Iowa’s Big Grove Brewery has created a decidedly-dangerous brewery with their current vintage of Richard the Whale, a Russian Imperial Stout. Clocking in at over 12% ABV, Richard the Whale is able to bring the heat while showcasing some of the most sublime smoothness that we’ve ever experienced with that style. The RIS pours with a dark brown, mahogany-ish coloration and with only the slightest amount of tannish head.
There’s a good amount of toasted malt that reaches out from an initial sip, pairing nicely with coffee and hazelnut notes. While there is a bit of burn present during this initial quaff, the beer’s gradual acclimation to room tempurature will moderate this spiciness just a hair. Richard the Whale shines the birghtest when one gets further into the bottle; the cohesion of the Russian Imperial Stout remains as new elements (chicory, a bit of bitterness) are gradually brought into the mix. The bold set of flavors would play nicely when Richard the Whale is paired with strong-flavored cuisine. I can see this working nicely with a filling Italian plate or curries well.
Richard the Whale is a brewery-only release. Check out Big Grove Brewery’s main domain to find out more information about the rest of their offerings plus promotions that are offered over in Iowa City. Keep a look out for additional articles checking out their Easy Eddy and Royal Eddy, a pair of india pale ales.
Rating: 10/10
Richard the Whale (Big Grove Brewery) / 12.3% ABV / Domain / Facebook /
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
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