Class V Stout - Kern River Brewing Company

popery

California

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

From notes, 3/10/11. Pours black with a hint of rosy brown refracting through the base of the glass. The head is a creamy mass of uneven tan bubbles. Lots of lacing. The aroma is black coffee, milk chocolate, roast and herbal/citric hops. The chocolate and coffee notes are dominant, and it reminds me of a good mocha more than anything. It tastes surprisingly sweet, which works nicely with the coffee and chocolate malt flavor. Hop bitterness quickly reins things in, and the finish is all bitter citrus and roast. Mouthfeel is creamier and chewier than I’d normally expect from an 8% abv beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 07:04:15 | More by popery

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.01/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

650 mL poured into a snifter. No bottle date.

Appearance - Pours with a nice mocha head. Nice surface foam and a great collar of chunky bubbles.

Smell - It's quite hoppy. Inordinately so. Almost green smelling. Oatmeal and chocolate behind it.

Taste - Really chocolatey. Still hoppy but much more balanced. Oatmeal is strong and gives it a nice body. Slightly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel - Excellent body. Medium carbonation. Bitterness and chocolate balance perfectly.

Overall - I was surprised by how good this was. Oatmeal is perfect and while the hops put off the nose, they make for an excellent stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 03:08:40 | More by Alieniloquium

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #63 (Apr 2012):

LOOK: Towering tan head, Stout black

SMELL: Brown malt, sweet oats, floral, rose water, blackberries, spicy hops, cocoa powder

TASTE: Intensely creamy, mild coffee, brown sugar, sweetness, warming alcohol, sorghum, burnt raisins, tangy; charred finish

What we have here is a very different Imperial Stout. Highly drinkable and interesting, with a tangy dryness that keeps you coming back for more. Love the balance and the depth that opens up after each sip.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 00:37:41 | More by BeerAdvocate

brentk56

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a viscous black with a thick, milkshake of a head that leaves a lot of lacing behind

Smell: The hops leaves an impression on the nose, though there is plenty of chocolate, licorice and molasses underneath

Taste: Chocolate flavors abound, up front, though the lactose and brown sugar create a very sweet character, in the middle; the hops balance the sweeter flavors out, after the swallow, but the overall impression is a tad sweet

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body; somewhat creamy; moderate carbonation

Overall: This bottle has been in my cellar for a couple of years, so the sweetness may be the result of the hops fading away; would like to try a fresher bottle on another occasion

Thanks to the unknown BA who sent this to me as an extra some time ago

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 01:04:16 | More by brentk56

oline73

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a Chimay goblet.

Appearance: Pours an opaque dark brown color with a half finger of creamy light tan head. The head fades to a thick layer on top of the pour and leaves a small amount of lacing.

Smell: Smooth and roasty, not much bite to this one. In the background I'm getting some cocoa and dark fruit.

Taste: More roast then I got from the smell, but it is still rather smooth. Dark chocolate and some dark fruit. The finish isn't particularly sweet and is full of roast.

Mouthfeel: The body is on the thick side with very smooth, thick carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is a very well made stout. The balance was very nice. I would definitely have more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 00:57:05 | More by oline73

Duff27

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Inch tall tan head on a dark brown body. Thick lacing across the glass, above average head retention.

Smells metallicy roasty, much like a Baltic porter. Little cocoay.

Sweet and roasty, black licorice. Syrupy chocolate it seems. Coffee. Would peg at the suggested abv.

A little thin on the mouthfeel, alright carbonation.

Class V was alright. Nothin mind blowing but drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 04:37:19 | More by Duff27

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a Alesmith Horny Devil snifter.

A- pours black with a 2" mocha head with a brown ring around the outside. Big leopard spots of lacing remain on the glass.

S- dark chocolate, sweet dark fruits, roast, some coffee.

T- roasted malts, dark chocolate, slight sweetness, nice pine hoppiness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Some creaminess and crisp finish.

O- nice lower abv RIS. Good amount of chocolate, roast and pine.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 02:10:08 | More by kawilliams81

Brabander

Netherlands

3/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This was a very disapointing beer. The bottle was traded with schuey1010. I had high hopes for this beer but it was not what i hoped for.

This is no stout by far, no smell, no taste which brings you on a higher stout level. The alcohol is not very high and with some more alcohol the deepness of this beer would have been better.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 22:18:31 | More by Brabander

ehammond1

California

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle (2011)

K 'n B Wine Cellars
San Diego, CA

(Aged for 6+ months)

Nearly black in color with a thin dark brown head that leaves thin sheets of lace down the glass. Pretty and appropriate.

Nice, complete, rich aroma of dark chocolate, coffee, and dark roasted malt.

The flavor is very similar to the aroma with dark chocolate and coffee flavors dominating, along with moderate levels of dark roast, and some muted hop bitterness.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Very nice, very tasty, somewhat low-ABV, imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 23:39:12 | More by ehammond1

mdaschaf

Washington

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to glitchedmind for this one.

