Four - Surly Brewing Company

GeezLynn

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Huge, frothy camel colored head atop a dark brown, just barely transparent body. Great retention that eventually results in a goopy collar.

S: Unique. Sweet, with espresso, milk chocolate, a little roasted barley and the strongest lactose smell I have experienced in a milk stout. Smells a little like heated milk before you add the cocoa mix.

T: Roasted malt and sweet milk sugars are the big players. Lactose is a little overbearing at first, but malt and espresso really come together as the beer warms. Flavor is little bitter, but chocolate comes through more as powdered cocoa than dark chocolate. Slight alcohol bite.

M: Light and a little sticky, with moderate carbonation. A little dead for such a big beer, but this is pretty standard for the style.

Nice for something different and definitely worthy of the Surly label. In comparison to Depth Charge, the other big coffee sweet stout I've had, this one is much sweeter with less coffee character. If you're sitting on a bottle of this and are a big fan of espresso, I wouldn't wait too much longer to drink this.

Thanks for the bottle Meagan and Nick!

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 04:42:46 | More by GeezLynn

Localdrinklax

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

04-26-2013 07:48:11 | More by Localdrinklax

ryancl

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

04-22-2013 18:03:32 | More by ryancl

plumcrazyfx

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

04-14-2013 18:58:24 | More by plumcrazyfx

stealth

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

04-07-2013 06:40:45 | More by stealth

MNBeer1017

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -7.8%

03-30-2013 01:37:23 | More by MNBeer1017

Sparky44

Illinois

3/5  rDev -30.9%

03-23-2013 22:19:15 | More by Sparky44

roostor07

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +15.2%

03-02-2013 17:44:20 | More by roostor07

imperialking

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

03-01-2013 00:20:46 | More by imperialking

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

02-26-2013 04:46:19 | More by sacrelicio

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev -7.8%

02-26-2013 01:55:03 | More by t0rin0

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

4.26/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

This beer was released in February of 2010. I've had it in my cellar for 3 years stored at 42.5 degrees.

A - Black as night with a nice frothy beep brown head.

S - Chocolate and coffee are prevalent midst roasted malts.

T - Sharp coffee flavor with nice roasted creaminess in the malt.

M - Smooth and creamy. I have to imagine the milk sugar has really added to the nice texture of this brew.

~ This is an amazing beer. I imagine the brew's sharp coffee flavor may have been a bit more mild had I not aged it for three years. Either way, the cellaring of the beverage hasn't harmed the beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 21:30:59 | More by cdkrenz

Azrael

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

02-20-2013 05:55:48 | More by Azrael

yokken

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

02-17-2013 20:34:22 | More by yokken

djrn2

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

02-10-2013 01:52:54 | More by djrn2

acurtis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -7.8%

02-10-2013 01:50:12 | More by acurtis

BierVogel

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

01-25-2013 14:40:40 | More by BierVogel

spycow

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

01-12-2013 00:16:55 | More by spycow

nmann08

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

01-06-2013 04:36:37 | More by nmann08

theCoder

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -7.8%

11-05-2012 18:49:22 | More by theCoder

steveimthatguy

5/5  rDev +15.2%

10-31-2012 08:19:59 | More by steveimthatguy

3Hops

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +15.2%

10-29-2012 03:42:16 | More by 3Hops

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to BeerTwinke for this bottle!
Poured in to tulip glass.

A - Poured black. Half a finger of espresso coloured head formed and reduced to a ring around the edges of the glass with a few scattered bubbles throughout. Good lacing.

S - Big espresso aroma up front despite the two years of age on this bottle. Roast and a fairly prominent sweetness from the milk sugar. Some milk chocolate and dark caramel aromas are also present.

T - A huge roast presence is met with a big sweetness up front. The espresso hits mid-palate and is not as robust as the nose indicated, which is a good thing as it allows the other flavours to play a bigger role. Sweet milk chocolate, dark caramel and molasses notes add layers of complexity. The finish has a mix of bitter espresso and sweet milk sugar, reminiscent of cappuccino.

M - Medium to full body with a really big chew. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 16:36:16 | More by TheSevenDuffs

schneid

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.8%

10-11-2012 02:06:16 | More by schneid

hara94

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

09-20-2012 14:25:08 | More by hara94