Back to the dark side of beers with this one. I have been wanting to try a Stone Stout for a long time and finally got the chance with this limited release. We don't get a lot of Stone's dark beers here in Montana, mainly their IPAs or Arrogant Bastard (which is technically a dark beer), so was pleased to see this one at my local beer store. Stone is a larger southern California brewery but they also have a brewery in Virginia.
Stone Brewing - Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout
Stats
- Brewery: Stone Brewing Company - Escondito, California and Richmond, Virginia
- Alcohol Content: 10.6% by volume
- IBUs: 70
- Company Description: Built from the backbone of Stone's classic Imperial Russian Stout, Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout certainly celebrates the hallmarks of the style - it pours jet-black with a fluffy chocolate head and tastes of deeply dark fruit flavors with rich chocolate and coffee overtones. Yet, however old world in nature, this particular rendition of an IRS is flavored with new world hops, intensifying its berry flavors and aroma while subtly introducing a juicy melon undertone. The result is a spectacularly sinful delight. Don't say we didn't warn you, comrade.
The Bottle
This beer came in a 22 oz dark brown bottle with clear vinyl labels, a pair of large main body labels and a neck label. All had clear background with turquoise blue, dark blue and white lettering. The Stone demon head logo is front and center on the bottle front label. The back label has a lengthy narrative with a political revolutionary theme, quite a good read, it is shown in the picture above. The neck label has "Rationed Release" on it, indicating it is a limited release. This beer also is available in 12 oz 6 pack bottles and on draught.
The Beer
- Appearance: Dark as a moonless night, with a massive head of chocolate foam (see photo above), which lingered a while and exhibited nice lacing as the beer was drank.
- Aroma: A chocolate and coffee aroma was noted.
- Taste/Mouthfeel: A surprising smooth feel in the mouth, slightly carbonated in the mouth, even with that massive head of foam on the pour. A decidedly bitter finish though. A heavy body, with a noticable chocolate and coffee taste, slightly boozy notes also.
- Drinkability: I would not call this a quick drinker, at 10.6 abv and 70 IBUs, it was more of a sipper, especially at 22 oz.
Rating and Final Thoughts
I rated this at 4.50 on Untappd, two friends gave it an average of 3.88, while overall it has a 3.99 rating fromover 13k raters. I like the dark, gnarly Imperial Russian Stouts. I find their bitterness to be an attraction with the strong coffee and dark chocolate notes. However, that said, they are sippers, to be enjoyed slowly. It was a gloomy, overcast day when I drank this, which matched the dark beer perfectly. This is not a beer for everyone, the light hearted would find it offensive and obtrusive, so stay clear if you like your lagers or IPAs. :)
4.50/5
This beer will be entered into Week 54 of the #beersaturday contest, so be on the lookout there for it, and be sure to upvote it for my chances of winning are based on upvotes. Even your $0.00 votes count there.
Cheers peeps!