Buried Hatchet Stout - Southern Star Brewing Company

visualweasel

Washington

3.81/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Very dark, almost black. About a finger of tan head, dissipating quickly, leaving attractive, if thin lacing.

S: Not much nose on this one. But taking a deep sniff, I get more of a coffee profile than a chocolate one.

T: A fairly traditional stout, with predominating notes of coffee, some chocolate on the finish.

M: Heavier than medium, but not as chewy as some of the better stouts. For the style, I'd say it's just a bit thin.

O: A nice stout, but not stellar. It's one I could have a couple of in a session, but it's doesn't have that almost dessert-like satisfaction of the best stouts.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2013 17:14:32 | More by visualweasel

matjack85

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap as part of a flght of 5 Texas beers for $10 at the Flying Saucer Beer Emporium in downtown Houston, Texas. 5oz portions of 5 different beers.

The beer had a very dark brown color to it, but only had a thin tan rim on top for a head and even that dissipated quickly. Carbonation looked lively.

Coffee, toffee, and chocolate smell.

Roasted malt flavor with hints of coffee and chocolate. A nice bitterness adds balance, and a little bit of cream flavor makes it even more interesting.

A little on the thin side for a stout, and more carbonated than most, but I still liked what smooth, creamy texture that remained.

A very enjoyable stout from a brewery I never head of before trying this offering.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 03:53:33 | More by matjack85

elNopalero

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This pours a chocolately dark, dark brown color. Almost black, with light cocoa-colored big foamy bubbles. It has an aroma of dark chocolate and coffee with some toffee hints backing it up. The flavor comes across bold like a dark roast, sharply bitter, with a finish more dry than sweet. 8.25%, which places it on the “lighter” side of imperial stouts, and no hint of the alcohol. Some piney thickness comes through as it warms. Toasty, roasty and oh so tasty. There’s good beer in Texas (to borrow a phrase)!

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2012 18:24:49 | More by elNopalero

bayougutter

Louisiana

3.7/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the brewery in Conroe Tx. Poured into a pilsner type glass bought at Southern Star. Poured nice and dark with a little ruby highlights coming thru. Three finger tan head, didn't stay long but left good lacing.

Smell; typical stout aromas, dark roasted malts, cocoa, coffee. It had a little nutty smokey smell as well.

Taste; Followed the smell with the nutty-smoke flavor being more prominent on the finish and after taste. In a good way.

Mouthfeel; a little thin for an impy, about right for an American stout.

Overall; Nice brew from a small brewery. Worthy of a try if you get a chance. Just a note, if you can go to the brewery on any Saturday, they have free tastings. Just outside of Houston.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 22:23:48 | More by bayougutter

LittleDon

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

An 8 oz. pour into a highball glass at the Whip In, Austin.

Dark with a long lived head and a good amount of lace. Too dark to tell if any light passes through this one. Lots of milk chocolate in the aroma with a bit of coffee. Flavor is predominantly chocolate with a hint of smokey, burnt coffee (which works surprisingly well). Some alcohol is evident, but it isn't overwhelming. Bittersweet finish. Mouth feel is soft and body is heavy. Well done. My biggest disappointment was that the pour wasn't larger. One of the few stouts where I haven't wondered how much better it would be on nitro.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2011 20:28:33 | More by LittleDon

mdunman

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Thick brown-black with a big head and some good linger

S: Rich roasted malt with some coffee/chocolate notes

T: Roasted malt and coffee/chocolate take over early on and progress into a slightly dry complementary finish.

M: Full body, decent carbonation

Very enjoyable beer. This makes me want to drive out to Conroe and tour their brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 01:46:32 | More by mdunman

slowcooked

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

When I was first introduced to this beer in 2008 by a smokin hot beer goddess in Flying Saucer houston, tx I thought I was in heaven. I don't know what to say but imperial stout smoothness. This is everything you would expect from an award wining imperial stout but with an extra smooth drinkability. This is one of my favorite beers of all time.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2010 03:48:40 | More by slowcooked

EPICAC

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a cloudy brown up to the light, but sitting in the glass it's an opaque black. It's topped by a fluffy, brown head that fades to a film, leaving good lace. The aroma is roasty with mild, coffee notes, sweet chocolate, and dark fruit.

There's a strong, roasted bitter undercurrent just underneath the surface. The sweetness is very mild, really only making an appearance in the center with notes of dark fruit. The finish has a mix of chocolate and coffee that's intensely bitter. This stout is full-bodied and moderately carbonated.

