Diesel - Sixpoint Brewery

ksimons

New York

3.79/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-very dark brown with light chestnut highlights and about three fingers worth of tan head

S-roasted malt, dark coffee, and bitter hops

T-starts with roasted malt and dark coffee, very light chocolate, and then finishes with lots of bitter hops

M-medium body, very smooth, medium carbonation

Overall an interesting beer, but I'm not sure what I think about it. Good roasted flavors but a little too hop heavy for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 22:11:25 | More by ksimons

bensbeers

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Color is pitch black with a thick, tan, dirty head. Can see the slightest reflection of amber at the bottom of my glass. Head appears sticky, lingering about a half centimeter throughout the first half of my beer and leaving perfect circles of lacing around the glass.

Smells quite hoppy for a stout - definitely piney as the packaging suggests; maybe a hint of cherry and banana, too. Notes of sweet chocolate and toffee, as well.

Tastes begins bittersweet a la chocolate and coffee; transitions to a smokey, malt flavor; and finishes with the slightest hoppy aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, but still lightly carbonated. Taste lingers on the tongue for a good while after you sip.

Overall a solid brew from Sixpoint. What I enjoyed most was the fact that this was "hopcentric" stout. Diesel was my introduction to Sixpoint, and I'm quite impressed. Will definitely be checking out their other selections.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 23:15:39 | More by bensbeers

kylehay2004

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: half finger head on a deep brown black body with some light getting though. nice lacing.

S: aroma is light and mostly is of roasted malt and some espresso. hint of vanilla sweetness.

T: this one has that buttery aceytl note to me. popcorn corn butter really. The roasted malts come in and out with the buttery notes distracting from the other flavors. sweetness from mild chocolate and toffee.

M: medium body for the style and light carbonation.

Overall: My taste buds really pick up buttery notes in stouts which ruins some of them for me. This one isnt overly buttery but I dont like that its there.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 03:14:18 | More by kylehay2004

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a pint can, this beer is a deep black color with brownish-red highlights. The head is fantastic...deep, thick, rocky, stable, and brown, leaving huge outcroppings of lace. The aroma is solid...notably hoppy, with a herbal, earthy hop character. There is a grain and highly roasted malt undertone in the smell. The taste is on the dry side, but the malt and grain give it great balance. Bitterness starts in the mid-taste and intensifies through the finish. Bitingly bitter. Medium-to-full in body and very smooth.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 00:49:32 | More by Suds

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

3.28/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: Pint can poured into my Allagash glass. Had about three cans of this while watching football. Served chilled from the refrigerator.

Appearance: As the name implies, this one is very, very black. Pours a medium brown, cloudy, fluffy head with pretty good retention.

Aroma: Big burst of hops from this. Pine resins and earthy hop tones definitely stand out. A touch of coffee and espresso in the background, but the hops really do stand out.

Taste: This definitely tows the line between really hoppy stout and black IPA. Lots of hops upfront in the form of pine and and grapefruit. Some nice caramel, chocolate, and coffee in there as well, but it just seems like the hops are dominant throughout. I am not reasing this as a stout.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied and plenty of carbonation. Definitely some sticky notes from the hops.

Overall, an interesting beer that I would not necessarily classify as a stout. More like a black IPA. This is pretty drinkable and has a lot of flavor but doesn't stand out amongst the crowd for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 13:44:21 | More by Gosox8787

abraxel

Michigan

3.48/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Tasted blind as part of Blind BIF #6, courtesy of mdfb79.

A - Very dark brown, practically black. a few fingers of off-white, cloudy head. Nice lacing.

S - Smells like a quintessential porter, with neither bells nor whistles. Light, slightly fruity dark malt (plums, raisins, etc.), with a healthy counterpoint of earthy, grassy hops. Definitely smells like a good, fresh, American porter.

T - The earthy hops are stronger here... perhaps too much. The portery malt backbone is still there, but mostly covered up. I *could* love this, if it were as balanced as the aroma. As is, it's only okay.

M - Medium mouthfeel, with just a little prickle of carbonation. Seems just about right for a porter (which is my guess).

Overall, I'm pretty sure this is a porter, but I'm not a fan of the hop profile. I like the malty core, but on the whole, I'd pass on another.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 02:07:18 | More by abraxel

Brad007

Vermont

3.68/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pitch black with a thick, frothy brown head into my glass. What an excellent way to introduce itself.

