Harpoon Chocolate Stout - Harpoon Brewery

jneiswender

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a 12oz glass into a pint glass.

A-jet black body, nice thick, mocha head.

S-great intense smell of dark chocolate.

T-some coffee, dark chocolate throughout and almost an ice cream like finish

M-full and slick

D-this is certainly one of the better chocolate stouts out there. No fake flavor. No detectable hop flavor so it might loose points for not being "beer" enough. great beer for the chocoholics.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 01:39:05 | More by jneiswender

JasonL

4.73/5  rDev +31.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I don't care what the critics say but this is a extremely nice stout. The chocolate is a bit overwhelming but I like that in a stout. The mouthfeel lingers and is pleasant, from a stout lover I give this two thumbs up. It is not overwhelmed with high alcohol volume so it is a great fast sipper and has wonderful flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 17:38:33 | More by JasonL

vfgccp

New York

4.68/5  rDev +30%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Black-brown color. Nice medium-khaki head with moderate retention and low lace.

S - Fantastic nose absolutely loaded with caramelized grains, biscuit, milk chocolate, and mellow roast coffee.

T - Sweet, caramelized roast grains from front to back with a big chocolate presence. A delicate, raw, earthy grain flavor through the aftertaste stands as a reminder of how pleasant a stout can be when the alcohol takes a back seat and grain bill is allowed to shine. What the flavor profile lacks in complexity it more than makes up in depth.

M - Thick and smooth with a touch of a creaminess. The sweetness lingers on the tongue with a mild dryness on the delayed back end.

O - A big, chewy stout with surprising drinkability, and a fantastic grain character. On the sweeter side of the style, but not to any determent imho.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 23:25:16 | More by vfgccp

psdriscoll

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Harpoon and Chocolate Stout, where can you go wrong?
This thin stout was poured this into a pint glass and the head didn't hang around long.
The smell is great. A very distinct non-over powering chocolate aroma but where I've smelt it before I can't put my finger on it.
The taste is awsome. While it's being drank this thin stout leaves notes of chocolate in the nose and and again in the after taste.
This is a very drinkable beer. It is not a filling stout and it is not over loaded with chocolate.
I recommend this beer and rate it high.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 01:33:07 | More by psdriscoll

plecoptera19

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a happy surprise while visiting the local gas station/best beer selection spot in town. I was first struck by the smell, all chocolate, like the Hershey's frisbee I had when I was a kid (that's a good thing). It poured nicely, but a little less head than I expected. The first taste was all chocolate and very smooth. After a few sips, I realized that although it has a full chocolate taste, it is not very sweet. I think this is why I love it so much. It's easy to drink several without feeling like your teeth are going to rot out by the time you are done. Another solid effort by Harpoon Brewing.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 21:45:59 | More by plecoptera19

erosier

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

L: Pours a deep black color with a medium sized and medium bodied tan colored head that laces the glass nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of deep roasted malts, some vinous aromas, then a nice dark chocolate sweetness in the aroma.
T: Chocolate with roasted malts, roasted chocolate malt, then more chocolate, a bittersweet dark chocolate flavor.
M: Very smooth, sweet, and warming.
D: Very drinkable beer. I wish this wasn't only available in the winter 12 pack with only 2 bottles per pack. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2009 23:18:40 | More by erosier

generallee

New York

4.43/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. There is no noticeable freshness date on the label.

Appearance: This beer pours dark brown nearly black and is nearly opaque. Only a little bit of light makes it through at the very edges of the glass. From the pour it produces a one inch beige collar of thick foam. The head hangs on well and makes some thin lacing on the glass.

Smell: There are strong chocolate and dark roasted malty notes in the aroma.

Taste/Palate: This is a strait forward medium to full bodied beer with a fairly thin texture for the style. It has a simple but very tasty rich dark chocolaty character with some sweetness from the malt as well as loads of roasted/toasted notes. I also get some bitter dark coffee notes that hook up with the light bitterness from the hops.

Notes: I really enjoyed this beer and wished I could get more than what was in the mixed sample pack.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 04:33:41 | More by generallee

Lauthaha

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a wine glass.

Appearance: Black as night with brown vibes in the thinner parts of the glass. Beige/cream colored head which dissipates to a thick rim around the edge. When I swirl the beer around, there is light- to moderate-lacing on the edges of the glass.

