Sexual Chocolate - Foothills Brewing Company

Gobzilla

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured a dark as night black in color with a nice finger worth of head which was dark brown and left plenty of lacing sticking to the glass.

S: not too much going on in the aroma, pretty basic components such as roastiness, some chocolate notes, maybe a hint of molasses and very muted coffee undertones. I did however get some oat grains coming through.

T: like the aroma it carried over to the flavor consisting of milk chocolate notes, slight coffee was noticeable, a bit of roastiness, hints of molasses, and nice oat grain accents with a little bitterness.

M: the brew was medium in body with a fair amount of carbonation which had a sweet, roasty, slight astringent, oat grainy, milky, and slight bitter finish.

O: just an average imperial stout that is IMO way overrated but just OK all around. Didn't see anything special about it.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 21:57:13 | More by Gobzilla

comfortablynumb1

California

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes

22oz bottle

Big thanks to Andrew for the hookup on this one...

A - Pours black with a two finger tan head. Head retention is decent at best, but there is a good amount of lacing to be had...

S - Caramel, chocolate, various dark fruits, coffee, roasted malt and molasses...

T - Caramel, molasses and roast up front with some prunes and figs in the mix. Cocoa also comes through and sticks around all the way through the finish. Lingering figs, a good amount molasses, and a touch of coffee also come through on the finish...

M - Not a light body by any means, but I was hoping for a viscous feel. Sits somewhere on the higher end of the medium bodied scale with a decent amount of carbonation...

O - Overall, a nicely done beer, but nothing that is going to blow your socks off. Definitely glad I got a chance to try this...

Cheers...

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 09:40:23 | More by comfortablynumb1

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle. January '12 vintage
Unmarked snifter

A: Pours out a pretty much pitch black. RIS style to a T. I got a slight ring of light tan head around the edges of the glass. Ends up leaving some nice lacing bits. Some reddish hues around edges are there. Slight alcohol feet.

S: Dark chocolate. Dark fruit. Roasted malts. Some dark espresso notes as well. The chocolate is there, rich dark cocoa type chocolate.

T: Up front you get some of those big IBUs, 85 to be exact. Dark rich chocolate. Deep dark roast espresso beans. Some roasted malts. I concur with other reviews, this is a fairly bitter stout either from the hopping or the dark roast malts. It's delicious but just a touch bitter. The finish is really bitter from the dark chocolate.

M: Full bodied. Coats the mouth a ton.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 13:14:15 | More by inlimbo77

mdaschaf

Washington

3.13/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2011 Vintage

A: Pours a deep black with a very nice brown/khaki colored head. Great head retention and lacing that forms all around glass. Really nice looking beer.

S: Something a bit different about the aroma that I can't quite put my finger on. It is slightly astringent, with a good bit of roasted/charred dark malt and a bit of chocolate.

T: Wow, extremely roasty. The roasted malt really dominates the flavor profile, really don't get as much chocolate as I was expecting/hoping. There is a little bit of milk chocolate in the mid-palate which comes across slightly creamy.

M: Medium bodied, on the creamier side, no sign of alcohol at all.

O: Really not very chocolaty. Not a bad stout, but seems rather basic. A bit of a let down based on the hype around it.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 00:40:01 | More by mdaschaf

ehammond1

California

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for openings this with me, Wowcoolman!

Black throughout and a substantial, thick-looking body. There's a nicely sized dark brown crown atop that eventually leaves the glass fairly messy on the drink down. Gorgeous imperial stout.

Big, appropriate aroma for the style, with roast and chocolate, very mild smoke and leather, and a coffee component as well. Straightforward, though nice and expressive.

The flavor is similar to the aroma. There's nothing particularly unique or unusual--all the required elements are here: roast, some chocolate, and a little coffee. There's perhaps a touch of smoke or char that differentiates this one somewhat.

Full in body with low carbonation.

Very nice, through straightforward, imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 18:38:37 | More by ehammond1

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing this one at NoSignsOfPain's birthday bottleshare hosted by mrbubbler.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to a thin cap on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, coffee, and some char aromas. Taste is much the same with a fairly high level of roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp but medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with some solid aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 07:19:31 | More by UCLABrewN84

birchstick

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2102 Vintage; consumed a week within the release

A - pours lack in color with a small head

S - nose is dark chocolates and some bakers chocolate. Very one-dimensional, but very chocolaty and delicious smelling.

