Reasonablly priced RIS in the PA area

i dont know how much they will charge for it, but free will ralphus is being bottled this winter. i had it at blue dog wealth of riches and it was amazing. (the same cannot be said for their sour cherry alexander, dreadful adn a waste of 20 bucks)

 

CoalCellar, where are you in PA? I'm in the greater Harrisburg area and just brought back some Bells Expedition and Founders Imperial that I'd be happy to give you a bottle or two in person or send you a couple in trade if you'd like.

 

Old Rasputin is a classic. I enjoy Full Pint's Rye Rebellion, which I believe is around $40 per case (and is barrel-aged). Full Pint Night of the Living Stout is solid.

 

Well, you already listed the two that I was coming to suggest. Honestly, I haven't found anything that comes even close to Storm King and Black Chocolate Stout in terms of quality/price/ABV. Interested to see what, if anything else, gets suggested.

 

Shackamaximum is 8% and should be reasonable since most of PBC's beers are.
I don't know how much a case of Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout goes for but it's a little less in ABV than what I assume most BA's think of when it comes to "imperial" since it's 7% so it may be reasonable.

 

I've long said that Thirsty Dog Siberian Night is about the best RIS around for the money.

 

Iron Hill RIS isn't a great deal @ $20 a bottle, but it's a much better one at $20 a growler.

 

Narwhale is in season also, the poor mans Yeti in that you only sacrifice price, not taste.

and if your really cheap and want that stout fix just pick up magic hat heart of darkness. Sure its no imperial but the profile is there.

 

Not sure what their distribution range is, but Otto's Jolly Roger is affordable and quite good. Much better than a lot of things that cost 2-3x as much, imo.

 

I don't think you are going to beat Storm King or Brooklyn BCS on price. But there is a chance that Leinenkugel's Big Eddy Imperial Stout might be in the same ballpark. Not sure, I haven't bought a whole case.

Personally I think the quality increase going up to Bell's Expedition, Old Rasputin, Founders IS, and GD Yeti is worth the modest cost increase. I can't say the same thing for many of the limited release stouts out there that only come in bombers are therefore much more cost per oz.

 

Big Eddy is probably over $50 a case.