Rating: 5/5
Big Ricc by Tallgrass brewing is a 10.5% ABV Russian Imperial Stout with Coffee and Chocolate.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Big RICC: Russian Imperial Stout with Coffee and Chocolate
Several years in the making and hitting shelves for the first time in October 2015, Big RICC is large and in charge. A big, bold Russian Imperial Stout, Big RICC rolls in at 10.5% ABV and packs a punch.
Tasting notes: Bold coffee flavor and aroma with strong chocolate notes. Pours jet-black. Subtle dark fruit flavors. Dark roasted grains. Slight, “warming” alcohol presence. Full-bodied and great for sipping.
Awards: Silver Medal, Coffee Beer Category, 2014 U.S. Open Beer Championship
==Introduction==
The name Big Ricc reminded me a lot of the Big Riggs commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCW1QaOH1Y8) made by James Rolfe A.K.A The Angry Video Game Nerd. This brew was gifted to me by my good friend and fellow beer review brother Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com.Many of the brews you are seeing are part of a special Tall Grass Brewing shipment he sent to me. This one definitely intrigued me because of the ingredients and the ABV. You definitely do not see many 10% ABV beers in cans and this definitely reminds me of Ten Fidy. Let’s see how this is, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, cherries, prunes, black berries, tobacco, molasses, anise, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted coffee, hazel nut nectar, pecan pie, mocha, chocolate chip cookies and Danish Cream.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted coffee, mocha, roasted barley, earthy hop notes, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, rye bread, dark fruit raisins, cherries, prunes, black berries, Danish cream, cherry chocolate cake, marshmallow smores, pecan pie, hazel nut nectar, tobacco, molasses, anise, banana hints, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, rye bread and chocolate chip cookies.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with dark chocolate, roasted coffee, mocha, vanilla, marshmallow smores, caramel, dark fruits, earthy hops and rye bread. No alcohol in the aftertaste. Pitch black delicious full body, smooth, creamy, silky and syrupy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability
Overall:
Damn perfect Russian Imperial Stout! Definitely up there with the Ten Fidy cans. Very robust and full flavor forward, just like I love my Russians stouts. I don’t have much bad to say about this beer other than I can definitely drink a couple of cans of these and especially with the ABV, it almost feels like this one can be cellared for a very long time and can definitely get better with age. I sincerely hope that if you see this one, definitely get it, I highly recommend it.
Anime Corner:
Blake Belladonna from RWBY was chosen in this review as I wanted to choose a character that went well with dude riding the motorcycle and is dark like the beer. Blake on the bike was definitely a good choice to go with this beer especially since her colors match well with the dark chocolate and dark fruits for example.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/ihagGpR.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yMVX7Vu.jpg
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 