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 and some yeasty breadiness.

Taste:

Again, the beer is mostly about roasted malts. Bittersweet cocoa and coffee flavors are the major players, along with fruitiness, hints of anise, and yeastiness, followed by a smooth, balanced, not sweet finish.

Palate:

This beer is very full bodied, and very smooth!

Overall Impression:

We don't 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!