Mr. Mephisto's Imperial Stout
Lake Louie Brewery Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #778 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #19,419 - Avg:
- 3.85 | pDev: 11.43%
- Reviews:
- 80
- Ratings:
- From:
- Lake Louie Brewery Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 18
- Gots
- 12
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Notes:
Reviews: 80
| Ratings: 138
4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Going on 2 years old. Standard pitch black imperial stout with a good carbonation. Aromas are fruit forward with raisins and plums along with some chocolate malt sweetness. Tastes are quite similar with a bit of wine like notes. Nice medium mouthfeel as well. Overall a nice stout that is still drinkable for the percentage.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Going on 2 years old. Standard pitch black imperial stout with a good carbonation. Aromas are fruit forward with raisins and plums along with some chocolate malt sweetness. Tastes are quite similar with a bit of wine like notes. Nice medium mouthfeel as well. Overall a nice stout that is still drinkable for the percentage.
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3.4/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle dated 009 13 into taster on 10/17/14 (approx. 1 year, 8 months old)
Room temp (approx 55-60 degrees when served)
Appearance: Dark Chestnut to black. Some light comes through- more in line with a heavier single stout than an Imperial. Tan foam fades from 1 finger to none after about a minute.
Aroma: Sweet malts mixed with wet leaves. Some coffee overtones. Similar aroma to Old Rasputin but muted across the board.
Taste: A very sweet-forward Imperial Stout. Not much happening roast-wise. Borders on being a milk stout- a touch rougher and I don't think there is any actual lactose in this brew. A bitter finish, even after over a year in the bottle. Many Imp Stouts are night-cap beers- this is a mid-afternoon version. Aftertaste is actually really pleasant- coffee. chocolate, and dark roasted barley.
Feel: Slick and more firm than I would have anticipated. Certainly doesn't get cloying or as sticky as some of the bigger examples. Some would count that as a knock on this beer- I think it toes the line of drinkable Imperial Stout.
Overall: I'll probably have a few more of these (and hopefully find it on tap) before I draw a final conclusion. Is it really an Imperial Stout? Not this day and age, when many single stouts are topping it in abv and body. But when it hit the scene 10 years ago this was probably one of the heavier beers brewed in Wisconsin. It would be a good fit at the heavier end of a single stout flight, or it could be a great half-time beer during a heavy imperial stout tasting.
For this beer, the sum of the parts is what matters, and Lake Louie delivers a well made, balanced, restrained small Imperial Stout.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle dated 009 13 into taster on 10/17/14 (approx. 1 year, 8 months old)
Room temp (approx 55-60 degrees when served)
Appearance: Dark Chestnut to black. Some light comes through- more in line with a heavier single stout than an Imperial. Tan foam fades from 1 finger to none after about a minute.
Aroma: Sweet malts mixed with wet leaves. Some coffee overtones. Similar aroma to Old Rasputin but muted across the board.
Taste: A very sweet-forward Imperial Stout. Not much happening roast-wise. Borders on being a milk stout- a touch rougher and I don't think there is any actual lactose in this brew. A bitter finish, even after over a year in the bottle. Many Imp Stouts are night-cap beers- this is a mid-afternoon version. Aftertaste is actually really pleasant- coffee. chocolate, and dark roasted barley.
Feel: Slick and more firm than I would have anticipated. Certainly doesn't get cloying or as sticky as some of the bigger examples. Some would count that as a knock on this beer- I think it toes the line of drinkable Imperial Stout.
Overall: I'll probably have a few more of these (and hopefully find it on tap) before I draw a final conclusion. Is it really an Imperial Stout? Not this day and age, when many single stouts are topping it in abv and body. But when it hit the scene 10 years ago this was probably one of the heavier beers brewed in Wisconsin. It would be a good fit at the heavier end of a single stout flight, or it could be a great half-time beer during a heavy imperial stout tasting.
For this beer, the sum of the parts is what matters, and Lake Louie delivers a well made, balanced, restrained small Imperial Stout.
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4.19/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a thick, frothy, tan head that has excellent persistence and laces readily. Rich, toasted malt aroma with a slight acidity. Black. A thick, velvety liquid with a robust, deep-toasted malt flavor. Bright grapefruit hoppiness pops through. A medium bitterness. The bitterness becomes citrus rind as the toasted malt acidity breaks through it. Lingering hop bitterness atop toasted malt.
