Impending Descent
Tröegs Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Stout - Russian Imperial
Ranked #178 - ABV:
- 9.8%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #3,146 - Avg:
- 4.17 | pDev: 9.59%
- Reviews:
- 32
- Ratings:
- From:
- Tröegs Brewing Company
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 14
- Gots
- 41
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Notes:
This colossal, palate-numbing Imperial Stout is brewed with six different malt varieties to unleash a barrage of chocolate, vanilla, dark fruit and coffee on the tongue. Copious amounts of American hops impart a serious dose of grapefruit rind and pine resin, resulting in a labyrinth of complex flavors and aromas.
119 IBU
119 IBU
Reviews: 32
| Ratings: 182
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Reviews by dafla67:
dafla67 from Pennsylvania
4.5/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The color is a dark black. The aroma is wonderfully sweet -- chocolate, vanilla, bourbon and malts. The taste is phenomenal and complex with all the smells plus brown sugar. Medium body with a touch too much carbonation for my tastes. I let it sit a while. Overall an incredible RIS.
Sep 24, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The color is a dark black. The aroma is wonderfully sweet -- chocolate, vanilla, bourbon and malts. The taste is phenomenal and complex with all the smells plus brown sugar. Medium body with a touch too much carbonation for my tastes. I let it sit a while. Overall an incredible RIS.
Sep 24, 2018
More User Reviews:
StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.08/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
first of all, this drinks like 7% abv, i never would have guessed it was so strong. it doesnt show a trace of this kind of strength, so well done and look out! it also presents itself more as a black ipa than a russian imperial. it smells really hoppy, citrus and bitterness both, and not just from the gratuitous amount of dark roasted barley in here, but from the hops too. high alpha and pungent in the nose, with aromas of dark chocolate and ash pushing through the foamy tan head and jet black body. more balanced i think in the taste than in the smell, where its nowhere near is hoppy in the flavor as it is in the bitterness department. dark malts dominate, melted chocolate, spent coffee grounds, minerals, maybe some oats. its creamy and big feeling, almost too bitter for its gentle mouthfeel, palate coating and expansive, but on the dry side for what it is. maybe not the most true to style russian imperial due to all these hops in here, but the layers of flavor are tremendous and it ends up being stupidly drinkable because the alcohol or sugars normally present here never show up. i loved every drop of this.
edit: forgot about one of these in the cellar for a couple of years, and i was surprised at how goof it still is, and sure the hops have faded on it quite a bit, but there is still a lot going on, and it doesnt taste old and tired at all, whether or not it was meant for ageing. definitely a little more compelling fresh, but its still worthwhile even two or three years later...
May 14, 2016
4.08/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
first of all, this drinks like 7% abv, i never would have guessed it was so strong. it doesnt show a trace of this kind of strength, so well done and look out! it also presents itself more as a black ipa than a russian imperial. it smells really hoppy, citrus and bitterness both, and not just from the gratuitous amount of dark roasted barley in here, but from the hops too. high alpha and pungent in the nose, with aromas of dark chocolate and ash pushing through the foamy tan head and jet black body. more balanced i think in the taste than in the smell, where its nowhere near is hoppy in the flavor as it is in the bitterness department. dark malts dominate, melted chocolate, spent coffee grounds, minerals, maybe some oats. its creamy and big feeling, almost too bitter for its gentle mouthfeel, palate coating and expansive, but on the dry side for what it is. maybe not the most true to style russian imperial due to all these hops in here, but the layers of flavor are tremendous and it ends up being stupidly drinkable because the alcohol or sugars normally present here never show up. i loved every drop of this.
edit: forgot about one of these in the cellar for a couple of years, and i was surprised at how goof it still is, and sure the hops have faded on it quite a bit, but there is still a lot going on, and it doesnt taste old and tired at all, whether or not it was meant for ageing. definitely a little more compelling fresh, but its still worthwhile even two or three years later...
May 14, 2016
SiepJones from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 02, 2020
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 02, 2020
GreesyFizeek from New York
4.5/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Blue Dust in Homestead, PA.
Pours a dark, deep black, with a small quarter inch mocha head, and a little bit of lacing.
Smells really nice, lots of chocolated and roasted malt, with some burnt pine, and a bit of grapefruit.
This is one of the hoppiest stouts I've ever had, almost feels an Imperial Black IPA. Doesn't matter though cuz it's awesome. So much roasted malt, chocolate, and roasted coffee piled on top of pine resin, burnt pine, and bitter grapefruit. This is a colossal beer in every way- huge dark roasty stout character along with a numbing level of hops.
This is fairly thick bodied, with a very creamy mouthfeel. The alcohol is barely noticeable here, which is nice given the ABV.
I've been waiting a while to try this one, really glad I got a chance to.