T - starts off with dark chocolates with loads of bakers chocolate in the mix. A little bit of dark fruits are in there too, but chocolate is the thesis of this beer. Not uber complex, but solid.

M - super dry finish with a medium body

D - really nice cocoa / chocolaty brew. Glad I finally got to try this one - worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 03:03:36 | More by birchstick

ms11781

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 vintage. 22oz bottle poured into a snifter.

Pours a deep black color. It's almost solid black but there are some dark brown hues at the sides and bottom of the glass. A small light brown head develops and quickly settles in as a tan ring of foam around the glass. Not much in the way of lacing.

The nose is roasty and full of some nice chocolate notes. The roasted notes come out first. It's almost burnt and quite potent. The chocolate comes through as some light milk chocolate. There really isn't much else going on here. It's pretty straightforward but done nicely.

The taste follows along with the nose. Huge roasted notes up front. As the beer warms it takes on that burnt character. There is some nice dark and milk chocolate that balance the roast somewhat before a huge, dry bitterness takes over at the finish.

Full bodied with low carbonation. As the beer warms the carbonation seems like it may be a bit higher. The beer is really big but doesn't get to the point of being huge and viscous. Extremely dry at the finish.

This is a good imperial stout. It's pretty straightforward in the nose and taste - it's roasty and a it's chocolaty, in that order. Nothing more nothing less. It's pretty exceptional in terms of being really good and interesting without being hugely complex but in the grand scheme of things it's probably just below the the upper tier of big imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 03:28:09 | More by ms11781

Hophead717

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pitch black, with a thin mocha head, that quickly dissipates to nothing.

S: Cocoa powder, with some light dark fruits.

T: Light roast upfront, yielding to mild chocolate, with slightly sweet fruitiness in the finish.

M: Medium bodied, with low carbonation.

O: I don't totally get this beer. The flavor profile is a grouping of distinct, mild flavors. It's a good beer...but too roasty and too fruity? The combo doesn't work overwhelmingly well.

Apologies for the unhelpful review--I'm struggling with this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 03:23:40 | More by Hophead717

WillCarrera

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber, poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours black, little head.

S- Big roasted aroma, lots of chocolate.

T- Very roasted again, chocolate flavor is nice, has some cocoa powder flavor in there as well, mild dark fruitiness, has a dry roasted finish, slightly astringent.

M- Full-bodied, low carbonation, thick feel.

O- A solid stout, has some really nice flavors, worth giving a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 05:35:12 | More by WillCarrera

Agold

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pitch black beer with a short ring of head. Aroma is very roast and kind burnt with nice dry cocoa. Flavor is really similar. I think it could have used a bit of sweetness. Its good, dry toasty, almost smokey. Mouthfeel is medium with OK carb. A bit of a letdown.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 02:59:14 | More by Agold

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark black with a small tan head fading into a wisp.

Lots of roasted malt with a hint of smoke and licorice. Some bitter chocolate, but not as much as the name would imply.

Taste is similar. Definitely cocoa in the profile, but a good amount of hops for the style too. There's a certain smokiness as well that is somewhat odd. It sometimes overpowered the other flavors a bit, but wasn't a complete mess.

Decently thick mouthfeel with low carbonation.

Not nearly the disaster some have made it out to be. It wasn't magnificent, but still enjoyable. The sips that didn't have too much smoke were quite delightful.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 11:41:07 | More by jmarsh123

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Bottle to CBS snifter. January 2012 Vintage.

A - Poured dark black. Half a finger of bubly espresso coloured head formed on the pour and reduced to a thin layer. Decent lacing.

S - A big hit of licorice, charred malts and some noticeable bitterness up front. A rich dark cocoa aroma is present as well with a touch of coffee. Not as much chocolate as I expected.

T - A big roasted malt profile is present up front with some licorice, char and smoke. The middle brings in bitter sweet chocolate. The finish is dark cocoa, sweet molasses, licorice and a hop bite that lingers slightly.

M - Medium to full body with a good viscosity. Light carbonation.

O - A very good imperial stout. I expected (and would have liked) more chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 01:16:26 | More by TheSevenDuffs

mondegreen

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap in Athens, GA.

Pours black with a fluffy tan head. Looks nice.

Nose is heavy with cocoa. Sweet roasted malts linger in the background. Approachable is a fitting description.

Taste is mildly bitter chocolate. Pretty straightforward, really. The bitterness lingers lightly on the palate.

Mouth is on the light side of rich, if that makes sense. It's fuller than medium, but it isn't decadent or anything.