This is an excellent stout. It has an intense bitterness, so it's not as much of a sessioner as many others.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2010 03:41:17 | More by EPICAC

Redrover

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was glad to be able to sample some local beer while visiting the Fly & Saucer in Houston. This one was served in a goblet. The beer is dark brown bordering on black. It has a very thick brown head.

The nose is inviting, brown sugar, black plums, raisins and smoky malts.

The taste tracks the smell. Slightly smoky with lots of roasted malts, a hint of coffee.

The mouth was slightly thickish and a touch oily. It was a nice beer to end the evening with. Well done!

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2010 20:53:30 | More by Redrover

jwillcourt

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap into a half-pint glass.

A - Deep, dark-brown, cola color. There is no head, just a small rim of white foam. It is ruby red around the edges when held to the light.

S - Dominant coffee smell. Underneath, there is sweet vanilla and slight hops.

T - Taste is also dominated by coffee. Also strong chocolate and roasted malt. There is a sticky, vanilla sweetness and a slight cola taste. Hop bitterness in the finish.

M - Feels thin-bodied for the style, but it foams and froths easily in the mouth. Coats the mouth and lips.

D - Very drinkable. Hides the alcohol well. Lighter body goes down easily.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2010 05:52:42 | More by jwillcourt

Squelch

United Kingdom (England)

4.22/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: dark with a dark brown head.

Smell: Smells of roasted malts.

Taste: Slightly sweet with a deep toffe/coffee flavor. No harshness. Very good beer that fits the style nicely.

Mouthfeel: No puckering. Very nice

Drinkability: Nice sipper. Will try again. Nice beer!

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2009 04:06:02 | More by Squelch

philipquarles

Louisiana

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap. Pours an opaque, very dark brown/black with a creamy tan head. Smells strongly of dark roasted malt with heavy coffee notes and some cocoa in the background. Similar flavors, again with coffee and chocolate, but also an interesting rum-like character. Some alcohol presence. Full bodied. Little to no alcohol presence. The best "big" stout I've had in quite a while.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2009 03:56:53 | More by philipquarles

SuperNewman

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Creamy, Coffee, and Chocolate. Almost like a cappuccino. Opaque with a tan head and plenty of lace. Really good chocolate flavor that does not overpower your taste buds. Very minimal alcohol burn from a beer this strong. This is one I can't wait to buy in a can.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2009 16:27:13 | More by SuperNewman

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.65/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a semi-light black color with a fat tan head that hangs around forever. Super lacing as well, it's a damn good looking beer.

Creamy malty chocolate, whoppers candy, coffee beans and nestle quick. Not much hoppy or yeasty aroma at all, very clean and fresh.

Mmmm, there's the hops. Resinous lupulin mingles with bitter coffee and toasty malts to create a nice balance for the sweet and chocolately malts. It has a nice heft to it...not overly viscous so its somewhat sessionable, but still has plenty of flavor. Easily the best stout in Texas. This brewery is kicking some serious ass. Gives Ten Fidy a run for it's money as the best stout in a can.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2009 17:39:19 | More by twiggamortis420

JDV

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice dark black with a small tan head. Smell is nice and strong with dark roasted malt, coffee and chocolate notes. Taste is as expected with roasty dark malt and bitter chocolate. Medium to full body with light to normal carbonation and no alcohol presence. Very respectable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2009 16:01:38 | More by JDV

BgThang

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this at the draught house.
I feel deprived because I have not had this beer since it has been out. I have tried all of southern star's beer pre release except this one. I have missed out.

Appearance - dark, black, tan head.

Smell - alot of smoky chocolate arises from the medium tan head that lingers on.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, choclate, smokey, a tad of subtle hops coming though. This thing is very very easy to quaff down. Be careful they say it's 9% I cannot believe it!

Southern star brewery is quickly making a name for themselves. They have again made a damn fine quality brew that is rumored to be out in cans by this summer. If this is the case then I will have a trusty 4 pk in my fridge all the time. This and (512) pecan porter are my 2 favorite beers that I can get locally. We Texans are very very lucky to have southern star! Maybe they will do a barrel aged or bourbon style of this one. Maybe a coffee version! Awesome DAVE keep cranking out the GREAT BEERS!

