Chocolate Stout - Rogue Ales

Klym

California

3.95/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Watched the bartender pour this one from the tap and it came out like mud in comparison to the other beers he poured. Classic frothy nitro head. Beer is very dark-- really surprised this isn't an imperial stout.

S: Sweet chocolate, roasted nuts, grains, slightly curdled vanilla milk and a strong oatmeal character. Again really surprised this is a single stout, lots of aroma flowing from this.

T: Pretty much the same as the nose but less vanilla and the chocolate was a little more bitter than expected, which was actually welcome. Solid taste.

M: Like most nitros I kind of get torn because the head is so creamy it's hard for the body to match. Despite it being a common problem I really felt the beer itself was too watery for the taste and the head, it was really mismatching. Otherwise I thought the tastes spread well and it was pleasant to have in the mouth.

O: I honestly haven't enjoyed the vast majority of rogue beers I've had before but this one caught me off guard. It's not mind blowing, had some small flaws, and none of the tastes were entirely unfamiliar, but for a non-imperial stout I give this high marks.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-08-2011 05:39:26 | More by Klym

ryantaussig

New York

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good beer and even better on the nitro tap. Looks absolutely beautiful with a dark brown 1 inch head. The nitro adds a certain amount to the aroma and gives it a wonderfully smooth texture. Lots of chocolatey flavor and aroma. A solid stout that goes down easy and is just lovely.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-20-2011 18:18:41 | More by ryantaussig

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-Deep, dark blackish brown body with a huge, nitro creamy tan head that held on strong and left copious, thick lace.

S-Like an espresso covered Tootsie Roll! Rich cocoa powder and chocolate syrup poke out from a roasted coffee bitterness.

T-Mmm, mmm, super creamy sweet chocolate meld with bitter sharp espresso and dark chocolate. A bit of earthy hoppiness in the roasty, dry finish.

M-Medium bodied, super smooth with a nice lingering bitterness.

D-Simply great! Full of flavour with a wonderful aroma. I feel the nitro delivery added wonders to this brew. Plenty of hop/roasted malt bitterness with just enough sweetness to smooth things out. Masterful!

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-13-2010 13:06:37 | More by Deuane

MURF0320

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On nitro-tap
Opaque black body with creamy tan head, excellent retension and thick lacing at every sip. Smells like a gourmet desert, melted dark chocolate and dark roasted malts. Naturally the taste is dominated by chocolate. Starts with pure rich chocolate and roasted chocolate malt and finishes with a nice bitterness. Mouthfeel was soft and creamy, although slightly thinner than expected. Enjoyable drinkability sustained itself throughout the pint.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-21-2010 21:29:54 | More by MURF0320

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Lagers in Metairie, LA.

Deep and dark, pretty much opaque. Bright caramel head Looks so tasty.

Smells tasty. Some fruits come through, definite chocolate, a little smokiness. Smelling this beer is very satisfying. It took me a minute to get to that first sip.

Wonderfull. The initial sip was great stout flavors, roasted malts, and such. Then the chocolate hits you at the end after you swallow.

It's very rich and heavy, finished clean and sweet. Chewy goodness.

The beers greatness makes the drinkability soar. It's not too strong, so sit back and enjoy a few.

Ive had this in the big bottles, but it doesnt compare to having it on tap. If you get a choice, tap all the way.

Cheers.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-20-2009 01:03:37 | More by EgadBananas

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this in a bottle some time ago and I wasn't a big fan.

a: Very dark brown color, served to me with a lovely, creamy, dark mocha colored head.

s: Chocolate dominates here. Hershey's syrup with an edge of roastiness to it.

t: Mirrors the smell, as advertised. This is much better than the bottle I had. The chocolate flavors are gentle, complimenting the slightly bitter, roasty malts. There was a little licorice here as well.

m: I'm a sucker for nitro, I love a creamy stout.

d: The bottle was probably old, time for a deletion. Dangerously drinkable and delicious.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-28-2009 20:43:13 | More by DIM

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On nitro-tap at Brass Rail Deli on 4/20/09.

A - Dark chocolate brown body with a massive three-finger dense, creamy tan head that retained exceptionally well and left thick swatches of foam on the glass.

