Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Stout Beer Tasting Dec 1 - 15th

• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  December 4, 2008

  Ok...started off this fine almost winter's eve with a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout - North Yorkshire, England.
  
  One word...WOW
  
  This is as good as stout gets. Nice chocolate brown color, tan head.
  Scent of toffee, chocolate
  Tastes of toffee, chocolate, slightly clinging medicine-y taste fairly typical of the genre, but the oatmeal really mellows it, giving it a creamy silky finish.
  
  This beer just puts you in a good mood. It's good stuff!

  Ok...started off this fine almost winter's eve with a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout - North Yorkshire, England.
  
  One word...WOW
  
  This is as good as stout gets. Nice chocolate brown color, tan head.
  Scent of toffee, chocolate
  Tastes of toffee, chocolate, slightly clinging medicine-y taste fairly typical of the genre, but the oatmeal really mellows it, giving it a creamy silky finish.
  
  This beer just puts you in a good mood. It's good stuff!
• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  December 4, 2008

  Ilovebeer and I followed our Sammy Smith with Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - Fort Bragg, CA
  
  We have had this before and liked it much better than having it following a Sammy Smith. Don't know if it's the high ABV of 9% or the higher carbonation that turned us off. It is definitely not as creamy. Has quite a roasted, nutty scent, strong coffee as well.
  
  Taste: Carbonation hits first, then the coffee, with quite a sweet finish of caramel. Not a creamy finish, but still a good beer.
  
  Does not go that well with spicy food...we were craving pizza, not a good match...but does give it some peppery notes.

  Ilovebeer and I followed our Sammy Smith with Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - Fort Bragg, CA
  
  We have had this before and liked it much better than having it following a Sammy Smith. Don't know if it's the high ABV of 9% or the higher carbonation that turned us off. It is definitely not as creamy. Has quite a roasted, nutty scent, strong coffee as well.
  
  Taste: Carbonation hits first, then the coffee, with quite a sweet finish of caramel. Not a creamy finish, but still a good beer.
  
  Does not go that well with spicy food...we were craving pizza, not a good match...but does give it some peppery notes.
• satanFeX

  

  Member
   

  December 4, 2008

  Left Coast Black Magic Stout
  
  Brewed and Bottled by Left Coast Brewing for Oggi's
  
  Left Coast Brewing Co, San Clemente, CA
  
  6.7% ABV. Very dark, deep brown/black. You can smell the roasted goodness as soon as you open toe bottle and start to pour. Tan head, nice and thick, diminishes decently quickly. Roasted smell, hints of bitter chocolate in the background. Fizzy but light carbonation. Strong roasted taste, almost coffee bitterness but not quite. It is at the right point of bitterness, I feel. I am not a fan of coffee, you see. The bitterness swings to a more chocolate flavor as drinking continues. It is good for a cold night.

  Left Coast Black Magic Stout
  
  Brewed and Bottled by Left Coast Brewing for Oggi's
  
  Left Coast Brewing Co, San Clemente, CA
  
  6.7% ABV. Very dark, deep brown/black. You can smell the roasted goodness as soon as you open toe bottle and start to pour. Tan head, nice and thick, diminishes decently quickly. Roasted smell, hints of bitter chocolate in the background. Fizzy but light carbonation. Strong roasted taste, almost coffee bitterness but not quite. It is at the right point of bitterness, I feel. I am not a fan of coffee, you see. The bitterness swings to a more chocolate flavor as drinking continues. It is good for a cold night.
• Rick

  

  Member
   

  December 7, 2008

  The St. Peter's Cream Stout is excellent, from past experience. I picked up Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout today.
  
  Very dark in color, with a shallow head. It has a rich stout taste with dark chocolate flavors. It has been my experience that any Brooklyn Brewery beer is worth buying.
  
  Oh, it has 10% ABV

  The St. Peter's Cream Stout is excellent, from past experience. I picked up Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout today.
  
  Very dark in color, with a shallow head. It has a rich stout taste with dark chocolate flavors. It has been my experience that any Brooklyn Brewery beer is worth buying.
  
  Oh, it has 10% ABV
• Rick

  

  Member
   

  December 8, 2008

  OK, since I tasted one that someone had already posted, I went out and got another. Weyerbacher Old Heathen Imperial Stout. Made in Easton, Pa.
  
