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Stone Brewing Company Imperial Russian Stout (2006 limited release)

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This entry was posted on 4/22/2006 1:38 PM and is filed under Beer.

The main VinoCritic.com website has named a beer product as the "wine" of the week for April 20, 2006.  He has given it a five star ranking.  Do you agree?  Does this beer deserve to be listed on the same hallowed pages as the finest wines in the world?  Tell us what you think by logging your own comments below.
 

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    • 4/22/2006 1:46 PM Samuel (San Marcos) wrote:
      Dude,

      It's about time you have posted a beer on your site. I agree with most of your wine reviews, but not all, since I personally don't care for Bordeaux and you do. But the Imperial Russian Stout kicks ASS. I had some last year. I didn't know it was a once a year thing. I keep going to the store looking for it. I thought it was just hard to find. Now I know it's a once a year special, like the winterfest brews that a lot of people have. I'm headed to BevMo for some now. Thank you Mr.VinoCritic.
      Reply to this
    • 4/22/2006 3:40 PM Henry, Rancho Santa Fe wrote:
      O.K.; I get it that you liked the beer. But 5 stars seems excessive. Your site lists over 100 wines, and the only 5 star wine I see is the Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino. Can you honestly tell me that this beer is more enjoyable than the 100+ wines that did not get a 5 star rating? Hogwash.
      Reply to this
      1. 4/22/2006 3:53 PM VinoCritic wrote:
        Hank, Hank, Hank.  I think you are over-reacting.  If you are asking whether I enjoyed this 5 star beer/stout better than the 4.5 star wines that are on this site, the answer is no.  They are different beverage groups, and are scored relative to their "peer group".  Obviously, I enjoy fine wines tremendously, and have sought out the very best the world has to offer.  That's why the site is called VinoCritic.com.  To get even a 3 star rating, the wine has to be good, as I've explained in my page on how I rate the wines.  A 4 star rating is extraordinary.  Wine, in general, is a more complex, interesting, memorable beverage than beer, at least on my palate.  Beer lovers, of course, will disagree.  If I give a wine 5 stars, it means it is the best that can be achived from a grape.  If I give a beer 5 stars, it means it is the best that can be achieved from malt, hops, water, etc.

        The best analogy to justify this five point score is as follows:  The same essay that got a score of 100 in high school will not get you 100 points in college.  They are different students.  They are graded against what the norm is for their age/grade.  a 100 point score in high school means it is the best that can be accomplished at that age.  There are different expectations in college.  Similarly, with respect to beverages, it is silly, if not preposterous, to score beer and wine under the same scale.  A five point beer may not be as interesting to me as a 4 point wine.  But a five point beer means this is the best that beer gets.  And if you like beer, and if your beer palate likes heavy, complex, aromatic brew, you will find this beer extraordinary.  Sometimes I am in the mood for beer, sometimes wine.  Once in a while I enjoy a single malt scotch or some nice Bourbon.  When I am in the mood for a robust beer, I will seek out Imperial Russian Stout.

        So don't get your panties in a wad, so to speak.  Just wait until I post a review of a five point scotch!  Same rules will apply.  It doesn't mean it is better (or worse) than the wines on this site.  It just will mean that this particular wine-lover finds this particular scotch (or beer or bourbon) to be the top in it's class.  Now drink up and stop arguing.  CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  VC

        P.S.  This is exactly what I hoped would happen when I named a beer to the wine of the week title.  Specifically, wine snobs who turn their noses at beer will read this review from myself, an admitted wine junkie, and think for a minute..."maybe I should try something new....maybe I will like it....afterall, it did get five stars from the VinoCritic!!.....................Now get off your high horse and get some of this brew before it's too late, HANK!

        Regards,  VC
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        1. 4/22/2006 4:06 PM Henry (R.S. Fe) wrote:
          VinoC,

          Thanks for the explanation. I am so glad you are not implying that this beer is better than the 1982 Chateau Margaux you reviewed on your site. I get your analogy. So, next question: is the wine as good in the bottle as it is at the brewery on draft? Was the one you tasted bottled or draft?
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          1. 4/22/2006 4:11 PM VinoCritic wrote:
            Hankie Man,

            Why do you torture me?  In general, I am partial to draft beer over bottled beer, but I also realize the folly in blind generalizations.  Now, because of your post, I am going to be obliged to go to Stone, get some draft Russian Stout, some bottled Russian stout, and taste them blindly side by side.  All in the interest of science, since I don't get paid a damn cent for doing this.  Heck, I don't even get free beer!  If you want to go with me for the blinded "draft vs. bottled" taste test, let me know.  I've been looking for an excuse to visit the new brewery in Escondido!....................VC
            Reply to this
    • 5/4/2006 5:58 PM Rawli wrote:
      Hey Mr. VinoCritic,
      Maybe you should change your name to SpiritCritic or something like that. BTW if you haven't gone to the Stone brewery yet let me know and I'll invite you to stop by and start on that 5 star Scotch review....
      Reply to this
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