20th Anniversary Russian Imperial Stout
Scuttlebutt Brewing, Everett
Style: Four versions of Russian Imperial Stout
Stats: 11.8 percent ABV
Available: Note: Will not be released until September. 22-ounce bottles in four packs of handcrafted wooden crates available at the restaurant and brewery. Also it will be on tap at both places.
My thoughts: For the brewery’s 20th anniversary, Scuttlebutt head brewer Matt Stromberg decided to go big. This Russian Imperial Stout clocks in at nearly 12-percent ABV, but you’d never know it. I’ve only had a small taste, but the “control” version of this beer is smooth, silky and roasty. It’s one of the most balanced stouts i’ve ever had.
I say “control” because Stromberg set aside a number of barrels of this beer and aged it for months in three different barrels: Skip Rock Distilling rum barrels, Oola Distillery Scotch barrels and Woodinville Whiskey bourbon barrels.
Because of a mixup at the brewery, I, and a number of others, was able to get a taste of the stout aged in Skip Rock barrels at last weekend’s Everett Craft Beer Festival. I’m glad too. The rum-barrel version has a more rounded flavor and a touch sweeter finish.
The bottles will be hard to get, though. Dipped in wax and housed together in a handcrafted wooden crate, the bottles will only be sold in four packs, allowing drinkers the chance to taste-test all four. Just make sure you have some friends to help.
From the brewery: Simple words for a complex beer: Rich, velvety, smooth, deep, multi-layered …
More new releases:
Red Blooded American, American Brewing: A deep crimson imperial red ale that is assertive on all fronts. Simcoe, Cascade and Centennial hops stand strong against a pronounced malt body. Flavors of pine and citrus abound against a sweet caramel malt undertone. Available on draft and in 22-ounce bottles in September.
Juice Groove IPA, 5 Rights Brewing: A departure from our usual dry West Coast-style IPAs, Juice Groove features four different tropical and juicy hop varieties paired with a Northeast IPA yeast strain to bring out delicious flavors of orange, tangerine, nectarine and mango. Available on draft at the brewery, NYP Everett, and Brat from Deutschland.
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