Russian Imperial Stouts, like India Pale Ales, are named after the region they were originally shipped to, rather than where they were brewed.  The flavors and alcohol content of these styles (that we have grown to love as consumers) were born out of necessity.  High alcohol and hop content act as natural preservatives in beer.  So, as demand for foreign beer grew internationally, brewers resorted to adding additional hops and fermenting to higher alcohol — ensuring that their product could be shipped across longer distances.  Made to last, IPAs and Russian Imperial Stouts are still some of the most cellar-worthy…

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