STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Stevens Point Brewery’s Brewmaster’s Series Whole Hog Limited Edition warmly welcomes back Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout as its spring seasonal brew. Ruby-black in color, with dark roast coffee aromatics this brew is bold, rich, and luxurious.
Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout is available beginning this month wherever Whole Hog beers are sold and is packaged in 12-ounce bottle four-packs and in kegs. “As the popularity of Russian Imperial Stouts continues to grow on the West Coast we see an enthusiasm for the style steadily spreading eastward,” according to Stevens Point Brewery Operating Partner, Joe Martino.
In 2010 Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout’s big, bold flavor received a gold medal at the World Beer Championships.Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout is handcrafted in small batches to appeal to the most avid craft-beer enthusiasts. Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout is created with dark roasted malt, crystal malt and two-row pale malt balanced with Cluster and Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest. Semisweet chocolate and bold malty flavor accompany a thick, complex palate while dark fruit notes are combined with a touch of hops. With an alcohol content of 8.6% by volume, a warm smooth finish is left behind. Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout is a perfect after-dinner or dessert beer—excellent for paring with cigars.
“Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout is a traditional Russian Imperial brew that combines the rich combinations of coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt,” said Brewaster Gabe Hopkins. “It is a delicious full flavored stout that embodies the warm roastiness.”
Stevens Point Brewery, founded in 1857, uses only the highest-grade barley malts, specialty malts, grains and the choicest hops to brew their handcrafted beers, including flagship Point Special Lager, which won the gold medal in the American Premium Lager category at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival. In addition to Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout, the Whole Hog Limited Edition Brewmaster’s Series, “big beers” that represent the epitome of the brewmaster’s art, include year-round Whole Hog Six-Hop India Pale Ale and Whole Hog Scotch Ale.
Seasonal offerings include, Whole Hog Barley Wine-Style Ale, available in the winter months, Whole Hog Raspberry Saison, available in the summer, and Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale, available in the fall.
The brewery’s year-round specialty beers include Point Beyond the Pale IPA, a West Coast-style IPA; Point Belgian White, a Belgian-style wheat ale; Point Special Lager; Point 2012 Black Ale, a robust dark ale; Point Burly Brown American Brown Ale, an American-style brown ale; Point Cascade Pale Ale, a hoppy American-style pale ale; Point Drop Dead Blonde Ale, a golden ale; and Point Amber Classic, an American-style amber lager. In addition to Point’s year-round specialty brews, seasonal brands include Three Kings K├Âlsch Ale, available in the spring, Nude Beach Summer Wheat, Point Oktoberfest, a Marzen-style lager for the fall; and St. Benedict’s Winter Ale. Point also brews the James Page adventurous beer series, including A Cappella Gluten-free Pale Ale, Casper White Stout, Yhaba Dhaba Chai Tea Porter and Ould Sod Irish Red Ale. Gourmet soft drinks from the Stevens Point Brewery include Point Premium Root Beer, Point Premium Diet Root Beer, Point Premium Orange Cream, Point Premium Vanilla Cream and Point Premium Black Cherry Cream Soda. Point Premium Root Beer, made with pure cane sugar, natural vanilla and Wisconsin honey, was awarded a gold medal by the Beverage Testing Institute.