As it's pretty difficult in my area (New Hampshire) to find Dopplebocks, I'm still drinking stouts - and at the urging of Oregon Beer Lover - figured I'd post a few new tasty brews I've had the good fortune of coming across...
1.) Alagash Black Belgian Style Stout - Seemed pretty carbonated as the light beige head I got off my decent pour was pretty thick. Dark, dark, dark coloring! (Hence the name) Aroma is dark too, but nothing too discernible other than the barest hint of chocolate, so no really coffee overtones. Mouthfeel is smooth though it is a tad over carbonated (might solicit some burbs...) and it goes down the hatch almost too easily. Excellent dark malt tones, with only the barest hint of bitter. Also, great lacing on the head - for whatever that might count for. This is one Hell of a good drink. 7.5% ABV. Kind of pricey, but well worth the expense if you happen across it and like the mouthfeel and smoothness of a stout without too many coffee/bitter overtones. ****1/2 out of five
2.) Brooklyn Chocolate Stout - I *love* chocolate stouts. Love, love, love them. And the Brooklyn delivered in every way. Excellent, smooth poor with a perfect dark khaki head. Terrific chocolate aroma, smooth, perfect amount of carbonation, full mouthfeel and just a hint of bitter on the aftertaste with chocolate and malt really filling up the overall flavor. This was really excellent - a great value at the price and it comes highly recommended. ****1/2 out of five.
3.) Dogfish Head Chicory Stout - Man, I can't believe this run I'm on. When I found a Dogfish Head stout I jumped at the chance to try it out as I'm a huge fan of their Raison D'Etre as well as their 120 Minute and 90 Minutes IPA. Consider me a full on fan at this point, because the Chicory stout is a wonderful, modestly priced brew that delivers in so many wonderful way. Very dark brew, lighter head than expected, but the aromas are uber dark and malty with coffee on the nose. Not a totally full mouthfeel, but the coffee, chocolate and chicory flavors are wonderful and evoke New Orleans coffee. It's not terribly creamy, but it goes down damn easy, and carbonation seemed light. Aftertaste on the bitter side, but I swear that chicory cuts it. Nice stuff. I felt almost as though a bit of the Raison D'Etre recipe snuck into a stout, and I was psyched about it.
As it's pretty difficult in my area (New Hampshire) to find Dopplebocks, I'm still drinking stouts - and at the urging of Oregon Beer Lover - figured I'd post a few new tasty brews I've had the good fortune of coming across...
1.) Alagash Black Belgian Style Stout - Seemed pretty carbonated as the light beige head I got off my decent pour was pretty thick. Dark, dark, dark coloring! (Hence the name) Aroma is dark too, but nothing too discernible other than the barest hint of chocolate, so no really coffee overtones. Mouthfeel is smooth though it is a tad over carbonated (might solicit some burbs...) and it goes down the hatch almost too easily. Excellent dark malt tones, with only the barest hint of bitter. Also, great lacing on the head - for whatever that might count for. This is one Hell of a good drink. 7.5% ABV. Kind of pricey, but well worth the expense if you happen across it and like the mouthfeel and smoothness of a stout without too many coffee/bitter overtones. ****1/2 out of five
2.) Brooklyn Chocolate Stout - I *love* chocolate stouts. Love, love, love them. And the Brooklyn delivered in every way. Excellent, smooth poor with a perfect dark khaki head. Terrific chocolate aroma, smooth, perfect amount of carbonation, full mouthfeel and just a hint of bitter on the aftertaste with chocolate and malt really filling up the overall flavor. This was really excellent - a great value at the price and it comes highly recommended. ****1/2 out of five.
3.) Dogfish Head Chicory Stout - Man, I can't believe this run I'm on. When I found a Dogfish Head stout I jumped at the chance to try it out as I'm a huge fan of their Raison D'Etre as well as their 120 Minute and 90 Minutes IPA. Consider me a full on fan at this point, because the Chicory stout is a wonderful, modestly priced brew that delivers in so many wonderful way. Very dark brew, lighter head than expected, but the aromas are uber dark and malty with coffee on the nose. Not a totally full mouthfeel, but the coffee, chocolate and chicory flavors are wonderful and evoke New Orleans coffee. It's not terribly creamy, but it goes down damn easy, and carbonation seemed light. Aftertaste on the bitter side, but I swear that chicory cuts it. Nice stuff. I felt almost as though a bit of the Raison D'Etre recipe snuck into a stout, and I was psyched about it.
The last stout we had in the fridge (besides Guinness) was:
Mark really nailed the St. Peter's Cream Stout in his review. I'd say the most unique part about drinking it is the smooth, milky mouthfeel and that it has little carbonation. It also has little bitterness to the flavor, and little coffee overtones. Lots of roasted malts in this one, but nothing too sharp. It's just a really smooth, very enjoyable ale. Loved it.
Getting in under the wire here and I can't believe I'm the first to mention Oskar Blue's Ten Fidy Imperial Stout.