Northwind
Two Brothers Brewing Company

NorthwindNorthwind
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From:
Two Brothers Brewing Company
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #440
ABV:
9.1%
Score:
86
Ranked #19,190
Avg:
3.82 | pDev: 11.52%
Reviews:
430
Ratings:
999
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 05, 2024
Added:
May 14, 2002
Wants:
  33
Gots:
  99
Dark delights like this were once shipped to the imperial court of Russia. With a firm, roasty maltiness balanced against a generous helping of hops, Northwind can stand up to the worst its namesake can dish out! Enjoy it by a roaring fire. Inspired by the infamous imperial court of Russia, it features a firm, roasty maltiness and a generous helping of hops.

Appearance: Color resembles that of black licorice with a light brown head.
Taste: A firm, roasty maltiness delivers rich, creamy chocolate flavors, which are balanced against a generous helping of hops. A perfect blend of alcohol and sweetness combines for a smooth, warming finish.
Pairings: Foie gras, smoked goose, game meat, dark chocolate truffles, chocolate raspberry mousse cake.

45 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by HopDerek:
Photo of HopDerek
Reviewed by HopDerek from Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A hookup from Mr Taco.

Pours a deep, lightless dark brown almost black color with 1 pinky of creamy tan head, average retention with some good lacing. Smells of dark fruits, chocolate, roasted malt, oat, and molasses. Tastes of raisins and other dark fruit followed by chocolate. A sweet molasses-like backbone also contains some flavors of oat and roasted malt. Finishes with some smokiness and a touch of citrus bitterness. Medium in body and low in carbonation, semi-syrupy with good dark fruit flavors as well as chocolate and a touch of roastiness and hops make a nicely balanced RIS. More mild than some of the big bruiser RIS out there, but very flavorful and low in ABV making it easier to drink.
Jun 30, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.19 by Rollmeaway2loadout from Illinois

Feb 05, 2024
 
Rated: 4 by muswellbeerbelly from Illinois

Jan 25, 2024
 
Rated: 3.98 by robotic_being from Illinois

Jan 17, 2024
 
Rated: 3.79 by cd34 from Illinois

Dec 06, 2021
 
Rated: 3.93 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 18, 2021
 
Rated: 3.92 by Chipwells from Georgia

Jul 09, 2021
Photo of AndreaAleWise
Reviewed by AndreaAleWise from Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L: Viscous jet black with almost no foam remaining after a pour into a tulip glass.
S: Slight odor of black licorice.
T: This is very flavorful imperial stout with a very tart black licorice and/or dark bitter chocolate taste initially that predominates, and then offers an aftertaste that lingers and does not diminish that brings to mind walnuts, molasses, dark bread. The high alcohol content is imperceptible to me until I'm nearing finishing the glass when it hits me. This imperial stout reminds me of bitter red wine (don't ask me the variety, because I rarely drink wine): it has an inextinguishable, bitter aftertaste that can compel you to have some bread or cheese to counteract it (unless you savor such an aftertaste).
F: Tongue-tingling, black tart licorice explodes than softens into a long-lasting aftertaste of strong black tea, toasty dark bread.
O: This is an unusual imperial stout with an over the top black licorice flavor. As a result, it's not among my favorite, go-to imperial stouts, but once in a while I'll drink one.
Mar 21, 2021
 
Rated: 3.96 by stucat from Illinois

Dec 27, 2020
Photo of Stooven
Reviewed by Stooven from Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
First, for the price it's well worth it ($11/6 12oz bottles). It's muddy looking and the head/lacing is week. Smell is a bit subdued and while the alcohol is well-hidden, I've put this beer at a disadvantage because I've had a lot of barrel-aged beers recently. Still, it's not a complex taste. The mouthfeel is surprisingly rich, in that regard, maybe really well engineered carbonation.
Dec 21, 2020
 
Rated: 3.88 by h4ger from Connecticut

Oct 18, 2020
 
Rated: 3.67 by Jcarriglio from Florida

Jan 11, 2020
 
Rated: 3.44 by Gambyt20 from Illinois

Dec 29, 2019
Photo of Nass
Reviewed by Nass from Florida

3.81/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
There is no date just a julian code on the back of the bottle. The pour is nighttime black. The taste is char, dark chocolate, anise, fig, faint coffee note & faint vanilla note, not bad at all. Cheers! B
Dec 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.71 by BeerLover99 from Illinois

Dec 17, 2019
 
Rated: 5 by acrazedbear from Illinois

Mar 17, 2019
 
Rated: 3.77 by einman from Minnesota

Jan 07, 2019
 
Rated: 4.49 by MacStinson from Michigan

Dec 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.27 by pstam87 from Illinois

Dec 13, 2018
Photo of davisro1
Rated by davisro1 from Tennessee

4.24/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Smooth beer.
Dec 09, 2018
Northwind from Two Brothers Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 999 ratings