Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout

The 2013 “Odd Year” treatment is the Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout. What is this? Stone IRS brewed with several hundred pounds of espresso beans from Ryan Bros. Coffee… don’t mind if I do. Whoa, that coffee flavor is pretty intense on the first sip. Sweet black licorice is in the background along with some roasted malts and a lot of alcohol taste. OK, the coffee is calming down a bit and blending with the beer as it warms up a bit. A nice balancing sweetness is mixing with the bold coffee and roast, and that licorice note has faded very quickly. Gonna say this is worth picking up another bottle or two.