Yep, I'm a black coffee drinker as well. I think we grew up drinking non-sweet things and gained an appreciation of such drinks. I think the younger generation was raised on sweet shit, so that's what they seek. Not really their fault, but it is what it is.
BA has it labeled as an RIS. Just hit stores this week. https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/blackout-stout/
I'm not sure, but this seems to look like another case of a brewing company removing the word "Russian" from the label (back label in this instance) when the regular beer came back in 2022 after the invasion.
I went into New Holland brewery a while back and asked if they were ever going to make Night Tripper again. The guy I asked had never heard of it. Sigh. But he did say that they had an “Eastern European Imperial Stout” on tap. Some breweries do rename their RISs, but whether it stays like that until Ukraine is free of the army invading them remains to be seen. I buy less beer than I used to just so I can send money to U24. Been to Ukraine several times and have friends there.
Victory Storm King used to be the number one beer on this site. Stone RIS was up there too. The highest rated beers were always the higher ABV “more” flavor styles or IPAs. Then they just took those and turned the dial up to 11.
@MutuelsMark This RIS is from my local brewery that is stuck in the fruited hazy rut, but every-so-often shows that they are quite capable of making very good beers! Levante Brewing “Royal Scepter “ RIS!
Not that it's a true RIS, but I had Monday Night Darker Subject Matter a few weeks ago, albeit the cognac aged variation, and that was a serious stout. Not sweet at all, and while it didn't have quite enough char to match up with a serious RIS, it was pretty dark and angry. Definitely matched up well against the Southern Grist Batch One Theory stout I tasted this past week, which was all pecans and brown sugar. I haven't had issues finding dry, bitter stouts in my area, but there is an equal share of dessert stouts.
I'm another black coffee drinker, I always knew that was one reason I loved the bitter imperial stouts, Russian or otherwise. I also don't drink nearly as much strong beer as I approach 70 years old, and living in a small town hours from anywhere that's an easy goal to achieve. But when I hit a big store in Texas or Arizona when we visit our kids, I'm shocked at the bizarre stouts available. I remember almost throwing up at the thought of a peanut butter stout several years ago, now that almost vaguely seems drinkable. Marble Brewery in Albuquerque has(had?) a stout which an incredibly dry, charred taste that I loved, but it was never available in my town so I don't know if they still make it. Old Rasputin was my go to RIS years ago, it's another one not available where I live.
At first I thought my 2022 tasted off, since I bought it on discount over a year after release at Woodman’s (my craft stores didn’t carry, and totally missed the release). Not sure how the beer was stored the past year, but wondering now if they changed anything. I still have one can left, saving for @Resistance88 , but based on the last one I had, rather swap out so you’re not disappointed. 2018 was still the OG recipe, so if stored fresh it should be good. Their brewing machinery broke down while brewing the 2020 batc. It wasn’t salvageable as beer, so it went to a distillery. IIRC, the last to Drago releases were 2018 and 2022.
Can't even get a staple like Ten Fidy in my area - two plus years and counting since its been on shelves
To be fair to some of the other posters, sactions could be a factor - after a few months of the Ukraine war starting many UK retailers declared that they would no longer be stocking Russian origin products i.e. vodka, mostly.
While I agree with some users about the impact of the Russian attempted full-scale invasion in 2022 of Ukraine might have been a factor to fewer brewers wanting to associate with the Russian Imperial Stout style, I don’t think it’s been the only one reason. Also while I don’t underestimate many people’s stupidity or ignorance, many many people, Americans or not know by now the Russians force have been pounding Ukraine for years… who lives under a rock nowadays or has zero internet access? Those are very big beers, ABV wise. Fairly bitter usually; I’ve had a handful of them, all top tier, so I’d agree with @Beersnake and some others: younger people aren’t likely buying those, matter of palate and taste.
I'd like to think that the average consumer is intelligent enough to know that something labeled as a Russian Imperial Stout isn't from Russia, and doesn't benefit, endorse, or condone the Russian government's actions in any way. But, then again, I'm constantly disappointed by the actions of my fellow Americans and our susceptibility to jingoism.
I'd be shocked if the average consumer would know that. Maybe you mean the average "US-craft-imperial-stout-buying consumer” - in which case that group has essentially been trained to automatically not think of such products as Russian in origin when they see them. And then the question becomes: Within that small consumer group, how many people think that the beer type/style is of Russian origin? (like American IPA, Czech lager, etc.)
I buy a case of Narwal, Expedition , Yeti and various others in 6 and 4 pack forms each year. They are not as easy to find, Expo I had to buy as six packs in different places. I love these plain stouts. I dont care what they are called. Russian stout to me does not mean it’s made in or supports Russia. It’s a style. If California attacked Oregon I would still seek out and drink west coast ipa. If these Russian stouts were made in Russia or in support of them I would move on to other brands but still drink other Russian stouts. @Providence I think you are wrong. I would bet a good majority of Americans know what Russia has started in Ukraine. Do they care or understand is a different story. When it happens here they won’t have any choice but to know and get smacked with reality. No, it won’t be Russia but more likely their biggest ally, if the USA continues down its path of arrogance and know it all while being led by Ritchie Rich and his ass kissing bunch of scaredy cats. Enjoy
