Darkness - Surly Brewing Company

starrdogg

District of Columbia

3.58/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at ChurchKey. 2011 vintage. Thanks to the folks over there for bringing in all of the great Surly beer!

It pours black with a pretty significant brown head and nice lacing. The smell isn't quite what I expected, there is very little roast or coffee and instead the aroma is more sweet and chocolate with a little bit of alcohol. The taste is also much sweeter than I was hoping for. Chocolate is the primary flavor here and there even seems to be a hint of dark fruit. For my palate though, it's just a little too sweet and could've used some more roast to balance it out a little. Mouthfeel was medium bodied, not as full as your average RIS, but very smooth. I was really hoping that my second experience with Surly Darkness would be more impressive than the first, but this beer and I just aren't on the same page. It's not a bad beer, but I really don't understand why everyone goes crazy over it, it's too sweet and doesn't have a whole lot else going on.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 14:17:04 | More by starrdogg

Agold

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Darknesss...
Pours with a nice short off white head that recedes to a small ring around the edge of the glass. Very very dark beer. No lacing. Aroma is a bit fruitier than I would have expected. Some roast and cocoa. Flavor goes fruitiness, coffee, then cocoa. There is a mild smokiness as well. Mouthfeel is a bit lighter than I would have expected for this beer. Was looking for a bit more body. Good carbonation though. Not too sweet, not too bitter, very enjoyable beer. Lived up to the hype for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 05:47:13 | More by Agold

smakawhat

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

4 oz. pour into a small snifter at Churchkey DC. Vintage 2011.

A real nice dark cocoa brown head is presented, falls slowly. Manages to leave a real nice whispy puck and collar while finishing. Body color gives a slightly good oily sheen, but nothing filimy, and the body color is nearly jet black (I'll go walnut black)

Nose hits with mild char, faint milk chocolate, incredibly soft bodied and silky smelling, like whipped up mocha. Unfortunately there's something also medicinal on this as well.

Taste goes to sweetened coffee, and warming hot cocoa. A very noticeable taste of confectioners sugar, maybe even some maple. It's nicely balanced though between all these palate flavors, maybe even some faint hop bitter on the finish. Palate matches the sense of smelling velvet and rich silk. But incredibly sweet tasting though and mostly just "noticeably sweet" which makes it a bit one dimensional.

Overall though, it reminds me too much of CBS on tap but nowhere as impressive, and has that noticeable sugar sweetness which gets to me a bit. It's an impressive beer, but I just don't enjoy drinking this at all compared to others I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 00:25:14 | More by smakawhat

russwbeck

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2011 Run on-tap at a Surly event at Churchkey in DC.

A: The pour is fittingly black with at least a finger of thick brown head. The lacing really coats the glass nicely with a creamy head that seemingly lasts forever.

S: The aroma starts continues the wonderful experience that is Surly Darkness. Roast mixes with the chocolate and molasses in amounts that you'd expect from a good RIS. A slight booze character ties is all together.

T: Deep, dark, delicious chocolate just dominates the taste. Overall it is sweet, but not cloyingly so as sometimes experience with big Russian Imperial Stouts. The roast really helps out here. It is subtle but as the beer warms and the booze sticks out its head, the roast lends a nice balance.

MF: Darkness rests really thick on the palate, yet still boasts a nice amount of carbonation. The finish is not as dry as I had anticipated, but a warming alcohol sensation is noted. This is just so drinkable it's on a different level compared to other big stouts.

O: This rare Surly offering blows me away each time I have it. Really stands alone without the help of barrel aging. A must try for big beer lovers anywhere.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 22:43:26 | More by russwbeck

timtim

District of Columbia

4.45/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pitch black with a coffee-and-cream colored head that held and left pretty lace. nose was chocolate cake, coffee, sweet chocolate covered malt balls, blueberry, blackberry, more dark fruit, a hint of booze and a healthy hoppiness. taste was nicely rounded with a strong sweetness that harmonized with and was balanced by coffee acridness and bitter hoppiness. dark fruit, malt and milky chocolate in the middle. full, velvety body. sticky and chewy at times it seemed as well. great beer. well done. couldn't pass up the opportunity to taste this one, and glad i didn't.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 12:50:48 | More by timtim

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

served on-tap at Churchkey in DC for the Surly invasion. 2011 vintage. review from notes.