Smell: This is just about perfect. Heavy dark chocolate aroma interspersed with fresh espresso bean. Gentle malt sweetness and just a little bit of alcohol in the nose.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Gentle carbonation on the tongue, with a great mocha taste. Fresh espresso and premium chocolate. Bubbles moderately on the tongue, and rinses with a coffee aftertaste which is superb. Great ingredients in the mix.

Drinkability: I WILL buy this again. Awesome brew at a modest price.

Definitely the best Harpoon brew I have tried, and an amazing stout by itself.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2010 02:11:57 | More by Lauthaha

olympuszymurgus

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

As soon at the bottle opened I was swept to a magic land, one where everything I touch turns to chocolate. It smells of bitter dark chocolate, tastes of burnt chocolate, and feels like velvety sex appeal. One of the better chocolate stouts I have had this season.

I was ready to spend a good portion of my time singing the praises of this tasty brew, but then a beautiful lady read the bottle. Natural chocolate "flavor." Shit. Really guys? Scared to clog up your brew kettle with a pile of cocoa?

-2 cool points.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2010 01:46:45 | More by olympuszymurgus

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes.

From the start, I'll say one thing about this beer--it's totally one dimensional. The second thing? I didn't care. Pours a very nice deep dark brown color with a slight mocha head. The nose is just a straight onslaught of chocolate notes. A bit of dark chocolate as well as some Hershey's syrup. The taste is more chocolate with just the tiniest hint of roast, but, who knows, maybe that's just coming from the chocolate as well. Nice somewhat full feel with good carbonation. Really nice and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2010 22:53:34 | More by Thorpe429

gatorbreath

Fiji

4.38/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pour is black with thin white/tan head, nose is chocolate and dark fruit, this taste is chocolate and mouthfeel is full bodied, possibly the puddingest beer I've had...wow, shock..lots of chocolate possibly some caramel notes, banging taste on this surprise..harpoon? really?

o'verall, diggin it, might gotta swoop another now that i've imbibed. solid.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 04:17:54 | More by gatorbreath

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed a bottle at Beer Nutz in the mix and match section.

A - Sold dark black with no light to escape (favorite color) with a deep mocha head that almost looks like nitro with the level of creaminess to the head.

S - Ow wow this is something to sniff for a while. To me it smelled like "adult cocoa" with slightly roasted sweet cocoa nibs and bakers chocolate in the nose. mmm

T - Again very impressed with the flavor. Sweet milk chocolates with cocoa nibs in full effect and a nice counter balance with little hop bitterness or intense roast. It almost drinks like a milk stout.

M - Light to medium with a sweet level of creamy body.

Overall it's definitely something I would consider again. I believe this is by far the best beer I ever had from this brewery. Get a six pack or case if you can!

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 05:22:25 | More by DrDemento456

UHRHAN

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Acquired a couple bottles as extras in a trade with bmonty412. Thanks B!

-Poured very dark brown, almost black with an inch head that fizzled and faded quickly. Translucent with minimal light showing through.
-Light settle smell with good overtones of chocolate. Actually a lot of chocolate!
-An airy, smooth roasted taste with settle chocolate in the finish. The aftertaste is minimal, but leaves an impression of dark chocolate.
-Good mouth feel, not to thick, but not to thin. Just about right.
-Very drinkable, and could definitely see myself drinking more than one in a sitting. Could start with it, and wake up the next morning and start asking wondering...

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 04:26:35 | More by UHRHAN

bmonty412

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours a dark black

S- delicious chocolate smell

T- a little bitter at first, but finishes with a nice chocolate aftertaste that isn't sweet, but perfect for a chocolate stout, some coffee notes, very nice.

M- A good mouthfeel, slightly thick

D-I could have a couple at a sitting, but no more, very good, but very heavy...overall a really good chocolate stout in my book. Great for winter.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 22:32:08 | More by bmonty412

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A Bottle into a Harpoon curved type of pint glass. Picked this up as a single, never had it before, never knew it existed.

