don't know what the abv is.

Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy and rich without being too heavy. Goes down easy. Pretty nice imperial stout here...nothing groundbreaking but tasty. Would pick this one up again next time I'm in Wisco.
Jun 27, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of scaliasux
Reviewed by scaliasux from Wisconsin

3.59/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L - Very dark brown. Quite thin, tan head.

S - Rich and malty. Coffee, toffee, dark fruit.

T - Rich roasted malt flavors. Sweet. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate, toffee.

F - Full.

O - A sweet malty slow-sipper.
Jun 30, 2020
Photo of Victory_Sabre1973
Reviewed by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

4.07/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with a minimal, off white head. What little is there has great retention and there's some lacing on the glass.
The nose has some hints of chocolate, and a slight boozy aroma. Nothing too strong.
Taste - Starts out mellow, then the flavors kick in. Some vanilla, and chocolate. Nice boozy finish, but not harsh.
Decent body, maybe a bit thin for the style, but not bad at all.
A solid RIS and I'm glad I picked up a couple when I was there last.
Sep 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.78 by Angerhaus from Rhode Island

Feb 02, 2016
Photo of Cfred371
Reviewed by Cfred371 from Minnesota

4.39/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I let the beer sit and warm for 10-15 minutes.
Look: the beer pours black, with a very slight tan head. There is little to no carbonation it appears.

Smell: I get raisins, vanilla, brown sugar.

Taste: Chocolate, vanilla and brown sugar come through strong, and dark fruits rise mid palate.

Feel: the beer seems a little light in body for a stout, certainly syrupy, but not as thick as I prefer. There is a light hop bitterness on the finish as well, leaving the mouth watering for more.

Overall: This beer is a nice surprise, and I'm happy that a town near my hometown has such good offerings.
Dec 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.43 by 22Blue from Kansas

Nov 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by harpus from Alabama

Aug 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.45 by gregy55902 from Minnesota

Aug 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by donnie_vendetta from Wisconsin

Apr 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.77 by tommy5 from Michigan

Mar 20, 2015
Photo of charliedrama
Rated by charliedrama

3.33/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
An aggressive pour gives a 1 finger head. Heavy alcohol taste.
Mar 01, 2015
Photo of egrace84
Rated by egrace84 from Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Was looking forward to this, but was hugely let down. A strange plastic note on the taste.
Feb 02, 2015
Photo of Duff27
Rated by Duff27 from Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Nothing about this beer was appealing.
Feb 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by npendres from Wisconsin

Nov 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by einman from Minnesota

Nov 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by derkfromwi from Wisconsin

Oct 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by s_wit from Wisconsin

Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by cl3 from Wisconsin

Sep 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by mychalg9 from Illinois

Jul 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JasonSullivan from Wisconsin

Apr 05, 2014
Big Swede from Valkyrie Brewing
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 115 ratings