A: pitch black body with perhaps some ruby highlights around the edges. brown head with a cloaking lace. good retention.

S: black licorice. coconut. brown sugar. caramel. i know this wasnt barrel aged, but there are minor oak/bourbon notes.

T: coffee, espresso, chocolate molten-lava cake all at once. the roast/coffee flavor lingers long into the finish. residual sugar as well. and smoke.

M: fine carbonation on a very full sweet body.

D: this is one super sweet RIS, but super tasty. for only being the 2011 vintage, im surprised on how there is essentially no heat. great dessert beer or could be a great steak beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 01:56:42 | More by Jimmys

schmoopsbeer

California

4.4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Millah for my Surly needs
2011 vintage
shared and pured into snifter

Color: Deep, dark, and black. a beautiful tan head of 1 1/2 finger head forms at the end of your pour. Light lacing and some good head retention are left behind in the glass.

Nose: Big time roasted malts... like so big in your face roasted malts. A delightful hop aroma arises from this beer along with hints of espresso and mild chocolate.

Palate: Boom! Out of the gate you get bitter coffee along with the perfect compliment to it sweet mild chocolate. As the beer makes it down your tongue you get many different aspects of this beer: roasted malts, hops and a tad of warmth from the abv. The drinkablity of this beer is just sublime, the carbonation is just right and this full bodied beer just goes down easy.

Finish: Near perfect Russian Imperial Stout. Quite layered with a long finish. you can taste this beer well after you have taken down your sip. A nice bitterness come through here along with a gentle sweetness to chase it away. Just good.

Rating: 96/100

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 08:47:10 | More by schmoopsbeer

litheum94

California

4.73/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2 for 1 review! Did a side by side of the 2010 and 2011 vintage. The 2011 definitely wins for label (the Zombie is awesome!).

2011 Vintage:
Pours a dark black, coal colored body. Tan head, not much besides some pools of bubbles.

Milk chocolate, sweet plums, slight whiskey barrel, even though this isn't BA.

Sweet milk chocolate, espresso bean and some oakiness. Smooth and creamy. Light hopping, some woodiness. Dark fruit sweetness.

This is an awesome, smooth, delicious stout. I can't believe this isn't barrel aged.

2010 Vintage:
Black body, with a small, tan head that leaves a pool of bubbles.

Aromas of dark chocolate, chicory and espresso beans. Some boozy, warming aromas.

Dark chocolate, bitter and sweet. Woody bitterness and espresso. Warming booziness, with some whiskey like tones.

Not quite as smooth, but a great stout.

The fresher vintage was a little better to me, but this is just a great stout. Do not miss this one!

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 23:55:45 | More by litheum94

Gary779

South Africa

4.3/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2011 Vintage - Zombie

A: As the beer pours, it has a black-brown colour. It has a strong coffee coloured head that develops quite nicely and has great retention. Leaves nice chunky lace as well.

S: Quite hoppy, with clear aromas of coffee and cocoa. The hops aroma has elements of middle eastern herbs. Upon a swirl, the beer gives off a very sweet aroma, filled with dark fruits and vanilla.

T: There is an initial sweetness that tells you a lot of the final gravity of the beer (it IS a heavy beer). A lot of molasses and dark fruits, like dates and plums. Aside from that the taste is just BIG and complex. Alcohol became too prominent after the beer warmed up to room temperature.

M: Beer is heavy and very smooth. It has a certain oilyness that works wonderfully. Carbonation is silky smooth.

O: I was expecting better, but this is nonetheless a brilliant beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 19:04:16 | More by Gary779

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.58/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, 10,3% Abv.
Served Lightly chilled in an over sized wine glass.
2011 Zombie Vintage

Thanks to futura123 for hooking me up with this one, it was one of my first wants after joining BA!