S - Rich, potent cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate syrup aroma that pretty much dominates the nose. A hint of caramel and toffee malt appeared as it warmed up a bit, but the aroma is essentially chocolate through and through.

T - Sweet and malty chocolate flavor that quickly segues into a more bitter character reminiscent of cocoa nibbs. A touch of earthy hop bitterness appears during the finish, but the flavor is all about decadent yet delectable chocolate.

M - Medium bodied with a smooth, creamy texture and soft nitro mouthfeel. Bitterness is steadfast and lingers on the palate for the duration.

D - This is easily one of the best smelling chocolate stouts I've come across, and this also has a pretty aggressive bitterness to boot! The nitro pour gave it a pleasantly soft and smooth mouthfeel as well. Excellent stuff from Rogue!

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-21-2009 11:58:30 | More by ffejherb

MeanGene

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

An extremely good chocolate stout.

Lucky enough to find it on Nitro-tap at Elmer Sudd's in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I've had it out of the 22oz bottle as well. Pours midnight black with a good-sized tannish head. Smells like pure milk chocolate...unreal! Mouthfeel and taste are exactly how the good Lord envisioned...very noticeable coffee and milk chocolate overtones.

I am a big fan of Rogue and this is unquestionably one of their best offerings...Definitely worth a try!

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-22-2008 18:32:18 | More by MeanGene

BusyNinja

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This was on nitro-tap. What the hell was my favorite beer bar thinking? Talk about almost ruining a great beer. This isn't Guiness so don't make the mistake of treating it like Guiness.

Appearance - dark as a no-star night in Maine. So dark you can't find your way through the forest.

Smell - I swear nitro-refrigeration affects the aroma, even if it's only in my mind. Overly cooled brew, no hints of chocolate, cara, or coffee. No hop aroma (not surpising). Just a little bit of bland malty aroma.

Taste - A touch of chocolate. My guess is that due to the nitro-pour, no way this brew was ever going to warm up to a decent temp and consistency in my life time. Bottled is way better. Hops, however light, seemed murdered by the nitro.

Mouthfeel - a little thin

Drinkability - just okay, didn't get a second, which is unusual. Too cold, too bland.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-04-2007 02:38:15 | More by BusyNinja

artusory

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Draft at Friscos. Served on Nitro as Rogue Nitro Stout. Black body with a small, tan head. Mostly lasting. The aroma is heavy with dark chocolates. The flavor is milk chocolate, bitter dark chocolates, some coffee. Medium body with a slightly bitter, tanic finish.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-09-2006 03:07:02 | More by artusory

AlexJ

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Mmmm, nitro-tap (Homer Simpson drool). I have to say, a fresh nitro-tap is the only way to enjoy this stout of stouts!
-Pours pitch black with the most fantastic, creamy head imaginable. Lacing goes beyong what I consider normal, there are actually multiple layers of lace-rings that cling till' the end-spectacular!
-Aroma bursting with sweet, roasty choc. malt, cappucino, faint plum, and piney hops.
-Tastes soooo much better that bottled version. Huge bittersweet chocolate and coffee notes followed by carmalized sweetness and a lingering piney hop bite. Like a big, creamy glass of chocolate cake. The hop flavor is much more pronounced than in the bottled version.
-Lush, creamy mouthfeel. Full-bodied with silk-like carbonation. Finishes with a balance of chocolate malt flavors and bright, sprucey hops.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-14-2004 17:07:54 | More by AlexJ

soulfly967

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Smokin' Joes in Pittsburgh. This is one top notch beer. Poured a beautiful black with awesome cascading action, a brown head that stuck around to the very end and left awesome lacing. The smell is of dark chocolate, roasted malts and some hops. The taste, AMAZING. Dark chocolate and toasted malts, with the aftertaste of a chocolate truffel. The mouthfeel was rich and creamy, just as expected. It was so good I had to have another. Very drinkable, yet another awesome brew from our friends at Rogue!

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-10-2004 15:08:09 | More by soulfly967

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

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Portion of a 22 oz bottle into a regular glass.

A: Pours a dark burgundy color with good opacity. The head is a two finger mocha shade. Good lacing is left down the glass.

S: There's a decent chocolate character backed by some roasted malts and citrusy hops. The chocolate is sweet, though a touch off putting. Far from bad, though.