Wow, this is lovely. Great mouthfeel, robust flavor and smell.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a thick, frothy, tan head that has excellent persistence and laces readily. Rich, toasted malt aroma with a slight acidity. Black. A thick, velvety liquid with a robust, deep-toasted malt flavor. Bright grapefruit hoppiness pops through. A medium bitterness. The bitterness becomes citrus rind as the toasted malt acidity breaks through it. Lingering hop bitterness atop toasted malt.
Wow, this is lovely. Great mouthfeel, robust flavor and smell.
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4.07/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - Dark brown. Appears opaque. Medium tall, light brown, and persistent head.
Smell - Sweet and rich medium-roasted malt. Chocolate, coffee, and raisin. Faintly citrusy hops?
Taste - Sweet and rich, though doesn't appear overly complex. Medium-roasted malts dominate. Sweet coffee with chocolate. Alcohol noticeable.
Mouthfeel - Full. Creamy.
Overall - Rich and satisfying. I like the flavor a lot, but it may lack some of the complexity of other beers in this category.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - Dark brown. Appears opaque. Medium tall, light brown, and persistent head.
Smell - Sweet and rich medium-roasted malt. Chocolate, coffee, and raisin. Faintly citrusy hops?
Taste - Sweet and rich, though doesn't appear overly complex. Medium-roasted malts dominate. Sweet coffee with chocolate. Alcohol noticeable.
Mouthfeel - Full. Creamy.
Overall - Rich and satisfying. I like the flavor a lot, but it may lack some of the complexity of other beers in this category.
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4.03/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Oily black pour into a tulip glass. Creamy capuccino head that fades readily, but leaves sticky lacing.
Cherry pie! More like McDonald's fried cherry "pie". But really nice smelling beer. (My wife felt the aroma astringent.) Unlike any double stout I've ever encountered. Very nice in the nose.
Hmm... I'm not quite what to make of this. The flavor in the mouth says "I'm a pretty big double stout." And there is complexity. It's just hard to pick out the particulars. There's a medium- to full-bodied feel, with a surprisingly lively carbonation. The flavor is somewhat disappointing. The liquor-soaked, dried dark fruits are clearly there, just ill-defined, more like a memory of dark fruit. Same with the roasted grains. The whole shabang seems encased in cold black tea.
This is a good beer. I'm just not sure I'll buy it again, with so many truly awesome Russian Imperial Stouts around. My favorites are Founders Imperial, Mikkeller Black Hole, and Hoppin' Frog Boris/Doris. I might feel more positively if this brew were $7 or $8 a four-pack, rather than $10.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Oily black pour into a tulip glass. Creamy capuccino head that fades readily, but leaves sticky lacing.
Cherry pie! More like McDonald's fried cherry "pie". But really nice smelling beer. (My wife felt the aroma astringent.) Unlike any double stout I've ever encountered. Very nice in the nose.
Hmm... I'm not quite what to make of this. The flavor in the mouth says "I'm a pretty big double stout." And there is complexity. It's just hard to pick out the particulars. There's a medium- to full-bodied feel, with a surprisingly lively carbonation. The flavor is somewhat disappointing. The liquor-soaked, dried dark fruits are clearly there, just ill-defined, more like a memory of dark fruit. Same with the roasted grains. The whole shabang seems encased in cold black tea.
This is a good beer. I'm just not sure I'll buy it again, with so many truly awesome Russian Imperial Stouts around. My favorites are Founders Imperial, Mikkeller Black Hole, and Hoppin' Frog Boris/Doris. I might feel more positively if this brew were $7 or $8 a four-pack, rather than $10.
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4.15/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
9% ABV, 353 12 julian date.
A - Clarity is visible around the edges of the beer but this dark, dark brown brew is more of a sinister black color. A thick head isn't present for long, dissipating into a loose ring of bubbles while spotting the snifter with dots of lace.
S - Subtle dark chocolate notes drape gently over raisin and fig notes, slowly opening up with warmth to a fuller malt aroma of increasing depth; milk chocolate, caramel cube, singed bread, and smooth dark roasted coffee. Undertones of earthiness emerge suggesting a balancing hop profile but impart no real definitive aroma.
T - Rich chocolate aromas turn to strong roasted malt notes of bitter chocolate, burnt honey biscuit, and cold black coffee. Fruit undertones escape the roasted malt flavor and add a complimentary dark, gently sweetness of raisin and black cherry while hops remain more of a balancing attribute of the beer, staying out of the flavor.