Appearance: Well, what do you expect from a beer called Darkness? Pitch black in the glass, with only the faintest deep red edges visible when held to the light. A rough pour yields a massive coffee coloured head that lasts stunningly well for such a big beer and even leaves some thick lacing on the upper reaches of the glass as it recedes.

Smell: Wow, this is way hoppier than I expected! A stunning mixture of rich cocoa, black coffee and grassy hops make up the initial sniff. Further inspection reveals an unexpected sweetness, dark fruits, molasses, roasted malt, light char, liquorice and a touch of vanilla. As the beer approaches room temperature a hint of the 10,3% is noted.

Taste: Absolutely delicious! The initial flavour is sweet with notes of molasses, dark fruits and liquorice. This quickly fades into cocoa, strong coffee, roasted malt, light char, more molasses and finally to a lingering bitter coffee and grassy hop finish.
The 10,3% is almost perfectly covered and is only there to remind you not to gulp!

Mouthfeel: Perfect! Full, slightly sticky body with a low level of super smooth carbonation. The finish is lingering with a light dryness.

Overall: This is a stunning big stout, I cannot thank William enough for sending this bottle my way! I am going to have to try and get a bottle of each future release!

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 21:38:35 | More by Thehuntmaster

bjohn84

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Reviewed a 2011 bottle.. cellered for 4 months.. poured into a darkness snifter

A - Jet black with a red hue towards the top. Thin tan head with excellent lacing

S - Cocoa nibs come first, berries and fruits

T - Chocolate covered fruits up front. Strawberries, cherries, Molasses, raisins. Bold burn from the alcohol numbs the tongue after the swallow, but doesn't overpower the robust flavor. Dry bitterness tends to come through on the back end

M - Fairly low carbonation and very full bodied. Quite a bit of stickiness in the mouth

O - Very complex RIS with new flavors coming through the longer I sip on it. Very filling, but drinks and goes down very smooth.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 04:38:57 | More by bjohn84

neorunner

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Blind Beer #5 - Thanks to Dougofthefuture in Round 6 of the Blind Beer BIF

Friend refurbished an old office and turned it into a man cave. Copper clad bar, recliners, two draft taps, and a flat screen TV. What better way to break it in than with a tasting. So I decided to grab a 22oz bottle from my stash of blind beers and cart it along with some other tasty for the event.

Eight participants total in this tasting and after a couple bottles we decided we should taste the blind beer before our palettes were too fatigued. Beer poured jet black with nice creamy dark tan head. Aroma is chocolate and malt with a slight fusel tinge. This is an imperial stout, no doubt about it. Pass the bottle around and everyone takes a pour. The aroma on this beer is great, I could sniff it all night long. Flavor is velvety chocolate deliciousness. I immediately start thinking its a bottle of Stone 12th Anni. I would have went with Darkness, but no wax on the bottle. Mouth feel is smooth and viscous in body and little to no hop acidity in the back of my mouth. Everyone unanimously enjoyed this beer.

The reveal: Darkness 2011! A want and a very tasty treat. I'm glad I was able to share it with a bunch of friends as I would have been under the table trying to drink that on my own. Not that I wouldn't have tried. Taking the wax off was a slick move and a great way to throw me off the trail.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 19:58:58 | More by neorunner

eclipse54

Idaho

4.28/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A 2010 bottle sent from inlimbo77; thank you! Split at a tasting on 01/03/2012, and reviewed from notes taken then.

Body is pitch black with a viscous appearance and a deep brown head that is darker than many other beers' body; minimal retention and moderate lacing, though not surprising. Aroma is of vanilla, chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, faint roasted malt, date, raisin, and a touch of plum. Very well balanced. Tastes of vanilla, dark cherries, milk chocolate, caramel, cane sugar, and slight roasted malts. Surprisingly smooth and complex. Mouthfeel is thick in texture, but it goes down smoothly with a creamy finish that thinly coats the mouth. Overall, a great RIS. It has a lot going on flavor-wise, but does well to balance them into a single, cohesive offering. This was the highlight of the tasting.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 18:44:03 | More by eclipse54

MADhombrewer

Oregon

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

2011 batch. Thanks to Hopsbreath for this.

