Chocolate Stout - Rogue Ales

GMB

Japan

4.93/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The bottle tells us that this beer is made with "imported chocolate." If ever there were a beer to give us reason to consider the Reinheitsgebot as outdated, this beer is it.

Rogue Chocolate Stout pours a very deep, ebony body with a cappuccino head. When this beer is held up against a strong light source, orange and red hues are only barely visible at the top and bottom of the glass.

The nose is outstanding. Intense aromas of dark-roasted malt and dark chocolate mingle with floral notes that are both spicy and resinous.

The taste of this beer something that I'll crave in the coming weeks. As the nose suggested, the dark-roasted malt are at the fore, and come together in perfect balance with the bittering hops to create the flavor of coffee. Moreover, a perfect balance of hoppy bitterness, roasted malt and chocolate flavor, produces the distinct flavor of a mocha. This is the beer's main flavor base, in relief against which floral, peppery, and citrusy notes dance on the palate. The alcohol content is key here. It warms the palate just enough to complete the sensation of a warm mocha, and complements the hoppy aromatics with notes of dried fruits (e.g., raisins, figs, dried apricots, and prunes) without confusing or neutralizing them.

The mouthfeel is a just a bit gassier, which is to say sharper, than I would like. Its body is full and luscious; a perfect complement to its chocolatey taste. If only the foam on my tongue were as luscious and creamy as the beer's flavor demands...

I was fortunate to have had a handful of roasted nuts, dark and golden raisins, and a couple of chipotle chocolate almonds on hand as I enjoyed this beer. If you feel so inclined, I urge you to try any (or all) of these as snack pairings.

Why the perfect overall score despite the imperfect mouthfeel? Because the imperfection is so slight, and because Rogue's Chocolate Stout is not only among the best Chocolate Stouts out there, it is also among the best beers I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 01:25:07 | More by GMB

Bikeboy1

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-22-2013 19:31:45 | More by Bikeboy1

bf7

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-22-2013 16:19:49 | More by bf7

archyquaffer

Montana

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bomber into an 8 ounce sampling glass. The label states that the beer is made with imported chocolate. Rolled oats are also an ingredient. No freshness date is apparent. A moderate pour produces a 1/2 inch, light brown head that reduces quickly, leaving some marbly lacing that sticks a little to the glass. The beer is a very dark brown which almost lets no light escape...

You can really smell the chocolate, and possibly also hazel nuts- the beer reminds me of this brewery's brown ale, which is excellent. The hops are not real apparent in the aroma, but show up well in the taste and aftertaste, and seem to mesh perfectly with the chocolate flavor without overpowering anything. This was somewhat surprising, given the high number of IBUs (69). Despite the rather aggressive flavors/aromas, a hearty dose of roasted malt flavors and textures shine through. The beer is fairly dense in body but not as dense as one might expect, based on the color and other qualities.

I tend to balk at spending over 5 dollars for a bomber of beer, but I've never been disappointed with a Rogue product, and consider the money as well-spent.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:46:50 | More by archyquaffer

NastyNate11

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-20-2013 23:52:59 | More by NastyNate11

johntfox

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-20-2013 21:58:59 | More by johntfox

phunkychickita

Maine

4.89/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

This is, hands down, the best chocolate stout I've had the pleasure of trying to date. I keep searching for something equal or better tasting, as I don't see it often up in Maine, but alas... to no avail! This beer has just the most perfect blend of true chocolate flavor... not too sweet. It's like desert in a bottle for me!

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 16:22:20 | More by phunkychickita

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-20-2013 05:10:07 | More by Kmat10

rcjennings

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-19-2013 23:53:37 | More by rcjennings

aLenwell

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-19-2013 22:22:27 | More by aLenwell

birdsellam

Indiana

3/5  rDev -28.4%

05-19-2013 18:13:13 | More by birdsellam

Fubar1453

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-19-2013 14:18:30 | More by Fubar1453

supa0525

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-19-2013 13:32:30 | More by supa0525

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-19-2013 13:20:26 | More by Photekut

fredmugs

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-18-2013 00:53:25 | More by fredmugs

inanity

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +19.3%

05-18-2013 00:13:20 | More by inanity

hsus0225

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-17-2013 14:08:39 | More by hsus0225

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: This beer pours black with one and a half fingers of dark khaki colored head. The foam takes awhile to settle, leaving decent lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is Vanilla, milk chocolate, and a touch of marshmallow. Smells great.

T: This beer is nice and sweet. I get milk chocolate and vanilla right up front, but it's not overpowering. Sweet, but not too sweet. As it moves to the middle I get some roast and bitters on the back end. It's well balanced.

M: Full bodied beer. It's smooth, coating, but not too sticky. The sweetness hits the palate first but it transitions wonderfully into bitters as it fades.

O: Very nice beer. I didn't have a lot of expectations for this beer, so I am pretty darn impressed. The flavors are great, it's sweet but not overpowering, it's a great dessert beer. I would drink this again, and would recommend it to someone looking for a milder version of Southern Tier's Choklat.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 12:57:16 | More by trxxpaxxs

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-15-2013 17:20:06 | More by twenty5

Zimm

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-15-2013 17:14:01 | More by Zimm

Kylethebear

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-15-2013 00:20:28 | More by Kylethebear

Chris-MOC9

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-14-2013 02:59:46 | More by Chris-MOC9

pstam87

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-14-2013 02:03:38 | More by pstam87

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-11-2013 21:20:24 | More by MinorThreat

TheBadger0289

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-11-2013 01:15:30 | More by TheBadger0289