Dragonhead Stout - Orkney Brewery

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

500mL bottle poured into a tulip stout glass. There appears to be a time & date stamp, but it's not obvious to me what it means.

Appearance: Pitch black on the table, and when held up to the light, just the barest hint of dark ruby red at the edges. 1/4" dense tan head on pouring, which died down to a thin foam across the top with a good ring at the edge. Nice strands, sheets, and sheets of lacing on the glass as I drank it down. Outstanding appearance for a stout.

Smell: Roasted malts with strong cocoa smell and hints of coffee. Very mild hint of raisin in there as well. Very appealing.

Taste: Roasted malts, mild coffee and chocolate, with a solid bitter finish. A robust stout - on the bitter side but just right.

Mouthfeel: Spicy carbonation on the tongue - slick, but otherwise a little watery. Maybe a little too carbonated - it overwhelms everything else with a nice big drink, but it more manageable when the beer is sipped.

Overall / Drinkability: A stout at 4%....a sessionable stout indeed! I think the only thing I'm no too crazy about with this beer is the carbonation and mouthfeel, but besides that, it's a nice beer that I think would be fantastic on cask or on tap. I could see myself enjoying another one of these over a course of an evening, and even more so with the right meal.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 22:07:23 | More by damndirtyape

vandemonian

Maryland

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Orkney Brewery Dragonhead Stout pours with a black colour and a decent enough head that fades to sparse lacing. The smell is very weak but I smell some roasted malt - maybe some bitter coffee... maybe. The flavour is sour and sharp up front. With some some charcoal in the middle. The finish is sour and smokey. The texture is nice and frothy. Overall, I didn't like this stout that much. Too sour and smokey.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 02:56:03 | More by vandemonian

metter98

New York

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is essentially jet black in color--only some traces of amber are visible near the edge of the glass when it is held up to the light. It poured with a finger high creamy tan head that gradually faded away and left lacy patterns of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are strong aromas of phenols and roasted malts in the nose along with some notes of licorice and smoke.
T: The taste has flavors of roasted malt, bitter coffee beans and licorice along with notes of smoke.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied, smooth and slightly dry on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is very flavorful considering its low alcohol; I could drink this all night long because it is very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 02:26:47 | More by metter98

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

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

Quite a heavily roasty yet fairly light-drinking stout. At 4%, it tastes and feels like there's at least a little more weight to it than it has. Can't say I would pound this like I could a Guinness.

A short, creamy/frothy tan head puffs up over its near-impenetrable grimy coal blackness, slumping down into a tight collar and only dragging a little slippery lace after each sip. Looks sooty like chimney sweepage.

One of the most roasty aromas I've come across in any beer. Charred, biting grain over some strong dark coffee and mild (not mild-ly) bitter chocolate. Couldn't interpret the bottling code, but I'm wondering if there was some staling or sourness contributing to the bouquet. I've gotten the same from other Scottish stouts...

A lot of what you smell you also taste. The dry, burnt grain taking center stage, assertively bitter, riding a medium-full, lightly creamy body. Real dry finish, the burnt flavor wrapping itself around your tongue and not letting go. A nitro serving could smooth that out surely. But I'm digging it anyway.

Prepare yourself for a showcase of carbonized malt with this one. A man's drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 05:02:31 | More by Bouleboubier

ktrillionaire

Florida

3.33/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a brown-black, capped with a persistent albeit small collar of mocha froth, not much lace to speak of.

S - There is a charred-roasty-sweet impression to the nose that is so familiar that it seems like the brew could've been aged in Johnnie Walker Scotch barrels. Burnt almond is an underlying suggestion, as is vanilla bean.

T - The flavor is heavily-laden with a peat-campfire smoky char, so greatly as to be inextricable from the other flavor elements. I'm thinking this is akin to a Scotch and (lots of) water, consumed next to a smoldering peat bog.

M - Pretty thin, and very lightly carbonated. I don't think it would work any other way.

D - I can't get past the Scotch comparison. If you enjoy the type of flavors in Scotch, you may dig this brew. If you think Scotch is nasty, you probably won't enjoy this.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 23:42:03 | More by ktrillionaire

Crowls

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into an imperial pint glass

Appearance: Opaque,can't see through, not much head or lacing though

Smell: Chocolate smell with a small burnt flavor

Taste: Burnt chocolate coffee flavor

Mouthfeel: Smooth overall with a small rough roundabout feel that leaves the mouth craving a little more to figure it out

Drinkability: Pretty easy overall and wood be good with some traditional irish fare and desserts

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 22:53:48 | More by Crowls

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.1/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours pitch black with a dark brown quickly fading head.
Nose shows lots of coffee, a bit of liquorice and craploads of roasted malt. Too much coffee character!
Flavours include plenty of roasted malt, lots of ground coffee, in fact pretty much nothing else is noticeable, just a hint of faint sweet malt. Ends abruptly.
Body is very watery.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 07:19:36 | More by CrazyDavros

jpkoch1962

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep ruby opaque black. Sweet roasted malts dominated this beer, with a long lasting head and lace. This is a malty stout with subdued coffe taste that is dominated by firm malt base. Bittering was a bit low for the style, but still this is a outstanding beer. Nice firm body, smooth, and quite balanced.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 01:26:33 | More by jpkoch1962

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours deep brown with a big tan foamy head. Good retention and lots of splashy foam sticking to the glass all down the pint.

