Andrew Schanel reviews Long Valley Imperial stout.

Long Valley Imperial stout review
Submitted by Andrew Schanel

River Horse Brewery, New Jersey, USA.Imperial Stout. Or, Russian Imperial Stout. This type of beer has a long, interesting history associated with it.

This is the beer brewed by English brewers in Imperial times to satisfy the taste buds of the Czar of Russia and his or her court. The history of this beer dates from the mid 1700s and it's still brewed today by avid historian brewers. 

My first taste of this style was with the venerable Samuel Smith's Imperial stout, a benchmark in the style and certainly one to revere, with its brewing starting in the year 1758. For those of you who are in the know, this style of beer is one of the most highly regarded and imitated reverently as a brew of this historic importance should be. 

Russian Imperial Stouts are, my friends, Godly.

Long Valley Imperial stout

Long Valley Brewery, NJ.

If I were a cooper, or founder, or even a gunsmith or brickmaster; or some other individual with an occupation worth fighting for, you would find me in a tavern in the Northeast colonies sipping on this God-sent brew and talking of rebellion and unease.

In this period of enlightenment, you'd find me in a tavern not unlike the Long Valley Pub.

The Long Valley Brewery is located in a real turn of the century (18th century, that is) building that probably once housed livestock and now houses a modern set of wort boilers, fermentation tanks and aging/lagering tanks. 

Joe Saia is the man here, folks. You see, Joe is the man here when it comes to brewing the beer. I've been coming here for six years and this is, by far, the finest offering this place has ever had.

Long Valley Brewery's 1,000th batch. Long Valley Imperial stout

Between talking to admiring patrons and newcomers alike, I was lucky enough to earn an interview with Joe about this very special brew.

Joe Saia of the Long Valley Brewery.This Godlike beer is an effort of years of research. When I met Joe, I mentioned that the North Coast Brewing Company in California brewed my favorite Russian Imperial Stout, Old Rasputin Imperial stout.

Joe's face lit up. "That's what I based this brew on!" was his reply. It turns out we are both a fan of the Old Rasputin.

Here is the beautiful difference though: Joe dry hops, or "hopbacks" Long Valley Imperial stout in a special contraption to counteract the intense sweetness of the beer. This sets it apart from its West Coast counterpart.

The result is a sweet, yet hoppy, brew favorable by us East Coast beer drinkers. I had two of them; just to make sure I was into this beer... Judging first by my taste and then noticing the row of Long Valley Imperial stouts poured for all of the bar patrons, I'd definitely say this one is a hit!

My applause to Joe Saia for an excellent unveiling of Long Valley Brewery’s 1,000th batch of beer. What an excellent choice, Joe!

AddThis Social Bookmark Button



Finished reading our Long Valley Imperial stout review?


GET INVOLVED!

Drop Down Menu

usa

Drop Down Menu

canada

Drop Down Menu

world

Drop Down Menu

LATEST UPDATES

Drop Down Menu

LINKS

Drop Down Menu


What's in the box? You'll be saying this every month!
What's in the box?

"Where does he get all those wonderful toys?"
ThinkGeek: launch rockets from your PC, send digital insults to drivers, bond with wi-fi rabbits and own a REAL light sabre!

Beer For A Year
Mr. Beer is so simple, even Homer Simpson could manage it. Can't get enough of that wonderful Duff? Make some yourself then, you chuff!
Beer For A Year

Guinness Product HQ
We've rounded up the greatest collection of Guinness gear on the planet! Shirts, hats, glasses, home bar products, giftware, tin signs... all official! Check it out here

Spencers: great gear for Dirtbags like YOU Cool Coors Light Bubbler!
And if that doesn't tempt you, I guess we misjudged you!