Russian Imperial Stouts are wonderful things, did you know that? Of course, you did. Lately, it has become fashionable for American craft brewers to name them for famous communist icons, perhaps a bit of nostalgia for a bygone era in Russian history. Really, though, the style has its origins more in the Czarist history of Peter and Catherine The Great than it does Joseph Stalin or Yuri Andropov, both of whom have their faces on an imperial stout.

Be that as it may, today I bring you Marshal Zhukov’s Penultimate Push from Florida’s renowned Cigar City brewery. This is a variant on their Marshal Zhukov Imperial Stout. Cigar City beers are sold in Georgia, but we only get a few varieties in cans and this is the first time I have scored a bomber bottle.

From the label:

This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Specifically, it is dedicated to the push by Zhukov’s 1st Belorussian Front of the Red Army through the German-occupied territory of East Prussia in early 1945, setting the stage for the Red Army’s final maneuver into Berlin to end the war.  Fresh roasted coffee beans along with vanilla and cacao nibs have been added to this juggernaut of an imperial stout, the only style of beer bold and strong enough to share its name with The Marshal himself.

Cigar City Marshal Zhukov’s Penultimate Push has an alcohol content of 11.5% by volume so sip carefully! It has 60 IBUs and I paid $14.99 for my bomber bottle. This is a special release each March. I drank mine in early June, so roughly 3 months old. That’s peanuts to an imperial stout. This one would age gracefully I am sure. I ran it through my Fizzics system to really bring out the flavor.

Cigar City Marshal Zhukov’s Penultimate Push pours to a deep jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head from a Fizzics pour. Oh what an intense coffee grind aroma in the nose! Taking a sip there’s a thick crude oil viscous mouthfeel, espresso coffee and rich dark bittersweet chocolate, a layer of marshmallow vanilla underneath, and smooth creamy chocolate pudding with the skins on like your mom used to make, all leading into a robust roasty finish.

This is truly a beauty of a beer, and I loved it. Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s not so price if you can back up. Marshal Zhukov sure can. Da comrade!

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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