Mackeson XXX Stout

Brewed by Boston Beer Company
Style: Sweet Stout
Boston, Massachusetts USA

Serve in English pint

UPDATED: DEC 9, 2009 ***Re-re-reviewed, Dec 9, 2009, also brewed at Carib***
Well this time around I ain’t digging this beer one bit and I was in the mood for a dark beer. This aroma (which I still cannot figure out) bugs me to the point that I think it smells ill. The taste is pretty much the same but with coffee found but it’s less than impressive even with a ton of flavour. Extra sweet compared to the last time I had it and it was sweet then too. Really, it’s the aroma that is really turning me off. Old rating was 3.7

***Re-reviewed, April 26, 2009 with a bottle that was brewed in the Caribbean*** Better already. Fresher aroma that is thick and a blend of nuts and chocolate with some unknown aroma that is new to me - one that is a bit strange but I’m not about to let it kill me. Huge deep brown head that is very creamy, lasts forever and leaves wonderful lacing. Similar in taste as the previous review but with more dark, strong flavours, a bit of wood and a longer bitter finish. No issues with thinness this time - this sucker is full bodied without question. Still very sweet, a burnt sugary sweet. A fine brew indeed. Old review was 3.5

Black brew. Deep brown crown that lasts for a decent ammount of time leaving random messy lacing. Nice rich smelling brew. Rich, rich, sweet chocolate that does not overpower everything else, roasted malts and maybe a weak nut quality. Early but faint alcohol is detectable. Actually, the aroma is making my mouth water. Thick flavour that has a very well blended combo of rich roasted malts, chocolate and underneath all that I think I’m finding green apples. Comes across tart and maybe a bit thinner than I thought it would be. I can taste a bit of woodiness after considerable warming...the sweetness really comes out near the finish. Medium bodied. Smooth on the mouth with a minimal ammount of bitterness for aftertaste. It’s a really good beer right out of the gate but tails off enough to make it no more than second or third place to better beers. Probably worth a higher mark but it just did not finish strong.

Black pour with brown head. Roasted malt, chocolate, sweet aroma. You get the sweetness and roasted malt at the same time during the first sip. The roasted malt flavor lingers on afterward. It almost has a smoked flavor to it. Very nice. It laces the glass nicely.

12oz from a trade on BA - thanks, Keith! Been absolutely forever since I’ve had this one and it’s pretty decent I have to say. Soft nose of chocolate and molasses, and faint roasted malts. The beer looks handsome enough, with a thick consistency, but the mouthfeel isn’t quite able to deliver the promise here, and could be heftier. Slightly sweet notes at the very beginning, then a long bitter unfurling of the flavors. Slight burnt flavor in the finish, but pretty nice overall.

Overall Impression: This is a pretty nice Stout that you can find all over the place, I don’t love it, but it is alright...

pours dark brown almost black with ivory colored head. aroma is cocoa and espresso. flavor is similar, strong on dark sugars and malts. some nuttiness in the finish. interesting, but quite rich and heavy.

UPDATED: JAN 3, 2010 This is an excellent stout!! It pours dark with a carmel colored head. Nice aroma and smooth texture. A must try

Excellent beer! Where can it be purchased now that my local supplier does not stock it anymore? I simply hate the weak or scented besers that seem to stock the shelves of US outlets for beer these days.

Bottle. Mildly roasty, very sweet. Smooth body, palate is nice, but not overly thick. Good sized head. As a milky taste.