Courage Imperial Russian Stout

It's not one of the originators, it's the original Imperial Stout.

 

it's really good, I heard it's the beer that inspired Stone IRS

 

Literally the best example of the style I have ever had.

 

Yes, maybe Mainers are just getting distribution? Had bottles since last year...

 

It's been sitting on shelves in SC for a while now. At about $8 a bottle, it's a hard sell; however I did finally pick up 2 bottles. Drank one fresh and put the other in the cellar. It's was a good beer, but I wasn't blown away; it was too roasty for me.

 

Had the 2011 back in 2012, and then again this year. The 2011 was somewhat coarse when I had it in 2012, but had smoothed out by 2013 and I was able to appreciate the complexity more.

2011 Vintage ^

Had the 2012 this year as well, and enjoyed it more than all the 2011's I've tried. It was smoother immediately and had a richer depth of character than the previous vintage.

2012 Vintage ^

In both cases, a very notable beer, and a must for fans of the RIS. It's classically styled, with high abv, and flavors that suggest cold espresso and chocolate syrup, with faint suggestions of anise, fruits, and vanilla.

 

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So in it's current state, it's not the original​

Seriously though, I swear I read in some of Michael Jackson's stuff that there were other producers of Imperial Stout at the same time (Thrales for one).​

Very interesting reads:​

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/ImperialStout.html​

http://allaboutbeer.com/learn-beer/styles/stylistically-speaking/2005/03/imperial-stout-4/​

http://zythophile.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/imperial-stout-–-russian-or-irish/​

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By the way I know you are probably referenced in at least one of the above links! Great to see post on this site.

 

About 2 years ago I had the '92 vintage and though there was a touch of oxidation, the beer was sublime. So deep and complex. One of the best beers I have ever tasted.

 

great beer. wish this uk ris would show up here too:

pretty unique and pretty awesome.

 

No idea what point you're trying to make.

Thrale brewed the first Stout for the Russian court.

 

Thanks for the good info.

 

Met the brewer and had a gravity pour firkin last week. Amazing stuff. First and only firkin in the US I believe.

 

Just saying that the history behind the style and who originated it is far from cut and dry.

 

I love this beer, and it definitely doesn't get the love on BA that it deserves. It has all the qualities I look for in a Russian Imperial Stout. After drinking one a while back I went out and bought several more.

 

No, it's pretty clear in the case of Russian Stout. Can you name another brewer who came out with one earlier than Thrale?

 

Ahh I see now! Thrale became Barclay Perkins? I didn't know that!

Found this:

"The powerful imperial version of stout was brewed for the Baltic trade and was popular at the court of the Russian Tsars. The beer that became Courage Russian Imperial started life in the Anchor brewery run by the Thrale family."

 

Nope, sorry mate. I ninja'd in minutes before and removed that firkin, replacing it with something much more mundane that apparently was never noticed. Myself and 3 nubiles have since proceeded to enjoy that firkin over the course of the last several days in a small motel room with a pool view. It has been legendary.

 

It was a fun time. Lasted longer then we thought it would too.

 

I saw it here the other day didn't know exactly what it was and passed because I didn't want to spend $7 on a 9 oz bottle.