Russian Imperial Stout
(has 4 batches)
Courage in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England 🏴
Stout - Imperial Regular Out of Production|
Score
7.68
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After acquiring full control of the Courage brands, Wells & Young's originally revived the legendary stout as a limited release in May 2011.
Because of massive popularity (particularly in the US craft market), they extended the revival into a highly anticipated annual single-batch release that ran until 2014.
Because of massive popularity (particularly in the US craft market), they extended the revival into a highly anticipated annual single-batch release that ran until 2014.
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7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
8th June 2019
One of those 'how the hell have I not rated this beers'. I've certainly had it before. A 2012 bottle. No 122989 of 200000 to be precise. Ffs! Almost fully opaque dark brown beer, small pale tan head. Smooth and airy palate, fairly dry, decent fine carbonation. Tangy dark malts, touches of cream, dark chocolate and some oxidisation induced caramel at the bottom of the taste pile. Ripe dark fruits, little ripe cherry in there. Alcohol spice doesn't seem diminished by age. Touches of brandy and sherry. A mild bitterness develops toward the end. Aged well and I think it will keep going for a few years yet. But that is no surprise given how well previous editions of this classic are drinking from decades and decades ago. And this has matured well from 2012 when my recollection is of a sweetish and tangy Impy, much more complex now.
One of those 'how the hell have I not rated this beers'. I've certainly had it before. A 2012 bottle. No 122989 of 200000 to be precise. Ffs! Almost fully opaque dark brown beer, small pale tan head. Smooth and airy palate, fairly dry, decent fine carbonation. Tangy dark malts, touches of cream, dark chocolate and some oxidisation induced caramel at the bottom of the taste pile. Ripe dark fruits, little ripe cherry in there. Alcohol spice doesn't seem diminished by age. Touches of brandy and sherry. A mild bitterness develops toward the end. Aged well and I think it will keep going for a few years yet. But that is no surprise given how well previous editions of this classic are drinking from decades and decades ago. And this has matured well from 2012 when my recollection is of a sweetish and tangy Impy, much more complex now.
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Jun 2019
at 15:57
8.6/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Molasses, chocolate malt, and hay aroma. Black with small brown head. Moderately sweet coffee, molasses, licorice, chocolate malt, and moderately bitter hay flavor. Good body. A classic that is still better than most of the imitators.
Tried
on 27 Apr 2019
at 21:52
8.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
Bottle from the Manchester Beer and Cider Festival, 2019. Black pour with a beige head. Aromas of chocolate, light bourbon, coffee,raisin. Flavours of raisin, vanilla, toffee,prunes,coffee,caramel. Excellent.
Tried
from Bottle
on 29 Jan 2019
at 05:47
7.3/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
Bottle share @ Hansen's, thanks Tim (M) for this 2013 vintage bottle! Dark brown pour, some light brown foam there. Light roasty nose, bit sourish maybe. Light roast. Tastes toasted, some toffee and chocolate. Feels kind of light but some cocoa and coffee also there. Fruity and with some cocoa. Good.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Dec 2018
at 12:12
8.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
275 ml bottle from Martin's Liquors in Mount Laurel, NJ. Vintage dated 2012. Rating # 3500. Viscous pour of dark brown. Small creamy tan head. Roasty malt nose. Notes of prune, dried fruit and espresso. Intense bittersweet chocolate upfront. A bit of prune and espresso as well. Thick and clingy mouthfeel. Dark and rich. Woody, sherry like notes in finish. Superb and worth seeking out.
Tried
from Bottle
on 22 Oct 2018
at 02:27
8.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 10
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2012. Pitch black color. Deep licorice, molasses, smokey and roasted malt character. Medium body, a touch of port, pear, chocolate, tobacco leaf, iodine molasses, low carbonation, but very nice. Excellent complexity. Alcohol well hidden. Smooth. Nice brownies and port with pear finish.
Tried
on 19 May 2018
at 08:08
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
275ml bottle dated 2012. Pours hazy dark brown to black with a small tan head. Aroma: roasted malts, burnt, coffee, prunes. Taste: moderate to heavy sweet, roasted malts, dark chocolate, creamy chocolate, coffee, dark fruits, figs. Medium body, fine carb, dry, bitter finish
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Feb 2018
at 22:33