M - Mr. Mephisto is a smooth-starting imperial stout despite the high level of roasted flavor it's got going on. Round and medium-full bodied with a smooth entry, it finishes dry and slightly gritty with a slightly rough-around-the-edges bitterness and subtle alcohol warmth.
O - Mr. Mephisto's Imperial Stout is a surprisingly easy drinking imperial stout for it's somewhat higher alcohol level; alcohol doesn't really even play a role in this malty, roasted barley beast. It starts smooth and chocolaty and turns to a grittier coffee-rich stout with dark fruit undertones for a passive-aggressive dense brew.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
9% ABV, 353 12 julian date.
A - Clarity is visible around the edges of the beer but this dark, dark brown brew is more of a sinister black color. A thick head isn't present for long, dissipating into a loose ring of bubbles while spotting the snifter with dots of lace.
S - Subtle dark chocolate notes drape gently over raisin and fig notes, slowly opening up with warmth to a fuller malt aroma of increasing depth; milk chocolate, caramel cube, singed bread, and smooth dark roasted coffee. Undertones of earthiness emerge suggesting a balancing hop profile but impart no real definitive aroma.
T - Rich chocolate aromas turn to strong roasted malt notes of bitter chocolate, burnt honey biscuit, and cold black coffee. Fruit undertones escape the roasted malt flavor and add a complimentary dark, gently sweetness of raisin and black cherry while hops remain more of a balancing attribute of the beer, staying out of the flavor.
M - Mr. Mephisto is a smooth-starting imperial stout despite the high level of roasted flavor it's got going on. Round and medium-full bodied with a smooth entry, it finishes dry and slightly gritty with a slightly rough-around-the-edges bitterness and subtle alcohol warmth.
O - Mr. Mephisto's Imperial Stout is a surprisingly easy drinking imperial stout for it's somewhat higher alcohol level; alcohol doesn't really even play a role in this malty, roasted barley beast. It starts smooth and chocolaty and turns to a grittier coffee-rich stout with dark fruit undertones for a passive-aggressive dense brew.
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3.21/5 rDev -16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours ink-black to the eye --cola brown when held to the light-- and topped with a sticky dark tan head. Great lacing, good head retention, looks great in a tulip. Very well filtered.
Nose is very expressive: cocoa, molasses, highly-hopped, and even some fusel alcohol.
On the first sip there's a punchy boozy character that all but overwhelms the cocoa and molasses in the nose... BOOM! Sweet, rich... bitterness and a bittersweet character kicks in close to the end of the drink, along with some dry, biscuity malt notes. Not quite a dry finish.
Definitely a "warming" character to this one. Lighter notes of anise blend with a port wine/fortified grape character (polish blackberry???), which might sound horrid to some, but they are only light notes. The dry, biscuity malt is almost "chalky" in terms of texture and this actually helps with the mouthfeel, as this one is overall quite thin for style.
Very drinkable for the style, and not at all bad. I'll definitely check for this one the next time I find myself in some out-of-the way Wisconsin gas stop ; )
Note: No traditional code, but 353 12 ink-jet on label face makes me imagine it's fresh.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours ink-black to the eye --cola brown when held to the light-- and topped with a sticky dark tan head. Great lacing, good head retention, looks great in a tulip. Very well filtered.
Nose is very expressive: cocoa, molasses, highly-hopped, and even some fusel alcohol.
On the first sip there's a punchy boozy character that all but overwhelms the cocoa and molasses in the nose... BOOM! Sweet, rich... bitterness and a bittersweet character kicks in close to the end of the drink, along with some dry, biscuity malt notes. Not quite a dry finish.
Definitely a "warming" character to this one. Lighter notes of anise blend with a port wine/fortified grape character (polish blackberry???), which might sound horrid to some, but they are only light notes. The dry, biscuity malt is almost "chalky" in terms of texture and this actually helps with the mouthfeel, as this one is overall quite thin for style.
Very drinkable for the style, and not at all bad. I'll definitely check for this one the next time I find myself in some out-of-the way Wisconsin gas stop ; )
Note: No traditional code, but 353 12 ink-jet on label face makes me imagine it's fresh.
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3.31/5 rDev -14%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a bottle into a snifter
Pours our very dark brown, once in the glass it is black with no hints of light coming through.
Good finger of a deep tan head.
