Stone Brewing Co. 2009 Imperial Russian Stout released
While this blog is focused on the Four Corners, all the great breweries and cycling we have here, I can’t ignore awesome stuff happening other places in the world, especially my old hometown of San Diego. There’s a ton of great beer being made there (and opportunities for year round cycling!).
Stone Brewing Co. is one of my favorites (a lot of beer lovers can say that) and their Imperial Russian Stout is easily one of my favorite beers.
Today Stone releases the 2009 Imperial Russian Stout. It comes out once a year and is only available for a couple of months (if that!), which helps keep it special. At 10.8%ABV and sold in 22oz bottles it packs a punch. Last year they started selling it in 12oz bottles as well, no word whether they’ll be doing that again this year. It looks like they’ve designed a new logo this year, which I’m really digging. Not sure if they’ll be changing the bottle or not.
I’ve been cellaring a few bottles of I.R.S. over the years, I have one bottle of 2006, two 2007’s and a 12oz bottle of 2008. Lucky for me the Summer of Beer Blog drank some very aged (2001!) I.R.S. over the weekend and guesses that it peaks around three or four years. I’ll be drinking that 2006 soon, I might even compare it with the 2007 and if I can get a few bottles of the 2009 it too.
Speaking of which, this is my first year living outside of California, so finding Stone Imperial Russian Stout will be tougher than normal. I’ll be checking with a few of the better liquor stores in Durango and asking my sister in San Diego to buy a couple bottles for me just in case.
