Dark Hollow Artisanal Ale - Blue Mountain Brewery

TappaKeggaBrew

Ohio

2.8/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Poured very dark brown, almost black, into my stout glass. The head is 2 fingers of light brown froth that simply won't quit -- I've never seen a head with such staying power! Needless to say, the lacing was tenacious, too.

S: Molasses. Dried fruit. Grape juice. And bourbon.

T: Super sweet at first contact with the tongue -- VERY heavy on the malt sugars! Bitter chocolate is the next flavor, followed by sour grapes. Grapefruit rind tart and bitter notes from the hops develop slowly in the finish, intensify, and linger on the palate.

M: Fairly well carbonated, but the 10% ABV delivers a little burn before the slightly astringent finish.

O: What looked so promising at the pour rather disappointed in the mouth. The sweet malt was overpowering, and the tart-bitter, astringent finish was simply not pleasant. I'd hoped the bourbon barrels would have mellowed it (as they do some scotch whiskeys), but not so. I'll not be buying another bottle, and in fact will take advantage of Trader Joe's guarantee to return the unused portion for a full refund.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 02:35:42 | More by TappaKeggaBrew

MrOH

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Batch #10, so its at least a couple years old at this point.

Pours black with big foamy brown head. Lots of lace.

Smell: Bourbon, candied fruits (cherry, figs), slightly oxided, but in a good way (sherry). Very much like a fruitcake. Touch of chocolate.

Taste: Very similar to the aroma. A touch more chocolate than the aroma. Cherry is more pronounced as well. There is some tartness that tastes somewhat lactic, but could just be low pH from the dark malts.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, low carbonation. Fairly hefty body, with is to be expected, but the tartness keeps it somewhat light.

Almost more like a bourbon barrel aged black barleywine. Roast character has aged out, but it's turned into a very enjoyable beer that goes down easy, is warming and satisfying, and has plenty of nuance. Kinda want to pick up a fresh bottle just to see the difference.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:52:15 | More by MrOH

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-19-2013 01:47:03 | More by Photekut

RoryOMoore

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-18-2013 03:51:35 | More by RoryOMoore

GinsuDave

Michigan

5/5  rDev +29.5%

05-18-2013 01:31:36 | More by GinsuDave

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.14/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Had this bottled and on tap at Capital Ale House in Fredricksburg. Notes are from draught. From notes.

A - Black pour, one finger mocha head, spotty lace, film retention.

S - Roasty, really chocolatey. Leather, licorice, a little wood and some whisky.

T - Roast and chocolate balance between sweet and roasty bitterness. Sweet chocolate. Lot's of nice whisky and wood notes. Warms up becoming nice and smooth.

M - Quite smooth. Mild carbonation, full body. Nice mildly boozy/whisky finish with some dry bitterness.

O/D - Nice tasty barrel aged stout. Complex sipper for sure. Enjoyable with a good feel and tasty flavour. GOod copmlexity with the barrel, roast, and sweetness all well integrated. Could have a few.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 15:46:02 | More by tbeckett

ipas-for-life

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-14-2013 22:36:14 | More by ipas-for-life

oline73

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-10-2013 02:51:15 | More by oline73

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.96/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

This one had a nice 'pop' when uncorked, best by June 2014 written on cork, served in a snifter at cellar temperature

A- pours pitch black with a foamy dark-tan head about 2inches thick, quickly reduces to just a ring around the edges

S- dark roasted malt, dark fruit notes of fig and maybe cherry, sweet yeasty bread, raw bourbon notes with vanilla highlights, a touch of chocokate and a bit of alcohol burn at the end. Aromas seem to open up the longer it sits

T- the base beer is dark, sweet and fruity, by mid-palate the bourbon notes begin to come out subtly, the black-end brings out the toasted oak flavors which provide vanilla and toasted coconut flavors, the finish is dry with chocolate and toasted oak flavors still lingering on the palate

M- medium-heavy body with low carbonation, foamy mouthfeel that goes down smooth, just a slight alcohol burn lingers on the palate

O- some nice flavors coming out, however I would have preferred just a bit more bourbon. The oak characteristics provide some complex flavors on the finish. Not the top of the ladder in this style, but definitely worthy a try

