A MASSIVE BEER – ONCE BREWED FOR ROYALTY.
Samuel Adams Imperial Stout is our take on the traditional Russian Imperial Stouts from the 18th century. English brewers supplied these stouts for the Russian Imperial Court of Catherine the Great, who had taken a great liking to the beer. In order for the beer to survive the long trip to St. Petersburg, the flavor and alcohol needed to be amped up to preserve the beer.

While this style originated in England, it is a style now known for being uniquely American as craft Brewers have taken this it to whole new level of flavor and complexity. We think we raised the bar again. Samuel Adams Imperial Stout is a massive beer filled with big, dark flavors. It has been a brewery favorite in recent years and we are exited to share this intense brew with you.

The first thing you notice about this beer is its color. It is black as night and almost completely opaque. Next is the cappuccino colored head: the aroma is filled with notes of coffee, smoky chocolate and licorice. And the taste delivers on all of those aromas, you can pick out each one.

Samuel Adams Imperial Stout was brewed with seven different varieties of malted barley, each delivering its own unique flavor for the beer. But this beer is not a "malt bomb". It is balanced by 50 BUs of East Kent Goldings hops that have a clean earthy aroma and pleasant bitterness. This is a colossal beer that should be savored and enjoyed.

The strong and intense flavors of the Imperial Stout pair well with foods that have flavors to match or complement the beer. Foods that are mild in flavor will be overpowered by the beer.

For a cheese pairing, we recommend pairing the stout with aged strong cheeses like Stilton blue cheese or aged Gouda. Cioppino or rare roast beef will also pair well as they will cut some of the sweetness of the beer. The dark roasted malt in the Imperial Stout brings out chocolate aromas and flavors making it a tasty pairing with coffee or chocolate desserts.

But the classic pairing for stouts are a plate of raw oysters. The roasted bitterness of the stout is contrasted by the saltiness and subtle sweetness from the shellfish. Simply amazing.

Huge roasted malt character with smoky, chocolate and coffee aromas and flavors.

• Color: Black (almost opaque)
• Original Gravity: 24.5° P
• ABV / ABW: 9.2% ABV / 7% ABW
• BUs: 50
• SRM: 250
• Calories per 12 oz.: 316
• Serving Temperature: 50° - 55°
• Malt Type and Varieties: Two-row Harrington, Metcalfe, Caramel 60°, Munich, Special B, Smoked malted barley, roasted unmalted barley and malted wheat
• Hop Varieties: East Kent Goldings
• Yeast Strain: Top-Fermenting Ale yeast
• First Brewed: 2009
• Availability: Year Round

As these beers age and mature we will be updating each page with aging notes.