Smell is sweet chocolate, dark fruits come through more then any other impy stout I have smelled, slight roast.
Taste is very unique, I will say that. Like a bitter bakers chocolate covered cherry... which leads to a bitter roast, finishes oddly bitter and dry.
Mouthfeel is standard Imperial stout, silky and smooth
I really do not know what to think here, do I like it? I do not know, some sips yes... others no...
I am glad I got a single, or am I, we will see? I will let this one warm and see how it changes!
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a bottle into a snifter
Pours our very dark brown, once in the glass it is black with no hints of light coming through.
Good finger of a deep tan head.
Smell is sweet chocolate, dark fruits come through more then any other impy stout I have smelled, slight roast.
Taste is very unique, I will say that. Like a bitter bakers chocolate covered cherry... which leads to a bitter roast, finishes oddly bitter and dry.
Mouthfeel is standard Imperial stout, silky and smooth
I really do not know what to think here, do I like it? I do not know, some sips yes... others no...
I am glad I got a single, or am I, we will see? I will let this one warm and see how it changes!
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4.12/5 rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served cellar temp in a Duvel tulip
A - pours a dark brown with loads of light brown head, good retention
S - chocolate malt initially with a good amount of dark fruit, fruiter than most RIS I've had
T - bitter roasted malt and coffee initially, followed by chocolate and dark cherries
M - plenty smooth, a bit of burn, goes down easy
O - nice offering from Lake Louie, a good local option for an RIS
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served cellar temp in a Duvel tulip
A - pours a dark brown with loads of light brown head, good retention
S - chocolate malt initially with a good amount of dark fruit, fruiter than most RIS I've had
T - bitter roasted malt and coffee initially, followed by chocolate and dark cherries
M - plenty smooth, a bit of burn, goes down easy
O - nice offering from Lake Louie, a good local option for an RIS
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3.25/5 rDev -15.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Delirium snifter on 8/25/12
Very dark brown color; nearly black once in the glass. The head pours just under one finger but doesn't hold up - retention is pretty much a soapy skim across the top. No lace.
The aroma has a tangy coffee roast with hints of dark fruit and grains. This doesn't smell particularly strong or complex. Overall, the aroma is on the struggling side of average.
Thankfully, the taste is a step up, albeit a small one. The dark fruits and coffee are diminished in favor or roasted dark grains and chocolate. Actually, the taste improves significantly once the beer starts to warm up. Very simple, but not bad at all.
The feel has an enjoyable granular quality, which helps the otherwise medium body. Carbonation is well on the low side. All in all, the feel is fairly plush without being particularly viscous.
Overall impression? This is pretty decent. Some folks think that an imperial stout that won't floor you in 10 ounces is a bad thing. I happen to be a-ok with that.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Delirium snifter on 8/25/12
Very dark brown color; nearly black once in the glass. The head pours just under one finger but doesn't hold up - retention is pretty much a soapy skim across the top. No lace.
The aroma has a tangy coffee roast with hints of dark fruit and grains. This doesn't smell particularly strong or complex. Overall, the aroma is on the struggling side of average.
Thankfully, the taste is a step up, albeit a small one. The dark fruits and coffee are diminished in favor or roasted dark grains and chocolate. Actually, the taste improves significantly once the beer starts to warm up. Very simple, but not bad at all.
The feel has an enjoyable granular quality, which helps the otherwise medium body. Carbonation is well on the low side. All in all, the feel is fairly plush without being particularly viscous.
Overall impression? This is pretty decent. Some folks think that an imperial stout that won't floor you in 10 ounces is a bad thing. I happen to be a-ok with that.
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3.8/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from O'Reilly's in late summer. Pours thickish looking very dark brown to black colour, with a bit of white head. Aroma, some roast and chocolate. Above average mouthfeel, though not at today's standard of IS.Good drinkability, competent for the style, with hazelnut and licorice.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from O'Reilly's in late summer. Pours thickish looking very dark brown to black colour, with a bit of white head. Aroma, some roast and chocolate. Above average mouthfeel, though not at today's standard of IS.Good drinkability, competent for the style, with hazelnut and licorice.
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2.3/5 rDev -40.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12oz. bottle served into a tulip glass
Pours out a dark brown color. You're looking for black out of an impy stout, not this. Most porters are far darker than this brew. Not much head. There's basically nothing to say about this beer's appearance other than it is off.
