Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout - Dark Horse Brewing Company

brock146

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark stout color with a chocolatey brown, fizzy, thin head

S - Coffee and blueberry muffins

T - Roasted chocolate blueberries. Delicious

M - Creamy, carbonation characteristic of a good stout.

O - Excellent beer from Dark Horse. Delicious stout with just enough blueberry to really push it over the edge.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 01:42:59 | More by brock146

Doppelbockulus

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours a very dark brown with a quarter inch head. Holding it to the light only allows light through the edges of the beer.

The smell was the first thing I keyed in to upon opening the bottle. Blueberries are a strong undertone behind the smell of fresh potting soil. There is also a floral, chocolaty characteristic. All together, these aroma components work very well together.

Taste is mellow earthy malt, creamy dark chocolate, dark blueberry muffin, and a mild tartness. It would be better if the tartness were gone, but that would probably mean the elimination of the blueberry, and I like the blueberry. Taste is good, but not as good as the smell.

Feels about as normal as many beers I have had. The beer initiates a small tingle, and aesily flows about the mouth with low viscosity. There is a very mild astringency or tannis feel.

Overall, it is pleasing, but not perfect. It certainly is an upper tier blueberry stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:04:15 | More by Doppelbockulus

BEERchitect

Kentucky

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

Dark Horse continues to explore the deeper side of beer with the third installment of stout: Tres Blueberry Stout. Its ingenious infusion of the roasty ale with supple background notes of Blueberry hits home with simplicity and respect.

But as any stout would, Tres opens with the deepest shade of brown without going black. With no hint of clarity, the beer is opaque and is solidly statured. Beautiful in its darkest weight, the beer builds a sturdy, slightly tanned head that caps the beer throughout and trails with pocketed lace.

At first, blueberry rises to the nose with the fundamental stout-like roast coming a split second later- concerning because of the shift of focus that goes from beer to fruit would upset the balance. However a minute of patience and a swirl of the glass allows the roasty elements of coffee, cocoa, walnut, and slight campfire to gain prominence. Thereafter, the mellow notes of blueberry resonate in true fruit form.

And that's where the taste picks up... the taste of roasted malt takes command with pleasantly scorched toffee, French pressed coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and mild smoke with nutty underpinnings all inform the taste buds about the base stout flavor. Blueberry additions recede in taste more so than they do in aroma. They peak through the malts but never rival for balance. Instead they simply decorate the roast elements with harmony and ballet. Woodish hops add a bitter finish that is easily mistaken for coffee and cocoa bitterness in its place.

Full bodied, the beer's robust textures are mainly attributed to the starch of barley along with creamy carbonation. But as the beer slowly sheds its marshmallowy texture, the dry roast mouthfeel rises and commands the textures heading into finish. Semi-dry and with light roast and ash, the beer is warm and smooth in its closure, and without a hint of berry-like astringency.

An indefinite linger of roast and fruit extend well into the next sip, but resists the malty textures that would accompany it. Tres is a fantastic stout that's been dress rehearsed in blueberry dress clothes.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 08:09:30 | More by BEERchitect

Docrock

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle was a gift from my brother, poured into a pint glass

A - dark brown with a 1" head the color of chocolate. Head disapates quickly, lacing was moderate. No light is penetrating this one.

S - mostly dark/bitter chocolate with a hint of blueberry and coffee.

T - one of the few beers I have had that tastes exactly like it smells. The lingering aftertaste is of the dark roasted malt and bitter chocolate.

M - smooth and creamy with little to moderate carbonation.

