Oh! Oh! Look what I found in my stash! B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout RESERVE! I’ll confess that I have no idea on the age of this one but it is delicious my friends. It was not refrigerated until this morning just before I drank it this evening. I recall buying it at Sherlock’s in Kennesaw years ago. But how many years ago? I’m sure I don’t know.

From the label:

After brewing BORIS the Crusher successfully for many years, our creative minds wander. We imagine a BORIS brewed with even better dark grain for a smoother and mellower deep roasted flavor. When we finally made our dreams come true, it was a symphony of beautiful flavors, a higher level of BORIS from our creativity, that deserves the name BORIS Reserve!

If you don’t already know, BORIS stands for Big Old Russian Imperial Stout. The original Boris the Crusher is a beer I would consider as one of the very finest examples of the style, ever. The bottle admonishes the buyer to keep this refrigerated, which I did not do. The beer does not seem to have suffered for it. Alcohol by volume is the same 9.4% as the original. I have no idea what I paid for this.

B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout Reserve pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a rich roasty nose with hints of licorice. Taking a sip, the beer is very full in body with dark chocolate, licorice, deep roasty notes and a warming alcohol finish. It is oily and smooth and maybe a bit pasty from the oats. There is espresso, too, and a roasty, warming alcohol finish.

All in all, this does not seem all that different from the original, though I am sure it has at least five years on it. It is absolutely amazing and a I enjoyed the hell out of it on a cold Georgia evening in December while putting out Christmas lights. Would I buy it again? Absolutely, and this time, I’ll make sure to drink it young. I’ll get back to you when I do.

 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, Canned

(D)=Draft

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