Mr. Mephisto smells overwhelmingly of soy sauce brownies. Those aren't a real thing (at least I hope not) but that's what this beer smells like. Lots of oily soy sauce umami overload blech. Plenty of baker's chocolate too, which is nice, but then more of it than you would ever want. It's off-balance and off-putting.
Thankfully, the taste is not intense. Unfortunately, the taste is sorta' bland. Not much flavor here. Cocoa powder meets a bit of savory soy flavors. I think there's some distant hop character too. Mostly this is ambiguously malty and powdery. Odd.
The mouthfeel is pretty standard for the style. There's a decent chewiness here, but no better than the average imperial stout. Overall, this is a poor effort. A bad example of the style. I recommend avoiding it.
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look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12oz. bottle served into a tulip glass
Pours out a dark brown color. You're looking for black out of an impy stout, not this. Most porters are far darker than this brew. Not much head. There's basically nothing to say about this beer's appearance other than it is off.
Mr. Mephisto smells overwhelmingly of soy sauce brownies. Those aren't a real thing (at least I hope not) but that's what this beer smells like. Lots of oily soy sauce umami overload blech. Plenty of baker's chocolate too, which is nice, but then more of it than you would ever want. It's off-balance and off-putting.
Thankfully, the taste is not intense. Unfortunately, the taste is sorta' bland. Not much flavor here. Cocoa powder meets a bit of savory soy flavors. I think there's some distant hop character too. Mostly this is ambiguously malty and powdery. Odd.
The mouthfeel is pretty standard for the style. There's a decent chewiness here, but no better than the average imperial stout. Overall, this is a poor effort. A bad example of the style. I recommend avoiding it.
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3.58/5 rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Alesmith Horny Devil snifter.
A- Pours a dark brown, near black with a 1 finger cream head. Nice ring of lacing with small blotches underneath remain.
S- Roasted malts, dark fruits mainly plum/raisin, and some chocolate.
T- Roasted malts but has a nice sweetness with the dark fruits coming through. Bitter chocolate at finish.
M- Medium body and carbonation. Has nice creaminess and abv is hidden very well.
O- Good imperial stout, but definitely not in the elite category by any means.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Alesmith Horny Devil snifter.
A- Pours a dark brown, near black with a 1 finger cream head. Nice ring of lacing with small blotches underneath remain.
S- Roasted malts, dark fruits mainly plum/raisin, and some chocolate.
T- Roasted malts but has a nice sweetness with the dark fruits coming through. Bitter chocolate at finish.
M- Medium body and carbonation. Has nice creaminess and abv is hidden very well.
O- Good imperial stout, but definitely not in the elite category by any means.
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4.02/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: near opaque, black with deep, deep copper hue, head dissipated to thin lacing
S: very pleasant, nice roasted malt, nutty with caramelized quality, leather
T: nice deep dark roasted malt, some fruitiness in finish, well-balanced with hops but tasted more like aged beer with hop bitterness not dominant
M: creamy, chewy, very good
O: more like English-style RIS
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: near opaque, black with deep, deep copper hue, head dissipated to thin lacing
S: very pleasant, nice roasted malt, nutty with caramelized quality, leather
T: nice deep dark roasted malt, some fruitiness in finish, well-balanced with hops but tasted more like aged beer with hop bitterness not dominant
M: creamy, chewy, very good
O: more like English-style RIS
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3.97/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think this is my favorite Russian Imperial Stout. I remember liking it last year but having it again 12 months later, I can safely say that even when I compare it to other RIS I have had in the last year, this one was the best.
The appearance in the glass was not as good as I had hoped. It looked a little thin. Also, in the intitial sip, I got a little bit of a watery feel. After that though, it was all great. A few Russian Imperial Stouts I have had lately haven't had the strong dark fruit, licorice taste that I like as it is obscured by other flavors. It was up front and center in this one. Also, the alcohol was just enough to give me a little buzz by the time I got done with one bottle. One other thing that would make this beer better for me (and it is nit picking really) is if it was slightly higher in alcohol but it is still pretty damn good.
EDIT: The longer I am at this beer collecting thing, the more I realize that beers I once thought were great...aren't so much anymore...I cracked a bottle of the 2012 vintage of this beer and it was way more roasty than I remembered. So much so that the nice dark fruit and licorice flavors were muted. I then sampled a bottle of 2011 and although the roastiness had died down to let the other flavors shine through a little bit, there was a slight sour taste that I have found unfortunately develops in aged Lake Louie beers. I do still really like this beer but since it wasn't as good fresh as I remembered and it didn't age well, I have to downgrade it a bit.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think this is my favorite Russian Imperial Stout. I remember liking it last year but having it again 12 months later, I can safely say that even when I compare it to other RIS I have had in the last year, this one was the best.
