Reviewing the St-Ambroise Stout Impériale Russe from McAuslan Brewing.Score: 91
2011 vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter glass.
Appearance: Jet black and completely opaque. Pours three fingers of foamy chocolate-brown colored head that slowly recedes into a full finger of dense foamy heady. Amazing lacing. 5/5
Smell: Chocolate malts, coffee and hazelnut. Some toffee and dark fruit and maybe a hint of licorice. Light booziness in the aroma too. 4/5
Taste: Huge, consistent coffee-forward flavor throughout. Some dark fruit that gradually increases on the mid-palate as the beer layers. Light chocolate flavors weaved into the coffee. Lingering bitter coffee finish. 4/5
Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied with low carbonation. Acidic bitter finish. 4/5
Overall: A lot more coffee flavors than expected in this Russian Imperial Stout. Very delicious, but very coffee-centric. I'd certainly try another bottle if I could easily get my hands on some.
Recommendation: If you do not like coffee and sharp bitterness, avoid this beer. Otherwise, enjoy!
Pairings: Chocolate cake? Maybe biscotti? How about a bagel with cream cheese!
Cost: $7.99 for a 12 oz bottle.
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