Dark Horse Fore Smoked Stout - Dark Horse Brewing Company

TheSSG

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a minimal head. Nice, soft aroma of smoke. Black. Starts acidic with roasted malt, moves into a smokey malt as the carbonation clears the palate. As the toasted malt overshadows the smoke, it lingers into the finish.

I like this quite a bit. A nice stout with a medium amount of smoke.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 03:17:54 | More by TheSSG

droomyster

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an impenetrable black body with a small brown head with decent retention. Aromas are predominantly of a charry smoke and dark chocolate garnache, reminiscent of a burnt smore. The aromas come through in a big and literal way on the front and mid-palates, with a sweet and smoky finish that lingers long pleasantly. Full bodied with warm alcoholic tingle. Assertive without being so heavy handed on the smokiness that you want to quit halfway through.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 07:28:31 | More by droomyster

sharlie

Michigan

3.29/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I personally do not know why I tried this beer. If you are looking for a very smoky, coffee type of beer with chocolate undertones, this is the beer for you. The aroma starts of hitting you with the smokey nose along with the coffee appearance. IT is a thicker beer that is filled with flavors, just not the flavors I am looking for in a beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 12:30:03 | More by sharlie

Catherine8189

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Dark rich color that hits you right away with the smoke. The coffee and dark chocolate undertones then come through very vibrantly. The aroma is full and rich. The creaminess of this beer is evident from the site of the pour. The appearance is very dark drown, almost black. Very rich and flavorful stout, excellent choice for this style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:34:37 | More by Catherine8189

oberon

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

It's amazing to me that I have not had this beer until today.Pours into a nonic nearly jet black except for a deep chesnut brown tinge at the bottom of the glass a deep mocha colored head atop.The smoke stands out but is not in your face that along with molasses and dark roast coffee make up the nose mostly.A fuler but more mellow mouthfeel with molasses and dark roast coffee flavors over top of mild hardwood smoke.The smoke plays a role but doesn't punch you in the face wich I thought would be the case,solid.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 22:58:12 | More by oberon

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.01/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Radiant black and completely opaque the head was fluffy and brown.

The scent has obvious smoky tones but I get charcoal, leather, chocolate malt, smoked meat and maple.

The smoked tones come out stronger in the taste. Charred malts with a hint of chocolate, the smokiness blends well with the typical stout characteristics.

The feel is easy and light with a touch of wateriness but overall this is a beer with good character.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 00:28:49 | More by KYGunner

BeerZack

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

Pours a rich black with a half finger of brown head that almost immediately fades to naught. Initially I'm not getting any smoke on the nose. Definitely some roasted coffee, sugar, cream and hints of vanilla and cocoa there though. Not nearly as menacing as the name led me to assume. The beer tastes pretty mild as far as the smoke is concerned also. I don't get any of the acrid or astringent flavors sometimes found in heavily roasted smoked beers. Roasted barley and char (more than smoke) come out front then a bit of hop bitterness and semi-dark chocolate come out midway and last through the finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 23:36:49 | More by BeerZack

wedge

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a heavy, motor oil color with only some sparse, creamy brown wisps on top. Damn, these guys really like to make their stouts DARK. Somewhat subdued smoky malt aromas combine nicely with softly sweet, chocolaty roast, and berries. Deliciously malty flavor...the smoke isn't really center stage, but rather supporting the rich, dark chocolate and cutting the sweetness with a bitter, espresso and campfire finish. Pleasant tobacco and dark fruity undertones. Medium bodied and fairly low on carbonation. I've enjoyed every single one of these Dark Horse stouts...well done!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 03:25:59 | More by wedge

rlee1390

Indiana

4.04/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A-Black in the glass, two finger deep brown head.

S-Nice and smoky, chocolate, coffee and roasted malts.

T-Smoke, char, chocolate, coffee and roasted malt.

M-Medium bodied, not much carbonation.

