Could a stout have inspired Catherine II, the 18th century Empress of Russia to greatness? Beer historians note that Catherine took a liking to stouts when visiting England and asked that the English stout be shipped to the Russian Court in St. Petersburg. It arrive spoiled, probably because it froze on the long voyage from England to Russia - Catherine was not pleased. So the Thrale Brewery in London, created a bitter, 10.5% alcohol stout that became known as Imperial Russian Stout. Swamp Head’s Russian Imperial Stout was inspired by the awesome Imperial Stouts created by the modern day American craft brewing revolution. We think Catherine would be inspired too!