We’ve reached the end of our stout series as we look Stone Russian Imperial Stout. Jim and I both love this beer and the brewery. We are happy to call ourselves fan boys.
News
A beer with your haircut was the idea that a Michigan barber had until local authorities told him that idea wouldn’t cut it. Mr. Tom Martin, owner of Jude’s Barbershop in Grand Rapids, Michigan was giving out one beer per customer when the local officials came in and put it to stop. He notes that the beer, PBR, is for the customers only, and that the barbers don’t drink on the job.
Stone Russian Imperial Stout
- Stone brewing company is located in Escondido, California, just north of San Diego.
- Founded in 1996 by Steve Wagner and Greg Koch, they quickly became known in the industry for their big, bold, well hopped beers, and their gargoyle logo.
- The brewery produces about 70,000 barrels per year, although are expanding rapidly and will be close to 250,000 barrels per year capacity shortly.
- Tonights beer is also a seasonal release, the Russian Imperial Stout. Typically this beer style is released in the colder winter months, but Stone bucks that trend and releases it in early summer.
- Weighing in at 10.8%, this beer has a fair amount of alcohol bite to it. In addition to the ABV, it also only comes in a 22 ounce bottle, so if you get one, share it with a friend.
- I have had this beer several times, and let me tell you it does change a little with age. The younger verison of the beer has a distinct hop bite, however that mellows over time.
- To say this beer pours dark an understatement. It also pours rather thick, giving that nice thick mouthfeel.
- The smell is going to be of the coffee and roasted dark chocolate that we have talked about in the past, with just a little hint of hoppyness. You can bet that you smell the alcohol on this one as well.
- The taste is very smooth, not as hoppy as you may expect from a West Coast beer. The malt and roasty flavor really take over the beer. Which, for a stout is a good thing. This is a rich beer to say the least, so people have also described this as overpowering in sweetness, but Jim and Jake don’t see that.
- If you can find one of these, go grab it. In fact, grab a couple, drink one now, then store the second one for a year from now.
Next Week
We will be moving on from Stouts, and it’s a good thing because it is starting to get nice outside. Our next series will be on Belgian beers. We’re not sure which beer yet, so stay tuned next week.
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