Prepare yourselves for an excursion into the dark, inky blackness of Russian Imperial Stouts.

Contrary to what the name suggests, Russian Imperial Stouts are born of England. These rich, dark, high gravity ales were brewed to the tastes of the Imperial Court of Russia. England was a brewing center of the world while the beer tradition was much less developed in Russia, so these beers were produced in England and shipped to their final destination. It is not difficult to imagine how a beer of this style would appeal to someone contending with a harsh Russian winter. The style has taken hold with many craft brewer’s in the United States with a huge variety of options and interpretations of the style.

This week we will be enjoyiong “Storm King” from Victory Brewing Company ( a switch from “The Czar” by Avery due to acquisition issues).



Just the Facts:

Brewery: Victory Brewing Company



Place of Origin: Downington,PA



BJCP Style Category: 13.f. Russian Imperial Stout

ABV: 9.1%



Bottle Sizes: 12 Oz.



Recommended Serving Temperature: 55-60°F



First Impression:

More than anything else what drew me to select this beer was the desire to try something new. I had heard of Victory but had never had any of their beers. Taking a first look at the bottle you are greeted by a menacing face of an owl, “The storm king”, set on a dark background a hint at the darkness contained within. Their is a nice introduction of the beer by the brewer included on the label as well.

The Pour:

This beer pours black and opaque, no light passes through this beer. The beer forms a thick light brown foam that lingers before dissipating to a thin layer atop the brew.

Aroma:

The aroma is dominated by roasted malt, slight chocolate noted are detectable. There is also some alcohol spiciness in the nose.

The Taste:



The taste very much follows the aroma on this beer. The roasted malt is dominant, giving chocolate and coffee or espresso flavors. There is considerable bitterness, which is likely due to a combination of the hops and from the darker roasted malts. The alcohol is fairly subdued, especially considering the aroma and the 9.1% ABV, however it does provide some warmness in the finish. The viscosity is lower than i have come to expect from the style, leading to a thinner mouthfeel.

Food Pairing:



The Russian Imperial Stout is a classic beer to pair with desert. With chocolate being the quintessential pairing, matching the flavor profile of the beer to the food. However, for those looking for something different or adventurous you can turn the beer into a functional part of the dessert. Try combining with vanilla ice cream, for a twist on the classic root beer float.

Overall, this beer was not my favorite example of Russian Imperial Stout. While this was not a bad beer in any sense. I did not feel that it showcased the elements i love about the style. The mouthfeel and the alcohol warmth could have been more pronounced. I would recommend you try another Russian Imperial Stout before reaching for this one.

Other Russian Imperial Stouts to try:

North Coast Brewing– Old Rasuputin

Stone– Russian Imperial Stout (or for a twist try the “Belgo” version)



Next week on “The Weekly Pint”:The Reverend from Avery Brewing Company

Do you have a beer that you think i should showcase? An idea of how to improve the blog? Let me know in the comments.