Courage Russian Imperial Stout makes U.S. comeback
Occasionally, I will have a story underneath my nose without realizing it (normally, it’s due to being 26 and not having the context of history that most beer drinkers do). Such was the case when I posted the label approval for Courage Russian Imperial Stout back in August. Turns out that Wells and Young’s has re-created a beer that it hasn’t been made in nearly two decades.
The beer will be made once a year, but the 2011 run is decidedly limited: Only 1,000 cases will make their way to the U.S., and it’s not yet clear where, exactly, they’ll show up. Falling Rock poured the beer after the celebration as a preview (and will continue to pour it until the bottles run out), but the bar won’t have more on the list until at least early next year.
Breweries: Wells and Young's Brewing
And it made Pete Brown’s “Ten initial observations about the Great American Beer Festival 2011” post: http://petebrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/ten-initial-observations-about-great.html
He seems a little miffed it isn’t going to be in the UK right away (which is a bit strange).
“8. Wells & Young’s have relaunched Courage Imperial Stout here. Wells & Young’s is often criticised in the UK for having a dull portfolio of beers relative to its competitors. (They rationalised the range of interesting Young’s beers when they took over that range, and they don’t place as much emphasis on seasonals and limited editions as their key competitors do.) Now, they’re reviving a truly legendary beer – but it’s only going to be available in the US. It won’t be available in the UK for another year. I have no idea why, in the present British beer climate, any company with such an amazing asset would be so over-cautious with it.”