Overall, it's a decent chocolate stout. Nothing to go crazy trying to trade for, but worth trying if you get a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 21:15:40 | More by mondegreen

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber of the 2012 vintage, courtesy of Kingkong, poured into a 25cl Duvel tulip.

A: Deep black body under a solid finger of fine light-brown head. Good retention and light lace. Excellent.

S: Rich and roasty, with lots of coffee, dark chocolate, spice, and some aromatic herbal hoppiness. Really nice.

T: Follows the nose, with huge, bitter roastiness up front, rich chocolate midway through, and more chocolate on the long, silky finish. Coffee on the aftertaste. Really, really tasty.

M: Medium-to-full body, with lots of fine, creamy carbonation. Perfect.

O: Wow, I was not expecting to be so impressed by this beer. I've tried a couple past vintages in small samples, and never thought it was anything better than mediocre - too thin, too bitter, and lacking chocolate. This year's is simply the opposite, being rich, strong, chocolatey, and well-balanced between sweet and bitter. Awesome stout!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 01:22:55 | More by woosterbill

TheDinger

South Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A growler fill from GBX poured into pint glass. Beautiful dark black pour with no chance of light getting through! A generous mocca head stays for a bit and provides adequate lacing. Smell is of roasted malts, chocolate and cocco. Taste was just a little disappointing for me. I will preface this by saying, I got the last fill out of the station. Actually only got about 3/4 fill on my growler. It had quite a bit of a metalic taste to it and strong booze quality. With all the hype, I was wanting a smooth mix of booze, chocolate and malts but it just wasn't there. Feel was nice and creamy, like a good RIS should be. Adequate carbonation. Overall- I want to try this again and think it may have been an outlier due to the bottom of the keg. Just okay and letdown with the taste-

Serving type: growler

04-02-2012 00:00:41 | More by TheDinger

02maxima

South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

growler from GBX poured in a pint glass

appearance: Dark, no light is getting through this baby, not even around the edges. Caramel colorerd head foamed up about 3/4 inch and faded to thin layer of bubbles.

taste: I definitley get some roasted malt, little bourbon, and dark cocoa.

taste: sweet right off the bat, with some nice booze and noticeable hops. Slight chocolate theme throughout continuing in the aftertaste.

mouth: low carb and a little oily.

overall: this is a great beer that I have been wanting to try for a while. This beer is deservedly hyped. Ill def buy again if I can find it.

Serving type: growler

03-28-2012 23:34:31 | More by 02maxima

JISurfer

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wife picked this up for me at the CBX, on tap. I've been waiting to finally get this for 2 or 3 years now, my ship has come! I was worried that all the hype on this beer would leave me disappointed. Glad to say, it lived up to the hype. While it's not the greatest beer I've ever had, it was a solid one. From the strong cocoa smell, to the dark color with the thick tan head, to the smooth finish. The taste was a good balance of malt, cocoa, and slight hops. Even though the alcohol is around 10%, it's hidden well. This beer makes a great night cap. I'm happy I finally got to try it.

Serving type: growler

03-28-2012 03:52:25 | More by JISurfer

bishopdc0

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Shared this bottle with my wife. We both used our cantillon tulips.

Very dark thick with a dense head very big tan and hugs the glass 4

The aroma is sweet choc with big figs and a big roasted smokiness at the back not sure what I think.

The tastes reminds me of melted chocolate icecream very light body creamy but the carbonation becomes dry and the roast and smoke lingers 4

Overall great beer

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 22:12:03 | More by bishopdc0

alpinebryant

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

January 2011 release

A: Poured into a Captain Lawrence Tulip a frothy mocha head with very heavy lacing.

S: Dark roast coffee, some malt sweetness, and a well bittered cocoa aroma.

T: Taste is very oaky, with some smoked malt, bitter astringent chocolate flavors and a lightly ashy finish.
There is definitely some malt sweetness but they are quickly countered by the hop bitterness and astringent flavorings I am picking up from the earthy dark roasted malts. Seems to be more bitter than I like in an imperial stout, also slightly less sweet than I typically like, but this definitely captures the style well in flavor. I think the cocoa nibs have contributed a more earthy bitter flavor than I may have anticipated.

M: Thick mouthfeel, light to medium carbonation. Very good here.

