Stone Imperial Russian Stout (Aged One Year)

So this Friday, I was at an undisclosed bar in Brooklyn to see Shayfer James, where my brother ordered a Delirium Tremens (They were out of the beer with the duck on the tap handle, so he ordered the one with the elephant instead). It came in a great glass, which I was unaware is very popular among the bar-bound kleptomaniacs of the world. I was also apparently unaware that I too was one of these folks, because I walked out of there with that glass in my sweatshirt. Sleazy I know. Such a cool glass though!


So with that as an introduction, I present to you all the first beer of the new glass, a Stone Imperial Russian Stout that I originally bought in March 2008.

Appearance: Black as night. The Delirium glass features a lil' elephant etched into the bottom of the glass to make more bubbles, much like the little circle on the bottom of the new Sam Adams glass. That's nice and all, but there's no way you're seeing any bubble action through the oily depths of this bad boy. About a finger of burnt marshmallow head presents itself as well, and tight lacing remains throughout.

Smell: Understated chocolate and coffee malts in the nose. Not in-your-face, or overly boozy at all. At 90+ IBUs and 10.8% ABV, the aging process has really affected this brew.

Taste: Burnt malts up front. Deliciously bitter. Very smooth due to its age. Not much hops left, but still very balanced. So tasty.

Mouthfeel: Great carbonation. Not overly watery or motor-oil thick.

Drinkability: Really great balance. Upwards of 11% but not too boozy. As good as stouts get. I'll definitely be looking for the Imperial Russian again this year.