Fighting through the head, you still get a nice aroma of cocoa, some coffee, and dark roasted malt.

At the initial sip, you get some good dark roasted malt, some bitter chocolate, brown bread, and some smokiness akin to burnt toast. Finishes with some mild nuttiness and light bitterness. There is a slight sour twang in here, and that is a little bit of a detraction for me. Medium intensity of flavor -- I wanted a little more here.

Carbonation is spot on, although the body is on the thinner side of medium. A little loose.

An easier drinker for sure. Nothing heavy or cloying about this one. You could knock back pints of this all night. There are other stouts that I like more, but would not refuse this one. I'll have this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 13:04:28 | More by OtherShoe2

theopholis

California

3.25/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Apperance = Rich, dark mahogany with a tan head. Head is quite firm foamy, has good retention and leaves a decent lacing.

Smell = Strong roasty scents with hints of chocolate. A strong, malty backbone permeates.

Taste = Decent balance of coffee, lightly burnt toast with chocolate.

Mouthfeel = Medium body, decent carbonation. Has a nice stickiness to it.
Drinkability- About what you would expect from an English stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 23:06:15 | More by theopholis

gfreed

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Perhaps it's coincidental that the two best UK breweries in my opinion are in Scotland: Harviestoun and Orkney. And with the truly exceptional Dragonhead stout, Orkney may have pulled ever so slightly ahead of Harviestoun. If it weren't so expensive here in the USA I'd drink this with every meal-- well, that's a bit of hyperbole, but you get the point. From the opaque, clarinet-black color to the aromas of coffee, chocolate, rope (?) and lemons; from the roasty front end to the citrus tail end, this is a UK stout without peer. I'm now on a quest to drink the entire Orkney line.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 17:44:26 | More by gfreed

Traquairlover

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

500ml bottle poured into a tulip pint glass.

A = Rich, dark mahogany with a light tan very firm foamy head, leaves medium lacing.

S = Strong roasty scents, cocoa powder, mouthwatering.

T = Great balance of bitter coffee, lightly burnt toast with sweet cocoa and light traces of cream.

M = Medium body, good mouthcoating, feels like a much bigger beer than it actually is.

D = Very drinkable for as strong tasting as it is.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 18:07:54 | More by Traquairlover

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500 mL bottle at 48* into a Murphys pint glass.

A: This pours pitch black with some khaki-colored fizziness that goes away quickly.

S: The nose is of chocolate, coffee, and a powerful smoky/mesquite aroma.

T: It is roasty all around with boiled peanuts, chocolate, coffee, licorice, and a sour earthiness at the back end.

M: It has a very thin body, yet it is somewhat sticky.

D: It goes well with barbeque sunflower seeds so that's something. I won't be buying it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 04:09:02 | More by bucklemyshoe

drabmuh

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer weighs in at a monster 4% ABV. Its black / dark brown with a thin brown head of small bubbles that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Aroma is kind of sweet, mild malty, mild roast.

Beer is medium to light in body. Its sweet an mildly bitter but its mostly roasty at the back. Its a little thin for my tastes, but overall its a repeatable, good session stout. I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 03:40:21 | More by drabmuh

lou50rp

Maine

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark almost black in color. Head was brown and lasted for awhile.
Smell was dark chocolate/dark roast coffee smell. godd medium smell, not overpowering.
Taste was what smell promised. Good dark chocolate, dark roast coffee.
Mouth was coated a bit, a good feel.
Definitely drinkable.Very good stout taste. A nice treat on a cool summers eve.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2010 17:23:21 | More by lou50rp

aepb1

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A- Dark brown/black, big thick brown head

S- Smokey, roasted coffee though the nose is not all that strong

T- Sweet caramel up front, giving way to coffee and some hoppy bitterness

M- Smooth but a bit light for a stout. It's on the light side of medium

D- An interesting take on the style that makes it nice to revisit from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 02:20:43 | More by aepb1

aahynick

Florida

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

about 60 degree F into a pint glass
A- deep opaque black. Fine tan head.

S- smokey, malty and caramel.

T- smokiness, burn marshmallow, cocoa, and coffee

M- light to medium body with decent smoothness

D- a different take on stout. Very tasty but fairly expensive.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2010 03:07:52 | More by aahynick

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Orkney Orkney, the Skullsplitter I loved. Here's the stout.

