KGB Imperial Stout
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

KGB Imperial StoutKGB Imperial Stout
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From:
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.3%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 13.62%
Reviews:
168
Ratings:
296
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 15, 2018
Added:
Jun 21, 2003
Wants:
  9
Gots:
  18
Formerly a rotating release, "KGB" is being re-released as "W'11" in late 2010 - with seasonal winter/spring availability.
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Ratings by bradleyp:
Photo of bradleyp
Reviewed by bradleyp from Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Got a six pack of this at the local gas station.

A: Very black in color, with a nice dark khaki head at the end of the pour.

S: Smells of coffee, and light chocolate aroma. Very nice malt overtones that also does not smell very boozy at all.

T: The taste is a little more boozier. At 9% this beer does taste like a great stout. Coffee, some chocolate, dominate the taste.

M: This is a nice thick stout. Goes down nice and smooth, and no nasty aftertaste.

O: I would probably drink this again on tap, but I don't think I would buy another 6 pack again.
Mar 22, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.53 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Mar 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.21 by jason_nwx from Oregon

Dec 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by paulish from New York

Jul 15, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.41/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jet oily black, tan head, 2/5" deep. Aroma was heavy roast, dark fruit bitterness.

The taste was like the aroma, except the alcohol was prominent. Big bitter, big roast, big boozy. Affordable in this format 12/6. Hoppy and burnt makes for a bitter experience, dropping those dark fruit times all over you.

A decent beer, especially in limited amounts, gets tiresome those after too much.
Mar 27, 2016
Photo of Jadjunk
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
No label information. KGB Russian Imperial Stout is brewed in the style of a Russian Imperial Stout, available in 12 oz. bottled 4 packs and on limited draft. 2013 release.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a snifter glass.

(Appearance) Pours a light brown/tan head over a very dark brown body. near black. Retention is below average and lacing is light and stringy. 3.75

(Smell) Moderate roasted barley, light chocolate. Very mild and underwhelming nose for a RIS, potency is mild. 3

(Taste) Moderate chocolate malts with notes of earthy, heavily roasted barley with subtle notes of coffee bean. A bit heavier on the delivery than the aroma suggests, but still not exceedingly impressive. 3.25

(Mouthfeel) Texture is silky, lightly chewy, slick, medium dry. Carbonation is mild, generating a light frothiness and a modestly crisp finish. Body is shy of medium for the style, medium/heavy overall. Balance is slightly earthy and roasty bitter over sweet. Alcohol presence is mild and there are no off characters. 3.5

(Overall) As far as beers go, this beer clocks in as an above average, fairly drinkable stout. Against other Russian Imperial Stouts, the flavor profile is mundane and shallow without much development, stunted and simple. As I recall a 4 pack of this beer sold at a considerably high price, I wouldn't recommend this as an ideal Imperial Stout option, but potentially a decent stepping stone from Guinness to something much, much finer. 3.25

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company's
KGB: Russian Imperial Stout
3.25/5.00
Jan 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.77 by EdwardAbbey from Washington

Oct 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by moundbz from North Dakota

Jul 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.78 by Braz from Washington

May 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.87 by Beer-Zombie from Oregon

May 09, 2015
Photo of Pegasus
Reviewed by Pegasus from Texas

3.73/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A small, dense tan head surmounts an utterly opaque black body. Scattered, thin, patchy lacing decorates the glass walls.

Aroma: Roasted malt, bitter chocolate, and spicy alcohol dominate the aroma,

Taste: Opens with charred malt and bitter cocoa, followed by spicy alcohol. The charred malt lingers throughout, defining the backbone of the taste. The taste is a bit one-dimensional, being defined by charred malt and alcohol. Finishes with a lingering note of charcoal. The ABV of 9.3 % is very well-concealed.

Mouth feel: Smooth, soft, fairly full, pleasant.

Drinkability/notes: Sort of a Russian Imperial Stout-light, but cheap at the price, it was $6.99 a six-pack when released, how can one complain?

Presentation: Packaged in a custom twelve-ounce brown glass longneck bottle with a pry-off crown, served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.
Apr 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by mrn1ceguy from Illinois

Feb 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.06 by Acubflem from Illinois

Feb 02, 2015
Photo of JebBeerFish
Reviewed by JebBeerFish from New Hampshire

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Bottle date Dec 10 2012, stored in my cellar. I have been spoiled by Founders RIS and while this RIS is not bad, it falls well short of the Founders. Would like to try a fresher release on draft, but not likely to purchase a bottle again.
Feb 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.1 by BarrelAgedG from California

Jan 16, 2015
Photo of BIll_Currie
Rated by BIll_Currie from Wyoming

4.09/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
widmer never fails to impress
Jan 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.86 by DMACH from Florida

Nov 30, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by dheldman from Minnesota

Nov 28, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by Techichi from Texas

Nov 18, 2014
KGB Imperial Stout from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 296 ratings