Black Hole (Red Wine Edition) - Mikkeller ApS

WOTO97

California

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Split a bottle my friend picked up from Beer Revolution in Oakland (also picked up the rum and whiskey version). Pours a very deep black with a thin mousse-colored head; very little lacing. The alcohol is pretty pungent on the nose, but tons of other profiles are lurking beneath. Big roasted character and some pepper come through on the nose as well along with vanilla and earth characters. Some bold fruit playing in the background. The taste profiles are relatively similar, but the booze is much more in the background. Lots of the fruit comes out immediately but quickly fades to clover and pepper, very sweet residual honey flavors linger on the palate along with some very nice roasted malt notes on the back of the palate. The vanilla plays out very faintly and gets overshadowed by the very distinct honey qualities. The body was a little sticky but by no means big and round; wish the carbonation was toned down a bit for a bit mellower finish. Really enjoyed this fella but couldn't possibly have more than half a bottle--a bit too sweet on the finish for my taste--but a half glass is perfect.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2010 18:35:09 | More by WOTO97

megamass

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

05-20-2013 04:45:10 | More by megamass

jkane101

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -21.3%

05-19-2013 02:44:56 | More by jkane101

Lucho

Florida

4.26/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I thought I would open this beer on its three year anniversary. I have had it twice before 6 months ago and a year ago. Lets see whats new.

A: Pours almost a pitch black with an incredible mocha brown/tan head that has some staying power, awesome lacing! The head slowly fades in around 2-3 mins to a ring around the edges with some clouds in the middle.

S: Wow as always! some oak up front with a musty red wine scent. The coffee has come out a little more as I feel the honey/vanilla has subsided. There is a very nice sweet scent from the honey and vanilla, mostly honey. There is a slight booze scent but not overwhelming

T: F-ing perfect! upfront with honey oak sweetness with an almost tannin bitterness on the finish, from the coffee. It does not leave your mouth dry though. The coffee is not so strong on the palate as on the nose, which I like. The vanilla and honey really shine in your mouth. I cant get enough of this beer as it is very easy drinking for 13.1%. Age has done this one well. I have one more, do I dare wait another year?

M: thick to medium body which makes it easy to drink but coats your mouth well. The carbonation is spot on and not overwhelming.

O: I love this beer as much now as the two times before and it has held up so well especially with the carbonation and flavors. I wish I could have had it fresh to really tell how far it has come. overall, I have never been sure why people dont rave about this beer. An 86? like come on. It cant just be me?

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 06:48:25 | More by Lucho

pixieskid

France

4/5  rDev +5%

04-30-2013 07:13:56 | More by pixieskid

thagr81us

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served from tap into a New Jersey Devils shaker. Poured pitch black with a very minimal tan head. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, caramel, dark chocolate, wood, and sweet alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, caramel, wood, dark fruit, earth, and sweet alcohol. It had a medium feel on the palate with no carbonation. Overall this was an average brew. With having this one directly after the Scotch version I can honestly say that this one is much more drinkable than it was. There was a decent amount of things going on in this one that weren't invasive to the palate. While it wasn't the most balanced brew that I've ever had (especially for the style) it wasn't the worst either. Glad I got to try it, but doubt I would do so again given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 04:23:34 | More by thagr81us

davey101

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

03-03-2013 03:43:18 | More by davey101

bilboTbaggins

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

02-22-2013 17:35:13 | More by bilboTbaggins

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown-black with a finger of frothy chocolate colored head. Fades at a normal pace.

S - Dark chocolate and dark caramel malts, roasted coffee, molasses, black licorice, oak, vanilla, red wine, some dark fruit, and some booze.

T - Dark chocolate and sweet dark caramel malts, roasted coffee, black licorice, molasses, oak, red wine, vanilla, and some dark fruit, some citrus and pine hops and a bit of bitterness, and some booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a warming and sweet finish.