Whoa! Hop overload! It's a bit much for something that's not an imperial stout. I didn't say that was a bad thing though. There's a hint of roasted coffee underneath.

Ditto! Lots of piney hops with very little roastiness. More like a black ale than stout. Maybe it actually is?

Lingering pine resin and dark fruit at the back.

I see that many of the ratings are low. I think that may be due to the style that was chosen for the review. If we're rating this as a simple American stout, then I can understand. However, this is more of an American Black Ale and for that style, it's quite accurate.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 03:55:04 | More by Brad007

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Sixpoint Diesel

16oz can. Pours a dark brownish black with a tan mocha head and lacing all down the glass. Looks like a good stout. In the aroma, roast, malt sweetness, and a solid dose of hops. In the taste, raw grain elements, astringent roasted malt, adjunct sludge, huge hop flavor and decidedly bitter. Hops are oily, earthy,and coarse. Thin bodied mouthfeel with low carbonation, though does manage to be slightly creamy. Overall, an interesting mesh of flavors, though not as cohesive as better examples of the style. What do you expect from Lion brewery's contract brewed Sixpoint. Needs cleaned up.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 18:25:34 | More by Stinkypuss

kevanb

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

It pours a really nice motor oil black brown color, with about a finger of caramel tan color head that has great retention and fantastic lacing. Really sexy looking stout, can’t wait to get into this. The nose is like advertised, a really hoppy experience. Strong pine notes with a nice burst of juicy citrus aromas jump right out, followed by a nice backbone of roasty coffee and chocolate. The flavors follow the nose but they lean more towards the roast coffee and chocolate flavors with the hops still providing a nice citrusy layer but not taking this over, but definitely a different take on the stout. It’s a bit thin for a stout, a little watery in the mouth but doesn’t detract from the flavors.

Verdict: Really interesting stout, I enjoyed the hoppy elements quite a bit, drinks like a heavier black IPA. My only wish was that it was a bit thicker and creamier, but still really happy to have tried it, could put a few of these away no problem.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 04:44:11 | More by kevanb

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured an absolute pitch black color from a can (pint), with ABV and best-by date marked on the carton. Absolutely no penetration of light whatsoever.
One finger frothy head that dissipates very slowly and leaves behind some really nice sticky lace.
Aroma is oh so malty with nice dark roasted coffee notes, dark chocolate/cocoa notes and hints of hops coming through right at the beginning.
Taste is just a tad sweet upfront but right from the middle there is a nice wave of bitterness. The finish is quite dry, with the kick of bitterness at the finish not lingering around whatsoever.
A very well balanced and tasty medium bodied stout. This stout has all the makings of a nice sessions beer.
Overall, this is a very good stout. Definitely worth a try, and comes recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 00:51:16 | More by CaptDavyJones

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hand bottle obtained in trade from Shane aka sixpoint, thanks for the opportunity.
Poured a dark brown with faint ruby highlights and a huge fluffy/creamy off white head that stuck itself to everything on the way down the glass. Smells of cocoa, brown sugar, and a bit of caramel. Taste is chocolaty roasty with burnt and brown sugars in the mix. Finishes kind of dry with a touch of alcohol and bitter roast that lingers. Body is a bit on the thin side, Mouthfeel is bubbly, slightly oily, carbonation is on the high side. Decent brew overall, I would definitely session this one. I really would have liked a bit more body, but its great as is.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2009 23:07:10 | More by johnnnniee

srandycarter

California

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Overzealous pour resulted in 2+ inch very light mocha head. Pitch black. Nice sticky lacing every where.

S - Unsweetened cocoa and coffee, mixed with tangy sourdough bread.

T - Nice straightforward roasted malt, accented with tastes to accompany smell profile.

M - Nicely balanced, good carb and coating, medium to full body.

D - For the style, yes, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2008 05:28:13 | More by srandycarter

jraycee

North Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +24%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to sixpoint for the trade.
Pours a very dark brown/black with a thick light colored head. When the head finally fades to a thick ring, it leaves huge rings around the glass with each sip.
smells are sweetgrass, chocolate, fresh sourdough crust.
Taste is great! Sweet chocolaty malt base gives way to bittersweet hops, and a woody complexity. In the end though the roasted malt flavors come back big in a smooth finish.
I love it. One of my favorite beers that I have tried recently.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2008 21:10:40 | More by jraycee