A: Pours black with a small khaki colored head on top, decent retention, leaving a thin ring on top. Nice lacing all around the glass.

S: Very clean, mostly dark roasted malt with some dark chocolate and a little bit of coffee.

T: Nice chocolate flavor mixed with roasted, grainy malt. There is a touch of brown sugar. the hints of coffee in the aroma do not translate to the flavor profile.

M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. No sign of abv at all.

O: Not a huge Imperial, more of an easy drinker. Nice flavor profile, very clean.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 00:44:59 | More by mdaschaf

cavedave

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Darkest brown almost black with a light brown and crazy thick three fingers of foam. Opaque and beautiful.

Cocoa and milk coffee, dark caramel, lighter aromas of citrus and herb. It's a medium strength bouquet but delicious.

Wow, what a taste, really sweet milk chocolate and cocoa but some roastier bitter notes are in there also, with hop goodness showing late as citrus pith hints and light pine to end sweet and juicy, with a nice drying linger.

Thin for style, truth be told, the oatmeal really gets this one easy drinking for a Double Stout, less viscous than many for sure, with a less memorable finish.

At 8% ABV this is out of the range of American Stouts and is listed as an Imperial, but this stout drinks so easy you will not care what the column says. Get some, you'll love this.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 23:19:52 | More by cavedave

coldriver

Texas

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber pours a near opaque black with huge fluffy head and great lacing. Aroma is very subdued with chocolate, licorice, and roasted malt. Taste is dark coffee, licorice, cocoa, and molasses. Mouthfeel is creamy smooth with a dry but somewhat harsh finish. Nothing offensive about this beer, but the flavors and aroma don't really pop like I would expect an Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 01:07:01 | More by coldriver

xenjoiii

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Black with a nice Khaki head.

S: There is a strong alcohol presence in the nose. Faint notes of bitter chocolate and roasted malt.

T: Outstanding. Sweetness from the malts, bitter bakers chocolate and a mild bitterness from the hops. Very balanced.

M: Really smooth. Mild carbonation and full mouth feel.

O: Very nice stout. To me, the nose was deceiving but the taste certainly made up for it.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 21:59:24 | More by xenjoiii

vande

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a - thick, frothy, chocolate powedery looking head... deep, dark pour... still..silent..

s - oats, coco nibs, slight hint of coffee...some sugary sweet hints of pleasantness..

t - Very delightful. Hints of chocolate, slight appearance of coffee, sweet sugar, bit of malt..hops are hidden, but just evident.. Very nice!

m - smooth and creamy - almost silk like. Very pleasant.

o - I really enjoyed this beer and would take more if it came way!

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 02:41:51 | More by vande

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Review from 4/2011 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a dark red brown, nearly black. Thin head and light lacing. Aroma of dark and roasted malts, hint of coffee. Medium dark roasted malts, coffee, chocolate. Light to medium bodied. Lightly bitter finish with pleasant dark malt aftertaste. A pleasant, light bodied, but not outstanding stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 03:46:40 | More by LiquidAmber

portia99

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22oz bottle picked up on a recent trip to San Diego poured into a Bruery tulip.

A - Pours a deep, dark near black color. Four huge fingers of fluffy, milkshake-like foam rises above the beer...excellent staying power - really hangs on for several minutes, slowly bubbling away leaving behind a completely covered glass with frothy lace.

S - Lots of dark roasted malts up front. Chocolately, grainy, some dark fruit. Lots of fermentation esters. Very mild coffee hints. Grassy hops on the fringes, not much for hop bitterness. Smells good, but not really impressive.

T - Chocolatey, combination of milk and dark chocolates. Lots of hops, bitterness, grassiness. Roasty and earthy grains, dark fruity, estery. Can't place it exactly, but something is missing here...not really something wrong, but just not very satisfying flavor. Just ok for me.

M - Thick, creamy, frothy...quite full bodied, but soft on the tongue. Carbonation is a bit low probably giving more creamy feeling to this. This is really thick, almost like sipping on half & half in consistency...c'mon, we've all done that at some time.

O - Overall, just an ok imperial stout for me. Appearance is great and mouth feel is just behind that. However the aroma is lacking in intensity and complexity and the flavor is just, well, ho-hum. Had high expectations for this one, but was let down a bit.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 22:58:15 | More by portia99

azdback

Arizona

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Firestone Walker Proprietor's Series Glass. A very black and almost all light sucking color. Not much to say for highlights either. Head was a small two fingers light tan colored. The head has a frothy look but recedes quickly. Lace is very adequate.

Smell is of dark roasts. Dark chocolate covered coffee beans and some smoke or char. Not a hint of alcohol or hops. Quite nice though.

Taste is much better than the smell. The flavors are quite similar to the nose but much more subtle and blended. The chocolate and coffee aren't as prevalent but in a good way and the smoke or char is completely gone all together. There is some spice here too. I get just a hint of alcohol burn late but all in all it is quite nice.

Mouth and carbonation are both creamy. The consistency is more on the velvety side. Body is balanced and the finish is long and wet.

