“This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Opaque black in color, with notes of espresso, chocolate, dark toffee and hints of blackstrap molasses. The English hop varietals provide a subtle herbal dryness, and the beer finishes with a hearty slap of roasty espresso. Pair Marshal Zhukov’s with mushroom solyanka, dark chocolate, cherries and ground wars in Russia.”
Glassware: Snifter.
Appearance: Pitch black with a short dark brown cap. It quickly retreats to the rim with a fine wavy lace sticking to the walls of the glass.
Aroma: Unequivocally offensive…but in all the right ways! There isn’t really one stand out scent it’s more like an all out assault on all fronts – molasses, licorice, dense woody oak, charred malts, tobacco, vanilla, ash, espresso coffee and raw cacao. It’s like they were all bottled up and never allowed to see the light of day for an extended period of time. Dark, dank but devilishly divine!
Flavour: Sweet baby jeebus this is big! The palate is literally inundated with rich, roasty char yet it’s somehow sweet…it’s really intriguing actually it’s similar to a dark fruit sweetness, the kind you’d get from eating dark chocolate coated strawberries or cherries. Firm espresso flavours and bitterness, molasses, vanilla and brandy developing late then laying down for a warming finish which offers woody oak, coffee and ash on a length.
Mouthfeel: Oily, rich and hedonistic. Although it weighs in at 11% AbV it’s still quite well concealed. Full body and low co2.
Overall: A complex and mammoth beer which would benefit greatly from a few years in the cellar. The only two things in the way would be money and patience! P.s this bad boy should be shared. 👍