  8% abv, dark black color, nonexistent head. A good solid stout and very drinkable.

  OK, since I tasted one that someone had already posted, I went out and got another. Weyerbacher Old Heathen Imperial Stout. Made in Easton, Pa.
  
  8% abv, dark black color, nonexistent head. A good solid stout and very drinkable.
• ilovebeer

  

  Member
   

  December 8, 2008

  Lagunitas
  Imperial (Russian) Stout
  8.2%
  Bottle
  
  Well how to start on this one... Interesting is the first thing that comes to mind. Does not have the coffee/choc/ tobacco nose that you would normally have in a RIS, has more of burnt dark raisin bread.
  
  The head is also not impressive, fades fast and leaves little lace on the glass. Color was a little interesting as well, almost reddish tint to it.
  
  The taste like I say had that burnt dark raisin bead and somewhat sour taste up front and sweet backside. I think that this was one of the most Un-Russian Imperial Stouts I have tasted.
  
  I would have to give it 2.5/5

  Lagunitas
  Imperial (Russian) Stout
  8.2%
  Bottle
  
  Well how to start on this one... Interesting is the first thing that comes to mind. Does not have the coffee/choc/ tobacco nose that you would normally have in a RIS, has more of burnt dark raisin bread.
  
  The head is also not impressive, fades fast and leaves little lace on the glass. Color was a little interesting as well, almost reddish tint to it.
  
  The taste like I say had that burnt dark raisin bead and somewhat sour taste up front and sweet backside. I think that this was one of the most Un-Russian Imperial Stouts I have tasted.
  
  I would have to give it 2.5/5
• TheSlats

  

  Member
   

  December 9, 2008

  Redhook Double Black Stout (with Coffee)
  7.0% ABV 22oz bottle
  
  Poured into my favorite chalice and a sampling of dark organic chocolate(70%). As dark as you would expect with "Double Black" in the name. Good head that lasts to the end with nice thick lacing.
  
  Smells like coffee, surprise, but leans more to the roasty and not the nutty side of coffee. Some hop character but you have to search for it a bit.
  
  Yum sums it up. Sweet roasted malts with a kick from the coffee flavors to really add to the complexity. Lots of chocolate on the finish. Hops provides a good balance and helps keep the sweetness from becoming cloying.
  
  Creamy and smooth without much noticeable alcohol warmth.
  
  Overall I love the flavors and the balance of power between sweet and roasted notes. A must drink if you can track it down. Adding in some good chocolate after the first few sips will put you into a happy place you don't want to leave.
  
  41 of 50 points from me (BJCP scale)

  Redhook Double Black Stout (with Coffee)
  7.0% ABV 22oz bottle
  
  Poured into my favorite chalice and a sampling of dark organic chocolate(70%). As dark as you would expect with "Double Black" in the name. Good head that lasts to the end with nice thick lacing.
  
  Smells like coffee, surprise, but leans more to the roasty and not the nutty side of coffee. Some hop character but you have to search for it a bit.
  
  Yum sums it up. Sweet roasted malts with a kick from the coffee flavors to really add to the complexity. Lots of chocolate on the finish. Hops provides a good balance and helps keep the sweetness from becoming cloying.
  
  Creamy and smooth without much noticeable alcohol warmth.
  
  Overall I love the flavors and the balance of power between sweet and roasted notes. A must drink if you can track it down. Adding in some good chocolate after the first few sips will put you into a happy place you don't want to leave.
  
  41 of 50 points from me (BJCP scale)
• IamSanto

  

  Member
   

  December 9, 2008

  Hit up Shipyard's Blue Fin Stout tonight... a devnet darker stout with an emphasis on bitter, dark and spicy aromas and flavors.
  
  Nice enough pour with a dark and creamy head that doesn't keep throughout. Very dark brown... almost black. Aroma is mostly coffee with possibly nutmeg infused in there. Like most stouts, I think it gets better as you drink it. Definitely coffee and a bitter bit of coffee at that.
  
  I'd say a stout for coffee and stout lovers primarily. Not terribly unique or rich, but tasty enough for this fan.
  
