Dispelling Beer Myths: Russian Imperial Stout, Favorite of Catherine the Great or just Great Marketing

So, let’s take a look at the facts here:

The Russian market also liked another strong English beer, Burton Ale

English beer retailers began using the term “Imperial” to describe stronger versions of beer (whether Porter or Stout) in the 1820s, but brewers didn’t use this moniker until 1830.  Uniquely enough, neither used “Russian” in conjunction with it.  Brewers also would likely not want to include any mention of Russia at the time due to tensions with the country and the eventual Crimean War from 1853 to 1856. 

There is a recorded use of the phrase “Russian Stout” from 1889 onward, but the entire phrase “Russian Imperial Stout” was not used until Barclays Perkins Co.’s Courage Russian Imperial Stout debuted in 1970, named after brewer, John Courage, who supposedly brewed the exact recipe that Catherine the Great demanded. 

In 1977, the below marketing campaign was published for

The birth of a style:  In early 1700s the river porters of London developed a new style of beer that was dark, with intricate roasted brown malts and hints of caramel… the porter.  During a long stay in England, Peter the Great fell captive to the power of the porter and requested the beer be sent to the Russian Imperial Courts.  When the first batch spoiled on the long journey the London brewers quickly altered their recipe, brewing the beer with extra hops and increased the alcohol content to make a richer, hearty brew that is complex enough for royalty.  By 1787 brewer, John Courage, had perfected the style that captivated Catherine the Great.  It wasn’t long before she demanded regular shipments of what was now known as Courage Russian Imperial Stout…

The resurrection for the masses:  in October of 1977, Jim Robertson brewed some of the last batches of Courage Russian Imperial Stout in London where it originated. Today, Jim has taken the original recipe and brought it to the Wells & Young’s Brewery.  The same complexity, fit for an Empress and brewed for the rest of us.