Harpoon Chocolate Stout has a black look to it. It's a stout so that's expected. Anywho, the liquid is black and the cap up top is a half inch of dark tannish foam leaving no lace on the glass. The liquid looks dead after a while but some swirls bring it back. This smells straight up like chocolate syrup. It reminds me of a less Diabetic form of Southern Tier Choklat. Basically, it smells like chocolate and some roasted malt, nothing else, a str8 up chocolate stout, no bells or whistles. Taste is chocolate, mixed in with slight grain notes and a roasty finish reminding me of a light porter, even though this remains in the stout category. Body is a step below medium with a light but felt carb. Truthfully, I could drink a lot of this and still like it after a while. The body is at a level where long sips or even chugging is possible, so drinkability is quite high. This was a surprise and a treat at the same time. I see myself drinking more of this in the future willingly. Hey, what do you know, a Harpoon beer that I want to come back to. I actually prefer this over Choklat as I can drink more than 4oz's of it.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 21:46:51 | More by onix1agr

fitzy84

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had in their winter sample pack. The appearance is jet black with a brown-colored lacing on the sides. Really thin head though. Aromas are really rich in a smoked mocha chocolate flavor. Noticed a hint of toffee, but much more of a dark chocolate. Taste is really great, representative of the aromas. Bittersweet dark chocolate flavor. Mouthfeel helps with a light carbonation to an otherwise creamy drink that is also pretty light comparatively. Overall, a fantastic chocolate stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2008 03:55:35 | More by fitzy84

Saint

Vermont

4.3/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer is unique. Its black as night with a caramel cream tint to its mostly white head. It smells memorizing, absolutely fantastic. Its aroma is that of a slightly bittersweet dark chocolate, with a hint of mocha. Its taste is bold, kinda like someone melted a really fine dark chocolate bar, mixed it with some Baileys and then carbonated it all. Its incredible. My initial reaction was surprise for such a bold taste, I had assumed it would be a much more subtle flavor, I was very pleasantly surprised. Its mouthfeel is slightly creamy. I've enjoyed this from both a bottle, and chilled pint glass, both were enjoyable, but I must say I preferred the bottle, the carbonation was heavier in the bottle, and really complements the bold flavor. Its drinkability pretty fine, they go back nice and easy, but then may not be a beer you could or would want to chain drink. It also made on of the greatest dessert beers I've ever enjoyed, It may be the greatest beer for a beerfloat (beer & ice cream, preferably coffee or vanilla) that I've tried. Overall I really enjoyed this beer, a lot more then i expected.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2010 04:56:29 | More by Saint

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.3/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Best by 2/15/2013:

Into a pint glass:

A: pitch black colored body yielding a foamy level brown head, closer to an off-white to the top of the head and gets darker closer to the body. The head is about two fingers and slowly dies to a beautiful film leaving some nice speckled lacing around the sides of the pint glass.

S: roasty sweet between milk chocolate, coffee and malts.

T: exactly the same with a bit of light vanilla as the beer warms.

M: medium and a bit watery, leaving nothing harsh on the tongue.

O: this was done really well for the most part, but am unsure if this is really an American Stout and could be closer to a Milk/Sweet Stout. No worries, I still liked it and would definitely come back to it.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 00:53:13 | More by kangarooAdam59

Arenbeer

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Black with a real nice thick 2 finger tan head. No light coming through this one.

S- Smells of dark chocolate with a slight coffee mocha flavor. Also getting a roasted malt, very sweet smell.

T- Amazing! Has a great hoppy bitterness at first but finishes with a strong delicious mocha dark chocolate flavor. Kind of dry but not to bad, well balanced. As it warms up and even before, the alcohol is definitely detectable as the taste fades. It's kind of like drinking a chocolate cappuccino in beer form hahah

M- Overall real smooth and easy to drink. Has a decent amount of carbonation though that tickles the tounque as it goes down. But not to much, still like any other stout.

D- I couldn't see drinking more than one of these for it's pretty heavy feeling in the stomach and I wouldn't want to get sick of the flavor.

I see this beer as the perfect dessert, whether it be with a meal or your last beer. I would take this beer over any cake or brownie any day! Great stout, harpoon definitely knew what they were doing with this one. I reccomend it

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2010 19:42:46 | More by Arenbeer

Minkybut

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I poured this exception beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer was black and poured a rich full head that was also very dark. WOW!, the smell was supreme chocolate with a hazel nut smell. The taste was terrific, nutty, chocolate warmth that is the best beer I have tasted this winter. I would certainly buy again. Yummy!

