Big Sky Ivan The Terrible 4Pk is a Russian Imperial Stout from Big Sky Brewing Company in Montana, bottled at 9.5% ABV in a four-pack of 12 oz bottles. Scoring 97 on RateBeer, this heavyweight stout has earned a devoted following since its accidental birth nearly three decades ago. Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5% | Origin: Montana, USA | Style: Russian Imperial Stout | Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company Production & Heritage Big Sky Brewing Company, based in Missoula, Montana, has been brewing since the mid-1990s. Ivan The Terrible was born from a happy accident in 1996 when a batch of the brewery's flagship Moose Drool Brown Ale went off course during a power outage — the resulting gravity was too high for Moose Drool, so brewers pivoted by adding dark malts, and the imperial stout was born. Brewed in the traditional English style, Ivan uses English hops and premium American malt, producing a rich, full-bodied stout that stays true to its imperial roots while carrying a distinctly American craft identity. Tasting Notes Aroma: Roasted malt leads the nose, followed by layers of milk chocolate and a subtle undercurrent of dark fruit. A faint warmth from the 9.5% ABV rounds out the aromatics without becoming boozy. Taste: The entry is rich with dark chocolate and slightly sweetened black coffee, moving through the mid-palate with bittersweet cocoa and roasted grain. Dried fruit — particularly prune — emerges toward the peak, adding depth and balancing the roast character with natural sweetness. Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of roasted cocoa and a dry, slightly bitter edge. A touch of dark fruit sweetness persists, keeping the beer balanced through the final sip. How to Drink Ivan The Terrible Pour Ivan into a snifter or tulip glass at around 50–55°F to let the complex aromatics open fully; this stout rewards slow, contemplative sipping. A Stout Float pairs Ivan with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, where the dark chocolate and coffee notes play beautifully against the cream. A Black Russian cocktail riff can incorporate a splash of Ivan in place of a traditional stout for added roast complexity. For a beer cocktail, a simple Ivan and Espresso blend — equal parts chilled espresso and stout — intensifies the coffee dimension into a rich after-dinner drink. Best For Cold-weather evening sessions when a lighter beer simply will not do Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates bold, high-gravity stouts After-dinner sipping as a dessert accompaniment alongside chocolate or rich pastries Vertical tasting nights alongside other Russian Imperial Stouts for style comparison Frequently Asked Questions What does Ivan The Terrible taste like? Ivan The Terrible delivers a rich, layered profile dominated by dark chocolate, bittersweet coffee, and roasted cocoa, with supporting notes of dried fruit and prune adding complexity and sweetness. How does Ivan The Terrible compare to Bell's Expedition Stout? Both are highly regarded American-brewed Russian Imperial Stouts, but Ivan The Terrible leans more toward English-style tradition with its use of English hops, while Bell's Expedition Stout tends toward a more aggressively hopped, American-forward approach. Ivan also clocks in at 9.5% ABV compared to Expedition's approximately 10.5%, making it slightly more approachable. Is Ivan The Terrible good for sipping neat? Ivan The Terrible is ideally suited for sipping on its own, poured into a proper glass at cellar temperature to let its layered chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit notes develop fully. Where is Ivan The Terrible made? Ivan The Terrible is brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company in Missoula, Montana, a craft brewery that has been operating since the mid-1990s in the heart of the Northern Rockies. What foods pair well with Ivan The Terrible? Flourless chocolate cake amplifies the stout's cocoa and coffee notes. Smoked brisket stands up to the beer's roast intensity while complementing its dried fruit character. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory, tangy counterpoint to the malt sweetness. Crème brûlée echoes the caramelized sugar undertones, and dark chocolate truffles create a rich, indulgent pairing. What sizes does Ivan The Terrible come in? The standard release is available in a four-pack of 12 oz bottles; a bourbon barrel-aged version has been released separately in 750 ml bottles. Is Ivan The Terrible worth the price? Ivan The Terrible positions as a premium craft imperial stout, and its 97 RateBeer score, distinctive origin story, and complex flavor profile place it firmly among the best values in the high-gravity stout category. Why Ivan The Terrible? Few imperial stouts carry an origin story as genuine as Ivan's — a 1996 power outage turned a failed batch of Moose Drool into one of Montana's most celebrated beers. That accident-turned-recipe has been refined over nearly three decades, earning a 97 on RateBeer and a loyal following among stout devotees. Its commitment to traditional English-style brewing with English hops and American malt gives it a balance and drinkability that many imperial stouts at similar ABVs lack. For anyone serious about the Russian Imperial Stout style, Ivan The Terrible remains a benchmark worth returning to.