O-Unlike other smoked beers the smoke is not overpowering here. The third best of the stout series.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 20:51:56 | More by rlee1390

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I get very minimal smoke off this beer. It's an accent at best, which I appreciate. The beer as a stout is very solid. Robust and rich, there are thick malts that really rest in the mouth well. Smooth feel. Easy to drink. Not sure what else you could ask for in a stout. For this some people might want more smoke, but for me, I am happy with it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 04:26:48 | More by RblWthACoz

Gmann

New York

3.89/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a jet black color with a toasted khaki colored head. The head is dense but small and dissipates into a light ring.

The stout has a nice earthy aroma. Lots of wet wood and tree bark. Hints of coffee and scorched caramel provide an extra layer. Some charcoal and anise as well. Not much smoke.

Big roasted malt flavor with lots of char and anise. A deep caramel note provides some sweetness. The stout has a presence of rotting wet wood and peat. Some espresso pops through. While very earthy and woody, I still don't really pick up much smoke, which is a shame because the rest of this stout is quite good.

The beer is well bodied and chewy. Loads of roasted bitterness throughout the palate with some sweetness to help offset. A bit slick in the finish but surprisingly not sticky.

A very good stout. I wanted to rate it higher but it just didn't bring the smoke. It is very earthy and has charcoal notes but lacks the smoke. Still worth a purchase.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 20:20:52 | More by Gmann

barczar

Kentucky

3.94/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque brown black with a fleeting half inch milk chocolate head that leaves no lacing.

Chocolate erupts from the bottle. Further investigation reveals roast malt, dark fruit, and savory characters of soy and smoke. There's a bit of vanilla at the finish. Floral hops arrr subtle.

Flavor is far more smoky, with an almost tobacco-like note underlying the entire profile. Roast malt accompanies a burnt ember character, leading to dark berries and chocolate mid palate. The finish is strangely sweet, with vanilla wrapping things up.

Body is fairly syrupy and full, with minimal carbonation. Alcohol warmth is surprisingly subtle.

What it lacks in smoke aroma, it makes up for in flavor, but the quality of smoke was disappointing. Would've preferred less ashtray and more hardwood. There's a touch of acrid flavor that's offputting.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 03:30:22 | More by barczar

tdm168

North Carolina

3.96/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - black with a thin brown head that has great retention

S - roasted malts and dark fruit

T - chocolate, dark fruit

M - medium bodied, smooth, a hint of alcohol warmth

This is an overall decent beer, but it doesn't showcase any smoke in my opinion. I think this definitely a nice, simple stout, but I was hoping for something smoke forward and unique. I may revisit in the future. For now I'm on the fence.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 01:55:35 | More by tdm168

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Type: 12 oz bottle
Glass: Pint
From: Tippins Market outside of Ann Arbor
Price: $2 for 1

Appearance: pours quite viscous, jet black not a bit of clarity. small tan head that leaves behind a top and side lacing. Looks like a big bad stout

Smell: Lacking complexity, some smokey notes along with strong roasted malts

Taste: Again with the smokey notes and strong roasted malts. but it picks way up from the nose. the strong roasted malts get taken over by chocolate and the smokeyness dies out.

Mouthfeel: strong bitter aftertaste, but pretty smooth. leaves a nice stickiness on the tongue

Overall: this one was better than expected. I got tres blueberry in the same mix six and was very disappointed with that one. This one has nice balance and a good mouthfeel and appearance that makes it a really good beer. If you're in the mood for a slightly smokey and nicely balanced roasted malts this one will take you there

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 03:26:40 | More by SportsandJorts

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.01/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The fore-th stout in Dark Horse's series conlcudes with a familiar base-beer taste that was present in the previous three versions. But with the addition of smoke character, it seems to amplify the notion of roast in this example.

Fore pours in familiar fashion as well. Absolute blackness presents itself with an element of depth that suggests clarity even though the beer is seriously opaque. A dense and creamy mocha-stained head rises from the abyss with a very sturdy barrier between the nose and the beer. The beer laces impressively with well defined rings left behind.

