When I first arrived in Georgia way back in 2001, there were few bright spots on the local beer scene. Oh sure, there were great local breweries like Sweetwater, Red Brick, Dogwood (now defunct), and a handful more. From North Carolina, there was Highland, which had been in business since 1994 and was the first brewery to open in Asheville since Prohibition. I love Highland beers very much, and special treats like Highland Imperium Russian Imperial Stout are a good reason why.

Highland Imperium Russian Imperial Stout is part of the brewery’s “Warrior” Series, about which they say:

 “Just a wee bit bolder” “High gravity, bold styles define Highland’s Warrior Series. Look for a new one every month”.

From the label:

The dark complexity of a Russian Imperial Stout made more irresistible with the addition of hand-cut vanilla beans, toasted coconut, and Octane coffee. Pitch black, velvet smooth and aggressively toasty, Imperium commands all of your senses.

Highland Imperium Russian Imperial Stout has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume with 50 IBUs. It runs $9.99 a 4-pack at Total Wine. My bottle is stamped as filled on 2/02/17 and I drank it on October 26th.

Highland Imperium Russian Imperial Stout pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a dark roasty chocolate nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a medium to full mouthfeel with deep dark roasted coffee notes, bittersweet chocolate, and a suggestion of the vanilla all slowly winding their way into an intense roasty bitter finish. Smooth, roasty, and drinkable, all at the same time.

I didn’t really get the coconut here but otherwise this was a fine beer indeed. Another Triumph from Highland, pleasing beer lovers since 1994, and this one in particular since 2001.

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