Craftsman - Renaissance Brewing

KrisDLSmith

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5%

12-29-2012 04:05:09 | More by KrisDLSmith

CrazyDavros

Australia

4.15/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours black with a tan head.
Nose shows chocolate, oatmeal, raosted malt, tiramisu, cocoa. Great.
Similar flavours, very tiramisu-like. coffee, cocoa, sweet oat/biscuity notes. Finishes with some dry roasted malt.
Could use a thicker body.
Pretty awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2013 08:38:29 | More by CrazyDavros

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - thick pitch black, short mocha head dissipated to a few random islands
S - chocolate, dusty grains, and big roastiness with just a touch of pepper
T - big dry dark chocolatey hit, complimentary roastiness, rich grainy oatmeal, light coal background
M - a big medium body, well carbonated, slight cocoa chaulkiness, finishes slightly dry but full
O - very tasty with a strong chocolate presence which I always really appreciate, approachable enough to be enjoyed by many

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 02:09:13 | More by joemcgrath27

Pexkool

Mexico

3.51/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured into a pint glass, erupting in a thick 4 finger tall beige head. Took a while for the head to dissipate, and then I found out I only poured about half a glass before I had to stop so the foam didn't overflow! Like others have said before me: Be careful and have a towel at hand. The beer itself is a very deep brown color, not entirely jet black.

S - The ridiculously big head gives away hints of vanilla, toffee, espresso and roasted malts, with some alcohol in it as well. Some bittersweet chocolate can be noted in between the strong coffee notes.

T - As one can tell from the aroma, it has a strong coffee flavor, with some licorice and bitter chocolate notes. A little bit of vanilla as well as some hops and alcohol.

M - My least favorite part of this beer was the carbonation. It had so much carbonation it seemed like you were tasting some coffee flavored soda or something like that. This was supposed to be an oatmeal stout, and having tasted some before, one would expect a smooth beer, or something more syrup-y, but you don't get that from this brew. You get a nice kick from the flavors and alcohol, but another kick (not so nice this time) from the carbonation.

Overall, a good flavorful stout that was overwhelmingly carbonated. I liked it, but would not have it again.
...And I guess nobody else is going to have it again, seeing as it is now retired.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 01:01:48 | More by Pexkool

IRONRakkasan

California

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

03-16-2013 01:17:12 | More by IRONRakkasan

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.4/5  rDev -37%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

500ml bottle - $7.99 at Mink's Package Store in Marietta, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours an opaque, very dark brown body with ungodly tall, sea foam-like, beige head.

Smell: Roast-edged malts, bitterish dark chocolate, a puff of smokey and some espresso grounds. Unfortunately, there's a noted, disagreeable vegetal tone that shows up in the flavor, but is a bit more prominent here. Pity.

Taste: Roast, dark chocolate and a smokey shot of espresso. Hint of licorice. Medium-light sweetness. Slight dark berry accent. Touch of something from the garden. Minor bitterness. Drying, roasty, chocolaty finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Sharp carbonation.

Overall: Rather over-carbonated. Craftsman never reaches the potential hoped for it.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:31:34 | More by ChainGangGuy

chanokokoro

Illinois

3/5  rDev -21.3%

03-01-2013 05:23:58 | More by chanokokoro

DocJitsu

California

2.86/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75

Pours an opaque, dark brown color with a big, fat burnt caramel colored head. The head takes on the appearance of sea foam. Chocolate and a bit of cola on the nose. The mouthfeel is just so far off base for this style that it is beyond disappointing. Way too much carbonation. The flavor is very thin. Some chocolate that dissipates as quickly as it emerges, followed by a bit of walnut, then to nothing but some plastic finish. Probably a reason this one was retired.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:33:43 | More by DocJitsu

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

02-24-2013 02:08:50 | More by Molson2000

Rwalford74

Australia

4/5  rDev +5%

02-23-2013 05:16:18 | More by Rwalford74

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

3.61/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: very dark brown, bordering on black; mocha head - watch out, it's hugely effervescent, almost had a spill! Seems over-carbonated

Aroma: deep chocolate aroma, like ground cocoa; hint of bitterness

Taste & Mouthfeel: like drinking a soda it's so heavily carbonated, wondering if I got a bad bottle or something happened on the way overseas, I really doubt this is normal; solid chocolate flavour though, again like real cocoa, not the usual balanced roasted malt flavours of chocolate, coffee, and anise - this is the real deal; hint of orange peel, and even a little smoke; earthy; medium body and dry, even having a powder texture at times; once head is gone and it's had time to settle the carbonation becomes less distracting; it really is like a chocolate bar, maybe with a drop of vanilla

Overall: what is probably a great beer spoiled by over-carbonation; love that it's all about the chocolate here, so often a beer labelled as such doesn't live up to the name

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 23:57:03 | More by BGDrock

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Bottle: Poured a light black color stout with a large light brown foamy head with average retention and some good lacing. Aroma consists of light black chocolate notes with some bitter roasted malt notes also noticeable. Taste is a mix between medium black chocolate notes with light bitter roasted malt notes with a light touch of coffee in the aftertaste. Body is too light with not enough of a creamy texture but with some very good carbonation. Not bad overall but I would think that a fuller body would improve the drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 15:34:50 | More by Phyl21ca

