Quick Sips: Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Catherine II ruled over Russia’s Golden Age, though it was her allegedly voracious sexual appetites that have made her something of a legend. Pretty ridiculous, really, when what we should know her for is popularizing one of the world’s great beer styles: imperial stouts.

See, way back in the 18^th Century, Thrale’s Brewery in England brewed a big, imposing dark beer for export to Catherine’s court. The beer became known as Russian Imperial Stout, and today it’s one of the most popular styles among those who like their beers bold and aggressive.

One of the very best on the market is by Stone. Their Imperial Russian Stout -- yes, they reverse "Russian Imperial" on purpose -- is dark as night and just loaded with powerful chocolate, cocoa, and bitter roast coffee, along with the generous hopping Stone is known for. It really gives your senses a workout, yet amazingly, you’d never notice it’s a whopping 10.5% ABV.

Oh, and did I mention how affordable it is? Stone's price per bomber is far lower than comparable beers of the same style, sometimes by half. Without question, this is one of the best beer bargains on the planet. Thanks, Catherine!

NOTE: Portions of this post originally appeared in The Philadelphia Weekly

The Philly Beer Top 50 - Part 10

Philly Beer Week is pretty much the biggest beer thing ever this side of the Great American Beer Festival when it comes to the not-shitty side of the Mississippi, so needless to say I'm stoked to be writing the 50-Beer Countdown To Philly Beer Week for the Philadelphia Weekly.

And hey, I care for you (not really), so I'm happy to divide it up into handy little five-beer lists like this. So here are five of the 50 beers available in Philly that you MUST drink. Part 10 of 10!

Stone Imperial Russian Stout
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Stone-Imperial-Russian-Stout-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-46-209220841.html

Weyerbacher Merry Monks
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Weyerbacher-Merry-Monks-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-47-209221861.html

Southern Tier Oat
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Southern-Tier-Oat-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-48-209335531.html

Firestone Walker Wookey Jack
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Firestone-Walker-Wookey-Jack-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-49-209335931.html

Stillwater of Love and Regret 
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Stillwater-Of-Love-And-Regret-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-50-209336731.html

The Philly Beer Top 50 - Part 2

Philly Beer Week is pretty much the biggest beer thing ever this side of the Great American Beer Festival when it comes to the not-shitty side of the Mississippi, so needless to say I'm stoked to be writing the 50-Beer Countdown To Philly Beer Week for the Philadelphia Weekly.

And hey, I care for you (not really), so I'm happy to divide it up into handy little five-beer lists like this. So here are five of the 50 beers available in Philly that you MUST drink. Part 2 of 10!

Victory Golden Monkey
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Victory-Golden-Monkey-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-6-203062651.html

Flying Fish Exit 16
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Flying-Fish-Exit-16-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-7-203063151.html

Samuel Adams New Albion Ale
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Samuel-Adams-New-Albion-Ale-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-8-203063981.html

Tröegs Nugget Nectar
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Troegs-Nugget-Nectar-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-9-203611731.html

Stone Brewing's Oaked Smoked Old Guardian
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/drink/philly-beer-week/Stone-Brewing-Old-Guardian-PWs-50-Beer-Countdown-to-Philly-Beer-Week-Day-10-203821411.html

Quick Sips: Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA

Japanese Green Tea IPA. By the name alone it's probably easy to tell whether or not you'll like this, because it is exactly what it sounds like. An IPA -- a huge double IPA, actually, clocking in at 9.2% ABV -- dosed heavily with green tea.

Stone, brewers of the well known Arrogant Bastard, brewed this in conjunction with Ishii Brewing Co. in Guam and Baird Brewing Co. in Japan as a collaboration beer.

But with its giant malt profile, big hopes, and overall largeness, it's all Stone.

Despite its name, this beer doesn't overwhelm you with the taste of green tea -- which would be hard, since green tea tastes pretty mild. But it's present and detectable if you're a green tea drinker (which I am). The more it warms the more noticeable the green tea is, but even when it reaches room temperature -- at 9.2% ABV it's a sipper, so it will eventually reach room temp if you're drinking slow -- it never takes over. It's an accent that makes it just different than your usual double IPA.

This beer's high alcohol content is fairly well masked, getting a bit "hot" as it warms but otherwise not stepping all over the taste. If the alcohol content is noticeable it's in the lack of a head. Even poured down the middle into a tulip glass, this beer generates very little head that quickly dissipates. What's left is a beer that looks like a light-colored syrup or cooking oil.

Yeah, I know, not doing a good job selling this, am I?

But it's worth trying if you can find it. (Quantities are limited, especially here on the East Coast.) It's got a fresh, "green" taste that is a nice change from your usual double IPA, well balanced and drinkable despite being potent enough to knock you on your ass. Give it a whirl if you see it.