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2009 05:47:19 | More by BgThang

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at the Flying Saucer in Houston, served in a tulip goblet. The beer was dark brown/black with a very thin tan film of head. The beer smelled sweet, roasted malts, dark boozy chocolate. Same with the taste, this was really rich. Strong anise flavor also, a common flavor in RIS that I don't really like. I don't like black jelly beans either. The richness and the evident alcohol keep the drinkability a little low for me, but still a very good stout.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2009 12:23:48 | More by TurdFurgison

jujubeast6000

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed 1/23/2009 (Tap @ Flying Saucer, Houston, TX):

Pours a very dark brown color body with a small frothy cream-colored head diminishing, goo lacing. Roasted dry coffee aroma. Some bitter chocolate too. Coffee roasted aftertaste, dry chocolaty light coffee taste. A little hot. Hotter as it arms up, more coffee tasting.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 05:29:53 | More by jujubeast6000

JonathanL7890

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A slight light brown head.
Color is pitch black, thick.
Aroma is very roasty.
Taste is roast malt, chocolate, little bit of hops.
Slight citrus hop presence. No alcohol burn but a little warming in the belly.
Thick mouthfeel. Light carbonation. Chewy.
Drinkability: One pint is enough at a time for me.

It's great to have a RIS from a local texas brewer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2009 16:56:03 | More by JonathanL7890

champ103

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours black with some ruby highlights around the edges. A two finger tannish head forms with great retention. Sticky lace that is impressive all the way down. This can't look any better.
S: Tons of roasted malt. Coffee is abundant with some chocolate and even toffee aromas.
T: The same as the nose. A huge roasted flavor with plenty of coffee and chocolate.
M/D: A full body that is velvety smooth. Perfectly carbonated for my tastes. Exceptionally easy and smooth to drink considering the high alcohol. I sessioned about three of these at the Flying Saucer with ease.

Everything a stout should be and more. Not a lot of complexities, but exceptional none the less. Southern Star is fast becoming my favorite brewery with beers like this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2009 03:50:38 | More by champ103

Adouble

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Flying Saucer Houston. Happy hour so I got a 22oz before they realized what had happened! yay for me!

A black with garnet at edges. sturdy head.

S chocolate. malty chocolate goodness. could tell what it was going to taste like.

T chocolate. malty chocolate goodness that the smell promised. gave way to tame roastiness. unexpected but plesant hop flavor at the end that stayed in the background. lingering chocolate. delicious and balanced. no alcohol taste

M silky smooth. low carbonation. warm.

D i could have had 2 but would have needed a jazzy to leave the bar. i really liked it. when the hell is this stuff gonna hit specs?

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2009 17:57:10 | More by Adouble

armock

New York

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at the brewery.

A - Poured a dark brown color with a light brown head that leaves lacing

S - Is of roasted malt that give off a nice coffee scent

T - Follows the nose of roastiness from the malt that gives it a good coffee flavor

M - This beer has a smooth fuller body with medium carbonation to it

D - This is a tasty brew it has a nice smooth body with a very good taste it that hides the 8.5 abv very well worth finding to try

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2009 18:59:43 | More by armock

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.51/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not quite sure what to make of this one. It's a stout? Seems thin for it and much more porter like. Nose is nice, but the body of flavor gets thin way too quickly. I'd actually say this seems more a cross between a brown ale and a porter. Decent enough, I suppose, but not overly interesting or noteworthy.

Serving type: can

04-28-2013 05:02:18 | More by RblWthACoz

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.64/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Second review of this beer.

Pours a mixture of brown and black, thin tan head of it. I'd estimate it to be about 1/3". More black than dark brown.

Aroma was just thick roasted chocolate malt, and that was about it.

Taste was more of the same, thick, roasted malt, a little bit of smoothness given its heft, and a deft ability to hide its alcohol. Almost nothing in the way of sweetness. Chewy mouthfeel. As it warms you start to have a little depth of toffee and caramel, along with brown malt. Starts to come off as a blend between a brown, porter and imperial stout. Well carbonated.

Props for putting it in a can.

Serving type: can

04-26-2013 22:59:26 | More by Beerandraiderfan

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.03/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Pours a pretty plain black, fairly thin coffee colored head, leaves only mild lacing when it fades. Looks fine, nothing special.

Smells pretty strongly of roasted malt, coffee notes, a but of nuttiness (toffee maybe? hazelnut?) and maybe a hint of chocolate. Maybe some lactose?

Taste is basically the same, with the addition of a touch of smokiness and something kindof tangy like an English brown ale maybe. Maybe some lactose again.

Mouthfeel is pretty average, carbonation is okay, body slightly on the thin side, something feels a little artificial somehow but not bad.

A nice decent stout, pretty forgettable though and not something I'd buy again.

6.1/10

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 02:40:32 | More by AlexFields