Feb 02, 2015
4.5/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Blue Dust in Homestead, PA.
Pours a dark, deep black, with a small quarter inch mocha head, and a little bit of lacing.
Smells really nice, lots of chocolated and roasted malt, with some burnt pine, and a bit of grapefruit.
This is one of the hoppiest stouts I've ever had, almost feels an Imperial Black IPA. Doesn't matter though cuz it's awesome. So much roasted malt, chocolate, and roasted coffee piled on top of pine resin, burnt pine, and bitter grapefruit. This is a colossal beer in every way- huge dark roasty stout character along with a numbing level of hops.
This is fairly thick bodied, with a very creamy mouthfeel. The alcohol is barely noticeable here, which is nice given the ABV.
I've been waiting a while to try this one, really glad I got a chance to.
Feb 02, 2015
Griggsy from Oregon
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
May 22, 2016
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
May 22, 2016
Tony210 from New Jersey
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with a finger of mocha head. Aromas of chocolate, anise, bourbon barrel, sweet vanilla. Dark bitter chocolate dominates the flavor, quite bitter. Vanilla and coffee intermingle, touch of brown sugar and caramel, ample blackstrap molasses. Pretty full bodied, rich and creamy. Overall I find this to be overly bitter. Not worth the $15 the bottle cost.
6:29/18
12.7 oz bottle, no date
4 rating
Jun 30, 2018
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with a finger of mocha head. Aromas of chocolate, anise, bourbon barrel, sweet vanilla. Dark bitter chocolate dominates the flavor, quite bitter. Vanilla and coffee intermingle, touch of brown sugar and caramel, ample blackstrap molasses. Pretty full bodied, rich and creamy. Overall I find this to be overly bitter. Not worth the $15 the bottle cost.
6:29/18
12.7 oz bottle, no date
4 rating
Jun 30, 2018
Washuffizi98 from Tennessee
4.06/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 21, 2016
4.06/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Feb 21, 2016
parkwood from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sep 01, 2018
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sep 01, 2018
Devman171 from Maryland
4.27/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
May 08, 2015
4.27/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
May 08, 2015
JonB25 from Delaware
4.69/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Dec 20, 2014
4.69/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Dec 20, 2014
Corburk from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 04, 2015
4.1/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 04, 2015
Marco_Gtz from California
3.97/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Mar 14, 2015
3.97/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Mar 14, 2015
Barnsley from Pennsylvania
4.5/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 20, 2014
4.5/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 20, 2014
Iamjeff6 from Virginia
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 08, 2016
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 08, 2016
fourstringer from Maryland
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Brewer's Art goblet. Moderate hand. Scratch Beer Series. No date.
A: Deep, chocolate brown body. Opaque in the glass. 1/2 finger mocha-colored head. Ok retention. Moderate lacing.
S: Boozy, rum. Dark Chocolate. Coffee. Light toffee and nuts. A little Jagermeister? Touch of indistinct berry, dark fruit.
T: Chocolatey, roasted malts open. A cacao-type bitterness slowly develops to a distinctly dry finish. Lingering, piney bitterness in the aftertaste - perhaps a bit much, honestly. Moderate alcohol presence.
M: Moderate carbonation with medium to full body. Appropriately rich on the palate.
O: Nice looking and great smelling. The taste, however, struck me as a bit unbalanced. The malt is great, but the assertive, piney hops clash a bit with the chocolate & coffee IMO.
Prost!
Jan 10, 2015
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Brewer's Art goblet. Moderate hand. Scratch Beer Series. No date.
A: Deep, chocolate brown body. Opaque in the glass. 1/2 finger mocha-colored head. Ok retention. Moderate lacing.
S: Boozy, rum. Dark Chocolate. Coffee. Light toffee and nuts. A little Jagermeister? Touch of indistinct berry, dark fruit.
T: Chocolatey, roasted malts open. A cacao-type bitterness slowly develops to a distinctly dry finish. Lingering, piney bitterness in the aftertaste - perhaps a bit much, honestly. Moderate alcohol presence.
M: Moderate carbonation with medium to full body. Appropriately rich on the palate.
O: Nice looking and great smelling. The taste, however, struck me as a bit unbalanced. The malt is great, but the assertive, piney hops clash a bit with the chocolate & coffee IMO.
Prost!
Jan 10, 2015
TheBeerdedCharmer from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 17, 2016
4.1/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 17, 2016
SonictheBeerhog from New York
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 25, 2016
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 25, 2016
PA-Michigander from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 20, 2015
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 20, 2015
ssteckley from Pennsylvania
4.6/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 03, 2015
4.6/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 03, 2015
robgage from Pennsylvania
3.9/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Apr 23, 2015
3.9/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Apr 23, 2015
Impending Descent from Tröegs Brewing Company
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
182 ratings
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