O - I expected more blueberry but I think my brother had aged this a bit. Would like to try a fresh one, might try at Brewpub to see if the aging diminished the fruit.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 02:50:35 | More by Docrock

mountdew1

New Hampshire

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

Poured into an imperial pint glass. Color was a very dark opaque brown, that seemed to have a very slight bluish purple tinge to it. Had a 1 finger mocha brown head that was all little bubbles. over time it flattened out, and became a bit creamer with just a bit of hold on the sides of the glass. Aroma had an initial hint of blueberry, but shifted to a more of a roasted dark chocolate smell. A bit of fruity reminded hiding in the back. Flavor was more a mild chocolate that shifted to a definite blueberry pie filling. A bit of blueberry lingered afterwards. Coated nicely in mouth, a bit of cling to the sides, with a nice chew. Overall exactly as it should be. Well balanced stout, with a flavor profile that hit the name dead on.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 00:22:27 | More by mountdew1

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for this series, Yeahnatenelson!

Appearance. Pours black with a thin, dark tan head.

Smell. Blueberry pie, chocolate and coffee. Some dark roasty malts. Nice.

Taste. Blueberry pie filling, dark coffee, a little dark chocolate ans some slight floral perfume. A little sweet and slightly tangy from the berries. Doesn't go together very well for me.

Mouthfeel. Below medium body, medium carbonation.

Overall. I didn't like the blueberry and floral tastes I was getting in this one. Didn't go very well with the base beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 18:05:21 | More by Rutager

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: The beer poured a one finger mocha head that has reduced to a thin layer. It is pitch black with no clarity or vision of carbonation bubbles.

Smell: roasted and chocolate malts, freshly picked, sweet, and scrumptious blueberries. Can't really figure out other flavors in there with the blueberries being so strong.

Taste: roasted and chocolate malts, bread notes, smoky flavors, ash. The fruitiness in this beer does not overbeer the normal characteristics of an american stout. The subtle notes adds a nice touch to the beer.

Mouthfeel: smooth, medium bodied, high carbonation, a little dry and tingly, and easy to enjoy.

Overall: A nice addition to the numerical order of Dark Horse stouts. Got to go find me some Fore next. Such an enjoyable stout and the blueberry really didn't kill the beer and let all the other characteristics stand out.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 05:09:44 | More by Flounder57

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Big bounce-back win for the Bucco's today, so as such, bottle poured into my Pittsburgh Pirates pint glass.

A: Pours a surprisingly dark, motor-oil black, with a moderately thick tan head on top that dissipated relatively quickly but a thin ring is sticking around over the surface of the glass.

S: Wow, lot's of blueberries here. Roasted malts and hints of chocolate intertwine nicely from the background.

T: Taste follows the nose. Chocolate-dipped blueberry-beer. Definitely unique and flavorful. First impression, though, is that the Blueberry is a touch over-exaggerated for my liking.

Thick and creamy, mildly-sweet malted flavors at the start. Blueberry rushes in on a wave, driving a sourness to the back of my tongue with authority. Lots of chocolate malts underneath. There's a lot to like here, I just wish the Blueberry wasn't quite so pronounced.

M: Light, creamy, and luscious, with a nice dry acidic finish.

D/O: An enjoyable, unique, *niche* beer, but the Blueberry is out of balance and makes this not terribly drinkable for me. Fun on an occassion, but not something I'd want by the keg.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 22:36:46 | More by psuKinger

joefuzz

New York

3.73/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a used motor oil black with a tiny khaki head. Smells of roasted malts with a hint of blueberry. Tastes like blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and coffee. Mouthfeel is pretty thick and chewy for a low abv stout and carbonation is on the low side as it should be. Overall I was very surprised by this brew, didn't think I would like it much but it turned out to be awesome

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 01:06:20 | More by joefuzz

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is totally out of my comfort zone, since I am not a fruity guy, I prefer AIPAs to stouts and I usually defer to CANs vice bottles, but I was goaded into the purchase by one of the co-owners of The Fridge.

