Dark Horse Too Cream Stout - Dark Horse Brewing Company

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Traditional attitudes that circulate about cream stouts were smoothen out the rougher edges of roast with milk sugars, giving the beer a softer and more approachable palate. Not the case says Dark Horse, the additions of cream gives permission to sock even more roast to the beer- not favoring the masses but to reward those who prefer serious roast character.

Black. Onyx-like in color and sheen, the beer reluctantly surrenders its carbonation and slowly builds a meringue of mocha proportions. High retention and blanketed lace coats the glass with aggressiveness. Beers just don't look stouter!

Strong roasty aromas dominate the nose in ways that only espresso and burnt toast can only want. Burnt woods, embers, and cinders blend with cocoa, and light smoke. Somewhat meaty and savory, the underlying cream notes are supportive but in no way balance the scent.

The same dominance is alive in taste with the sharp and acrid flavors of burnt toast, heavy roasted espresso bean, and light ash. Bittersweet chocolate and cocoa lurk closely behind and give roundness to the sheer roast. Burnt molasses add a tinge of softness that concludes a milkshake-like late palate. A long and lingering aftertaste of burnt grain outlasts the milky taste and give assertive ash and roughness in aftertaste.

Creamy, full, and absolutely chewy, the beer engulfs the mouth and retains its malty carbonated creaminess in a marshmallowy and milkshake proportion. A very late closure releases the malt and aids the dry ash and burnt husk bitterness and astringency to finish.

This is an incredibly full beer that's sharp, rough, and exhibits overall burnt character- far greater than the lactose additions can balance.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 20:31:36 | More by BEERchitect

tectactoe

Michigan

4.16/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap the Oak Cafe. Pours black. BLACK. Huge, pillowing, deep-tan head - one of the deepest tan heads I've ever seen. Good lace throughout the top half of the brew. Aroma is packed with lots of dark coffee; bitter, black, pure, and dense. Roasted malts and hints of sweetness in the distance. Taste hits with some of that bitter coffee up front, followed by underlines of bitter chocolate and raw cocoa beans. A generic sweetness arises from most coffee and especially chocolate flavors, but the raw bitterness from those two items in this beer balance things very well. Roasty and toasty from the mid-point onward, some smoked flavors join the party; toasted vanilla, oak, burnt wood chips, burnt nuts. Nice combo of coffee, cocoa, and smoked woodiness on the lingering aftertaste. Medium-heavy body, slightly creamy with a medium amount of carbonation.

Wasn't expecting much from this but it's pretty damn good. The smoked flavors in the middle are subtle, but add a whole other element to the brew, other than just being a generic milk stout. Very tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 12:46:02 | More by tectactoe

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Salty Pig in Boston. 10oz serving in a Boulevard glass.

A- Pours a jet black with a fairly thick creamy dark mocha brown head that has nice retention but slowly recedes to a thin layer leaving behind some mocha brown layered lacing. Decent carbonation.

S- Lightly bitter chocolate, cocoa, some smoked malts (kind of surprising), a hint of bacon from the smoke. The smoke subsides a little bit as the glass warms letting the chocolate take over.

T- Dark bitter chocolate, cocoa, a hint of very lightly smoked malts, finishes with a mix of cocoa powder and dark choclate. Decently well balanced, would have liked a little bit more cream flavor though and a tad bit less bitter chocolate.

M- Medium bodied, drinkable, fairly smooth, nice carbonation.

O- This was a nice stout, however I definitely wouldn't say it's my favorite milk stout. There definitely wasn't as much of a milk or creamy flavor as I was expecting. I was also a little bit surprised at the faint smokiness that I encountered (this definitely wasn't the smoked stout though). Overall I really enjoyed drinking this however it isn't as sweet as your typical milk stout and definitely doesn't compare to other top-notch milk stouts such as the Three Hour Tour that I had last week. I recommend trying this out especially if you like bitter chocolate and stouts that aren't overly sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2012 01:14:46 | More by jaasen64

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pitch black with a coffee-and-cream-colored head. Tall pour and sown goes the head. 3.5

Lactose-strong with rich espresso notes. Char-roast with milk chocolate, Irish Cream, and some peatiness. 4.5

Bitter from the roast with espresso creme, peat, dark chocolate mocha, and a wily little chile sting in the finish. A big-flavored cream stout. 4.0

Thick body with some oiliness. Medium-light carbonation peppers the finishing spice note. 4.0

My second favorite of the five-part Dark Horse stout series. I loved this and that's saying something from someone who isn't a big fan of cream stouts. Here ye, here ye! 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2012 03:54:55 | More by thecheapies

HosP

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at 4elf. Poured into pint glass.