Appearance- Black with a small tan head. Good lacing. 4.5/5

Smell- Dominately chocolate and vanilla. Bits of coffee. 4.5/5

Taste- Coffee and chocolate are first in the taste. Little vanilla in the background. Bits of alcohol. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel- Thicker than the average RIS but not by much. Some dryness at the end. 4.5/5

Overall- This isn't the first time I have had it but the first time I reviewed it. Very good RIS. I would have this again for sure. 4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 14:50:09 | More by MADhombrewer

drowland

Florida

4.38/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12/23/10. Huge thanks to DalzAle for this one! Shared at the QC get-together, I believe. Sweet raisins and dark fruits with licorice, dark candy sugar, a touch of booze, and plenty of chocolate. Sweet chocolate up front with plenty of coffee and dark fruits in there as well. Very nice!

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 22:35:18 | More by drowland

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.45/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

150th Review
Bottles to Westvletren 12 (small) chalice

From notes. This lengthy review comes as a result of a tasting in Utrecht (December 2011) where we compared the 2008 (Devil), 2009 (Mummy), 2010 (Vampire), and 2011 (Zombie) all in a row. Only one missing is 2007, but let's be honest - no one has any of those left. A real treat to try all of these vintages at once - thanks to Jeffo and doopiedoopiedoo for their generosity!

We started with the youngest vintage and worked our way back. My favorite of the vintages was 2010, so that's what my review above is based on - I didn't want to get into complicated weighted averging and what not. My notes below were quite simple because we blazed through these four beers rather quickly.

Zombie - Vintage 2011
A: Dark burgundy. Faint (off white) fingernail head on vigorous pour.

S: Cocoa, espresso, and burnt dark malt.

T: Molasses, dark chocolate, fig, and oak.

M: Medium-full bodied with minimal carbonation.

O: Quite young and needs some age.

Vampire - Vintage 2010
A: Opaque black. Half (tan) fingernail head on medium pour.

S: Sweet booze with a wonderful balance of currants, fig, dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, and charred dark malt.

T: Brilliant, smooth, rich, and complex. Dark cherry, robust oakness, and sweet chocolate. Nice!

M: Full bodied with hidden (low) carbonation.

O: Just how a RIS should drink - dark, strong, bold, and smooth!

Mummy - Vintage 2009
A: Dark brown. 1.5+ (mocha) fingernail head on medium pour.

S: Fresh garden of veggies - green pepper, squash, and . Very boozy as well. Not too inviting.

T: Tastes better than it smells. Deep, dark fruit, cinnamon, semi-sweet chocolate, and very roasted dark malt.

M: Full bodied with medium carbonation.

O: Seems a bit off to me, but I'm not sure how this is supposed to hold up with age. I would assume alright, but maybe it has fallen off already.

Devil - Vintage 2008
A: The coolest label of them all! Opaque brown. Barely a single (off-mocha) fingernail head on gentle pour.

S: Caramel, dark chocolate, and oak. Hint of green pepper, but it may just be lingering from the 2009 pour.

T: Wow! Sweet caramel, molasses, brandy, and dark chocolate. Nice and robust; very well-balanced.

M: Full bodied with soft (perfect) carbonation.

O: Nice and smooth - seems to have done fine with age, so I think the 2009 vintage is just off. Tasty brew for sure!

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 21:02:52 | More by spdyfire83

kbanks13

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Opened this bottle that I got from a trade with plumcrazyfx (Thanks!) to celebrate qualifying for National Collegiate Powerlifting Championships.

