|
||
|
Stone Brewing to release 2004 edition of
Stone Imperial Russian Stout |
||
San Marcos, CA --- June 14th is the highly anticipated release date for the 2004 edition of Stone Imperial Russian Stout. Stone Brewing has a well-known reputation for brewing big, aggressive beers to the pinnacle of the brewer's art, and Stone Imperial Russian Stout ranks at the top of that list. That is if you listen to enthusiasts. RateBeer and BeerAdvocate.com are the two largest beer websites on the internet. Both attract every level of beer drinker from the novice to the hardcore enthusiast. Both give Stone Imperial Russian Stout top honors. RateBeer.com currently has over 350,000 ratings for more than 31,000 beers. Stone Imperial Russian Stout is in the Top 10 rated beers in the world on their list. BeerAdvocate.com currently has 143,505 reviews of more than 16,941 beers, and Stone Imperial Russian Stout is the #3 rated beer in the world on their site. "Stone Imperial Russian Stout is clearly revered among enthusiasts," states Stone Brewing CEO Greg Koch. "However, trying to explain Stone Imperial Russian Stout to the average beer drinker might be something akin to explaining the Amazon rain forest to a Kalahari nomad." Koch says that the imperial stout style offers depth and complexity that is worlds apart from other beers, and thus there is simply no frame of reference to many people. "Bewilderingly, most beer drinkers seem to prefer the windswept, dusty plains of liquid emptiness. It makes me wonder if there is some sort of mental vertigo that prevents them from venturing to the heights of the beer experience" In this case, the heights of beer can be found in the depths of darkness. Consumers seem to have many misperceptions about dark beers. Dark color in beer is confused with higher calories, carbohydrates, alcohol level, viscosity, bitterness and overall 'heaviness.' Brewers know that color need have no effect on any of those attributes. However, when it comes to the Stone Imperial Russian Stout, it has all of those attributes. Extra big time. Stone Imperial Russian Stout is intensely aromatic, with notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol. The beer's label warns the potential imbiber to "expect this mysterious brew to pour like Siberian crude and taste even heavier!" Due to the brew's intense character, high alcohol level, massive viscosity and bottle conditioning, it can easily be cellared for at least a year or more. Koch suggests that collectors open a bottle from their cellars every six months or so to experience the various stages of the brew's maturation over time. "The very best way to enjoy archives of the Stone Imperial Russian Stout is to taste various years of the brew side by side. The very best beer I have in my cellar right now are my three bottles of the 2000 edition of Stone Imperial Russian Stout. The next best beers are my 2001's." Of course, only the most serious collectors with the strongest will power are able to keep themselves from enjoying their archives before they even have a chance to age... Stone Imperial Russian Stout is available in 22oz bottles. A list of regions and retailers can be found at http://www.stonebrewing.com/tasting/special/stout2004. Draft will also be available at a handful of select pubs in limited areas. Stone Brewing is located at [OLD ADDRESS REMOVED]. For more info, go to www.stonebrewing.com or call the brewery at (760) 471-4999. |