My pour resulted in two-plus fingers of thick deep-brown head with good retention. Color was a stygian, dense dark brown that allowed for ZERO light penetration. Nose was, indeed, tres blueberry! Redolent with blueberries, in fact. How can you go wrong with blueberries? They are full of antioxidants and I like to pop a handful in my mouth and bite down for an explosion of blueberries. That is what this tasted like, along with a slight coffee-like bitterness. Wow! Mouthfeel was medium and if it could have been just a little creamier, I would have been heaven-sent. Finish lingered with the taste of blueberry and I was thankful that I followed someone else's suggestion.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 23:54:36 | More by woodychandler

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

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

Saw this beer in the way back of the mix a six cooler and was the only stout there was, so I went for it!

A: This beer pours a dark roast color, no see through at all, with a solid 1/2 in mocha cream colored head that leaves some nice lacing.

S: Roasted malts with blueberry and a slight hint of dark chocolate.

T: Taste consists of roasted malts and a chocolate /blueberry blend with maybe some dark red fruit. I cant really get past the flavor much more than that. The chocolate/ blueberry is so dominant in the flavor.

M: Mouth feel is very sweet and creamy, no noticeable carbonation.

O: This is a very unique beer for me. I never had a blueberry stout, much less heard of one. It matches all the characteristics of a stout with blueberry added. Some will like it, some wont. For me, it gets a solid thumb up for innovation and quality!

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 04:53:06 | More by SouljaSaia17

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.58/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - motor oil thick blackness, with a half finger of dark tan head that thins slowly

S - super blueberry, like fresh blueberry cobbler with mocha and coffee and unsweetened baker's chocolate. Magnificent!

T - at first it's like biting into a big thick juicy blueberry, then it quickly melts into rich roasted chocolate malts. Big smoky, charred malts with some meaty bacon-like characteristics.

M&D - smooth for its flavor punch, yet with chewy elements, and surprisingly drinklable. This amazing beer has quite a layered flavor that demands some attention. If you're not paying attention while you sip this brew, you will after that first sip.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 23:10:39 | More by sinstaineddemon

brstls4drmrs

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks tsauce2 for this bonus.

A-pours a thick black liquid with a flakey tan, caramel head. Head disipitates quickly like a good stout should. Good lacing occurs along with a purple haze on the rim o fate glass. Evident from the blueberry for sure.

S-dark chocolate with some roasted malts hit first. Faint blueberry and fig are also present.

T-the fruit hits first with hints of blueberry and then raisin. The malts come next with some dark chocolate tones present as well.

M-started out a bit thin and then goes down slightly bitter and crisp.

O- a nice combination. Paired it with a Ben and Jerry's yogurt too. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 03:50:38 | More by brstls4drmrs

ehammond1

California

3.6/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle

Acquired via trade
Thanks, joshrosborne!

Black throughout and a small dark brown head that eventually leaves no lacing down the glass, surprisingly. The beer looks thick and appropriate.

The aroma does get better and better as it comes to room temperature. When cooler, it had quite a bit of mineral and artificial fruit flavor. As it nears room temperature, a nice chocolate covered blueberry and roast aroma appears.

The flavor is nice, with more and more blueberry presenting next to the chocolate and roast flavors as the beer comes to temperature.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

A nice specialty stout, and fairly well done, but I see no need to revisit a blueberry stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 03:53:26 | More by ehammond1

Naugros

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I've heard mixed reviews on this one. "Odd", "interesting", "special", "screwy mess" and others that I forget. I was excited to see it on a shelf at the Grain and Vine in Hyannis, MA while on vacation so I could see for myself.

The only thing about the appearance that stood out was the fact that the 1/2" head never went away. Other than that, a very standard looking stout.

But the smell is something else entirely. Freshly mashed blueberries come to your nose immediately and then burnt aromas follow, as if someone cooked a blueberry pie too long and the crust burned. That burnt aspect of this beer dominates the flavor and makes it hard for the blueberries to shine. I have to give them credit for actually having the blueberries present in the taste since so many blueberry beers fail to deliver in that regard, but beyond that it's like eating the little burnt bits in the bottom of a toaster.

It does deliver on body, starting off creamy, but then ash pervades in the aftertaste.

