First Experience Tasting an RIS

I went to a small little beer festival/tasting in downtown Chicago last night, and had my first taste of a Russian Imperial Stout. It was North Coast Brewing Company's Old Rasputin, and it was like a heavenly nectar. I felt like the stars had aligned briefly, just for me, at the moment I took my first sip.

I had a lot of great beers last night, but that one was definitely the most memorable (Peak Organic also had a great Maple Oat Ale). I'm definitely going to have to try and find more of that.

What are your guys' favorite RISs? I've heard a lot of talk about Dark Lord.

There are tons out there for you to try and being in the Chicago area, only helps your cause... I'd recommend Bells Expedition stout, Founders Imperial Stout, Hopping Frog BORIS. Just try as much beer as you can and have fun. It'll help your brewing as well.

Black Panther aged in used Pinot barrels.

Old Rasputin is pretty much THE definitive commercial example of RIS. Bell's Expidition Stout is another one of my favorites. If you can get Terrapin in Chicago, they make a great Oatmeal Coffee RIS. On a cold winter day, there is nothing better than the 13% Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.

I've yet to get an Old Rasputin. I have a bottle of Dark Lord just sitting in the basement waiting for me. i want to drink it so bad, but I don't want it to not be there anymore. I've never had it before.

I haven't gotten ahold of any Dark Lord yet, but being from Chicago, you must find some Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. I don't believe the 2009s have been released yet, but it shouldn't be long. It's on the sweeter side of the RIS, but the flavor and complexity is incredible.

The Bells and Founders recommendations are very good, I just had a Founders Imperial Stout last night and was impressed. Yeti from Great Divide is also very good.

Edcculus said:

On a cold winter day, there is nothing better than the 13% Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.

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Dang, just the name of that one makes me want to try it!!

Founders has a Breakfast Stout that is to die for. I am also a huge fan of Brooklyn's Black Chocolate Stout.

Imperial Stouts and Porters are a couple of my favorite styles to brew, especially considering how much a good commercial one will cost you.

So, I've been looking in to these RISs recommended, and I'll definitely be trying the Goose Island soon, maybe tonight (they have a beer release every Thursday, and I might be going tonight.)

I'm also looking in to Dark Lord, just out of curiosity, and I think I've figured out what I'm doing April 24th, 2010. Dark Lord Day

I too am hoping to make it next year. i had a generous forum member sell and ship me one of his bottles this past year.

I have not tried it but hear really good things about "The Abyss" I am really going to try and find one this fall or whenever it is released

DRoyLenz, if you would like to come on the Hop Cast Ken and I would love to share some RIS with you.

Here are some of the Russian Imperial Stouts we have reviewed on the video podcast.

Middle Ages Dragonslayer - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=635

Schlafly Reserve – Imperial Stout & Old Rasputin XII - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=623

Duck-Rabbit - Rabid Duck & Sweetwater - Happy Ending - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=528

Thirsty Dog - Siberian Night - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=398

Bourbon County Stout - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=148

How much does a bottle of Dark Lord cost on DLD? I know you're limited to like, 6 22 oz bottles per person, and I can find them online for upwards of $50-$100 a piece, but I'd like to know what I need to budget for on the day of?

Dark Lord the day of was $16 I think. Darkness next weekend is going to be $18.

DRoyLenz said:

How much does a bottle of Dark Lord cost on DLD? I know you're limited to like, 6 22 oz bottles per person, and I can find them online for upwards of $50-$100 a piece, but I'd like to know what I need to budget for on the day of?

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Last year, you would buy a "golden ticket" ahead of time for $10, limit of 2 per person. On DLD, you could buy 4 bottles per ticket at $15/bottle.

DRoyLenz, if you would like to come on the Hop Cast Ken and I would love to share some RIS with you. www.hop-cast.com

Here are some of the episodes we feature Russian Imperial Stouts

Bourbon County Stout - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=148

Middles Age's Dragonslayer - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=635

Schlafly Reserve – Imperial Stout & Old Rasputin XII - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=623

Duck-Rabbit's Rabid Duck & Sweetwater's Happy Ending - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=528

Thirsty Dog's Siberian Night - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=398

Surly Darkness - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=130

Three Floyds Dark Lord - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=431

Saccharomyces said:

Founders has a Breakfast Stout that is to die for.

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Yes they do. They also have a Canadian Breakfast stout which is extremely limited release and is even better than their regular Breakfast stout. My first sample was perfectly complimented with a side of chocolate covered bacon. Yum!

Dark Lord is AMAZING. But it's a huge and hard to drink more than 12oz of, which encourages you to share the 22oz bomber with friends.

Stone's Imperial Russian Stout is also wonderful. I'll be splitting a bomber of this and Dark Lord tomorrow night with my friend when we bottle our first RIS.

bdnoona said:

Yes they do. They also have a Canadian Breakfast stout which is extremely limited release and is even better than their regular Breakfast stout. My first sample was perfectly complimented with a side of chocolate covered bacon. Yum!

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Don't forget the Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Picked up a 4 pack of that this spring, definitely worth seeking out.

If you can get Great Divide in your area, their Yeti RIS is another really good one -- it took a silver at the GABF this year. If you can find it, Espresso Oak Aged Yeti is worth the hunt.

My personal favorite RIS is Brewpastor's 08.08.08 recipe, which has aged into a delicious RIS full of plum and other dark fruit flavors. I only have 4 bottles left, though.

Last night I tried a Bell's Expedition RIS...





Absolutely delicious, I'm thinking the Old Rasputin wasn't a fluke, and I think I've found another style to put on my grocery list/brew queue.

beerad said:

DRoyLenz, if you would like to come on the Hop Cast Ken and I would love to share some RIS with you. www.hop-cast.com

Here are some of the episodes we feature Russian Imperial Stouts

Bourbon County Stout - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=148

Middles Age's Dragonslayer - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=635

Schlafly Reserve – Imperial Stout & Old Rasputin XII - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=623

Duck-Rabbit's Rabid Duck & Sweetwater's Happy Ending - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=528

Thirsty Dog's Siberian Night - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=398

Surly Darkness - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=130

Three Floyds Dark Lord - http://www.hop-cast.com/?p=431

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BTW, I'd love to come check out the show. PM me with more details if you want to follow up on this.