T: Chocolate gives way to a roasted barley finish, laced with some bitter hops. It strikes a better balance than the double version. All in all, the flavor profile is simple, but not cloying.

M: It's dry and light...at first. This initial sensation cleanses the chocolate sweetness well, however it doesn't fully clean it up. Therefore, it strikes me as unfocused, as it's caught between 'dessert beer' or 'drinkable dry stout'. Drinkable, though.

O: This would make a rock-solid everyday stout if it were A) in 6 packs and B) less expensive. It's still a decent offering, and better than the double.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 21:54:17 | More by ThisWangsChung

itlnstallion11

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25

A- pours a dark almost opaque black with a nice thick tan head

S- WOW i love the smell of this beer. The chocolate is super evident. Dark and milk chocolate smell with a sweet sugar cane almost maple smell along with a nice vanilla hint.

T- Follows the nose, this beer has a lot of chocolate flavor. With a nice hops bitter finish which gives this beer a higher IBU.

M- My only complaint about this beer. It has a medium body feeling with a lot of carbonation. I would like there to be more thickness and velvet texture. Keep in mind this is just my thought on it.

O- I really like this beer. It is a light stout that can be enjoyed any day. This beer really has both sides of the equation. It has the nice robust chocolate taste upfront followed by a bitter hoppy aftertaste which makes this beer very well-rounded and enjoyable to most beer drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 05:54:54 | More by itlnstallion11

FLima

Brazil

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Deep black color with a thick caramel head with good retention.
Aroma of milky chocolate and cocoa powder, it becomes quite interesting and stronger once it warms up.
In its taste, there is a bold chocolate flavor that shows upfront and with a good deal of hops to balance it. Also malty, yeasty and condimented. Dry and bitter aftertaste with its lingering taste.
Full body with good carbonation. A bit oily.
You really don’t fell the 69 IBUs. Great stout and well balanced, not overly complex, focusing on what is promising: chocolate. A must for chocolate lovers.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 22:48:55 | More by FLima

elvislwyr

Alabama

3.85/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours dark brown from the bottle, with an ample, cola-like head.

S: Dry baking cocoa is the dominant note, with undertones of conventional stout-like toasted malt. Not unexpected, but pleasing.

T: The taste reverses the smell, with toasted malt making its appearance at the forefront, but with just the subtlest hint of dark chocolate in company with hops in good balance, appearing most plainly on the finish.

M: This beer's mouthfeel doesn't quite match its good looks, smell and taste, and was somewhat thinner and more sparse than I expected, though it is accompanied by a pleasant amount of carbonation.

O: Competent, if not complex, the components of this beer don't, for me, add up to an outstanding whole. I'd drink it again, and it is solidly above-average, but somehow seems slightly lacking.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 21:07:21 | More by elvislwyr

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.24/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: poured from a 22 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass, rich dark red brown almost black with a large dark tan head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear

S: big chocolate nose, sweet, brown sugar, dark malt

T: cocoa, vanilla, cinnnamon, bitter chocolate taste up front that quickly fades into a malty middle, slight bitter hop on the finish

M: silky with lower carbonation and a lingering finish

O: the chocolate presence is there but more with flavors of cocoa than a candy bar, the dose of hops adds an interesting twist to the finish

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:26:55 | More by M_C_Hampton

dar482

New York

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

The beer comes in black color with a light fluffy tan head.

The aroma is fantastic. Just big milk chocolate bomb with the smell with some malt.

The taste is pretty good. I wish it was silkier like other bigger ABV stouts. It surely has more chocolate flavor than Young’s Double Chocolate. It then finishes with a bit of a hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is a bit light.