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:52:18 | More by Treyliff

McBraniel

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-09-2013 23:25:09 | More by McBraniel

pixieskid

France

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-02-2013 09:27:44 | More by pixieskid

jd18

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

04-30-2013 02:50:21 | More by jd18

LVbeernoob

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

04-30-2013 01:34:12 | More by LVbeernoob

NYR_Rob

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-28-2013 01:48:00 | More by NYR_Rob

JoninVT

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-27-2013 03:35:28 | More by JoninVT

ThomasAWilson2

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

04-26-2013 13:26:29 | More by ThomasAWilson2

ChrisKayler

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-25-2013 18:44:17 | More by ChrisKayler

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Best by June 2014

Pours an opaque dark chestnut brown color with a 1.5 finger beige head that very slowly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Very nice retention for the style and high ABV. Streaks of soapy lacing left behind.

The aroma has a great barrel presence that is nicely integrated info the stout characteristics of the base beer. Lots of toasted oak, vanilla, coconut and just enough sweet, spicy bourbon that makes itself know without overpowering everything else. Underneath, there is some smokey, roast and sweet malt notes balancing things out. Hints of toast, oatmeal, coffee bean and dark chocolate compliment the charred oak but the aroma could use some more bourbon for my preference.

Full bodied with a slight creamy texture and a prominent dry, spicy barrel character that lingers over the roasted malt and sweeter notes into a bone dry finish. The barrel dominates with lots of burnt oak and spicy whiskey flavor. The vanilla and toasted coconut as well as the sweeter bourbon notes from the aroma are hard to pick up. This renders the barrel flavor a bit one dimensional with an overly dry/acrid and spicy presence. The malt profile is still pretty interesting however, with deeply roasted and sweeter chocolate malt notes. Hints of burnt toast, spent coffee grinds, oatmeal and very dark cacao countered by subtle lactic cream, baker's chocolate and toffee. Some boozy heat and warmth in the finish but the 10% ABV is considerably well masked. Still, it's a bit heavy on the roast and burnt oak making it a bit tough to drink. I finished the whole bottles but four or five ounces would have been fine.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 07:49:36 | More by corby112

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

04-21-2013 17:51:45 | More by drgonzo2k2

JISurfer

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.6%

04-19-2013 02:55:05 | More by JISurfer

baybum

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-18-2013 00:44:42 | More by baybum

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- More of a dark brown than a pitch black imperial stout. Pours almost a deep caramel color and settles in slightly darker. Thin, bubbly tan head that disappears and leaves a trace layer of bubbles.

S- Barrel aromas come through with some oak, caramel, candied sugar, chocolate and roasty malts.

T- The flavors are somewhat disjointed and do not really blend well together. The boozy bourbon flavors come through, but they sort of separate from the rich, chocolatey, roasty stout base. Overall the flavors are pretty good, with the exception of the harsh booze, but it just does not come together that well.

M- Not all that smooth, medium carbonation, boozy flavors. Not the worst, but not great for the style.

O- Glad I tried this one, but pretty disappointed. There is potential here though.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 23:37:12 | More by stephenjmoore

Dave_Treat

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

04-15-2013 04:26:03 | More by Dave_Treat

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%

04-13-2013 23:50:07 | More by justintcoons

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

3.28/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Presentation: Corked and caged 750 mL bottled chilled and poured into a Cigar City tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a pretty aggresive, light beige head of about an inch and a half. Settles into a nice lacing.

Aroma: Dark fruits, caramel, vanilla and a light splash of bourbon. A touch boozy but the bourbon and the sweetness from the base beer come through well. Pretty nice balance and complexity from the barrels.

Taste: Really bitter coffee and charred oak. The complexity from the bourbon and sweetness from the base beer is not here as it was in the aroma. Instead there is just a lot of bitterness and burnt flavors. Really disappointing. On the upside, very little bourbon burn.

Mouthfeel: Really light bodied and highly carbonated for a barrel aged stout.

Overall, I was pretty disappointed by this beer. The aroma is nice, but the flavors are dominated by too much bitterness and burnt character so that the barrel and bourbon don't really come through. The mouthfeel also doesn't really help as it is really light and carbonated for an imperial stout. This really just doesn't do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 02:10:17 | More by Gosox8787