  *** out of Five.
  
  I wanted to chime in on Rogue's Chocolate Stout - which is one of my favorites as it tastes like a Tootsie Roll Stout - and Samual Smith's Oatmeal Stout which is also one of my all-time favs. I'll try to get at least one more review up by the end of this! Also, I'm enjoying the Trout River Oatmeal Chocolate Stout more and more each time I have it and, if you have the chance to pick it up, I recommend you do so.

  Hit up Shipyard's Blue Fin Stout tonight... a devnet darker stout with an emphasis on bitter, dark and spicy aromas and flavors.
  
  Nice enough pour with a dark and creamy head that doesn't keep throughout. Very dark brown... almost black. Aroma is mostly coffee with possibly nutmeg infused in there. Like most stouts, I think it gets better as you drink it. Definitely coffee and a bitter bit of coffee at that.
  
  I'd say a stout for coffee and stout lovers primarily. Not terribly unique or rich, but tasty enough for this fan.
  
  *** out of Five.
  
  I wanted to chime in on Rogue's Chocolate Stout - which is one of my favorites as it tastes like a Tootsie Roll Stout - and Samual Smith's Oatmeal Stout which is also one of my all-time favs. I'll try to get at least one more review up by the end of this! Also, I'm enjoying the Trout River Oatmeal Chocolate Stout more and more each time I have it and, if you have the chance to pick it up, I recommend you do so.
• IamSanto

  

  Member
   

  December 9, 2008

  Hit up the Blue Fin Stout from Shipyard brewery in Portland, Maine tonight... a darker stout with an emphasis on bitter, dark and spicy aromas and flavors. 4.7% ABV
  
  Nice enough pour with a dark and creamy head that doesn't keep throughout. Very dark brown... almost black. Aroma is mostly coffee with possibly nutmeg infused in there. Like most stouts, I think it gets better as you drink it. Definitely coffee and a bitter bit of coffee at that.
  
  I'd say a stout for coffee and stout lovers primarily. Not terribly unique or rich, but tasty enough for this fan.
  
  *** out of Five.
  
  I wanted to chime in on Rogue's Chocolate Stout - which is one of my favorites as it tastes like a Tootsie Roll Stout - and Samual Smith's Oatmeal Stout which is also one of my all-time favs. I'll try to get at least one more review up by the end of this! Also, I'm enjoying the Trout River Oatmeal Chocolate Stout more and more each time I have it and, if you have the chance to pick it up, I recommend you do so.

  Hit up the Blue Fin Stout from Shipyard brewery in Portland, Maine tonight... a darker stout with an emphasis on bitter, dark and spicy aromas and flavors. 4.7% ABV
  
  Nice enough pour with a dark and creamy head that doesn't keep throughout. Very dark brown... almost black. Aroma is mostly coffee with possibly nutmeg infused in there. Like most stouts, I think it gets better as you drink it. Definitely coffee and a bitter bit of coffee at that.
  
  I'd say a stout for coffee and stout lovers primarily. Not terribly unique or rich, but tasty enough for this fan.
  
  *** out of Five.
  
  I wanted to chime in on Rogue's Chocolate Stout - which is one of my favorites as it tastes like a Tootsie Roll Stout - and Samual Smith's Oatmeal Stout which is also one of my all-time favs. I'll try to get at least one more review up by the end of this! Also, I'm enjoying the Trout River Oatmeal Chocolate Stout more and more each time I have it and, if you have the chance to pick it up, I recommend you do so.
• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  December 9, 2008

  Victory Storm King Stout - Downington, PA
  9.1% ABV
  
  Pours out almost black tar color. Cannot see through this beer. Nice heavy tan head, takes a long time to dissipate
  
  Nice hoppy aroma. Heavy coffee and hoppy taste. Seems like the alcohol really comes through on this. Slightly sweet upfront, really hoppy and bitter on backside. Not my favorite stout. I'd give a 2 out of 5.

  Victory Storm King Stout - Downington, PA
  9.1% ABV
  
  Pours out almost black tar color. Cannot see through this beer. Nice heavy tan head, takes a long time to dissipate
  
  Nice hoppy aroma. Heavy coffee and hoppy taste. Seems like the alcohol really comes through on this. Slightly sweet upfront, really hoppy and bitter on backside. Not my favorite stout. I'd give a 2 out of 5.