The appearance in the glass was not as good as I had hoped. It looked a little thin. Also, in the intitial sip, I got a little bit of a watery feel. After that though, it was all great. A few Russian Imperial Stouts I have had lately haven't had the strong dark fruit, licorice taste that I like as it is obscured by other flavors. It was up front and center in this one. Also, the alcohol was just enough to give me a little buzz by the time I got done with one bottle. One other thing that would make this beer better for me (and it is nit picking really) is if it was slightly higher in alcohol but it is still pretty damn good.
EDIT: The longer I am at this beer collecting thing, the more I realize that beers I once thought were great...aren't so much anymore...I cracked a bottle of the 2012 vintage of this beer and it was way more roasty than I remembered. So much so that the nice dark fruit and licorice flavors were muted. I then sampled a bottle of 2011 and although the roastiness had died down to let the other flavors shine through a little bit, there was a slight sour taste that I have found unfortunately develops in aged Lake Louie beers. I do still really like this beer but since it wasn't as good fresh as I remembered and it didn't age well, I have to downgrade it a bit.
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3.96/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A- A thick black pour with a sand colored head that clings to the glass for most of the session. Tiny bubbles.
S- Very "desserty", if thats a word. Sweet toffee, chocolate, and vanilla flavor, but its rather subdues for the size of the beer.
T- Light char is what i first taste, but less than most stouts, mind you. Its more sweet and smooth with little bitterness. A prime post dinner beer, this stout is very reminiscent of toasted marshmallow, mild cocoa, vanilla bean, and a touch of coffee. Little to no bitterness and a touch of warm alcohol. Could use about 3 months of aging to be in its prime.
M- Medium body with small bubbles giving it a very creamy texture. Superbly smooth.
O- For such a large beer, i really enjoy this stout and could have 2 or 3 in a night. I think i would have enjoyed it more had i cellared it for a few months to hide the alcohol just a touch more and maybe meld the flavors, but not bad for a more approachable imp. stout.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A- A thick black pour with a sand colored head that clings to the glass for most of the session. Tiny bubbles.
S- Very "desserty", if thats a word. Sweet toffee, chocolate, and vanilla flavor, but its rather subdues for the size of the beer.
T- Light char is what i first taste, but less than most stouts, mind you. Its more sweet and smooth with little bitterness. A prime post dinner beer, this stout is very reminiscent of toasted marshmallow, mild cocoa, vanilla bean, and a touch of coffee. Little to no bitterness and a touch of warm alcohol. Could use about 3 months of aging to be in its prime.
M- Medium body with small bubbles giving it a very creamy texture. Superbly smooth.
O- For such a large beer, i really enjoy this stout and could have 2 or 3 in a night. I think i would have enjoyed it more had i cellared it for a few months to hide the alcohol just a touch more and maybe meld the flavors, but not bad for a more approachable imp. stout.
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4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Served in a snifter)
A- This beer pours a dense black body with a microbubble trail up the side of the glass. There is a creamy tan head that turns bubbly after a bit.
S- The roasted malt has a smooth charred chocolate character without any bitterness. There is some spun sugar notes in the finish and an iced coffee quality.
T- The smooth roasted black malt has some mineral water notes and an ice coffee finish. There is some soft licorice and char notes in the finish and a very light tartness that seems to be more from hops that funk.
M- There is a light mouthfeel and a tight little fizz finish and no alcohol heat noticed.
O- This beer is big yet easy to drink and the smooth mellow flavor has some nice chocolate qualities but no big roasted bitter flavors and all the flavors are well blended.
813 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Served in a snifter)
A- This beer pours a dense black body with a microbubble trail up the side of the glass. There is a creamy tan head that turns bubbly after a bit.
S- The roasted malt has a smooth charred chocolate character without any bitterness. There is some spun sugar notes in the finish and an iced coffee quality.
T- The smooth roasted black malt has some mineral water notes and an ice coffee finish. There is some soft licorice and char notes in the finish and a very light tartness that seems to be more from hops that funk.
M- There is a light mouthfeel and a tight little fizz finish and no alcohol heat noticed.