An interesting beer to be sure and I now know why the reviews are so mixed. You either like a strong roast presence or you don't. I usually do, but the interpretation of burnt toast doesn't really do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 18:39:50 | More by Naugros

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First off, thanks to Dr. K for the beer. Poured this from a 12 oz bottle into a CBS snifter.

A) Black, looked thick on the pour, nearly two fingers of head, which was a dark tan. The retention was fantastic. This had some traction too.

S) Good roast aroma, reminded me of a coffee blend I've enjoyed with my wife called blueberry muffin. The blueberry is definitely present on the nose, but not overpowering. There was also some spice that was familiar to my sense of smell, but I just couldn't place it.

T) Nice coffee, fairly dark roast, but doesn't enter burnt territory on the flavor. Light hops. This has an earthy quality to it. The blueberry is present, but stays subdued enough to keep this in solid stout territory. No alcohol noted.

M) Medium body with a pretty creamy feel. A little more carbonation than I expected, but the zip is right. This one coats the mouth and leaves a trail mix aftertaste.

O) I wasn't sure what to expect with the blueberry factor, but this was really very good. I would gladly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 03:42:35 | More by RoamingGnome

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a Weyerbacher tulip.

A - Pours an extremely dark brown color with one finger of very dense mocha colored head. The head is retained for the duration, and leaves a sticky lacing.

S - As soon as I start to pour I get a big whiff of blueberry. After my nose calms down a bit (or maybe grows a bit immune to the powerful blueberry aroma) I start t pick up some other things. Big earthy oak presence, some chocolate, and a little bit of char. The blueberry is the main player here, but there is just enough otherwise to remind me it is a stout.

T - Fantastic blend of sweet blueberry and vanilla with a bitter coffee finish and aftertaste. The blueberry isn't nearly as dominant as in the nose, but it does add a nice unusual complexity to the typical stout flavors.

M - Medium carbonation with light carbonation. Very smooth from stat to finish.

O - This one sounded interesting, so I picked it up as a single during a trip to Indiana. This is certainly not your typical blueberry beer. More flavorful and complex than just a stout with blueberry added. A little bit on the sweeter side, but I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 01:36:32 | More by NoLeafClover44

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Bold blueberry, coffee, chocolate. A decent amount of bitter, some hops and a decent amount of spicy and bitter alcohol. Should be nicely balanced. The smell is strong from a good 12" away from the glass.

Appearance: Pours pitch black like motor oil. Small medium brown head dissipates quickly leaving some little foam around the edges. Lots of sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

Taste: Nice well rounded blueberry flavor. Mild to moderate roasty coffee, especially in the aftertaste. Nicely balanced, starts off sweet and ends up roasty and bitter. Looking forward to tasting this after it warms up some.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body. Lots of foamy bubbles going by. A bit chalky from the coffee notes, so it finishes just a bit dry.

Overall: Never thought this would top Buffalo Bill's, but it happened. Same delicious sweetness, but the added coffee notes are perfect in this one. Bold, sweet and roasty.

Drank on 4/6/2012.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 01:25:45 | More by soulfly1492

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a thick, thick dark brown. I poured my beer, fed the dog and when I came back my beer was naked! No lace, no retention, nuthin'.

Aroma is burnt sugar, black bread and fresh blueberry. Taste is similar: a sugary, roasty stout burnt caramel stout with fresh blueberry.

Exactly what a fruit beer should be: a good base beer with a real, non-extract tasting, fruit flavor. While I question pairing a stout with blueberry I can't question the execution.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 14:02:40 | More by donkeyrunner

kdmcguire10

Michigan

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

Pours a classic stout with a tinge of ruby on the otherwise carmel head.

Smells an awful lot like blueberry flavored coffee. You definitely know the tart blueberry is there but it's not too much.

Same as the nose. You get the sweet tartness up front but it's not overpowering and it's not overly sweetening. It's a blueberry pancake.

My initial reaction was that this had a bit too much carbonation. As I drink it though, don't feel the same.