Black and glassy. Nothing else. Chocolate milkshake looking head. I kept pouring the beer in the middle of the frothy goodness and the stream didn't even make a dent, total absorption. Even head at first, as it settle it looked like the surface of the moon (er, at least pictures of it).

Rich aroma of coffee, mocha-chino, caramel, and chocolate. Mouthwatering really. Faint overripe banana and some black plum.

Starts off the flavors with coffee, it seems thin. The prune turns to plum and a bit biting. the coffee is dry and the caramel aroma has nothing to offer in the taste. The flavors could use more muscle and thickness. Tastes similar to the Lion Stout from Sri Lanka.

Still a darn fine beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 04:51:06 | More by Mebuzzard

Bung

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

500ml. Poured black, tan head. Pretty solid looking for a small beer.

Aroma, Quite a bit of maltyness, some nice roasted notes and some earthy peat.

There wasn't a large pallet with this one, but the earthy roast malt and coffee is exactly what it should be. The faintest hint of lactose like qualities.

Clean finish and very drinkable. Good, almost creamy body. I thought this was an excellent example of an English, would have this regularly if it wasn't so damn expensive for a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 01:16:50 | More by Bung

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.55/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500 mL bottle without a freshness date pours a deep black color with a creamy, light brown foam. Good looking brew with decent retention and bountiful lacing.

Nose is different...ashy with some charred grape and fig fruitiness. Chalky and smoky with some layering of more traditional stout characteristics of roasty malty and cocoa.

Taste is definitely smoky, with a little peat and fruit to go along. Uniquely odd, but enjoyable nonetheless. Somewhat thin mouthfeel and the finish is so light, it disappears super-fast. Mild roast and a fair amount of chocolate with a substantial dusty chalk flavor as it warms. Sweetness is low, but ample. Has a myriad of flavors, that is for sure, but the steep pricetag of $5.75 would prevent me from purchasing this very often.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2010 14:26:56 | More by twiggamortis420

ianjsullivan

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

ST: Pint bottle poured into pint glass.

A: Dark, black, with a thick brown head.

S: Not a strong smell, but, there are some coffee notes, smoke, sugar and malt.

T: Fruity with some sugar and coffee.

M: Very light actually, lighter than I thought it would be.

D: For a stout, because it is light, it can be consumed rather easily.

Overall: Pretty good stout, not intense or heavy, but nice and fruity with some good smoke.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2010 15:22:20 | More by ianjsullivan

mithrascruor

California

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500 mL bottle poured into a mug.

Appearance: Pours a slightly glossy black color with nice tan head with some solidified bubbles and a bit rocky. Good retention.

Smell: Excellent balanced aroma of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. There's a bit of fresh herbs or spices in there as well.

Taste: Has a roasted malt flavor, but also a substantial bitter aroma that is more herbal than it is anything else. That latter flavor persists into the aftertaste. While not bad, it is a bit off for this style.

Mouthfeel: Has a certain dense feel to it, yet is still light- to medium-bodied. Has a rather tingly carbonation to it.

Drinkability: Low ABV and fairly tasty. Still, the herbal taste and the rather light mouthfeel count against it.

Looks and smells great, but it isn't such a great stout from this usually lovely Orcadian brewery. Still, it does have a bit of uniqueness to it that makes it certainly worth trying if you get the chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2010 03:16:35 | More by mithrascruor

giblet

Ohio

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

poured nicely into the glass with about one and a half inch of head. steady carbonation. good lacing down the glass. black in color. rich roasted smoky malt aroma. taste is lighter than i expected. the abv is rather light too. this would be a good one to have a couple with a meal.

suckem up and movem out.

giblet

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2010 17:17:57 | More by giblet

sammiles

Australia

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Grabbed this at Purvis Cellars, Melbourne.

As a Highland Park fan its great to grab beers from a place with as much history as Orkney. Love the label artwork and stories as well. Up there with Unibroue.

Nice dark black colour, what you hope for from a good English stout. Pretty good head retention. Lots of coffee bean smell and smells like a stout should. Taste was a bit of a let down. Maybe a little astringency and not as complex as I was hoping for. Maybe could use with a higher ABV? Leaves a nice smokey taste in the mouth though. Overall pretty solid, the Dark Island from these guys is better though.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 10:09:13 | More by sammiles

MisterClean

California

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Purchased at total wine in Tustin

A - Pours a dark, dark brown with 3 fingers of creamy capuccino head. Dissipates nice and slow and leaves moderate lacing. Beer appears to be full of hops by clumpiness of head.

S - Anise or licorice, dark coffee, and cinnamon. Some spicy hops in the background too.

T - A lot of caramel up front. Followed by dark roast coffee, bittering hops, slightly black peppery and finished with a few bittering hops. A little lactose too.

M - Light in body, slightly malt dominated, smooth, and yet with some slight astringency.

D - Good for style, but the mouthfeel leaves a bit to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 03:44:26 | More by MisterClean