O- This beer is big yet easy to drink and the smooth mellow flavor has some nice chocolate qualities but no big roasted bitter flavors and all the flavors are well blended.
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3.87/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to Thirstybird for sharing. 12oz. bottle served in a Portsmouth tulip. Pours one shade shy of black with a frothy, 1.5 inch, tan-colored head that gradually dissipates into a sudsy cluster of bubbles across the surface. Great nose on this one - vanilla, dark malt and cocoa. Taste is earthy, malty, roasty and vinous. Mouthfeel is medium-light with a lively carbonation and a slight bite at the finish. A flavorful brew with a well-hidden abv. Not one of the more memorable examples of the style; however, I thoroughly enjoyed the slightly off-beat nature of this RIS.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to Thirstybird for sharing. 12oz. bottle served in a Portsmouth tulip. Pours one shade shy of black with a frothy, 1.5 inch, tan-colored head that gradually dissipates into a sudsy cluster of bubbles across the surface. Great nose on this one - vanilla, dark malt and cocoa. Taste is earthy, malty, roasty and vinous. Mouthfeel is medium-light with a lively carbonation and a slight bite at the finish. A flavorful brew with a well-hidden abv. Not one of the more memorable examples of the style; however, I thoroughly enjoyed the slightly off-beat nature of this RIS.
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3.46/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Received this one as an extra in a trade a month or so back, and found it in the refrigerator tonight. Aromas of roasted malt, dark chocolate, day old coffee and vanilla extract. Medium bodied, with tons of vanilla, toffee, chocolate and roasted malt. Gets better with every sip, but never rises to greatness.
309 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Received this one as an extra in a trade a month or so back, and found it in the refrigerator tonight. Aromas of roasted malt, dark chocolate, day old coffee and vanilla extract. Medium bodied, with tons of vanilla, toffee, chocolate and roasted malt. Gets better with every sip, but never rises to greatness.
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3.41/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nice jet black color with a sizeable tan head. Somewhat soapy aroma. Some grain going on though not the roasted notes I was looking for or used to. Very grainy flavcor in general but lacking any real roasted or bitter flavors from the malt. Enough hop presence but really lacks the serious roast qualities it needs. Not unpleasant flavor wise just needs a good kick in the pants. Smooth body. A decent enough beer just does not come off as imperial.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nice jet black color with a sizeable tan head. Somewhat soapy aroma. Some grain going on though not the roasted notes I was looking for or used to. Very grainy flavcor in general but lacking any real roasted or bitter flavors from the malt. Enough hop presence but really lacks the serious roast qualities it needs. Not unpleasant flavor wise just needs a good kick in the pants. Smooth body. A decent enough beer just does not come off as imperial.
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3.58/5 rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a translucent black with an inch of medium-dark tan head that had very good retention and moderate lacing.
Very nice roasted aromas greet the nose, with some graininess at the back. The flavors weren't as bold as some of the style, but were very well balanced and combined. Nice roast, chocolate and a slight burnt (in a good way) flavor were all present, along with the grain and a touch of hops.
The body was too thin for my opinion of the style. Drinkability was very good, smooth and flavorful, very easy to drink. Overall, this is more like a strong Porter, but a very enjoyable beer that I'd drink with some regularity if it were local to me. Try it if you see it.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a translucent black with an inch of medium-dark tan head that had very good retention and moderate lacing.
Very nice roasted aromas greet the nose, with some graininess at the back. The flavors weren't as bold as some of the style, but were very well balanced and combined. Nice roast, chocolate and a slight burnt (in a good way) flavor were all present, along with the grain and a touch of hops.
The body was too thin for my opinion of the style. Drinkability was very good, smooth and flavorful, very easy to drink. Overall, this is more like a strong Porter, but a very enjoyable beer that I'd drink with some regularity if it were local to me. Try it if you see it.
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4.06/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz into a pint
A - Pours a heavy dark brown color - almost black. Amber highlights. Head formation is light, with just 1mm of mocha colored head, which breaks down to a film.
S - Light amounts of roasted barley. A small amount of yeasty bready notes. Very grainy.
T - Big time roasted malts on the front end - chocolate and 2-row dominate. Some dry grainy malt notes. Continues mid-stream where a light amount of bitterness appears, only a hint of hopping. Finishes with more of the acidic biting grainy malt edge. Light phenolic burn in the aftertaste.
