1.24 - Can Beer Day and Comrades!

So apparently today is National Can Beer Day! 78 years ago today, beer was first introduced in a can!  Sadly, for many many of those years, it was watered down swill.  Now, the craft brewers are moving into cans for cost, portability and a longer life.  And really.. like any of us are gonna care!  If it's great beer, we'll drink it from a can, a bottle, a growler, a tap, a cask.. just gimme good beer!  So to celebrate I enjoyed a little gem called Heady Topper.. heard of it?  Yeah, fucking amazing!

But you can't just stop after one beer..right?

So I really went for a big beer this time!  It's still fuckin freezing out..  so Russian Imperial Stout?  OK!

Otter Creek - Russian Imperial Stout
     a 10.0% ABV 65 IBU.. you guessed it.. Russian Imperial Stout.  This might be awesome.  It pour a thick ruby black, consistency of used motor oil.  The head is all but non-existent.. a lovely mocha tone.  Woody, smokey, bitter black chocolate and burnt coffee.. licorice and booze, a touch of metallic.  It's thick and smooth, like melted boozy chocolate.  Bitter/black chocolate and roasty malts take center stage..  milk chocolate, thickness... this come through in the middle.  There's touches of black coffee and caramel mixed in there and a nice very low carbonation with not much noticeable alcohol bite.  Velvety smooth, just enough sweetness to balance out the woody char.  Cacao, vanilla and some dark fruits are hidden at the very very back end of this.  Honestly, it's an incredibly representation of the style.. everything is in tune, it doesn't try to be overly anything.  A must-try for RIS lovers.

- - 9 Hops!