Straight To Ale Laika Russian Imperial Stout

Straight to Ale Laika Russian Imperial Stout. Huntsville, Alabama. "Southern Born, Southern Brewed." Named for the Russian dog in space. No ABV evident on the label. No other gobbledygook. That's a good thing. Just the beer, nothing but the beer.

I like the look on this guy. Black as sin, utterly dark, completely opaque, rich, thick, toasted tan. I like the look of this.

Aroma: aw, nice. It's cocoa, it's a little coffee, it's deep, dark, dank, earthy, warm, and lovely. Some anise, some maple, all the best of the usual suspects, in a good RIS are here. They're doing it.

Taste: Big, bad, bold, bountiful. All those aromatic flavors return on the tongue with more to spare. Full-bodied, rich, viscous, plump, and incredible. Deserves company with the best Imperial Stouts out there. Not up at the top, but a respectable middle top. The second tier good ol' good ones.