 jhumphries69 (656), Tyrone, Georgia, USA
Nov 7, 2007
750ml corked&caged bottle. The beer pours dark and black with subtle hints of dark brown highlights when held up to the light. The head pours thick and tan, and slowly fades into an attractive, thin layer of tight, small bubbles, leaving an array stripes and leopard spots of lace on the walls of the glass. The first thing detected by the nose is dark chocolate. Sniffing some more finds a vinousness to the aroma - a subtle fruitiness underneath the thick layers of chocolate-covered espresso beans with coffee-flavored ice cream. There is a distinctly bitter, roasted note to the aroma that prevents it from smelling too much like a chocolate dessert. The taste starts dry with lots of bitter chocolate, but the sweet malts slowly strengthen to an overall sweet balance. The middle of the tongue picks up more sweet flavors with some vanilla and toffee that are then restrained by more dry, bitter cocoa flavors. The finish is sweet and full, but the aftertaste is dry - like the throat is dusted with dry, unsweetened cocoa powder (okay, maybe not that dry). The dry chocolate flavors are strong throughout. The balance of the beer is very nice - not too sweet. The flavor of hops is very subtle and just enough to provide a slight "green" tint to the fruitiness on the middle and back of the tongue. The mouthfeel is lovely - decadent, creamy, full-bodied, but not too heavy. The carbonation level is beautifully appropriate. Overall - very decent beer. And more - my wife likes it, too.
AtlAggie (89), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Jul 3, 2009 Pours black with big, brown, tight head. Good bit of sediment in the bottom. Aroma is chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, toffee, hints of smoke and soy sauce. Flavor is dark chocolate--more bitter chocolate than sweet, but still chocolate. Also coffee, light smoke, light nuts. Fairly smooth & silky mouthfeel, just a tad oily. Overall a nicely done stout.
satan165 (383), River Grove, Illinois, USA
Jun 30, 2009 nose of sweetly roasted malt and the beginnings of the huge cocoa to come. flavor contains a touch of toffee-ish malt, lightly crunchy, and plenty of ovaltine style chocolate milk. silky soft mouthfeel top it off well. the crunch returns in the aftertaste, id like more of that, please!
bluemooner (210), Blaine, Minnesota, USA
Jun 30, 2009 Pours black with hints of ruby and a creamy, dark tan head. Aroma is dark chocolate malts, smoke, and toffee. Rich flavors of chocolate malts, light nuttiness, smoke, toffee, coffee, caramel, and a bit of tobacco. Some sweet hop bitterness on the finish. A very enjoyable stout.
TheCaptain (430), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
Jun 27, 2009 10th Ann-Large bottle, dark pour with slight reddish tint. Good dense head with some lacing. Slight roast with coco, chocolate, bitter sweet on the palate. Malts and some hop sweet bitterness. Chocolate is there just a little light and not as robust in the flavor department. Still a decent drinker.
Pawola22 (509), Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Jun 27, 2009 750ml bottle. Pours a black body with a reddish hue. Inch thick, dark tan, dense and creamy head that dissipates slowly and retains a lot of lacing. Aroma is dark, bitter chocolate, sweet malts, light burnt roasts and espresso, and some acidic fruits. Flavor is more of a bitter coffee with an earthy, vegetal taste. Mild burnt roasts give it a bit of an acidic taste with some fruits, dusty cocoa, and sweet malts. Finishes dry and chalky with a stale coffee, burnt fruit aftertaste. Light to medium bodied with a touch of carbonation. Overall, an interesting stout. I admit it has some weird things going on, but I liked it nonetheless. Definitely full of flavor.
glennmastrange (687), hobe sound, Florida, USA
Jun 19, 2009 Bottle. Heavy malt aromas of toasted, molasses and chocolate (naturally), light resin for the hops, moderate leather and earth for the yeast, with background notes of charcoal, cola and alcohol. Head is small, frothy, light brown, with fair lacing and is mostly diminishing. Color is black with a few small particles. Flavor starts moderately sweet and lightly acidic, then the long finish is moderately acidic and heavily bitter. Palate is medium to full, creamy, has a lively carbonation and finishes dry. Rich and full of flavors, this Stout’s balance surprised me throughout.
dcschiller (11), Arizona, USA
Jun 17, 2009 (bottle) A nice dark pour with caramel head. The beginning has nice dark chocolate notes. If the beer is cold, the bitterness at the end throws off the balance. However, when it warms, the bitterness receeds and the sweetness begins to show itself.
DrDavid (957), Johnson, Vermont, USA
Jun 14, 2009 Bottle. Roasty chocolate aroma. Dark brown-black body, light brown head. Flavor is bittersweet chocolate, along with some chalky roastiness. Very nice that it’s not overly sweet. An enjoyable brew.
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