Cigar City Order or the Red Banner Beer Dinner

the world to some of Florida's most innovative and ambitious craft beers that have garnered accolades across the world. One of the most sought after and highly rated beers in our portfolio is Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout, a Russian Imperial Stout released every August since 2009. The beer celebrates the life of Georgy Zhukov, one of the finest generals of World War II, and we are proud to celebrate the 2017 release of Marshal Zhukov's with our celebration of all things stout, The Order of The Red Banner Dinner.
Born in Kaluga Oblast in 1896, Georgy Zhukov rose to prominence during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939 where he led Mongolian forces to victory against the Japanese Empire. From there, he rose through the ranks of the Soviet army to become a central figure in nearly every key Soviet victory during World War II. From Leningrad to Rzhev to Berlin, Marshal Zhukov was venerated by his troops and allies and feared by his enemies for the entirety of World War II. Today he's considered not only a pivotal figure in Soviet military history but as a key player in modern warfare. Our Founder, CEO and amateur historian Joey Redner decided that an imposing Imperial Stout deserved an imposing namesake. Thus, Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout was born.
The recipe for Marshal Zhukov's had been evolving in Brewmaster Wayne Wambles' brain for years. When he was given free reign by Redner to be as ambitious and over-the-top with his recipes as he liked, one of the first beers that he brewed was the stout that would become Marshal Zhukov's. Loaded with chocolate malt, roasted barley and a complex hop bill, the stout perfectly marries Joey's love for history with Wayne's deft hand at recipe creation.

Introduced in 2011, The Order of The Red Banner Dinner celebrates our beloved Imperial Stout by organizing a five-course beer dinner paired with nothing but Imperial Stouts. Taking it's name from the first military decoration ever bestowed upon Soviet soldiers, the dinners celebrate the diverse flavors and aromas that can arise from a single base beer. Obviously these dinners can border on the absurd with such a large number of big beers. In fact, we set the standard for the absurd when we hosted the first Order of The Red Banner Dinner INSIDE the brewery's walk-in cooler! Guests were given Siberian winter hats and enjoyed five courses of stout pairings in 40° F temperatures! 
Featuring 
Double Barrel-aged Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout
This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II, and to the barrels of the weapons used by Zhukov’s 1st Belorussian Front of the Red Army to push through the German-occupied territory of East Prussia in early 1945. We’ve aged this monolithic imperial stout in both rum and bourbon barrels to add a legendary depth of character and flavor including flavors of vanilla, dried fruit and baking spices to the dark chocolate and fresh-ground espresso qualities of the base beer.
Cognac Barrel-aged Marshal Zhukov’s
Whether he was commanding Mongol forces at Khalkhin Gol, defending the population during the Siege of Leningrad or leading the Soviet charge into Berlin, Marshal Georgy Zhukov was one of the most feared and respected commanders of the early 20th century. The Marshal did have his soft side however, a side he indulged with an occasional sip of Cognac brandy. We celebrate Zhukov and his sweet tooth with this Imperial Stout aged in Cognac barrels. Rich and decadent, this stout balances it’s espresso-like roastiness with a soft licorice-like sweetness and pronounced vanilla from extensive aging in French oak.
Bourbon Barrel-aged Marshal Zhukov’s
This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II.  Aged in white oak barrels previously used to mature bourbonwhiskey, this formidable stout’s dark chocolate flavor and espresso-like roastiness is balanced by flavors of vanilla and a subtle smokiness from extensive barrel aging.
Vanilla Hazelnut Marshal Zhukov’s
This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II.  Huge in body with strong flavors of espresso, chocolate and molasses, this unique iteration of Zhukov’s adds roasted hazelnuts and vanilla to impart even more complexity and depth of flavor to this massive, jet-black stout.  In the immortal words of Marshal Zhukov himself, “Есть вещи в России, которые не являются, как они кажутся.”
Bourbon Barrel Aged Marshal Zhukov’s Penultimate Push
This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Specifically, it is dedicated to the push by Zhukov’s 1st Belorussian Front of the Red Army through the German-occupied territory of East Prussia in early 1945, setting the stage for the Red Army’s final maneuver into Berlin to end the war.  Fresh roasted coffee beans along with vanilla and cacao nibs have been added to this juggernaut of an imperial stout, the only style of beer bold and strong enough to share its name with The Marshal himself.
2017 Marshal Zhukov’s
This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Opaque black in color, with notes of espresso, chocolate, dark toffee and hints of blackstrap molasses. The English hop varietals provide a subtle herbal dryness, and the beer finishes with a hearty slap of roasty espresso. Pair Marshal Zhukov’s with mushroom solyanka, dark chocolate, cherries and ground wars in Russia.