2010 vintage poured into a snifter

Looked black as night with a short layer of light brown head. About what I'd expect, though I have to admit that, for some reason, it looked more sinister than most stouts as it sat in my glass. The smell was fruity and fudgey, think brandy soaked cherries and rich dark chocolate. Almost thought of a Black Forest cake. Slightly astringent though and not as sugary sweet as that analogy would lead on. No hops to speak of. The taste was incredible. Lots of the aforementioned chocolate and dark cherries, but also a noticeable brown sugar/caramel component and a smooth coffee flavor. Not a very sweet beer, but not bitter or tart either, just right. Barely noticeable hops, but that was perfect. Just enough to add some balance. Feel was velvety smooth and thick like motor oil, just like a stout this big should be.

I was, overall, very impressed and can definitely say that the hype around this beer is well founded. I don't think I'll be getting my hands on another bottle any time soon, but if I ever do, I hope it will be as enjoyable as this one was.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 17:27:56 | More by kbanks13

pschul4

Illinois

2.2/5  rDev -51.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2008 vintage shared with my tasting group

A- Just what you'd expect from a RIS. Very dark and little head/retention

S- Meh. This smells licorice-y with some dark fruits in the background. Also picking up some roasty notes

T- First thing that comes to mind is "Licorice Juice." I'm not digging this at all. I was glad to have guys in my group who enjoyed this as I didn't have to pour mine down the drain.

M- Decent carbonination with some chewiness which I like but the flavor makes this impossible to enjoy.

O- Was this beer too aged? Maybe, I'm sure there are plenty of people that will enjoy this beer, I'm just not one of them. I want to try a fresh bottle to see differences

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 15:22:32 | More by pschul4

angelmonster

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewing the 2010 vintage

Pours a nice 1 finger milk chocolate head, body is pitch black. Head retention was good and lacing was very good.

Smell is of rich chocolate cake batter, roasted coffee, charred oak, and slight alcohol. As soon as I opened bottle, aromas went directly in my nose. There is also some oxidation, prunes, but no hops.

Taste is charred oak, burnt chocolate malt, slightly bitter coffee, and chalky bakers chocolate. There is slight soy sauce/oxidation and prunes but chocolaty sweetness helps hide it. Hops really arent detected here. Alcohol is slightly present but for 10 percent, its very smooth

Mouthfeel is nice and rich, almost chewy. Carbonation is on the higher side but it helps to keep the body from becoming too syrupy. Small head of foam adds some nice texture to the beer.

Overall this beer was pretty good. Been waiting acouple years to try this beer and glad I finally got my hands on it. As a big vampire fan was really stoked to get this vintage but at around 18 bucks a bottle, dont know if I'd trade for it again. Tasty stout though, glad I received it in a BIF

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 05:25:20 | More by angelmonster

WillCarrera

Illinois

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

On-tap at Bangers and Lace in Chicago. Poured into a snifter.

A- Pours pretty damn dark, black with a finger of creamy coffee colored head, eventually settles down to a thin collar, good lacing.

S- Sweet aroma, lots of fruit, chocolate, not as much smoke or burnt malt as I expected, rounded out by sweet booze.

T- Very sweet overall. Has a decadent center of raisins, cherries and slightly spicy, warm alcohol. Finishes with a more pronounced charred malt with coffee and melted dark chocolate, lingering sweetness. Hop bitterness provides a nice base but is totally outclassed by the big, sweet malts on this beer.

M- Full-bodied, creamy, chewy, rich, coats the palate with a slightly syrupy, thick feel.