Looks dark, black. Dark brown head, with good residual lacing left on glass. Roasted chocolate malt aroma. Hints of coffee mixed in. Sweet smell. Taste is very good. Sweet stout flavors. Chocolate and coffee, with roasted malts in the background. Chocolate comes through nicely with a touch of bitterness at the end. Creamy mouthfeel. Full body, moderate carbonation. Very good drink. Just like a milk stout should be. Not to overdone on the flavors, just right. I'll think I will get another!

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 18:08:52 | More by HosP

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

Poured dark brown to black with a tannish head that lingered pretty well. Coffee and a bit of chocolate in the nose. Taste of roasted coffee and roasty malts, and some semi-sweet chocolate. Heavy-medium mouthfeel, not too strong or thick. Pleasant and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2011 19:15:30 | More by Rifugium

champ103

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. A very small tan head rises to a finger at first, but recedes to a ring. Not much lace left behind.
S: Roasted malt, slightly acrid coffee, and some chocolate. Fairly simple, but not bad.
T: Again, not bad. Roasted malt up front. To much coffee. Which is a bit acrid and bitter. Some chocolate as well.
M/D: A medium to full body. Creamy and smooth. Plenty of roasted malt and alcohol that detracts for me.

I finished a pint without a problem, but something I will probably not be coming back to. Nothing bad, but there are plenty of other stouts I will drink before this.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2011 06:44:25 | More by champ103

spartanfan

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

review from notes had at Union Jack's (Glenside)

A: Pours an opaque black with a small tan head that fades to a ring leaving little to no lacing behind.

S: Very strong roasted malt and espresso aromas, hints of earthy hops.

T: Again malt are very roasty and powerful. Aftertaste is that of bitter hops.

M: Full. This beer leaves a coating on the inside of my mouth and perhaps has just a bit too much carbonation for my liking.

D: This is a very good beer with good flavors, but they are a bit to strong and overpowering to be very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 20:01:11 | More by spartanfan

OnThenIn

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: A finger and a half of a very dark brown head on top of a super dark brown.

S: Coffee and roasted malt dominated the aroma, with some sweetness also being present.

T: The beer opens up with a sweet and slightly fruity flavor. It is very creamy, but their is a slightly astringent quality to the beer. Definite chocolate notes. Not bad, but nothing really special.

M: Medium body with slightly lower than desired carbonation.

D: The creamy mouthfeel makes it wonderfully drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2011 19:59:06 | More by OnThenIn

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My last in the 5 part series. Inside a pint glass.

Dark Horse Too is a deep dark looking black stout with that signature dark tan, mocha colored head thats about an inch and leaves some stick, never leaving. Smell is more on the roasty side than creamy truthfully, I thought this was a coffee stout initially. If this is a sweet stout, it does not show. Taste is all coffee and with significant warming some vanilla and faint chocolate come out and dance. Coffee bordering on espresso. Feel is silky and a bold medium with a smooth feel, easy going down the hatch, no burn from the eight percent. As with all in this stout series, its a easy drinker, and while it is much off style, too gets points for having class.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2011 05:16:10 | More by onix1agr

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pint on tap at ujs.

A- comes to me with about an inch of mocha colored head that settles quickly leaving a small wispy island on top and a thin ring around the glass. Pitch black in color with just the faintest brown glow at the edges.

S- loads of coffee and cream. Some chocolate and super dark malts.

T- this one is all about the roast. Espresso, burnt malts, bakers chocolate, toasted dark bread. Light sweetness that brings some balance to things.

M- a few steps above medium in body with a light carb fitting the style nicely.

D- this is a good cream stout it would be a great coffee stout. That being said I really enjoy this brew and like most of their line up its amazingly easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2011 03:50:29 | More by oglmcdgl

TriGuy20

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served on tap poured into snifter.

A: Oil black with a dark mocha head. The lace clings to glass.

S: Mocha/ Sweet Cream/ Coffee

T: The mocha hits you right away and then fades into a bitter chocolate. The sweet cream is also quite prominent.

