Best Russian Imperial Stout?

my vote goes to Narwhal
runners up are the various Bourbon Counties and Stone

 

American and English Styles are commonly split into two separate styles categories. One could make an argument that most American styles are a derivative of various European styles. With the separation already well established, it makes sense to maintain the two styles instead of merging them. Overlap may occur but overlap always occurs in these type of discussions.

 

I say there are 2 types of Imperial Stouts. Ones brewed with only water, malt, hops &yeast and ones with added flavors.

 

Don't sweat it, folks kid around with that attitude.

It's like in my neighborhood, each lot cut from the woods. Every person moves in and says that no more woods should be cut down.

Truth is, once you meet us in person at tastings or through trading you will be meeting the most generous folks you have known. Welcome, and Cheers!

 

Specialty:

Abraxas
BCBS
BBPT5
KBS

Normal:

Speedway
Founders Imperial Stout
Ten Fidy

That's pretty much in order too.

 

Just to give you an idea how ridiculous this whole stout ontology is: BA classifies Widmer Bros' Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout as American Double/Imperial Stout. Hunahpu defies categorization by simply labeling itself "Imperial Stout", but BA places it in American Imperial as well, as it does with Yeti, both Boulevard's versions, Speedway, Eclipse and Tiny. Although BA category description suggests that American Imperials "tend to be quite big, and bigger than traditional Russian Imperial Stouts" and "have cleaner alcohol flavors, higher hop levels, and more residual sweetness", in practice, there is no real difference. To differentiate between Russian Imperial and American Imperial stouts is nothing more than establishing minor stylistic preferences, much like American Quads tend to be sweeter and more syrupy than original Belgian Quads. High ABV seems to be more of a gimmick than a characteristic of style and the supposed extra sweetness comes across in American-brewed RIS as well, so the lines really are blurred. As you can see, most comments on this thread refer to what BA classifies as "American Double/Imperial Stout", not "Russian Imperial Stout". The confusion is not trivial.

 

fair enough

 

Fair enough, I just think there are times where diving in is the right strategy....so much beer, so little time!

 

Actually, I cut my newbie teeth on FBS and TOTALLY APPRECIATE it.

 

Not counting barrel aged
1. Founders Imperial Stout
2. Plead the 5th
3. Ten Fidy
4. BORIS

 

2012 Darkness

 

Avery Czar
Great Divide Yeti

Honorable mention to Narwhal and Czernobog.

 

It's hard to fuck with yeti. Always around, always delicious.

 

It's a cracking beer. I had some cask at the GBBF last week and it was very nice. Maybe not quite as bretty as the bottled version. Though that could be my imagination. And every bottle seems to be slightly different.

 

I've still got plenty. At least 50 bottles of the 1992 and 1993.

 

Hoppin Frog B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher (prefer it over the variants)

 

Courage RIS has been re-brewed and is available through a UK brewery.

 

Abyss, Expedition, Old Rasp, Darkness

 

Taking price, availability and taste into consideration (as I do with most of my purchases), I'd have to say Old Rasputin. Been thinking about getting a sixtel of this for the winter months.

 

hmmm

Oak Aged Yeti