Imperial Stout, also known as Russian Imperial Stout, was originally conceived as a British export beer in the 18th century to the Russian royal court of Catherine the Great. It was specifically brewed to a higher alcohol content of 7-12% to prevent freezing in the colder northern climate.
Howe Sound Brewery’s latest incarnation of their Pothole Filler Imperial Stout, first introduced in draught form during the 2008 Great Canadian Beer Festival in Victoria, has evolved over the years into a beautifully balanced stout that is now available in 1 litre bottles for the first time.
Pothole Filler is a strong, dark beer that has an aroma of chocolate liquor, roasted malt and toffee. The beer pours into the glass a dark opaque brown, almost black, and forms a long-lasting, rich and creamy tanned head that leaves behind a beautiful spider lace on the glass when consumed.
This thick, full flavoured beer boasts a mountain of malt character (6 varieties were used), with subtle hints of hops and deeper notes of chocolate, dark-roasted coffee and blackstrap molasses. The mouth-feel is rich and silky and has a mild alcohol bite that enters mid-palate and smooths into a bittersweet chocolate malt aftertaste. This is one of Howe Sound’s best efforts to date.
Suggested pairings: a well-aged Gouda cheese, roasted meats such as lamb or bison, or cheesecake.
Brewer: Howe Sound Brewing
ABV: 9%
Category: Imperial Stout
Appearance: 5
Aroma: 4
Flavour: 4
Mouthfeel: 4
Overall: 4
Score: 21/25
Availability: 1 litre bottles available at Brewery Creek, Firefly, Viti, and select BC liquor stores
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
we could use some of this beer up here
On tap at the Alibi Room…
This marvellous stuff is to Guinness as Guinness is to water.
by far the best i took a bottle all the way back to venezuela never had a better stout
nectar from the Gods. As a Guinness fan, I have to say this beats it. Quite the kick though, should come with a warning :-)
Warning: Kick-Ass beer inside.
Thanks for the great review and comments! I will pass this on to the Head Brewers Franco and Paul. The guys are busy working on the Pumpkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale as I type and will love to hear these comments.
Just on a side note. We will have a couple of Imperials out this fall. Imperial Pumpkin, Imperial IPA, and I will see if the guys can do another brew of the Imperial Stout. :)
Cheers!
Nathan Rayment
Howe Sound Brewing
I know this is old but I just have to say that I really enjoyed this beer, it was quite fantastic. Howe Sound continues to impress along with so many other “local” breweries. PNW beer is amazing. Much love for Howe Sound here in Vancouver!