Strongly roasted aromas leap from the glass and captivate the nose and are lead by the scent of freshly ground espresso beans. Complementing notes of smoky chocolate, molasses, roasted walnut and an element of campfire keep the aromas rounded and balanced.

Similarly, the beer's taste start deeply roasty with French roast, bitter cocoa, molasses and a touch of brown sugar. Smoke seems to melt into the malt sweetness with medium intensity. It's not an overly smoky beer but allows the somewhat "meaty" taste of smoke to accent the roasted barley to perfection. But the roast extends beyond burnt caramels and grain but reaches out to walnuts, charred pine and chocolate. Light rum alcohols offer a tinge of cherry and fennel before receding into the char.

Full bodied, the beer has a certain "lightness" that stems from its dry roast taste and texture. Its robust malty creaminess fulfills the mouth early on but recedes slowly as the beer has a long middle draw. Concluding in an extended finish of char, alcohol warmth, and coffee-like bitterness, the beer keeps the palate rewarded indefinitely.

Fore is dedicated and direct in its focus, not allowing any distraction from fruit, spice or any other peripheral characteristics. Its roast character shows great discipline and power. It's a fantastic display in the use of smoke with balance.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2013 18:42:30 | More by BEERchitect

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, late 2012 bottling. Pours dense pitch black color with a small fairly dense dark tan head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Slight spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big dark chocolate, cocoa, char, roasted malt, coffee, smoke, toast, light raisin, and roasted earthiness. Very nice aromas with good strength, balance, and complexity of dark roasted notes; the smoke is very complimenting and not overpowering. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, char, roasted malt, coffee, smoke, light smoked meat, light wood, toast, and roasted earthiness. No bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, char, roasted malt, light coffee, light smoke, toast, and roasted earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice flavor balance and robustness of dark roasted flavors with smoke; and zero cloying sweetness present after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice smoked stout! Very robust and balanced with roasted flavors and smokiness; and extremely smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 06:56:03 | More by superspak

Auracom

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

12 oz. purchase from MSCM. All 12 oz. poured in a FFF Rastal on February 8th, 2013.

A - Great pour, even better than Plead the 5th. More on the level on Cigar City with slightly less heft. Very thin brown film with plentiful legs.

S - Initially the smoke is more charcoal, with infused milk chocolate. It seems deadened somehow.

T - Front-palate bittering darker chocolate, mid kicks in the smoke, ash, and toasted coffee grounds. Lingering espresso finish.

M - Medium body, medium-high carbonation, semi-dry finish.

D - The aroma doesn't exhibit enough smoke but the taste doesn't balance it enough. Would revisit, but probably not with any further expectations.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 04:05:05 | More by Auracom

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Dark black, 1/2 inch creamy head with good lacing.

Smell - Roasted malts, smoke, beef jerkey, wood, coffee and chocolate.

Taste - Smokey roasted malts and some minor coffee and chocolate notes at first sip. Not as smoked/woody malty as the aroma lead me to believe. Coffee is present and adds a bold yet bitter flavor. Chocolate comes out near the finish and sweetness this beer slighty.

Mouthfeel - Smokey malts nail the tounge at first sip. Coffee and malts with slight chocolate coat the palate. The finish is malty/smokey, and a little coffee bitter.

Overall - Not bad, not overly smokey like most smoked beers ive had. Rather smooth and easy to drink. Pretty good beer with a little sweet kick. Worth a drink, espically for people that have had smoked beers and found them overbearing.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 03:03:34 | More by wvsabbath

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Vigorous pour yields a solid black with a two-finger off white head. Left no lacing.

S - Lots of coffee on the nose, a little bit of smoke and slight chocolate.

T - Coffee and dark chocolate up front, with a smoked bacon finish. Not a lot, but not bad.