Overall I have wanted to try this for awhile and I wasn't let down. The deep roasted flavors of the smell end up being somewhat subdued in the taste and it wasn't a bad thing. Thanks to oya1time for the chance to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 05:08:58 | More by azdback

ngeunit1

California

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a very dark black with just a hint of brown and a half-finger of frothy chocolate colored head. The head fades fairly quickly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is full of roasted chocolate and some coffee with some earthy hops and a touch of citrus with a touch of sweetness.

T - Starts off with some roasted lightly bitter chocolate malts with some coffee and a touch of earthy hop. Through the middle, some sweeter milk chocolate comes through with a touch of citrus hop flavor. The finish is a mix of chocolate malts, some coffee, a bit of sweetness, and a touch of earthy hops that linger together.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Very smooth with a dry roasted finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really excellent balance of stout flavors. The chocolate is nice and rich but not overpowering and the body is spot on.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 07:56:44 | More by ngeunit1

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.4/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep chocolate brown with a finger of tan head. Decent head retention.

Smells of bitter chocolate, roasted malts and coffee.

Taste falls a bit short. Some more stone fruit comes through and much sweeter than the smell would indicate. The coffee and chocolate come through, but an almost rum cake flavor invades.

Pretty silky and oily with lowish carbonation.

Not horrible, but not to the standard of other Kern River offerings I've had. The sweetness can get overwhelming at times.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 00:10:42 | More by jmarsh123

Drinkerofales

California

3.88/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with no light penetration. There are hints of brown on the edges. A huge fluffy mocha head leaves some nice lacing.

Smell is roasted malt, chocolate, hint of coffee, booze, and dark fruit. I would say this smells like a brilliant chocolate black cherry rum mocha cake.

Taste falls short of the smell, bummer. There are hints of coffe and roasted malt, along with some dark fruit, but not near the aspect of the smell.

The feel of the beer hangs around, yet somehow is thinner than I am looking for.

The beer advertises two different hops, yet I get none in my experience. I truly wish the taste was as big as the smell, which would have put this beer over the top.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 05:33:57 | More by Drinkerofales

rtaps

California

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours pitch black into the glass, with about a 2 finger khaki head that has great retention leaving plenty of lacing around the glass

This smells great, a nice bland of rich chocolate and coffee beans, it's also a little sweet

taste is good too, sweet up front then you get the cascade hops used(just enough to notice their presents) it finishes with rich chocolate and roasted coffee.

pretty light bodied medium-high carbonation leaving the mouth watery and wanting more.

overall it a very nice always brewed stout. easy to enjoy. i like that it's sweet and you cant notice the hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 22:06:57 | More by rtaps

BdubleEdubleRUN

California

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewing as I drink for a change.
Pours black with a nice frothy tan head that clings to the glass. The smell is fairly rich of chocolate, roasted malts and some coffee. The taste is pretty "roasty" with coffee, chocolate and a sugary sweetness, pretty complex with a lot going on here. Good full creamy body. Love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 01:09:09 | More by BdubleEdubleRUN

MBrausen

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to aufaber for this one!

Poured from a bomber into a Town Hall Snifter

A. Pours a deep dark brown with a mocha 1mm head, after sitting for a little while, it rests at some nice bubbles.

S. Smells very floral, slight toffee, and an odd combination that almost smells soapy

T. Tastes of lactose, slight oatmeal, but when they mix them together, it almost end up smelling soapy. A little chocolate, with a toffee finish.

M. Medium body, coarse with a slightly dry finish

O. A pretty decent beer. It's an odd mix of styles, and for myself, I'm not a Milk Stout person. So the mix of Lactose and thinner body didn't do it for me. But it was an interesting taste, and I'm glad someone is out there trying new things.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 05:44:19 | More by MBrausen

legalpete19340

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured medium to darkish brown with a big fluffy dirty white head. Modest lacing.

S: Comes off very sweet, like milk chocolate with some roast notes in the back.

T: Very much a milk stout to me. Theres a nice chocolate milk tone to everything. In tow are roasted malt and some herbal and earthy hop notes. Not overly dark and roasty, just enough.

M: Pretty thin but velvety and smooth.

O: This came across as a milk stout to me. It was quite sweet and straightforward in its approach. A good selection for sessioning with friends as you dont need to sip this one. Solid performer.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 02:27:41 | More by legalpete19340

chilly460

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Murky medium brown body with a fluffy off-white head. Very good retention and lacing.

S: Immediately get a powdery cocoa aroma, maybe some marshmallow as well. Some medium roast malts. Floral hops at the end

T: It picks up better then the aroma. Nice medium roast coffee with cream, then immediately into the dusty cocoa flavor. Sweet marshmallow carries through as well. Bit of floral hops on the finish.

M: Medium body with a creamy finish.

O: Tough review, because I did enjoy the beer, but I just don't think it works well as an Imperial Stout. I think of this as more of a big Milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 15:25:09 | More by chilly460