Current Russian Gun

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:07 pm

This is the best Russian Gun ever and is in my top 10 beers ever tasted.

It's got a perfect Russian stout, or double stout, flavour, clean yet rich with coffee- and bitter chocolate-like flavours and a fine tangy bitterness. Correctly for the style (i.e., British strong porter), the hops add a fine bitterness but no flowery or piny flavours or aromas.

To explain further: it has no raw roasted flavours like you sometimes get in a porter or stout, and no off-flavours of any kind. I am not saying adding coffee or chocolate to porter is wrong, but at the same time, the greatest examples of the style, in my opinion, eschew such additions. Sometimes what makes a great beer, is what it doesn't contain as much as what is in it.

Gary

TheSevenDuffs · Post by **TheSevenDuffs** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:32 pm

G.M. Gillman wrote:is in my top 10 beers ever tasted.

That is quite the statement...

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:49 pm

It is, and I'll elaborate. Obviously I haven't tasted all the Russian stouts ever made - no one has although I'm sure many here have tasted far more than I. Still, I've had quite a number, and some excellent ones, but sometimes they are not strong enough, or have too much "bitter chocolate", or a flavouring I don't like, or some other taste that prevents them from being in the very first rank. I enjoy some which employ C-hops, but to my thinking a C-hop flavour denotes a different style, an American-style strong stout.

The early versions of Russian Gun were good but this current one just hits all cylinders, IMO, for classic strong British-style stout.

Gary

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:59 pm

G.M. Gillman wrote: I enjoy some which employ C-hops, but to my thinking a C-hop flavour denotes a different style, an American-style strong stout.

I couldn't agree more.

S. St. Jeb · Post by **S. St. Jeb** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:58 pm

G.M. Gillman wrote:This is the best Russian Gun ever and is in my top 10 beers ever tasted.

I assume you are referring to the product from Grand River. I like this beer very much too. I also like the Imperial Russian Stout from Wellington. Beyond that, I haven't tried much else so I can't claim to be an expert on the style.

sprague11 · Post by **sprague11** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:17 pm

I always found it a bit thin for a RIS. Someone on here (Derek? "Grag"?) likened it to an Old Ale and I thought there was merit in that comparison. Still, it's a good drink and one I'd be happy with any time the temperature hits single digits or lower.

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:19 am

I agree earlier versions were on the lighter side for the style but the one I last bought, bottled mid-January of this year, had a richer taste and just seemed perfect all round, i.e., everything balanced and correct in relation to the ABV. While not at the highest end of the ABV range for Russian stout, it's within the ballpark historically. Based on my reading, anything over around 6.5% was essentially Imperial range. (Sometimes they called it XXX or XXXX, double stout, etc. Terminology varied somewhat in this regard).

I do like Wellington County's version, but this current Russian Gun is in a special class IMO due to the fine, full flavour and marked bitterness. Indeed I'm referring to Grand River's product.

I once had a 3 year old Rogue Russian stout in the barrel that was very good too, probably the best aged one I've had outside Courage Russian Imperial Stout. I'd put that one in my next ten best beers. I should add too I like many of the bourbon barrel stouts now available but it's a variation on the classic style.

Gary

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:37 pm

I would agree. This years' version of the Gun is outstanding. Welly's Imp had always been my favourite, but Russian Gun beats it hands down this year. Even salted a few away.

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:16 pm

G.M. Gillman wrote: Obviously I haven't tasted all the Russian stouts ever made - no one has .........

This guy might be close..........

http://www.ratebeer.com/user/19400/

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:52 pm

SteelbackGuy wrote:
G.M. Gillman wrote: Obviously I haven't tasted all the Russian stouts ever made - no one has .........

This guy might be close..........

http://www.ratebeer.com/user/19400/

What?

Over 20k? Since 2005? That's averaging over 8 new beers a day?

I don't know what would be diminished most... his taste buds or his brain cells!

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:56 pm

Okay, this list is rediculous:
http://www.ratebeer.com/Users/TopUsers.asp

But the Canadian represenation is impressive!

austin · Post by **austin** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:14 pm

Thanks for the heads up on the Russian Gun. Picked some up at the brewery a couple of years ago and wished I had concentrated more on the Plowman's. Must give this recent brew a try.

Soods · Post by **Soods** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:12 pm

Derek wrote:
Over 20k? Since 2005? That's averaging over 8 new beers a day?

I don't know what would be diminished most... his taste buds or his brain cells!

His bank balance would be the most diminished.

phirleh · Post by **phirleh** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:50 am

Soods wrote:
Derek wrote:
Over 20k? Since 2005? That's averaging over 8 new beers a day?

I don't know what would be diminished most... his taste buds or his brain cells!
His bank balance would be the most diminished.

I know Denmark has quite the density of craft breweries (over 140 for a population of 5 million), and 6 out of the top 10 users are from there. I think some of those guys are constantly having tasting sessions.
But I imagine they're either having a beer or going to the post office to pick up beer most of the time.

Papsø even has his own beer!

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:16 am

phirleh wrote: But I imagine they're either having a beer or going to the post office to pick up beer most of the time.

Yeah, that's some serious trading!

The Bar Towel

Current Russian Gun

Current Russian Gun

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