M - Medium smoky body with medium carbonation.

O - Overall, my first smoked beer. It was good, and would pair well with a bacon sandwich. Nothing amazing however.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 08:41:27 | More by SometimesIfart

Kerrie

Michigan

4.14/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I should start by saying that while this page says the beer is 8%, my bottle says 7%, and has an updated label. I may be tasting something different than earlier reviewers due to the batch.

A- Pitch black, almost no head. The small amount of tan head diminishes quickly. There is some lacing but again, it doesn't last long. I do love that pitch black stout appearance.

S- Smells like strong, roasted coffee. Definitely lives up to the "smoked" name. I would love to pair this with a steak or other red meat.

T- Again, the smoke taste is present, as well as coffee. The aftertaste is bitter, but dissipates quickly.

M- Not too thick, like some stouts, and not too watery, like an unfortunate few I've had in the past. I do wish it were just a bit thicker, though.

Overall, I'd recommend it. It's great on a winter night and I think I'd like it better paired with red meat.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 01:11:43 | More by Kerrie

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

poured into beer stien.

Appearance: black bodied beer with a thin cap of dark brown head. Drops quickly to no head at all.

Smell: This is nice and smokey. We are talking "baconesk" meaty smoke. Smoky like liquid smoke or like a campfire. Also most like steakes cooked over a campfire!

Taste: Really interesting flavors here. You get a hint of the chocolate sweetness from the malts and then the smoke slowely creeps in... Its almost like a piece of chocolate covered bacon! Totally serious! And then more smoke. Like liquid smoke. Meaty smoke. Almost has a cured meat flavor to it. Finishes with a touch of malty sweetness and a hint of roasty coffee! Really tasty beer!

Mouthfeel: medium body with low carbonation. Body is a bit thin and the beer is a little under carbonated.

Overall: Loved how this beer tastes and smells! The beer needs some work in a few other areas though. I would not hesitate to by a 4 pack of this beer fresh.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 13:34:43 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz beer poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger mocha head that reduced quickly to a thin layer. It id a pitch black color with no clarity or visions of carbonation.

Smell: Sweet, Smokey, chocolate, roasted, and bready malts. Smells wicked good.

Taste: Taste is very similar with some lingering roastiness, bittersweet chocolate, and a slight bit of smoke.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium carbonation, light to medium bodied, a little watery, and quite enjoyable.

Overall: Good to have found the fourth installment of the series.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:46:41 | More by Flounder57

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The pour is chocolate milk thick with a thin but yet rich, head. Scents of burnt chocolate, coffee, cocoa, and toasted malts. Great scented like a classic stout. Tastes robust, a bit thin, no hops but a nice smoke-chard finish that is easy to drink. A bit thin but yet likeable and strong with accented malt-smoked flavour. Very easy to finish yet extremely strong. The longer you drink it the more accentuated the smoke because, which I find intriguing and different. I have no complaints about this one, as it was nicely priced, and lived up to the billing!

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 00:05:06 | More by bigdeuce

joedevivre

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

If this beer were an album, it would be White Light/White Heat by The Velvet Underground. Hidden not very deeply inside the smokiness, you can taste the electric viola, feedback and heroin.

The smoke was a perfect compliment to the stout and the look and feel of the beer itself was smooth and warm.

I've enjoyed Dark Horse brews before, but was still surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. One of my favorite smoked stouts.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 20:49:48 | More by joedevivre

harrymel

Washington

2.95/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Finally pulled this extra from the cellar.
Bottled: unk

Black and inky with no foam. Smells of smoke, leather, tobacco, toasted and roasted malts. Flavor is roasted with smoke, coffee grounds, leather, metal and some dust. Okay flavor. Medium on full bodied with low on moderate carb and a semi dry finish. This was less smoky than I expected (a good thing), but the stout underneath lacked the refined character I usually get from the folks at Dark Horse.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 06:47:35 | More by harrymel