O: Overall, this comes together nicely. There is a more earthy flavor in here, but I sense it is well attenuated and not leaving behind overly sweet flavors like many of the high abv RIS of today are leaving behind. Recommended, but would not sell your arm and leg for a taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 18:29:22 | More by alpinebryant

zac16125

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured on tap at the brewery in Winston Salem
Into a small pilsner glass (i believe it was the release party and they were out of appropriate glassware, even saw it served in a highball glass)

A: Black, 1.5 fingers width of dense mocha colored head with great retention. Leaves a good amount of lacing.

S: dark fruits, roasted malt, chocolate (more milk chocolate with some bakers), plum, toasted nuts, some booze

T: Big roasted malt character, dark chocolate and mild hop bitterness on backend. Later in the drink, dark fruits come out particularly fig, and the dark chocolate gets stronger. Its sweeter than a lot of ris, and there a touch of a certain spice that I can't put my finger on but is pretty unique for the style.

M/d: Pretty smooth but not incredibly,  medium bodied, but too thin. Fails to coat the palate like the best in the style.  Served far too cold but still relatively easy to drink. Definitely could have been fuller/thicker.

O: Overall, a real good beer but nothing spectacular.  Certainly worth trying if you get the chance but there are many better RIS out there.  Would like to find a bottle so I can drink it at the right temperature from the correct glassware.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 22:22:11 | More by zac16125

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

thanks to sean for this

pour was deep black but very little head

coffee and dark bitter chocolate with a roasted charcoal malt.

very similar to nose. this was obviously fresh but all in all, very well balanced and not harsh in any way.

full body with a nice moderate carbonation. a bit of bite and some dryness.

a pretty good stout that has eluded me for years, glad to finally taste it. i would seek this out again.

Serving type: growler

02-26-2012 01:35:34 | More by hooliganlife

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice if a bit overhyped imperial stout

Presentation: 12 oz tap serving at the Foothills brewery-pub in downtown Winston-Salem. Noted as special release on menu and chalkboard. Served in a short glass.

A - Black pour with a thin creamy head, fair retention, and some touches of lacing. This glassware is an odd choice… But OK, it is how the brewery serves it.

S - Roasted malt notes, touch of chocolate, coffee…

T - Expanded nicely in the palate, roasted malt, touches of chocolate, coffee, small bitter hoppy touch and a bitter-sweet sense with a hint of vanilla.

M - Medium-full body and carbonation with a nice smooth and creamy sense.

O - Nice stout, glad I got to try it...

Notes: This is good, not deserving the kind of hype I perceived kind of good but good in any case. Supposedly I was lucky to reach the last keg on this work visit to Winston-Salem, and taste the batch done on the premises. I was told that the one I tried in a bar nearby came from the batch brewed at the new location. From one day to the next I could not sense the difference. The second time around I had it on a pint shaker glass, typical reaction: good for the size, but again wrong glassware. Probably this brew shines more if served properly.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 16:59:57 | More by Daniellobo

Ohsaycanyoubeer

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 version, on tap at Sexy Chocolate Day 2011. Pours with a little head, tan lacing, a slight chocolate aroma, I was expecting a bit more chocolate, it was a bit subdued for me. Still, extremely smooth, well worth the hype, if only I was just getting a bit more rubustiness and full chocolate. I still like it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 18:18:04 | More by Ohsaycanyoubeer

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

My girlfriend and I opened this bottle after our Valentine's Day dinner. Poured into a tulip glass.

A: Deep dark black with a very dark brown upper edge. Fluffy, rocky and full tan head. Nice retention cap and big sticky lacing along the glass wall. Great looking beer.

S: Astringent oak, char, slight smoke, dark chocolate and even some faint coffee beans towards the back. It smells nice but all the aromas don't blend very well together. The initial pungent oak-bitter aroma sticks throughout.

T: Well, I hate to say it but this is all hype. Again the initial bitterness of its aggressive hopping (85 IBUs) is still present over a year later in the bottle. Oak, dark malt and more roast come through. There's a nice diversity of flavor but it's not as smooth and easy drinking like others in the style. This is very chaotic in its structure, not very balanced.

M: Slick, smooth and creamy. Nicely carbonated, it feels good in the mouth. Quite dry on the finish though, perhaps from the bitterness?

This wasn't bad by any means although it's nothing world class or even at the top of the Russian Imperial Stout style. And where the hell was the chocolate? There were good amounts of different flavors but they were too choppy, and unbalanced. I have the barrel-aged version which I hear great things about, let's hope that one is a bit better.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 16:29:45 | More by ShanePB