MF: The mouth feel lives up to the name, as this beer is very creamy on the palate.

D: This beer is a little to unbalanced, with the creaminess being a little to over powering and not a lot else to add more dimensions. With this being said 6 oz is plenty for this beer, there is not enough else to intrigue me to drink more.

Overall:
A solid brew that, as stated above, is fun for a little bit but a full pour over stays its welcome.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 04:24:35 | More by TriGuy20

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours jet black with a dark chocolate brown head. In the aroma, a roasted malt, coffee, and a small hint of sweet cream. In the taste, roasted coffee and chocolate, with a sweet creaminess in the end. A smooth and medium to big bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry, small creamy coffee in the aftertaste. A really nice stout, and it goes down too easy for 8%.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 23:26:45 | More by OWSLEY069

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at T. Brendan O'Reily's

A-Deep, dark, black with just a hint of russet highlights. A large, fluffy, dark tan head slowly reduces to a thin cap and leaves ringing lace behind.

S-Roasty/toasty malt up front with bittersweet dark chocolate, light coffee and earthy hopiness in support. A nice balance of lactose sweetness is subtle in the background.

T-Very similar to the aroma with the roasted flavours being dominate initially with the creamy lactose sweetness taking over in the finish. A lovely combination.

M-Medium body with lingering roasted astringency and earthy hop bite. Lactose sweetness is so subtle but yet so insidious on your palate you barely realize it is there.

D-A damn fine brew with lots of flavour and a creamy, lightly sweet, finish that makes it practically poundable. The kind of beer that proves the sum of parts can equate to a mighty fine drinking beverage.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2010 13:10:34 | More by Deuane

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on draft at Bridgids.

Pours pitch black and completely opaque with a thick frothy dark mocha head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Streaks of chunky lacing left behind.

Slightly toasty/roasty aroma with lots of bittersweet dark chocolate and toffee balanced by a sweet lactic cream presence. Hints of roaste esppresso bean and burnt toast hut thisnis nicely balanced out bythe cream character in the nose.

Chewy, slightly viscous medium body with toasty malts as well as hints of bittersweet dark chocolate, toffee, oatmeal, burnt toast and slight nut flavor. There is a sweet lactc cream/milky presencethat balances things out and makes this beer very quaffable. Slightly hoppy with subtle spice. Very complex.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2010 04:03:48 | More by corby112

homebrew311

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: appears black and viscous, no head

S: huge roasted barley and chocolate on the nose, some toffee and oats, everything is very bold and pronounced... very nice

T: sweet caramel on the front followed by roasted barley and dark chocolate

MF: thick and chewy, medium carbonation

D: Dark Horse makes a lot of stouts which all tend to have a very bold and roasty profile which I love... this one is no exception. This is one of the better cream stouts I have tried.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2010 23:24:05 | More by homebrew311

confer

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Tap and Table.
Poured in a tulip glass. No head whatsoever deep brown and completley opaque. I am pretty sure of the color but with only candlelight at the T&T I can't be positive. I did hold a candle to the back of the glass and the only light was what reflected around the sides of the glass, nothing through the middle.
I think I should have let this beer set for 30 minutes because everything was better as it warmed. The smell and taste were both overly smokey when the beer was cold. As it warmed the smoke disappeared and a sweet dark fruit flavor started. The sweet flavor and smell were both good. The beer had a nice creamy feel with no carbonation at all.
As I said this beer is drinkable as it warms.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2009 02:08:18 | More by confer

blackearth

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap at Stub and Herbs in Minneapolis, MN. This beer pours black with a nice tan head. The aroma is reminiscent of burnt sugar and light cream. Light to medium bodied mouthfeel. The flavor is rich, dark roasted malt that go down very smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2009 18:52:13 | More by blackearth

GoldHorde

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Dark Horse Too Cream Stout:

Now THIS is what I expect when a stout is served!

Blindfolded - you would never guess another style. Thick and creamy mouthfeel, with a strong espresso edge. Blindfold off, you find exactly what you are tasting - am opaque black serving topped with a mocha foam head.

Strong enough to stand up to a pairing with a maduro cigar or an Austrian-Hungarian game stew.

