From the Brewery: 

“Like the classic version, this Odd Year edition was brewed in the authentic, historical style of an imperial Russian stout, but with the addition of several hundred pounds of espresso beans from our friends at Ryan Bros. Coffee. Layers of flavor and complexity augment an already enigmatic brew, leaving this darkly delicious libation positively brimming with deep, rich espresso flavors that meld beautifully with the roasty bitterness of the dark malts.” 11% ABV

Purchased from Bevmo in Fresno

The Pour:  

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into my brandy snifter. It pours like thick, used engine oil; black in color with no opaqueness offered. The head pours nearly non-existent (I poured it pretty gently, a more aggressive pour would likely produce a better head), just some dark brown bubbles on the surface. No carbonation is visible, and light lacing is left on the glass.

The Nose: 

Intense dark chocolate and roasted coffee, with mild undertones of dark fruit and alcohol booziness. 

The Mouth: 

Thick-bodied with a luscious mouthfeel, finishing moderately bitter. The flavor profile is dominated by copious amounts of smooth, premium dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Also presented to a lesser extent are flavors of dark fruits, vanilla, a bit if an oaky/wood flavor, and some alcohol burn. There are some bitter hops as it finishes, leading to an incredibly roasty aftertaste of coffee and chocolate, which coats the palate and lingers in the mouth like a gift from the heavens.

Final Thoughts: 

Wow, wow, wow. Utterly amazing. It’s like Stone has brewed this special edition beer with my palate in mind. Everything I look for in a great beer is here, and put into my favorite style. The chocolate and coffee dominate, and blend incredibly well with all of the secondary offerings. The alcohol is just prevalent enough (and at 11%, that’s quite a feat) to offer another level of sophisticated complexity to the overall experience. I’m surprised this is the beer I reached for on a 106 degree day, but I’m oh-so-happy that it was. This is probably the best beer I’ve ever had. Perfect. 10/10

Stone Brewing Co. – Escondido, California