Imperial Stout (2022) & Imperial Russian Stout (2011) | Stone Brewing Co. | Beer Review |

For today's review, I'm doing a comparison review of two beers from the Stone Brewing Company, and it's their Imperial Stout, the 2022 vintage, and their Imperial Russian Stout, the 2011 vintage. The former is an Imperial Stout, while the latter is being called a Russian Imperial Stout. Stone decided to bring back their IRS this year, and while they're calling it just an Imperial Stout -- omitting the word "Russian" -- it's essentially the same recipe as past releases. The oldest vintage of the beer in my cellar is the 2011 offering, so I thought it'd be fun to compare a relatively fresh can to an insanely old aged bottle. Let's see how they stack up against one another!

Commercial Description:

(Imperial Stout) (2022) - Ask any hardcore Stone enthusiast about our most legendary beers and you're bound to hear mention of this one. Nearly jet black with a fluffy hot chocolate-colored head, a goblet of this obsidian wonder held to the sky could block out the sun. Or an evening. Redolent with dark chocolate and heavy roast up front, gracefully supported by nuances of coffee, black currant, molasses as it finishes ... this beaut is ageable for years. Some of us are still enjoying our bottles from the early 2000's. So, to look ahead, what will your stock of the 2022 edition of the Stone Imperial Stout be in 2037? Legit question. Advance planning will be its own reward!

(Imperial Russian Stout) (2011) - Brewed in the authentic historical style of an Imperial Russian Stout, this ale is massive. Intensely aromatic (notes of anise, lack currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate, this brew goes where few can -- and fewer dare even try. The style originated from Czarist Russia's demand for ever thicker English stouts. Expect our version of this mysterious brew to pour like Siberian crude and taste even heavier!

Pertinent Information:

Brewery - Stone Brewing Company (Escondido, CA & Richmond, VA)
Beer - Imperial Stout (2022) & Imperial Russian Stout (2011)
Style - Imperial Stout & Russian Imperial Stout
ABV - 10.5% (Both)
IBU - 45 & 52
Bottled/Canned On Date - 10/19/22 & May 2011 (Just under two months old & approximately 11 1/2 years old at the time of review)

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