A = Beautifully black, absolutely opaque with the dense, forbidden blackness of a black hole from which not even light escapes.
S = espresso charges up the nostrils
T = deeply espresso with a bourbon edge
M = Thick and creamy - thoughts turn to adding this to my bathwater...
O = This is EASILY in my top five Stouts.

Beautiful job Dark Horse!

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:18:36 | More by GoldHorde

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz.

Pours jet black, thin nut brown film for a head dissipates to nothing.

Smells of oak, smoke, bourbon, caramel, cocoa and coffee.

Rich flavor of bourbon, cocoa, burnt oak, vanilla bean and coffee with a notable hint of cream.

Medium to full, creamy body with a light tingle of carbonation on the tip of the tongue.

Above average stout, good flavor and body at a not-too-high abv, definitely worth having. Hadn't had a good stout in a while, this hit the spot.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 18:38:05 | More by Cylinsier

sjones5045

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark as expected with a minimal bronze head. The smell is very bitter with a kind of tin nose as well. Much like the smell the taste is extremely bitter chocolate. This is not for me but if you are a bitter chocolate fan than you will definitely like this. The upfront taste is not bad but really the downfall of this beer is the aftertaste. Very bitter and leaves a faint harsh taste on the tongue. I don't find this creamy or a milk stout. if there was a bitter stout category this would be a prefect fit. Would not buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:36:09 | More by sjones5045

DudMan

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours dark with a tan head. Smells of burnt chocolate. Tastes like bitter chocolate. The mouthfeel is creamy, silky smooth. Overall, a decent beer for the style. If you like your cream stout bitter this is for you. I like it and would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 00:40:34 | More by DudMan

Mattyb79

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my third in the Dark Horse Stout series. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Hardywood tulip.

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown with about a 1 1/2 finger head with a vigorous pour. Looks almost completely black in the glass with just a small touch of light coming through showing slight reddish brown hues.

Smell: I get a lot of cocoa/chocolate notes right off the bat. It's a little hard to get past that, but I can catch some roasted malts maybe and a slight vanilla. As the beer warmed, I got a little coffee as well.

Taste: Sweet, dark chocolate right off the bat. I expected this based on the nose, but what I did not expect was the solid amount of coffee/espresso notes that I got. Definitely a cream stout, but has a much more pronounced bitterness at the finish than most of the style.

Mouthfeel: Very thick and creamy mouthfeel, this one coats the tongue with all its wonderful goodness. This is my favorite of the 3 Dark Horse Stout series I have had so far.

Overall: I would have this higher than a 4, but the taste is way too close to a RIS to really rank it super high in this style. I really enjoyed the beer, just doesn't quite fit as a cream stout to me. That being said, I will purchase more of this and enjoy every drop!

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 14:16:18 | More by Mattyb79

Vogie

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First time trying a Dark Horse beer.

P: Served in a Samuel Smith stout glass. Pour is jet black with about a finger or so of mocha head that quickly disappears leaving a little lacing around the outside.

S: Roasted malts, dark chocolate, lactose

T: Getting a creamy dark chocolate taste. Cream first followed by dark chocolate and roasted malt bitterness on the back.

M: Creamy, bitter, light to medium body.

O: A good Sweet Stout, however I did like Samuel Smiths Organic Chocolate Stout a bit better. I was getting more bitter than sweet in this beer. A solid stout that I would have again but would seek out...

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 16:24:44 | More by Vogie

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown color. The head is a three finger tan shade. Retention isn't particularly superb, nor did I expect it to be. Lacing isn't great, either. Still, the look of this one puts most imperial stouts to shame.

S: Certainly a cream stout, with its big notes of lactose and powdered chocolate. Underlying that is some roasted barley. Smells bigger than it really is.

T: An initial wave of opening lactic cream is really pleasant, giving way to a combination of unsweetened chocolate and roasted barley. The aforementioned finish retains its milky twang, helping to balance all of the pleasant roasty bitterness. I'm also happy the lactose doesn't come off as being too acidic. This is my kind of stout, only lacking in terms of depth.

M: Creamy and soft, giving way to a semi-dry finish. It does a solid job being moderately easy to drink and feeling big at the same time. Generally, it just FEELS pitch-black.

O: While it definitely comes off like a cream stout, there are many times drinking this where I think it might be an imperial stout, and a rock-solid one at that. Certainly it's much better than their One oatmeal stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 19:39:25 | More by ThisWangsChung