Russian Imperial Stout

Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy

Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout was first brewed by Lenies in 2007.  It’s inspired by the Big Eddy Spring that has been the water source for the brewery since 1867.  The beer is reminiscent of the 18th century Continue Reading →

Leinenkugel’s Brings Back “Big Eddy”

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company aka “Leinenkugel’s” is bringing back their “Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout”.  Big Eddy was first brewed in 2007.  It’s inspired by the Big Eddy Spring that has been the water source for the brewery since 1867. Continue Reading →

Thornbridge Brewing’s St. Petersburg

Thornbridge  Brewing (England) launched in Georgia about 6 months ago with “Halcyon” a wet hopped imperial IPA.  The newest release – “St Petersburg”

Commercial Description:
Dark brown with a creamy tan head, almost latte like in appearance. Lemony, minty hop nose Continue Reading →

Posted in Leinenkugel's Brewing, New Releases

Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy

Leinenkugel's Big Eddy Russian Imperial StoutBig Eddy Russian Imperial Stout was first brewed by Lenies in 2007.  It’s inspired by the Big Eddy Spring that has been the water source for the brewery since 1867.  The beer is reminiscent of the 18th century Russian Imperial Stout style that contained extra malts and hops to act as preservatives during long voyages from England to Russia, where it was served in the royal court.  This is the first in a line of Big Eddy releases.

Beer Rundown:
Hops: Glacier, Warrior, Summit, Glacier
Malts: 11 Malts, including Munich, Caramel, Chocolate, & Pale

Taste Expectations: From Lenie’s — Deep mahogany hue and a complex, yet balanced, flavor, offering dark fruit, espresso and mocha character, and finishing with toffee and molasses notes.

Availability: 12oz/4 pks.  Draft.

9.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Terrapin Beer Company

COMING SOON: Terrapin’s SP#13 Big Daddy Vlady

Terrapin Brewing is having a busy year!  The Georgia Theatre benefit series, Side Projects, tap takeovers, and most recently their newest annual release – wet hopped “So Fresh & So Green, Green”.  Well, no rest for the weary.  Side Project #13 is currently in the works and will be here soon.

“Big Daddy Vlady” gives aways the style – a Russian Imperial Stout. A heavy hitter too.  From the label:

“Terrapin’s “Big Daddy Vlady’s” Russian Imperial Stgout is Number 13 in our Side Project series of beers.  Brewed under the strictest of Socialistic guidelines, this Imperialistic Stout will be carefully monitored and allocated accordingly.  Black as the coldest Siberian winter’s night, this colossal, viscous, elixer will bring the hammer and sickle down on your little girly man’s palet.”

Style: Russian Imperial Stout

Arrival: Late November/December 2010

10% ABV (or higher)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Leinenkugel's Brewing

Leinenkugel’s Brings Back “Big Eddy”

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company aka “Leinenkugel’s” is bringing back their “Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout”.  Big Eddy was first brewed in 2007.  It’s inspired by the Big Eddy Spring that has been the water source for the brewery since 1867.  The beer is reminiscent of the 18th century Russian Imperial Stout style that contained extra malts and hops to act as preservatives during long voyages from England to Russia, where it was served in the royal court.  This is the first release in the Big Eddy Series. 

Quoting Jake Leinenkugel, president of Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company:

“As the demand for full-bodied brews continues to grow, beer fans will find that the wait for Big Eddy’s return was well worth it.  This beer has tremendous spirit and depth and we’re proud to share Big Eddy with beer drinkers.”

Beer Rundown:
Hops: Glacier, Warrior, Summit, Glacier
Malts: 11 Malts, including Munich, Caramel, Chocolate, & Pale

Taste Expectations: From Lenie’s – Deep mahogany hue and a complex, yet balanced, flavor, offering dark fruit, espresso and mocha character, and finishing with toffee and molasses notes.
Availability: 12oz/4 pks.  Draft.

Arrival: November 2010. Limited time.


by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brooklyn Brewing, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

A fall/winter favorite for sure.   Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout is roasty, dark and chocolatey – and if you ask me – is reincarnated in some of Brooklyn’s big bottle offerings.

Commerical Description:
We use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a lucious deep dark chocolate flavor through a blend of specially roasted malts.  We brew it every year for the winter season.  It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.

Beer Rundown:
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Hops: Willamette, American Fuggle
Malts: American Two-Row

Taste Expectations: Chocolate – Bittersweet & cocoa.  Touch of molasses or brown sugar.  Underlying hops compliment this beer leaving a nice bit of flavor complexity that doesn’t stick around too long on your palate.

Availability: 12oz/4 pks.  Seasonal offering October-March.

Cellar? Yes.

10% ABV


by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Thornbridge Brewing

Thornbridge Brewing’s St. Petersburg

Thornbridge  Brewing (England) launched in Georgia about 6 months ago with “Halcyon” a wet hopped imperial IPA.  The newest release – “St Petersburg”

Commercial Description:
Dark brown with a creamy tan head, almost latte like in appearance. Lemony, minty hop nose with underlying chocolate-caramel. Big, sweet roasted malt in the mouth with hints of chicory and bitter coffee. Some dark chocolate and wisps of peaty smoke. Boozy, bitter finish with some roasted hazelnut and maple syrup characters. Nice, slightly dry, bitter ending.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout

Taste Expectations: Roast coffee, bitter chocolate.  Some smoke.  Dark fruits.  Smooth flavor and finish.

Availability: 220z bombers.  Thornbridge does a lot of cask offerings. Be on the look out.

7.7% ABV

Looking for this? Hop City, Green’s Beer, Tower Beer Wine & Spirits, 5 points Bottle Shop.  (Have it? comment!)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Hoppin' Frog Brewing, New Releases

NEW RELEASE: Hoppin’ Frog Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S

Bourbon barrel aged fans, get excited.  The barrel aged edition of B.O.R.I.S. by Hoppin Frog (Akron, OH) has arrived.  The regular edition of  B.O.R.I.S is a previous gold medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival, currently underway in Denver, Colorado.  Take B.O.R.I.S, and whiskey, and you have another amazing beer on your hands.

Commercial Description:
Made from our B.O.R.I.S. Imperial Stout, that was rated one of the World’s 50 Best Beers, and won the Gold Medal at the GABF in 2008. BARREL-AGED B.O.R.I.S. has picked up rich characters of vanilla, dark fruit, oak, and spice. It’s unbelievably complex and savory

Style: Russian Imperial Stout

Taste Expectations: Bourbon/whiskey vanilla.  Roasted malts. Chocolate.  Light coffee.  Complex.  Decadent.

Availability: 22oz Bombers.  Limited Release. Retail- $15 dollars a bottle.

9.4% ABV

by Reid Ramsay