Stout Impérial Russe (Rum Cognac) – Frampton Brasse

Stout Impériale Russe, 10.5%

VISUAL
FLAVORS
SENSATIONS
BALANCE
INTENSITY
FRESHNESS
COMPLEXITY
APPRECIATION

Russian Imperial Stout, 10.5%, aged around 6 months : Opaque black. Thick creamy brown 3-4 finger sparkling head and floating yeast, lasting around 10 minutes, with light legs and swirl reaction, but a strong lacing. Flavors of raisins, dark berries, chocolate, coffee, black liquorice, vanilla, smoked dark grains and herbal hops. Slick and oily medium body with light crisp. Medium to strong strength finish, dominant smoked grains similar to bacon, lightly earthy feel, slightly vinous, dry and minty. A bit sour with diacetyl from the aging session, still bearable but didn’t age as expected. Lack balance and proper « Russian barrel » sensation, more like a dry stout. Although the alcohol is well hidden, so it’s at least pleasantly warming. Overall decent quality craft.

Sieur De Léry – Frampton Brasse

Pilsner de style Tchèque, 5%

VISUAL
FLAVORS
SENSATIONS
BALANCE
INTENSITY
FRESHNESS
COMPLEXITY
APPRECIATION

Pilsner, 5%: Bright pale straw color with moderate pearly activity. Foamy white 3-4 finger head, lasting around 10 minutes, with moderate legs. Flavors of sweet grains, light apples, lemon, lager yeast, floral hops. The smell is properly flowery. Slick and rounded full body with moderate carbonation, lightly crispy. Light strength finish, sharp malts and fruit, a hint of leaves and barley, no corn or very faint, and a proper vegetable feel. A bit dry and tongue coating, yet well balanced. For a true interpretation of the style it’s a winner, quite similar to an Urquell so it’s more like a Czech, yet a bit more flavorful and probably not as complex although very close! It’s fresh and satisfying, grainy and leafy, a pleasant to drink highly accessible brew. I find it rare to find a good pils. Overall very good quality craft.