What is the difference between a Russian imperial stout and an imperial stout?
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Compared to modern imperial stouts, its ABV may be a touch lower at 9%, but it’s still readily apparent. It’s on the drier side than many current imperial stouts, thinner of body, and also features a touch more hop-derived bitterness.
Why is it called Russian imperial stout?
Imperial stout was originally brewed by the major porter brewers in London as an “extra stout” porter for export to the Baltic countries and Russia from the late 18th century onward. It gained its title as a drink supplied to the Russian imperial court of Czarina Catherine the Great.

Is Russian Imperial Stout sweet?
Russian imperial stout ranges from dark reddish-brown to jet black. The overall balance is often bittersweet, though some examples might be more bitter and others might be more sweet. Regardless, there is always some sweetness to help balance the substantial bitterness of the roasted grains and hops.
What is the most popular imperial stout?
Top Rated Beers: Stout – Russian Imperial
Sorted by weighted rank (not shown). | Ratings | |
---|---|---|
1 | Marshmallow Handjee 3 Floyds Brewing Co. | 1,780 |
2 | Chemtrailmix – Rye (2018-2020) 3 Floyds Brewing Co. | 247 |
3 | Parabola Firestone Walker Brewing Co. | 7,170 |
4 | Coconut Vibes Shared Brewing | 187 |
When should I drink imperial stout?
If you want to be exact, a common recommendation is to enjoy a stout at around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher ABV imperial stouts could be at peak flavor between 55 and 60 degrees.

What makes a beer a Russian imperial stout?
Russian Imperial Stout, first brewed in England for Emperor Peter the Great of Russia, are higher in alcohol than traditional English Stouts. The best examples are full bodied, rich, and complex, and will often have flavors and aromas of dried fruit, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Is Guinness an imperial stout?
Guinness Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels was developed specifically with barrel-aging in mind, so it has a strong, robust body. This roasty beer also has a velvety mouthfeel, notes of chocolate, bourbon — not to mention hints of coconut and vanilla — and an oak finish.
Is stout the same as Guinness?
“I’ll have a Guinness” used to be a straight-up order, but now Guinness has a whole slate of beer styles, and only a few are stouts. The stout you may know best is Guinness Draught, or what most people consider “Guinness Stout,” the variety consumed around the world since 1959.
What is difference between stout and porter?
The only main difference many brewers still agree on is the kind of malt that should be used to brew each type of beer. Porters use malted barley and stouts are primarily made from unmalted roasted barley, which is where the coffee flavor most people associate with stout comes from.
Is stout beer strong?
The stronger beers, typically 7% or 8% alcohol by volume (ABV), were called “stout porters”, so the history and development of stout and porter are intertwined, and the term stout has become firmly associated with dark beer, rather than just strong beer.
Is stout stronger than beer?
Stouts came after, as stronger, fuller-bodied versions of porters, aka “stout porters.” When a pub offered both a stout and a porter, stout was always the stronger beer. Porters and stouts share dark malts, which give them their classic black, or near-black, color.
Does stout have caffeine?
Even with everyone’s favorite-local-roaster being featured in their favorite-local-brew, the caffeine content in coffee stouts is actually pretty negligible.
What is a Russian Imperial Stout?
Russian Imperial Stout, first brewed in England for Emperor Peter the Great of Russia, are higher in alcohol than traditional English Stouts. The best examples are full bodied, rich, and complex, and will often have flavors and aromas of dried fruit, coffee, and dark chocolate.
What is an example of a stout beer?
Stout – Russian Imperial Russian Imperial Stout, first brewed in England for Emperor Peter the Great of Russia, are higher in alcohol than traditional English Stouts. The best examples are full bodied, rich, and complex, and will often have flavors and aromas of dried fruit, coffee, and dark chocolate.
What is the connection between Stout and Russia?
The link between the stout and Russia begins with a well-documented visit to England by Peter the Great in 1698, where he “fell in love with stout beers,” with the stout name describing only its strength, not its color.
Where did strong ales come from?
The Anchor Brewery of London (under the ownership of Henry Thrale) appears to have first shipped strong ales to the Balkan states and even the Imperial court in Russia.