Overall: Incredible beer. Such a unique offering and there's nothing to not like here. Dark Horse continues to outperform.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 02:22:55 | More by kdmcguire10

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - It is about a half finger of dark khaki head that quickly falls to a trace. Body is very dark. Only the slightest light comes through at certain angles.

S - Yes, there is blueberry there. Smells artificial though. There are also standard stout smells, molasses and caramel.

T - I don't know. Pretty standard stout with only the slightest, faintest hint of blueberry.

M - Solid body with moderate carbonation make this quite nice.

O - The scent is good in the blueberry department, but really a pretty average (or just above) stout all around.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 00:16:43 | More by RuckusDu

n2185

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours black with three fingers of dark tan head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: Roasted malts and chocolate at first followed by a strong aroma of blueberries and bread. It smells like chocolate and blueberry muffins--very nice!

T: Roasted malts dominate here with some dark chocolate, coffee, and char notes. The blueberry flavors come through toward the finish and on the aftertaste, though are somewhat subtle.

M: Thick body with medium carbonation that goes well with the roastiness of the beer.

O: A good beer overall that smells great, but unfortunately the taste doesn't live up to the aroma. I'd like more complexity from the roasted malts and a stronger blueberry presence.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 06:13:47 | More by n2185

gkatsoris

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A: Black as night. Huge, thick, foamy, fluffy, bubbly, tan, head. Awesome!

S: Chocolate covered blueberries at a candy shop down the shore. Fresh made chocolate covered blueberry sandies. Pie crust. Blueberry muffin and a blueberry muffin. Heavenly!!!

T: Expresso. Blueberry coffee. Lots of coffee grounds on the back, nice and bitter. The chocolate blueberry becomes more evident as it comes to nose & warms up. Blueberry pie. Super complex and I love it.

M: Way way too thin. This needs to be thick and chewy and rich and meaty. This needs to leave a rug on the tongue! But still, a nice coat is left.

O: Let it warm up and come to nose! Really a cool brew, and thee best blueberry brew I've ever tasted.

Thanks (Matt) Capones!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 00:33:08 | More by gkatsoris

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into snifter.

No freshness date to be found...assuming a 2011.

Appearance: black bodied beer with a medium brown 3 fingers worth of head. Head drops to a thin cap. Spotty lace.

Smell: fruity and sweet blueberries! Little bit of the stout body is smelt under the huge blueberry nose. You get some burnt / roasty coffee and dark chocolates or bakers cocoa. Smells really sweet.

Taste: This beer is actually really dynamic and has interesting flavor changes to it. It starts as tart blueberries that are almost vinous like a grape. Midpalate it transitions into the stout notes that overtake the blueberries. A nice mellow roasty notes with some grain in there too. The blueberries return and overtake the stout notes and returns to even sweeter blueberry notes. The blueberries do linger for a little while and you also get a hint of black licorice. Great balance between the fruit aspect of this beer and the stout base; you can find both parts of this beer quite easily and it never really gets lost.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Smooth, creamy, robust, and very drinkable stout here! Nice!

Overall: Drank this beer a few different time and did not like it. I revisited this beer and I am glad that I did. Its really an outstanding stout. I think that I will be revisiting One, Two, and Four. As i have drank them, but never reviewed them. I am really impressed by this beer. Solid, solid stout! They used blueberries perfectly in this dark beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 03:57:32 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Moderate beige head. Leaves some chunky lace on the glass. The liquid is near black where no light passes.

Very attractive smell of dark chocolate and slightly sour blueberry. The stout smell wins, but only by a (forgive the pun) nose.

This is, first and foremost, a stout. The blueberry is definitely a spice in this beer; I think it enhances the flavor pleasantly. There's a subtle sweetness to this beer. Yet, it is not sweet enough to be a sweet stout, nor can it be described as a dry stout. It's like a blend. The finish and aftertaste has the blueberry show up one last time.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 22:20:53 | More by smcolw