El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale - Virgin American Oak Barrel Aged - Stone Brewing Co.

jenray

Texas

3/5  rDev -22.7%

12-02-2012 05:56:51 | More by jenray

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.84/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Shared by one of the Stone Reps at Tree House bottle share back in December. Reviewing from my notes.

Bit of fuzzy head, dark brown almost black.

Nose buttery oak, cocoa, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, choc, light bourbon, hint roast and coffee, hint buttery coconut even.

Taste rich thick, piny wood and buttery oak, cocoa, vanilla, dark choc, creamy melted choc, light fluffy nougat, rich, hint coconut. Finish little slimy light bitter choc coffee.

Mouth is thin, little creamy, lighter carb.

Overall pretty good, a unique beer glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 15:32:51 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 4

Enjoyed at Tree House Brewery, I think this was brought by the Stone rep... Reviewed from notes:

A - Poured in to my Tree House glass a dark brown hue with a nice thin mocha head that faded to a thin mocha halo. Not too too bad.

S - Wow, this is awesome and unique. Lots of fennel, chocolate, vanilla, and bourbon. Nice herbal hop notes.

T - Taste is buttery oak, bourbon, dark fruits (figs?), more of that fennel, and light almost rye spice. Very pleasant and drinkable.

M - Mouthfeel though here almost, almost ruined the beer. It is very, very thin and on the watery side.

O - Overall though, this was a damn fine beer. Glad I got to try this limited offering. Very cool!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 21:23:15 | More by rudzud

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +3.1%

02-25-2013 01:32:36 | More by t0rin0

drummermattie02

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

02-19-2013 03:50:19 | More by drummermattie02

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to drabmuh for sharing this one. Served in a Stone taster goblet. Pours very dark brown with a slight off-white head. The nose carries plenty of oak along with some roast and a touch of chocolate. Flavor has chocolate and oak plus a bit of booze. Medium body. A bit dry toward the finish. Touch of tannin. Pretty good, but doesn’t stand out.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 20:00:58 | More by Thorpe429

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Stone Old Guardian glass. Beer is black and has a thin tan head of small bubbles, low retention and low carbonation.

Aroma is oaky and sweet with a mild vanilla.

Beer is medium in body and sweet with a nice roasty / tannic finish and a nice body. I'd have it again but I think I liked hte original a little bit better.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 17:27:01 | More by drabmuh

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours almost black in color with a finger or so of khaki head. Smells quite peppery but also very fruity. Tart plum notes with a little bit of fig and raisin. Lots of oak and roasted malt in there as well. The flavor is nice. Vanilla and oak are strong as are the same fruit notes that were present on the aroma. Still a fair amount of pepper and maybe even a bit of some green vegetables (like bell peppers?). A bit more sweetness from the malt than I had anticipated from the aroma. Pretty nice.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 17:51:51 | More by womencantsail

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer is near black with a small tan head. The aroma offers roast, pine, chocolate, oak. Wood flavors emerge more in the flavor. Nicely balanced. Chocolate notes and a pine finish. Notes of vanilla emerge as the beer opens up. A touch of molasses. Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. A solid beer. I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 04:03:46 | More by Huhzubendah

SubpoenaDeuces

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

04-27-2012 00:09:10 | More by SubpoenaDeuces

nanobrew

California

4.5/5  rDev +16%

04-23-2012 15:15:33 | More by nanobrew

ZX6Chris

California

4.25/5  rDev +9.5%

04-23-2012 13:44:03 | More by ZX6Chris

sweemzander

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

500mL corked and caged bottle poured into a snifter. Major thanks to Chris for sharing this one!

(A)- Pours a thick pitch black color. Some tan froth, but minimal.

(S)- A nice rich bread-like note with some spicy herbal notes combined with the dry oak and cocoa characters.

(T)- A nice mellow richness. Bits of roasted parts with cocoa, roasted caramel, molasses, and raisin. The spice from the nose is in the taste too, but more subtler.

(M)- A smooth carbonation level and a nice balance to it as well. A nice richness to it overall without being overpowering.

(D)- A solid beer. Though I think I prefer the regular version of this I had with some time on it, this was top notch nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 22:03:13 | More by sweemzander

cjacobsen

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

500ml corked and caged bottle poured into a snifter

(A) Pours opaque black almost like a stout. Just the smallest hint of light gets through at the bottom of the glass when held to the light. Not really much of a head.

(S) There is a lot of spice in the nose but it's paired with fresh oak wood. Some fig, leather, and toasted malts round out the aroma. There is almost a smoke characteristic present.

(T) A lot like the nose, but not as overly spiced as lead on to be. The fig and roasted malts are apparent, but then there is also some coffee, cocoa, biscuit, and the peppercorns give a light warmth in the aftertaste. The oak adds a smoothing quality that evens out the flavor and blends it all together.

(M) I thought this was well balanced and very smooth. Has a solid medium body and finishes kind of dry.

(O) I really enjoyed the original collaboration release, and I feel that this is a good take on an already great beer. The barrel adds just enough character to set it apart without being too much over the top. I expected the oak to be really present and huge but it wasn't. Very well executed.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 14:18:20 | More by cjacobsen