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4/5  rDev +5%

01-13-2013 00:20:23 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Sample I got fizzed quite a bit, if not volcanically, so have a towel handy. It pours a warm sable with a very thick, fluffy, rather persistent tan head. Rick, smoky aroma has notes of quality coffee, semi-sweet chocolate, caramel and brown sugar with some nutty and earthy hints.. Slightly powdery texture has average body but plenty of fizz, and leaves a chocolaty, earthy finish. Overall, a well-crafted beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:06:02 | More by Cyberkedi

Groulxsome

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

12-11-2012 03:43:12 | More by Groulxsome

Picaroon

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

12-07-2012 00:55:23 | More by Picaroon

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500 ml bottle, back label says 5.6% ABV. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours dark brown/black. The head was huge, as the brew foamed up like crazy when I tried to pour it into the glass. So after letting it settle and after multiple small pours, I was able to get a mostly full glass to drink after a few minutes. The brew smells like roasted malt, milk and bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, oats and a bit of coffee. Taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, althought I think the chocolate flavor leans more towards sweet milk chocolate. There's also a bit of charred/burnt malt noticeable. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's slick and creamy, and also has high but soft carbonation. I think it's a good overall brew, I just would like for the carbonation to be lower. But other than that, I liked it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 00:04:19 | More by bluejacket74

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pitch black, porter like pour. Two and a half finger tan head. Thick and foamy leaving sheets of glorious lacing on the glass.

Dark bitter chocolate, dark roasted coffee, brown sugar and definite oatmeal. Brown sugar, vanilla and sight char.

Dark chocolate, burnt coffee and a wallop of delicious oat flakes. The flavor from the oatmeal really compliments the chocolate and bitter coffee presence. There is a touch of molasses with some black licorice.

Light to medium body, carbonation is a little high.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 21:37:24 | More by korguy123

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

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

Shared by argo0. Thanks man!

The beer is dark chestnut brown with a tall mocha head. The aroma offers chocolate, vanilla, subtle coffee. Smells nice. The flavor is smooth and easy drinking. Light sweetness throughout, maybe some hazelnuts. Sweet chocolates and roasted malt. Fairly low carbonation. Overall, this was solid.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 03:00:00 | More by Huhzubendah

sonorb7

Australia

3/5  rDev -21.3%

11-24-2012 13:01:31 | More by sonorb7

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -21.3%

11-21-2012 01:16:03 | More by cfalovo97

beerhunter13

Ontario (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

11-18-2012 19:39:28 | More by beerhunter13

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(4.5) A: Pitch black with a beautiful and creamy mocha coloured foam head. Very good retention and lacing. This appearance is what all oatmeal stouts should strive for.

(4.0) S: Bitter dark chocolate, pronounced oatmeal aroma, caramel, and dry cocoa. Quite a smooth and refined aroma that displays each individual aroma exceptionally well.

(4.0) T: Dark chocolate bar and cocoa powder upfront that leads into a moist oatmeal flavour and finishes with a herbal anise flavour on the backend. Mild citrus-like hops are present just enough to keep this light and refreshing. Very delicious.

(3.5) M: Light bodied with a moderate carbonation. Not quite as oily and rich as I would’ve preferred but still more than acceptable with a syrupy and velvet-like texture.

(4.0) D: Very glad I tried this and would definitely recommend to others. One of the best oatmeal stouts I’ve experienced to date. Not quite on the same level as St. Ambroise or Wolaver's but very close and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 01:53:39 | More by Digimaika2

bgibbard

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5%

11-12-2012 05:04:53 | More by bgibbard

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

What's black, white and delicious all over? Renaissance Craftsman. OK, well, not actually white, its head is admittedly as dark as some coffees. It manages an impressively foamy texture for the better part of the tasting. Opaque, onyx - this is the poster boy for stouts everywhere.

The aromatic presence of authentic, rich cocoa cannot be embellished. Holy cow! It is enlivening. There is nothing discreet about the chocolate and vanilla in this nose, one of the few that manages to feature more actual chocolate than roasted grain. Although entirely straight-forward, the bouquet is underpinned by an espresso-like sophistication. Head-spinning.

Despite boasting a deep, dark core of heavy roast coffee, cocoa nibs and vanilla pod, Craftsman doesn't pack a big punch. In fact, its broad-shouldered flavours are incredibly well-detailed and possess an ultra silky mid-palate texture (like reduced balsamic), despite the overlaying soft, sooty bitterness. On the palate it is rich, round and solidly intense without showing too much muscularity or decadence.

Craftsman is truly a stout for stout makers. Despite focusing so heavily on the cocoa, it is nonetheless a wonderfully complete recipe. It is rich and gratifying without being too heavy or astringent. It has deft traces of a dry oak-y element that accompanies the firmly structured, slowly building finish. It hovers on the palate without being too imposing. Just lovely.

The scores posted above were granted without hesitation. This chocolate-oatmeal stout has mind-blowing, broad-scaled cocoa qualities and strikes a remarkable balance between intensity and mellowness. This is only my second Renaissance Brewing offering but I'm already calling these guys 'gurus' and am now officially a card-carrying member of their fan-club, whatever the costs.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 17:55:40 | More by biegaman