History of Imperial Stout
What makes a stout an imperial stout? Well, that strong taste is due to greater hops and increased alcohol content. (Don’t try knocking back as many imperial stouts as you would regular beer!)
However, do you know why the imperial stout was created? Well read carefully, as this just might win you final Jeopardy one day.
The imperial stout was made to export beer from England to Russia in the late 1700s, more specifically to the court of the Tsar of Russia, hence the term “imperial”. Catherine the Great was one notable beer connoisseur. In fact, imperial stouts are sometimes referred to as “Russian Imperial Stouts” or “Imperial Russian Stouts”. Beer didn’t last very well on the long voyage across the Baltic Sea, so brewers devised a way to better preserve the beer: add more hops and jack up the alcohol content.
With winter coming up and bitter snowstorms on the way (thankfully nothing like Russia’s), consider an imperial stout the next time you want something to drink. It’s a great way to bring a little warmth to the cold, and it goes great with dessert.
