Pike XXXXX Stout

Brewed by Pike Pub & Brewery
Style: Stout
Seattle, Washington USA

Serve in English pint

UPDATED: MAY 10, 2003 Dark as the cloudy moon-less desert sky, the head a velvety chocolate crown, the lace a shield against the light. Sweet toasted grains, bitter-sweet chocolate and a over cooked pot of coffee, what the hell else could you say to describe this nose, start is ambrosial, the top thick and chocolate like. Finish has a spiteful hop spicy bite, the acidity stinging, the aftertaste bitter chocolate dry and one damn fine stout in my humble opinion.

A hefty stout indeed. Although only 6% alcohol, the flavor packs a real wallop. Tons of dark roasted malt,espresso and dark chocolate flavors. Dense, almost brown head; very full bodied and thick. A true ’motor oil stout’. More flavor and muscle than some so-called Imperial Stouts I’ve had (Grant’s for example).

Pours very dark brown with a brown head. Pretty damn good looking. Sweet roasted malts - intense coffee and chocolate accented with yeast, caramel and dark chocolate. Burnt malt flavors and bitter dark chocolate took care of the mouth. Upon warm up a touch of smoke was noted as was little licorice. This is not an imperial, but it certainly has more character than many that I have tried. Excellent stout.

10/24/04. Poured out of 12 oz. bottle, bought at Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel, CA 10/24/04. Not sure of the year, but this is definitely an older bottle. Pitch black body with only the faintest trace of brown along the corners. Very dense, creamy dark tan-brown head that lingers wonderfully with some solid but slightly patchy lacing. Nose has strong dark raisins, mellow roastiness, a touch of cocoa and a hint of burnt caramel, some slight vinous character, and a blanket of oxidation that doesn’t detract. Very lovely and subtle. Deep coffee roast, huge dark purple raisin, a tinge of acrid and acidic burnt charcoal, juicy black licorice, and even some dried apricot flavors. Touch of sourness as well, which is where the beer is maybe showing some signs of wear. Very smooth finish with a fluffy mouthfeel and a lingering hum of a creamy carbonation texture. Finish is long and quite dry with a woody bourbony flavor entering the equation a little bit. Just a touch too much of that sourness lingering. Very, very good stuff.

2002-2003: Opaque dark brown - almost no light escapes from this beer - with a large frothy khaki head. Amazing aroma of roast, chocolate, espresso, molasses, berry and soy. Somewhat woody and musty. Medium slightly creamy body with soft carbonation. Intense roast flavor with vanilla, cocoa, smoke, and espresso with a small berry note in the finish. Excellent. Another big thanks to Slikwily for sending me this one!

Draft at Pike in Seattle on 7/11/07. This beer represents #600 for me, and is in thanks to the owner of Pike Pub and Brewery, Charles Finkel, who spent quite a while discussing beer with me, and taking me on a personal tour of the facility. See my Places rating for more on this. An essentially opaque brown/black pour with a substantial brown head introduces this well known offering. Beautiful sticky lace clings to the glass indefinitely. The chocolate and coffee aroma is accented by some woody or roasted notes. This is so smooth and creamy that the heavy body isn’t easily noticed. Beautiful flavor balance of rich dark malty sweetness and some bitterness from the roasted malts and understated hops. This is really a good beer.

Bottle pours a jet black brew with a thin brown head. Roasted malt scent with some chocolate and soy. Taste is roasted malts, coffee and smoke. Very nice creamy feel. Great!

Bomber from Total Wine in Orlando, $3.99. Poured jet black with a decent brown head. Left a lot of lace. Aroma of deep roasted malts and some chocolate. A touch of raisin and mild smoke as well. Flavors consist of roasted malts, and smoke. A subtle fruity sourness blended into the espresso bitter finish.Super smooth and medium mouthfeel, good carbonation. For the cost of this bomber I was expecting much less. What a pleasant surprise. I bought three bombers of other beers from this same brewery. I am now looking forward to them immensely.