D - Nicely balanced big imperial Stout. Nice body and mouthfeel. Red wine adds some nice depth and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 05:15:31 | More by ngeunit1

JMBSH

Colorado

2.5/5  rDev -34.4%

01-28-2013 03:49:56 | More by JMBSH

russwbeck

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer pours out as black as I would expect from something called Black Hole. It builds up around three fingers of deep brown head. Around a finger remains after a few minutes, and the space that used to be occupied by the head is now graced by a ton of lacing. 4.5

S: The tannins of the red wine, coffee, and honey really come together nicely on the aroma. It's musty as well, but in a good way. The coffee seems to be at the forefront, with the sweetness from the honey adding character. 4

T: The red wine is significantly more a focus of the taste than it was on the aroma. The wine and the coffee seem to fight for primacy at the beginning, but it gives way to a nice, smooth chocolate. The honey adds a sweetness that bolsters the finish. Despite some of the flavors trying to be the strongest, they all work well together. I was quite impressed by this one. 4

MF: Thick, heavy body that is low in carbonation. I found the alcohol to be well hidden, making this beer deceptively drinkable. 4

O: I was impressed, but not overwhelmed by this beer. There aren't many stouts this big aged in red wine barrels to my knowledge, but if they all taste like this I'd be ok with more coming out. 4

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 21:29:35 | More by russwbeck

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

01-17-2013 21:36:54 | More by KAP1356

derkfromwi

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

01-10-2013 05:05:58 | More by derkfromwi

tsauce2

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

01-06-2013 06:17:34 | More by tsauce2

CGMLS3

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

01-02-2013 03:05:54 | More by CGMLS3

MattSweatshirt

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Best before 09/05/15
Drank 24/09/12-25/09/12
Bought at Kihoskh.
Pours fairly dark with a brown head, but I get some highlights at the bottom curve of the glass. The head retains well.
Mostly roastiness and some ash. Sweetness with some slight red grape fruitiness and wine barrel characteristics.
Not too much flavor on this guy. It's got a slight roast and ash set off by the sweetness I guess and red wine barrel. Not too exciting especially compared to the white wine version I had on tap. At the end is a little kick. Hops or alcohol or something. It's not prominent enough to really pick it out. Being aged in barrels I feel it is not the hop.
Oh wow this is smooth with gentle carbonation.
The couple black holes I've had are dangerously easy to drink. Good thing they cost a fair amount so one at a time is good enough. Not too exciting in the flavor and aroma which drag this beer down.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 08:52:49 | More by MattSweatshirt

MarkyMOD

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

12-04-2012 06:15:18 | More by MarkyMOD

cvm4

Mississippi

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours dark like a stout, 2 finger brown head, great lacing & retention.

S - Huge roasted malts, honey, light milk chocolate and some booze.

T - A tart-ish stout! I like this! Charred malt, a little chocolate and coffee notes as well.

M - Spot on for a stout.

O - I believe I like this more than the cognac version. The tangy falvors makes it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 03:05:19 | More by cvm4

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +5%

10-29-2012 01:24:15 | More by t0rin0

Jules11788

California

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%

10-28-2012 21:11:29 | More by Jules11788

JRed

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5%

10-18-2012 21:58:32 | More by JRed

RES

New York

4/5  rDev +5%

10-05-2012 17:33:39 | More by RES

Goobastic

New York

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

08-17-2012 03:00:04 | More by Goobastic

womencantsail

California

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours black in color with almost no carbonation. The red wine really comes through on the nose giving a nice fruitiness, mild butterscotch, and oak. Plenty of wine and grape aroma with sweet chocolate and molasses. The beer is a bit on the sweet side with molasses, chocolate, berries, and grapes all being major contributors to the flavor. A decent oakiness along with some roasted malt and cocoa powder. Quite full in body, though some carbonation could be helpful.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 18:52:24 | More by womencantsail

GOMECK

Georgia

3/5  rDev -21.3%

08-09-2012 16:21:54 | More by GOMECK