Russian Imperial Stout Recipe With Affiliate Links

Here's a robust 5-gallon (19L) Russian Imperial Stout recipe, packed with bold malt flavors and a smooth, roasty finish:

Russian Imperial Stout (5 Gallons)

Style: Russian Imperial StoutABV: ~9.5-10%IBU: ~60SRM: ~40+OG: 1.095FG: 1.022

Ingredients

Grain Bill:

• 14 lbs Pale Malt (2-Row) (70%)

• 2 lbs Munich Malt (10%)

• 1.5 lbs Chocolate Malt (7.5%)

• 1 lb Roasted Barley (5%)

• 0.75 lb Black Patent Malt (3.75%)

• 0.5 lb Crystal 80 (2.5%)

Hops:

• 2 oz Magnum (60 min) – 50 IBU

• 1 oz East Kent Goldings (30 min) – 8 IBU

• 1 oz East Kent Goldings (10 min) – Aroma

Yeast:

• Wyeast 1084 (Irish Ale) or Safale US-05

Adjuncts (Optional):

• 8 oz Lactose (if you'd like a sweeter stout)

• 4 oz Cocoa Nibs (for chocolate notes)

• 2 Vanilla Beans (split and soaked in bourbon for added complexity)

Mash & Boil

1. Mash:

   • Mash at 154°F (68°C) for 60 minutes for a fuller body.

   • Target a mash pH of 5.2-5.4.

2. Sparge:

   • Sparge with 170°F (77°C) water to collect around 7 gallons of wort.

3. Boil:

   • Boil for 90 minutes to concentrate flavors and ensure bitterness balance.

   • Add hops per schedule.

4. Chill:

   • Chill to 68°F (20°C) and transfer to a sanitized fermenter.

Fermentation

1. Primary Fermentation:

   • Pitch the yeast and ferment at 68°F (20°C) for about two weeks.

2. Secondary Fermentation (Optional):

   • Rack to secondary and add cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, or bourbon oak cubes for added complexity. Let it sit for 2-3 weeks.

Packaging

• Bottle with priming sugar for 2.0-2.2 volumes of CO2.

• Keg at 12 PSI for a moderate carbonation level.

• Age for at least a month, though 3-6 months will yield a more refined and complex brew.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, and hints of dried fruit.

• Flavor: Bold roasted malt with chocolate and caramel sweetness, balanced by earthy hops.

• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with a velvety texture.

• Finish: Lingering warmth and roastiness.

Let me know if you'd like further tweaks, like boosting the ABV, adding coffee, or adjusting bitterness!

Amazon Affiliate Links

2 Row Malt (needs 2)

https://a.co/d/9lu3wkf

Munich Malt (needs 2)

https://a.co/d/d9km5p7

Chocolate Malt (needs 2)

https://a.co/d/7Diefbn

Roasted Barley

https://a.co/d/4lZccga

Black Patent Malt

https://a.co/d/0h4WH6b

Crystal 80

https://a.co/d/bK3Rdad

Magnum Hops

https://a.co/d/6zS5d6c

East Kent Goldings

https://a.co/d/eRVWs7r

Safale US-05 Yeast

https://a.co/d/gTENqGx