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to sixpoint for the trade...
Appears a dark brown, nearing black with a small light tan head that slowly fades into a mild cap and collar. Spotty lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of nutty, cocoa, java, caramel, vanilla cream, & roasted malts.
Taste mimics the aromas with more java and roasted cocoa beans coming through in the flavors.
Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with some caramel and brown sugar filling out the palate leading to a roasty, dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2008 16:26:24 | More by weeare138

Wasatch

Utah

3.15/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks sixpoint

Pours a nice dark brown color, nice carbonation, very nice 2 finger plus creamy tan head which lasts a ong time, some nice sticky lacing afterwards. The nose is not much, but what there is of it is some malts and caramel. The taste is malty and bitter with a dry finish. Medium body. Drinkable, glad to have a chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2007 03:17:41 | More by Wasatch

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from the 12oz. black bottle into an imperial pint glass the beer was a dark black color with two finger of frothy tan head. A cappucino like consistancy to the head that reduced down to about a half-finger and remained there for the entire sample. No outright signs of carbonation and very little lacing.

The smell was deeply of roasted malt and slight grain. Coffee, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, and oatmeal all met the nose. Softer hints of hop and chicory as well, and a slight "smell" of sweetness.

The innitial taste was heavy in roasted character in a robust malty flavor and some oat as well. Each sip finishes with a short crisp bitterness. Little hop flavour and the bitterness is a chicory like coffee bitter. Some softer chocolate notes as well.

Mouthfeel is moderate with a sturdy body and good consistancy on the palate. About an average amount of carbonation.

This is my second time reviewing this beer and my first from the bottle. I noted in my earlier review that perhaps I was given the wrong beer and I now believe that I was in fact given the wrong beer, or a very flawed version of ths beer. In in this sampling I reverse myself on nearly every flaw I found with my other sampling. I enjoyed this beer a great deal here and it exhibited many of the characteristics I know and love from a stout. I'm not sure what went wrong with my first sample, but if this sample is the intended taste of the beer, then this one indeed ranks very high in my judgement. Many thanks to Brewmaster Shane Welch for his time and this botteled sample.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2006 01:15:39 | More by Sycodrummer

goodbyeohio

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12 oz homebrew-looking bottle "i handbottled all them shits"

pours majestically into a widemouthed 1664 pint glass. tan head that looks like flaky pastry crust and a dark body with crimson ruby light-drawn highlights. head hangs around for a while leaving cratery air pockets and multi-layered lacing. aroma is best described as vanilla double-hop frapuccino. stouty with lactose notes and a hint of sweet spice. bouquet evolves with warmth. flavor is intense yet smooth... goes down creamy with a hazelnut finish. taste runs the gamut from roasty malts to orange flavored chocolate with hinrs of creamed coffee. body is medium, much lighter than its flavor should demand. makes it very drinkable, although this is a beer to be savoured- not something you'd have more than 2 pints of without experiencing tastebud overload. glad i got to try this again at the right temperature. what a difference 12 degrees fahrenheit makes.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2005 07:18:33 | More by goodbyeohio

screamking

Ohio

4.26/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

16 oz can poured into pint glass.

This beer pours very close to black with a huge three to four finger darker than khaki head. The head stays for awhile as well. Lots of lacing down the side of the glass as it retreats. Lots of cocoa powder in my first smell. Faint aroma notes of chocolate and coffee. A little bit of dark fruits. Some orange citrus notes in there too.

The taste is very intriguing. Lots of bitter coffee on the front of the tounge. Sweet milk chocolate follows. Then you get some nice citrus hops in the finish. Mouth feel is pretty good as well, it's a little dry and kinda thin. Take those two out of the conversation and then this has a killer feel. I'm very happy with this purchase and even tho this beer is close to its "best by" date, it still has great flavor.

Serving type: can

05-17-2013 21:46:40 | More by screamking

alaimoa

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can pours jet black with small dark brown lacing. Smells of caramel syrup. Slightly thin mouthfeel but definitely hits coffee, brown sugar and malty flavors. I am used to slight thicker stouts and higher alcohol content. Alcohol smell and taste are no where to be found. I would have rated it higher if it were a bit thicker. Will definitely be buying again

Serving type: can

05-09-2013 22:13:50 | More by alaimoa

cyclonece09

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 16 oz can into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a pitch black with a sizable brown head. Smells of coffee and chocolate, with slight hop hint. Tastes of chocolate and a tad of coffee and toffey, but a tad watery. Beer finishes real nice and is light/medium in body, great level of carbonation. Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: can

05-08-2013 23:42:31 | More by cyclonece09

smiga

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16oz can poured into .5l glass cylinder.

