Dry, Bitter Imperial Stouts

The best stout I've ever had that meets all those criteria is Middle Ages Dragonslayer. It had all that plus an exciting roast blackened flavor that wasn't too much like chocolate. It also wasn't too ashy.

 

First beer that came to mind that meets that description: DeStruise Black Albert. No idea if it’s even brewed anymore or available stateside. But it’s fucking good.

Also, more or less any oatmeal stout should get you that dry character you seek.

 

Anything labeled an oyster stout should be dry.

 

Why?

 

"Should" is more of a philosophical declaration there, not anything to do with how they're brewed. Sweet and oysters don't tend to work well together.
That being said, I can't recall having any oyster stout that wasn't dry.

 

Courage Russian Stout would fit the bill. Except the bastards haven't brewed it since 1993. Harveys Imperial Stout is a good substitute. And a true taste of the 19th century.

 

Don't remember if I've repped my local on this thread yet - but Red Rock Drioma

 

Drink it!

jk I’m with you. I had a Marshal Zhukov vert going back to 2010, that I now have going back to 2011 or 12 , with multiples of most vintages. But I figure hell, I’ll drink them someday. They age wonderfully and who knows maybe will be an interest experience to try a 25 year old vintage one day.

 

I came up with a plan. Every year I’ll buy a bottle of the latest release of BCS and do a side x side with the oldest bottle I have. Gonna take a few years but it’s progress.

 

Sadly Marshal Zhukov is in cans now and doesn't seem to age as well.

 

I once had a 17yo Black Chocolate Stout that had been stored in a fridge the whole time. I was at my aunt and uncle's lake cabin and it was in the fridge. Hadn't been a craft beer drinker in the family outside of myself since my cousin's ex-husband, and the timing lined up on around them splitting, so I figured no one would miss it. Tasted like ruby port and cocoa.

 

I just did an 08/09 SxS with a 2023 a few days ago. 08/09 was heavy unsweetened molasses and bakers chocolate. Made the 23 almost seem overtly sweet. Def fun to try.

 

Yeah the ending years of the vertical (2021 was when I stopped it) are cans. Notably that is actually one of the reasons I stopped it, aging cans just feels weird to me.

 

1 / 100 on this one