Hey all, I’m looking for recommendations for a good (royal, or not) Imperial Stout recipe.
Why am I asking? I spent a week in Detroit for work, and I visited the Dragonmead Microbrewery (http://dragonmead.com/), and had their imperial stout. It was unfortunately bland, watery, and unimpressive. In the same night I had the pleasure of sampling a bottle of the Lagunitas Imperial Stout, and it was delicious. I also enjoy the Surly Darkness RIS.
This is the description of the Dragonmead stout, from their site: “A Russian Classic! This stout is extremely big. Thick and malty, this stout is created with six-row barley as well as roasted, Chocolate and Caramel malts. The E. Kent Goldings hops do not quite take up all of the malt sweetness. You can’t see through this beer but you can see how just a little goes a long way. O.G. 1.080, ABV 7.5%”
I didn’t realize that imperial stouts could vary in taste so widely; I definitely don’t want the Dragonmead style… So… any recommendations on imperial stout recipes that will be similar to the retail beers I enjoy?
I did this one a year back. Won a local competition with it. I threw in a bit of chocolate rye and upped the IBU’s a bit. Like the style but I must admit I’ve not had too many varieties. I’ll make it again and reduce the hop complexity; I think hop flavors are too muted in this style anyway. I’d also up the black and maybe the C120 a bit but these are personal preferences. Cheers!
[quote=“bwmac2”]I did this one a year back. Won a local competition with it. I threw in a bit of chocolate rye and upped the IBU’s a bit. Like the style but I must admit I’ve not had too many varieties. I’ll make it again and reduce the hop complexity; I think hop flavors are too muted in this style anyway. I’d also up the black and maybe the C120 a bit but these are personal preferences. Cheers!
And between the two, the latter looks like more hops and a much simpler malt bill. Between the two, I’d guess the latter may taste closer to what I’m looking for—again, just a guess, as I’ve had neither. Kate’s looks tasty, but for 5 gallons, that alot of <1lb grain purchases.
Do a search for “Rootin Tootin RIS” it is supposed to be the closest apprach to an “Ols Rasputin” (the beer that made many of us go wow for the 1st time). It is a very good RIS. I am still waiting to see how it is at maturity (january), if any is left by then as it is so dang good I keep stealing them from myself