A: Beautiful, pour. Thick dark tan head, with great retention, and lasting lacing. Great stout color.

Smell: So much going on: subtle sweet coffee, chocolate, roasted malt, hops, grass, raisins, barge, and barn.

T: Big earthiness, sort of triple arc between hops, malts and sweets. but never cloying and ever changing. Hints of citrus peel, candy, coal, apples, evergreens, and dry hay. Very happy with this original stout, almost a hoppy porter is how I would describe it.

M: Medium, good weight. nice finish. tickly hops.

Sun-washed barge and barn - two of my favorite images - in one deep dark beer. A new favorite.

Serving type: can

05-07-2013 23:51:46 | More by smiga

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pounder Can > Pint Glass
A - Pours deep black with a thick two finger caramel head, great lacing.
S - Some light malt aroma, and a touch of smoke and some earthy hops, but the aroma overall is weak.
T - Roasted malts and a little smoke touch on them, but some really big earthy hop flavors in this as well with a good medium malt. Nice change of pace.
M - A little on the thin side, but nice bitterness and some roasts that linger.
O - This is off the path of traditional stouts with the good hop body, but the aroma seriously lacks and the mouthfeel isnt really one par, but some could consider that good if your not looking for a super thick stout. Would definitely have again.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 20:44:37 | More by Omnium

barnzy78

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can, pours cola-like black, with a frothy beige head, great head retention, foamy lacing at the top of the glass. Aroma are roasted malt, caramely like cola, chocolate. Tastes are roasted barley, coffeeish, chocolate, finished with some piny hops and a bit of bitterness - a little more than I like in my stout. Mouth-feel is super creamy & smooth, while being nearly full bodied. Overall, I wasn't as crazy over this one as the bros, but it's a good stout with a good name.

Serving type: can

04-09-2013 12:20:57 | More by barnzy78

Brenden

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Very dark brown and thick without reaching huge RIS-levels of viscosity, it definitely looks diesel. Topping it is a thick tan head that grows to about two fingers in height. The settling of this head is one finger. In other words, when it fades away or drops or however you'd reference it, it's still a full finger tall and never less. Lacing begins at the rim of the glass and forms a sheet that coats it the entire way down. I guess this one's a beauty AND a beast.
Roast comes out in the nose, yes, but even stronger are the chocolaty and charred notes as well as a pithy pine from the hops; it's definitely brewed in a modern American tradition, with a heavy hand on the hops for a stout. It's a little nondescript and surprisingly subtle given what I've seen, but hopefully some of that will open up.
The pith and pine are actually seemingly the strongest flavors. A bit of citrus peel comes out in the bitterness as well. Char backs off to keep the bitterness at an even keel, a good call since there's little sweetness. There's a heavy dryness, in fact, which in combining with a bit of woodiness gives this a more literally piney flavor. Some dry bread crusts speak to the malt presence. This is well done, especially considering how unbalanced it has potential to be. I do wish it was sweeter, even if just a little.
The body's not huge and thick, though it is full. At first it seems to sit on the border of what could be a richness that it just misses. It's a little more heavily carbonated than might be expected in a stout, but that drops off nicely. What remains is a surprisingly creamy, rich smoothness.

Serving type: can

04-08-2013 16:03:13 | More by Brenden

LCB_Hostage

Pennsylvania

3.56/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16oz can into a pint glass

A: Opaque brown with little head and virtually no lacing

S: Toasty malt, caramel and alcohol (surprising, given the <7 ABV)

T: Toasted grain and some coffee and chocolate overtones. A nice hoppy bite obscures the sweetness that can ruin some stouts for me.

M: A nice clean tingle on the tongue. Perfect level of carbonation. None of the syrupy/oily feel of many stouts.

O: I've never been much of a fan of Sixpoint. Most of their brews either bore me or strike me as failed experiments. The Crisp and Bengali Tiger are both interesting, but both seem to fall well outside the norms for their labeled styles and are not something I have a great desire to drink regularly. This is the first beer from them I'd buy again fairly eagerly. My only quibble (see above) is with calling this a stout. Diesel is a nice, clean, refreshing beer that to my palate is much more in line with a porter or, even more so, a brown ale. But no matter what they choose to call it, this is a nice, very drinkable beer that I will definitely be buying again.

Serving type: can

04-07-2013 22:25:12 | More by LCB_Hostage