Tag Archives: small batch series

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Stone Brewing Co., Stout - Russian Imperial, USA

Stone Mikhail

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Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Country: USA
ABV: 13.5%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Other Notes: 43 IBUs. Small Batch Series. 2017 Series, Batch No.03. Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels. Brewed July 17, 2016, Stone Imperial Russian Stout is a thick, rich and sinful beer that’s heavy on the palate and massively aromatic with notes of anise, black currants, coffee and roastiness. Malts – Roasted Barley, Pale Malt, Amber Malt and Black Malt. Hops – Warrior. Adjunct – Ryan Brother’s Espresso Roast Coffee. Unfiltered and aged 14 months in American Oak Kentucky Bourbon Barrels

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Intense coffee characteristics abound from both the dark malts and the espresso, while rich caramel-like and vanilla notes from the bourbon barrel aging adds layers of complexity, a touch of sweetness and a vibrant dark fruit finish. Since this is an unusual take on our traditional imperial Russian stout, “Mikhail” pays homage to Mikhail Bulgakov, whose novel The Master and Margarita is considered the foremost of Soviet satires.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.39
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.3

Intro: A 500ml corked and caged bottle, 2017 Series, Batch No.03, bottled in October 2017. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: It was black in colour with a half finger brown head that dissipated quickly and left only sparse to no lacing.
Aroma: Light roast, milk chocolate, damp coffee grounds, espresso, oak and vanilla.
Taste: Moderate roastiness, milk chocolate, coffee, espresso, oak, bourbon, vanilla and a lightly herbal bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: Really enjoyable drinking, as its rich and smooth with velvety chocolate, and nice barrel notes expressing bourbon and vanilla.

4 - Good (buy), American Strong Ale, Beer Reviews, Stone Brewing Co. (Arrogant Consortia), USA

Stone Arrogant Southern Charred

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– aka Arrogant Double Bastard Ale – Whiskey Barrel (ratebeer)

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Arrogant Consortia)
Country: USA
ABV: 12.7%
Style: American Strong Ale
Other Notes: Double Bastard Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels. Small Batch Series

Brewer Description: (from bottle) When Double Bastard Ale spends months sequestered in Kentucky bourbon barrels, a most unique reverse-transmogrification takes place. A once-burly behemoth emerges as a stunningly graceful beast, with its bold, bullish roots lingering just under the surface. This Southernized paragon of liquid glory exudes sophistication, exalted character and uncompromising independence courtesy of American oak. Only the worthiest of imbibers are invited to experience a fleeting yet unforgettable encounter with this rare breed. This is what awaits for those with the eye, heart and inner fortitude to step up to Southern Charred.

Cellar notes – This oak bomb bursts on the palate with a well-rounded mixture of deep caramel, molasses, hops and char plus hints of brown sugar, with bourbony influence amplifying the beer’s maltiness. These interwoven flavours crescendo in an intense, lingering finish, yet for such a high-gravity beer, it is one helluva smooth operator. Quiet. Confident. Arrogant.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.13
My ratebeer.com rating: 4

Intro: A 500ml corked and caged bottle, 2015 vintage. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Poured a cold haze rusty orange brown colour but eventually settled to a clear copper colour with a very thin orangey beige head that disappeared quickly while leaving some spotty lacing.
Aroma: Sweet malts, bourbon, caramel, toffee, oak, ginger, candied grapefruit, and some light piney notes.
Taste: Sweet malts, bourbon, caramel, toffee, oak, light bitterness, grapefruit peel, piney, resinous, citrus pith, and maybe hints of raisins.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with soft to moderate carbonation.
Overall: I loved the aroma and there was a good balance in the flavours between sweet and bitter that make it such a good sipper.

4 - Good (buy), American Strong Ale, Beer Reviews, Stone Brewing Co. (Arrogant Consortia), USA

Stone Arrogant Bastard’s Midnight Brunch

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Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Arrogant Consortia)
Country: USA
ABV: 12.7%
Style: American Strong Ale
Other Notes: Depth-charged Double Bastard Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels & Maple Syrup Barrels. Small Batch Series

Brewer Description: (from bottle) An unrestrained, coffee-fueled feast. Evening’s trying to forget the crushing mediocrity of one’s life are typically the main driver to late-night breakfast plates at unforgivingly overlit diners stacked with industrialized, frozen-dumped-in-a-fryer “food.” An interlude between sophomoric late-night antics, questionable decisions and inevitable morning regret. That’s not how I play it. For those who know how to grab life by the horns*, however, this bottle pairs even better with accomplishment, life lived out loud, and well-timed moves that often appear as luck to those not paying attention. A specifically designed midnight brunch feast with like-minded folks who not only have their wits about them but actually have wits, and an artfully prepared feast sets the more appropriate stage for this beer. The bottle is worth a special occasion. Create yours to accompany it.

Aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels & Northeast Ohio Maple Syrup Barrels.

*Touch mine, though, and I’ll provide you with the deepest possible understanding of the word “regret.”

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.19
My ratebeer.com rating: 4

Intro: A 500ml corked and caged bottle, 2016 vintage. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Poured a cold haze rusty orange brown colour but eventually settled to a clear copper colour with a thin orangey beige head that dissipated fairly quickly while leaving some spotty lacing.
Aroma: Coffee roast, oak, caramel, toffee, vanilla, bourbon, light booze, with hints of maple syrup.
Taste: Sweet malts, caramel, toffee, maple, bourbon, vanilla, oak, with bitter coffee notes on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: It doesn’t seem like coffee was added, but the appearance of it in the aroma and flavours was great as it balanced the sweetness quite a bit. At times it felt overly sweet from the maple, but the complexity was there and it was still a good sipper.