Stone® Imperial Russian Stout

2013 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Appearance

Beer pours black with a deep tan head of foam.

Aroma

Cocoa and coffee flavors dominate, along with some fruity fermentation esters, floral hops, and some yeasty breadiness.

Taste

Bittersweet cocoa and coffee flavors are the major players, along with fruitiness, hints of anise, and yeastiness, followed by a smooth, balanced, slightly astringent bitter end.

Palate

This beer is very full-bodied and very smooth, with a hint of alcohol heat.

Overall

We don't typically change this recipe much from the original version that Steve designed in 2000. It's a fantastic recipe, and we love brewing it every year!

2013 Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout

Appearance

Beer pours black with a deep tan head of foam.

Aroma

Very nicely balanced strong coffee and chocolate flavors. The addition of the espresso beans in the brewhouse and post-fermentation have enhanced the coffee flavors that are naturally found in the classic version, but interestingly, have also enhanced the perception of chocolate! The fruity, yeasty, and hoppy flavors found in the classic version are more diminished here.

Taste

Deep, rich fruity coffee and mocha flavors, intertwined with subtle vanilla and a fruity finish.

Palate

This beer is very full-bodied and very smooth, with a hint of alcohol heat.

Overall

Espresso-roast coffee has thousands of aromatic and flavor compounds. A lot of what comes out in the final flavor depends on where the beans are grown and how they are roasted and blended. We fell in love with the espresso from San Diego's Ryan Bros. Coffee when we first tried it in a cask of Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, and then later when using it to make espresso, "real" macchiatos, and lattes during one of our weekly "Espresso Friday" sessions. It's a blend of Indonesian and Central/South American coffee beans, dark roasted and blended to perfection. The flavor is bold and robust yet very smooth, with hints of citrus and berries, and we knew it would be a great addition to this year's "odd" version of our Stone Imperial Russian Stout.

2013 Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Appetizers

Caramel-covered bacon, blue cheese-stuffed dates, oysters on the half shell, pecans, walnuts, foie gras

Soups

Short rib stew, Hungarian goulash, lamb stew, cream of mushroom soup

Entrees

Beef steaks with rich cream-based sauces, goose or duck with cherry sauce, coffee-rubbed pork tenderloin, elk, vegetarian vindaloo

Cheeses

SRoquefort, Gorgonzola Dolce, Stilton, Shropshire Blue, aged Gouda

Desserts

Chocolate lava cake, Boston cream pie, brownies, coconut macaroons, coconut lemon chiffon cake, apple pie, caramel cheesecake

Cigars

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series, La Reloba Selección Sumatra Torpedo, Illusione CG:4 Maduro

2013 Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout

Appetizers

Stilton-stuffed crimini mushrooms, lamb lollipops, bacon toast, BBQ Buffalo wings

Soups

Beef and barley, French onion, butternut squash, potato chowder

Entrees

Espresso-rubbed filet mignon, elk loin, mushroom ragout, Thai coconut curry

Cheeses

Aged Gouda, Caveman Blue, Point Reyes Original Blue, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano

Desserts

Vanilla ice cream, tiramisu, chocolate Bavarian cream cake, dark chocolate

Cigars

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero, Java Robusto, Camacho Triple Maduro, Arturo Fuente Fuente Opus X Belicoso XXX