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 19:41:37 | More by Minkybut

djeucalyptus

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to DrDogbeer for this one, poured from a 12oz bottle.

pours a rich coffee color building to an almost jet black in the glass with a fairly weak half-finger head of a nice light mocha color that faded relatively quickly, leaving behind only a bit of lacing.

whoah. this one literally smells like chocolate cake. Ganache, cocoa shavings and all. A definite sweet chocolate malt undertone accented by more chocolate. Milk chocolate with hints of bittersweet cocoa. Impressive aroma.

Taste, somewhat surprisingly, follows aroma pretty closely. A healthy dose of pure chocolate follows the light caramel malt, sticking around a bit before fading out to a light malt and finally a bitter finish seemingly comprised of bitter cocoa, bitter coffee and a touch of hops. The chocolate dominates and leaves the palette (and brain) slightly perplexed. Different flavors and more(?) chocolate than other chocolate stouts.

Mouthfeel is a bit lighter than I was expecting for a 6.3% stout. A little on the thin side, with some ample carbonation that nears too much. A bit creamier and fuller and it would be unbelievably delicious... the thinness allows the bitter finish to rear its head a bit more.

All in all, an interesting and impressive brew. probably the most chocolaty brew I've tried, short of pouring chocolate syrup into a stout. Almost an overload on the chocolate, but this one pulls it off. Mouthfeel left a bit to be desired, but all in all I'm impressed. If you like chocolate, this is a must try. Not really sessionable, but if I ever have the opportunity to get a few more bottles, there'd be no hesitation.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 17:56:24 | More by djeucalyptus

Kallessin

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Has a full creamy tan head, like a dollop of whip cream with cocoa powder in it. Very dark brown, almost black with ruby highlights. Very nice lacing on the side of the glass.

Lots of chocolate/coffee mocha aroma. Almost a little charred smell, like slightly burned coffee beans. It really smells like a mocha milkshake made with real chocolate and coffee beans. Some of the hops come through a little with some woodsy notes. Really smells great.

It tastes very much like the aroma with a strong mocha flavor. After the first few sips, these flavors subside somewhat but the roasted flavors are still there with some woodsy/citrus hops kicking around in the back. Again, some charred flavors. This beer is actually more bitter than sweet.

Very creamy milky texture, but a little thin. Very satisfying but I wish there was just a little more body. Also a little prickly carbonation.

A very easy drinking stout. Nice flavor, but the aroma is outstanding. I'm very happy they released it six packs. I look for this one again next year.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2009 00:47:57 | More by Kallessin

DavidS88

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Here's another great one from Harpoon. Found in the Wintry Mix variety pack, Chocolate Stout is a velvety, bittersweet brew. Poured out of a 12oz bottle, this American stout is a beautiful straight-up black; none of this dark brown, translucent stuff you see from other stouts. The one knock I have to offer this beer is that there was a tiny brown head on top that disappeared nearly immediately with practically no lacing on the glass and a slight ring of foam that touched the edges of the glass. It smells like a freshly unwrapped piece of dark chocolate, bitter on the nose with maybe even some hints of dried fruit. The taste is largely the same as the nose with lots of bitter dark chocolate and is really, amazingly smooth for a malty stout. Truth be told, it's not nearly as bitter as some stouts that I have had, and that may be why I like it so much. Kick back and enjoy one of these with dessert during those cold winter months and it will warm you right up.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 02:30:45 | More by DavidS88

admiralcrunch

New York

4.22/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of the Harpoon Wintry 12-pack at Marty's in Allston.

HUGE chocolate flavor all around. It reminds me of the Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence, but the OCI was more dry. This stuff is a purer/smooth chocolate taste. Would love to buy year-round. In fact, I already emailed Harpoon asking if it was available in kegs. I know it's not, but hopefully they get the message.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2008 03:38:10 | More by admiralcrunch

runningjoke

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass.

Deep and dark with a light brown head.

Smells of burnt malts, bittersweet chocolate, and alcohol.

Tastes of Roasted malts, and chocolate liquor, a hint of orange, and alcohol. Slightly peppery on the finish. Leaves a slightly mineral and bitter aftertaste.

Medium body with prickly carbonation, not quite the feeling one would want from a beer with these flavors.

This beer fills you up, not one to drink too many of.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2010 20:47:51 | More by runningjoke