Robin Shepard
Here's a view of the Big Eddy Spring as seen on a tour of the Leinenkugel's brewery in Chippewa Falls.
Jacob Leinenkugel founded his Chippewa Falls brewery in 1867, after growing up in Sauk City. In fact, Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout from The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Style: The Russian Imperial Stout originates from England as an export to the Baltic states and Russia. It takes its name from its popularity with the Russian Imperial Court. This beer offers a rich maltiness that can be intense, with varying amounts of roastedness. It is also characterized by a lingering roasted malt finish that is warm with port-like qualities.
Background: The Russian Imperial Stout is the second in the Big Eddy series, following last summer's Imperial India Pale Ale (Beer Advocate and Madison and Milwaukee. This is indeed a big beer with a warming 9.5% alcohol by volume.
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: Sweet, roasted, warm.
- Appearance: Very thick, viscous-like, dense and dark with a then bubbly brown head.
- Texture: Full bodied, slick.
- Taste: Strong, assertive roasted chocolate malt body.
- Finish/Aftertaste: Warm and roasted, espresso-like.
Glassware: This beer goes well in a brandy snifter. Whatever head remains, the glass will showcase the beautiful dark, thick body and focus the roasted aroma.
Pairs well with: The richness of wild game will accentuate the malty body of this beer. It will also go surprisingly well with desserts that feature chocolate -- or this beer is a dessert in itself.
Rating: Three Bottle Openers.
(I am using a one to four bottle opener scale: four is a great beer, distinctive, you'll have this over others; three is a beer you enjoy, reliable, close to its described style; two is problematic, lacks distinction, but worth having again; one is a beer that isn't true to its style, you would not recommend it to a friend.)
The Consensus: This beer has not yet received enough ratings to be evaluated on Beer Advocate. It currently has a 100 from