M - Moderate body for a RIS. Carbonation builds more of a backbone than normal - stinging at times. Leaves a sugar malt cling to the tongue.
D - Moderate drinkability. ABV is average for a RIS, but stinging nonetheless. Well hidden. Not filling, despite its stronger carbonation profile.
All you would have to do is dial back the carbonation and I could see this being the perfect RIS.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz into a pint
A - Pours a heavy dark brown color - almost black. Amber highlights. Head formation is light, with just 1mm of mocha colored head, which breaks down to a film.
S - Light amounts of roasted barley. A small amount of yeasty bready notes. Very grainy.
T - Big time roasted malts on the front end - chocolate and 2-row dominate. Some dry grainy malt notes. Continues mid-stream where a light amount of bitterness appears, only a hint of hopping. Finishes with more of the acidic biting grainy malt edge. Light phenolic burn in the aftertaste.
M - Moderate body for a RIS. Carbonation builds more of a backbone than normal - stinging at times. Leaves a sugar malt cling to the tongue.
D - Moderate drinkability. ABV is average for a RIS, but stinging nonetheless. Well hidden. Not filling, despite its stronger carbonation profile.
All you would have to do is dial back the carbonation and I could see this being the perfect RIS.
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3.71/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
appearance - dark brown with little head.
smell - all i pick up is hops. not a very aromatic beer.
taste - hops, but a sweet hoppy flavor. very good. great balance of sweet and bitter.
mouth - medium thickness. carbonation present, but not overdone.
overall - a dangerously drinkable high ABV beer. Hops are predominant, but not overpowering and no lingering bitterness or dry feeling.
389 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
appearance - dark brown with little head.
smell - all i pick up is hops. not a very aromatic beer.
taste - hops, but a sweet hoppy flavor. very good. great balance of sweet and bitter.
mouth - medium thickness. carbonation present, but not overdone.
overall - a dangerously drinkable high ABV beer. Hops are predominant, but not overpowering and no lingering bitterness or dry feeling.
389 characters
3.96/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beer pours a deep deep ruby that appears black unless held at an angle to a strong light source. very attractive and typical of the style. Somewhat minimal head formation.
Aroma is reminiscent of fermented prune juice, not the high point of this beer.
Taste is dominated by roasted malt chocolate and coffee notes, light but pleasant hop bitterness in the finish. Not the most in-your-face imperial stout but solid flavor profile nonetheless.
mouthfeel is medium viscosity and on point for the style.
Drinkability is quite high for an RIS.
Overall, another quality offering from this great small brewery, I make it a point to seek out some Lake Louie offerings whenever I visit my home state. I think this brewery could be very popular if they had a bigger distribution footprint. definitely try is you have a chance.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beer pours a deep deep ruby that appears black unless held at an angle to a strong light source. very attractive and typical of the style. Somewhat minimal head formation.
Aroma is reminiscent of fermented prune juice, not the high point of this beer.
Taste is dominated by roasted malt chocolate and coffee notes, light but pleasant hop bitterness in the finish. Not the most in-your-face imperial stout but solid flavor profile nonetheless.
mouthfeel is medium viscosity and on point for the style.
Drinkability is quite high for an RIS.
Overall, another quality offering from this great small brewery, I make it a point to seek out some Lake Louie offerings whenever I visit my home state. I think this brewery could be very popular if they had a bigger distribution footprint. definitely try is you have a chance.
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3.13/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A beer that Ive never heard of sent over from FrankenBrew.
A- Poured out, the head makes a loud fizzing noise like that of a coca cola. It fades away almost as fast. The beer is typical RIS black and solid.
S- faint coffee and chocolate as it warms. Smoke, charcoal and ash. Some alcohol.
T- Sorta weak. Slight coffee and chocolate. Smoke, malty and dark fruity sweetness.
M- Mildly carbonated. Not the fullest body but average for the style.
447 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A beer that Ive never heard of sent over from FrankenBrew.
A- Poured out, the head makes a loud fizzing noise like that of a coca cola. It fades away almost as fast. The beer is typical RIS black and solid.
S- faint coffee and chocolate as it warms. Smoke, charcoal and ash. Some alcohol.
T- Sorta weak. Slight coffee and chocolate. Smoke, malty and dark fruity sweetness.
M- Mildly carbonated. Not the fullest body but average for the style.
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Mr. Mephisto's Imperial Stout from Lake Louie Brewery Company
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
138 ratings
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