Chocolate Stout - Rogue Ales

ToddT

Pennsylvania

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

A- Dark black color with a thin tan head, the head fades quickly to a ring and leaves a few spots of lace on the glass.

S- Bittersweet chocolate, with hints of floral hops and notes of roasted malt.

T- Nice notes of chocolate right away, slightly bitter to start then mildly sweet. Floral hops and roasted malt balance things out in the middle and the finish is a final note of bittersweet chocolate with a hint of hop bitterness.

M- More than medium in body and low in carbonation, a creamy and silky smooth texture to this one.

O- Great chocolate taste, no notes of coffee present just chocolate goodness. An easy drinker and at 6.0% ABV one that you could have more than one of.

Notes: Review is for a cask conditioned gravity pour firkin.

Serving type: cask

04-07-2012 00:55:11 | More by ToddT

ckaufman

Pennsylvania

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

Had this beer on cask at Fathead's on Pittsburgh's south side.

Pumped into a massive dimpled mug, this beer was black as the night with little to no head whatsoever. Massive smell of malted barley, chocolate, and a pinch of wood. Tasted like someone melted a chocolate bar into my beer. Strong malt backbone prevails here. There was minimal carbonation and this beer went down silky smooth. Excellent in the cask... recomend you track this brew down in the cask if you like it from the bottle.

Cheers!

Serving type: cask

09-08-2008 17:51:48 | More by ckaufman

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on Cask.

A: A dark brown almost black color. Has a thick creamy head.

S: Chocolate (duh) with coffee, some toffee and espresso smells.

T: A deep chocolate taste, with lots of smokey wood and coffee flavors. Definitely a prevalent espresso taste.

M: So so smooth and really creamy. It is a full bodied stout.

D: I really enjoyed this beer a lot, great flavor, not one I could have multiple in one sitting. But a tremendous beer.

Serving type: cask

05-05-2008 12:45:38 | More by IronCitySteve

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

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

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

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

On-tap poured into a shaker pint.

Appearance
Black with 1 finger of tan head.

Nose
This smells like straight up Hershey's syrup.

Taste
Hershey's syrup, roasted barley and semi-sweet chocolate chips. The finish is slightly dry and picks up notes of cocoa nib and an earthy char.

Mouthfeel
Light-medium bodied, crisp and smooth.

Overall
Sweet chocolate mixed with a nice stout. And to reiterate: Hershey's syrup.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 02:55:35 | More by justintcoons

MisSigsFan

California

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tall mug. Pours a very dark brown/black with a nice thick tan head. The chocolate is noticeable right away while pouring. It's a darker chocolate flavor and smells absolutely delicious. Taste is surprisingly hoppy and bitter but the dark chocolate flavor softens the blow. This is almost like a cross between an IPA and a stout. The hops bring a slight sting while the chocolate and oats add creaminess to the palate. Mouth is very creamy. Goes down so smooth, I could drink this all day.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 07:34:41 | More by MisSigsFan

BulbousBeer

Texas

3.85/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This in my mind is not really a stout, it is a IPA/stout hybrid. I love a hoppy beer when I order one but a stout should not taste like this, a stout is more about the malt not the hops, I would of probably loved it if I was not expecting a stout. Forgetting what this beer is supposed to be, it has good chocolate and coffee flavors, but the body is a little lacking, it is actually a pleasant drink. But i'd rather of had a actual stout.

Second tasting. After trying this a second time, I have changed my mind. Being from the UK I am used to a British style of stout, as that was what I was expecting I was disappointed. This time around I took a more open minded sip. This is actually a very tasty and balanced beer, i still find it some what a hybrid to my tastes but a real tasty one. I hope to try more from Rogue ales.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 03:57:40 | More by BulbousBeer

Bills453

Ohio

4.56/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance - dark black body and a thick creamy delicious light chocolate milk looking head that lasts and lasts.

Smell - chocolatey, malty, roasts, amazing.

Taste - see smell. Great mixture of all of these together.

Mouthfeel - creamy and smooth.

Overall - an absolutely amazing stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 01:10:34 | More by Bills453

wac9

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

wonderful stunning sexy beer , just wow , just watching pour out into a glass is magic , sitting in your glass waiting to be drank is almost too much too bear its a os chocolate oh yeah enjoy this beer i can find a thing wrong so enjoy this beer good times

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 01:57:01 | More by wac9

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4.16/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Bomber into a tulip.

A - Pours a deep, dark cola hue with slight red highlights while going into the glass, but once in there it looks completely black. Big billowy dark tan head of large bubbles. Excellent head retention and sticky chunks of foam cling to the glass on all sides.

S - Certainly a chocolate stout! Cocoa nibs, bittersweet and inviting give it a big chocolatey character, with hints of caramel malt and vanilla in the background. Not quite as rich or complex as I had anticipated, and there are some crisp hops that feel a tad out of place. The roast is there, but mild, and certainly doesn't hint to 70 IBU. Still, this is a nose to behold, with as much chocolate character as any beer I've had before.

T - Well, there were definitely some IBUs hiding in there somewhere after all. Profile starts of with lots of chocolate, cocoa, and a hint of vanilla at the front of the palate, then soon gives way to a more robust, bitter mid-palate and finish. Roasted barley, charred malt, and coffee roast all come through and last into the finish, along with some subtle, earthy hops. Not quite the chocolate punch the nose had me believe, but a great, well-rounded and balanced brew.

M - Body is medium weight and lively with carbonation, a little too lively for my liking in fact. The bubbles feel overly large, detracting from the smoothness. Typically if a stout is going to have this much carbonation, I like to see finer bubbles to keep the texture smooth and creamy.

D - Enjoyable chocolate stout, but probably not my first choice for the style. Overall it was certainly worth trying, but I'd still put it below DDC's Aphrodisiaque. Another solid beer from the folks at Rogue; good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 06:53:33 | More by Converge

sommersb

Tennessee

4.19/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Tasted On: 02-15-2013
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Mug
Purchased: Received from a friend

A: Big, creamy tan head on a black and opaque beer. Head retention is excellent and lacing is good.

S: Chocolate malts and sweet aromas of milk chocolate, plus vanilla. The smells open up as the beer warms.

T: Milk chocolate sweetness is balanced nicely by the earthy hops. Other flavors are toasted malt, dark breads, vanilla and some woodiness.

M: Full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and moderate carbonation. The finish is balanced with sweet chocolate malts and the bitterness in the hops and roasted grains.

O: Excellent stout here from Rogue; solid on all fronts.

Thanks to Kirk for this one!

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 04:27:43 | More by sommersb