It’s not exactly my style as I prefer a creamier, milkier chocolate stout like some Russian Imperials or American Double stouts. It’s more of a well rounded beer with a hint of chocolate. Go into this expecting a beer with some chocolate, not a chocolate stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:45:14 | More by dar482

MaximalC

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours seal brown with a modest mocha head of coarse bubbles. Aroma smells of milk and dark chocolates, coffee, and citric hops. Flavor is surprisingly mild considering the aroma. I'm thinking this may require considerable warming to get the most out of it. For now, I'm getting a well balanced blend of roasted malt (tending toward coffee) and earthy, citric hops. A delightful mocha haze sneaks up late in the aftertaste. Some milk chocolate is there, but it's very faint in comparison to the more acrid elements. To be honest, I'd be hard-pressed to brand this a chocolate stout when I think of the many stouts out there with a far great chocolate character. Even Rogue's own Shakespeare Stout has a stronger chocolate presence in my opinion. I had this a couple years ago and recall having much the same impression. The mouthfeel is pretty zippy, perhaps a little too much so for the style. With that said, this remains a drinkable stout with a nice roasted character, albeit short on the eponymous chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 01:19:19 | More by MaximalC

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.24/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Black as coal and yielding no light there's a ton of carbonation that creates a frothy soapy brown head.

The scent has pure milk chocolate, creamy and sweet, but I'm reminded of hot cocoa with a layer of marshmallows floating atop. Bits of caramel or toffee with a graham crackery, marshmallow aroma fill the nose.

The taste is dry, chocolatey with a strong burnt maltiness. Touches of coffee mix with the chocolate and present an espresso creaminess. There's some watery tones that end with a metal like feel at the aftertaste but its not so off-putting as to keep one from enjoying a really good stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 23:37:51 | More by KYGunner

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.46/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

as good as a chocolate stout can get. this is divine. pours a velvety dark brown color with a thick milkshake head, mocha in color, sudsy and lasting. the nose is a mix of milk and dark chocolate, not overly sweet, but definitely real chocolate. well roasted malts are nice and dark and earthy, but not burnt to the point of being bitter. the flavor is remarkably chocolate heavy. its almost like youngs, but the sweetness isn't as intense thankfully. there is a very organic nature to this. its like adult dessert, I really like it. not incredibly complex, but more of a simple and straightforward brew, with little to distract the drinker from the robust chocolate flavors and smooth creamy feel. everything is balanced perfectly, the flavors here are just fantastic. full body, amazingly smooth, and it changes from cold to warm quite a bit. carbonation is mellow all the way through, just enough to wash it down clean. overall this might be the best beer rogue makes, and that's saying something! I am still yet to try their double chocolate though, so who knows...

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 18:08:24 | More by StonedTrippin

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes taken last night at Kick-Off in Waterloo, where it is on tap via disposable plastic keg. Amazingly "chocolate".

Pours a beautiful dark brown that's near-black in this light, with a decent head and resultant lacing. Aroma of Nesquik over dark roasted malts. The taste starts mild followed by a big bang of chocolate milk in the middle, with nice cocoa and coffee tones in the finish. An enjoyably drastic bitterness rounds out the flavours.

Not subtle and perhaps not real sessionable, but a definite pleasure to drink for this chocolate lover. Well done, Rogue!

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2013 12:44:46 | More by hopsolutely

Swedgin_Wu

Florida

3.59/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very pricey at $9 for a 22 oz bottle.

A- pours very well. Nice deep black with a dark khaki head. IMHO there's not a huge variation between many stouts. they tend to have the same color..only difference is in the head and lacing if any.

S-Smells of dark malts, chocolate (more prominent as the beer warms), and definitely a strong aroma of grassy hops.

T-This is a very hoppy beer. someone else mentioned that it's not a real chocolate stout..it's an IPA/Chocolate stout hybrid, and i would say it's a fair assessment. The hops jump out at you from the start. The chocolate is more in the finish and the bitterness of the dark chocolate smooths out the hoppiness somehow. This is not my idea of a chocolate stout but it does work somewhat well considerably how heavily hopped it is.

M- Seems like there's a quite bit of carbonation in it. Medium mouthfeel. the carbonation makes it harder to drink

O - This beer seems really overrated, partially because i tend to think BA is in love with hoppy beers non matter what the style and partially because of Rogue's reputation for good brews. This is not even in my top 5 of chocolate stouts and not in my top of 10 stouts. I like hops in an IPA, not my chocolate stouts.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:23:26 | More by Swedgin_Wu

Segelstrom

Pennsylvania

3.84/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This is not one of Rogues typically Verry Good beers. For a stout it is weak on flavor. Lacks the typical sweet/strong boldness I like in a stout. Having said that it is still a good beer just not up to the Rogue standard I've come to expect. Worth trying but not one of my future go to beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 15:15:21 | More by Segelstrom