O- An impressive, forbidding beer with huge flavors. Definitely among the best of the Russian Imperial Stouts.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 04:03:04 | More by WillCarrera

JayAre46

Texas

4.47/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Huge ups to Jordan for this one, i really appreciate it.
split with DC - sick zombie painted bottle, red wax. been waiting a while to crack this one. poured into a tulip, pitch black and heavy, nice khaki head sits on top and does fall until disturbed. the aroma is of a soft sweet milk chocolate, sweet molasses, roasted malt and is warming. the taste is just absolutely on point, follows the nose with some dark chocolates that are just take over by the molasses and sugars but not cloying also don't get any fruit and maybe a molecule of coffee bean. as sweet as this is i am really enjoying it, i feel like it is clean and not messy although sweet is usually not my thing this is a great tasting RIS. the body is full and slick. creamy and soothing on the palate. i could easily drink the whole bottle. overall i am very happy i got to try and share this. very well made and fresh this beer drinks like is has been aged for a year. the only knock for me is there is just not a "wow" factor which is completely fine. i did not find it overly sweet as i have heard throughout. i most likely will not be seeking this again unless it just falls into place. nonetheless a great RIS. DARKNESS>DARKLORD

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 08:38:47 | More by JayAre46

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4.59/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I acquired a 2010 750ml bottle (Vampire label). Poured into a tulip glass from the big bottle. Pours dark black with a dark brown thin head that lasts nicely throughout. Aromatics of chocolate, figs, raisin, dark tart which is exactly what the flavor suggests. Flavor also picks up notes of coffee. Sticky mouthfeel. Puckering smooth RIS!

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 22:58:27 | More by CuriousMonk

stealth

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had Darkness on-tap at Darkness Day 2011. Lots of chocolate and dark fruits in the aroma. Some coffee. Extraordinary aroma. First taste was heavenly - tons of chocolate, fruit. I thought chocolate covered figs. Sticky sweetness overtook everything as I worked through each glass, however, and detracted quite a bit from the overall experience. Have some bottles aging in hopes that the sweetness gets a bit subdued. "Did you expect it to be that sweet" was the most common thing I overheard at DD this year.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2012 11:35:09 | More by stealth

dcloeren

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

"Rick James used to call me and my brother Darkness. This was back before Wesley Snipes when we was tha darkest niggas on tha planet." - Charlie Murphy

Thanks to my boy JR for sharing this bottle with me.

2011 vintage

Poured pitch black with 2 fingers of dark tan head. Pretty solid retention that slowly receded to a thin bubbly film... no lacing.

Very sweet aromas of dark fruits, berries, figs all covered in chocolate with a little bit of caramel and coffee to round it out. Smells heavenly. The aroma literally explodes out of the glass as it is being poured.

Taste follows the nose. Sweet sweet chocolate covered fruits and figs. Very slight coffee taste, perfectly roasted malt, and a little bit of caramel. Delicious and decadent.

Full bodied with a minimal amount of carbonation. Not extremely thick but it coats every inch of my mouth with each sip. Top notch mouthfeel.

This was an amazing stout. I loved every bit of it. This beer was just a power house without being over the top with anything. If this beer was a linebacker, it would be Brian Urlacher. Just a bad mother fucker and knows it but doesn't have to go around telling everyone how good he is. Top notch for sure. Big thanks again to JR for sharing this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:18:47 | More by dcloeren

Pintofbrown

Iowa

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

I had the 2011 vintage of Darkness in a nonic pint.

Appearance- There is one-finger of smooth and dense, brown sugar - colored head. The retention is is really decent. It really does not want to die. Of course, the body is completely black.

Smell- The dark fruits are blasting out of the glass! This is a sweet nose, but it is anchored by the grassy and biting hops and slight alcohol burn. Roast also comes through after a little while. So much going on, and all of it fantastic.

Taste- The drink goes even deeper than the nose hinted at. The front of the drink is slightly sweet with milk chocolate and the dark fruits, like currants. The middle of the drink has a little bit of roastiness and the sweet alcohol taste. Thankfully, it is not overpowering.

The finish is very chocolatey and incredibly hoppy. It is not what you would usually expect from an RIS, but it compliments the beer so well, it makes you wonder why every RIS does not finish like this.

Mouth feel- This one has pretty decent coating, still a little watery. However, The body is pretty big and chewy, so it makes up for it.

Overall- The taste of this RIS is even better than the smell. And the hoppy character adds a nice little spin to the style. I would love to try this one aged for a year or two!

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 16:43:52 | More by Pintofbrown