Buried Hatchet Stout - Southern Star Brewing Company

chocosushi

Oklahoma

3.05/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Cigar City Tulip
A ~ Even the can itself opened up beautifully. Pours Black w/ Enamel head. Slight lace.

S ~ Caramel syrup, Chocolate milk, grapes, & faint coffee. Slight mustyness.

T ~ Caramel following through progressing into a stronger coffee note fading fast into prune-y notes. Artificial chocolate. Burnt caramel & alcohol on the finish.

M ~ Sweet w/ a roasty middle & a chalky finish. Wish it was a tad more bitter on the back end. Bit of heat.

D ~ An average stout, but I was a tad underwhemed overall! There was a great expression of coffee in the beginning, but needed more body & bitterness to carry it through. Thanks for getting me this Want, gawnphishin!

Serving type: can

03-16-2012 23:20:22 | More by chocosushi

obrike

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

4 pack on sale at Specs over the weekend for 7 and change.

Poured a very dark brown/mahogany...not quite black. Decent lacing, but certainly not the midnight black you expect from an imperial stout.

Not getting a ton on the scent...some cocoa, roasted malt and coffee...not much else. Pretty tame.

Again, not blown away by the taste...some chocolate, bitter coffee on the backend...maybe even a bit of cinammon. Still, just not a very bold taste for an Imp. I did like the smooth mouthfeel though...hid the booze quite well and was quite easy to drink.

I really wanted to like this Texas brewed beer more...just fell a bit short to me. A decent overall effort though.

Serving type: can

03-07-2012 03:50:10 | More by obrike

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.43/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Can brought back from Texas by my mate Aaron.

Pours a surprisingly light, translucent brown hue, with a fine ring of off-white bubbles around the edge. Minimal lacing. Body looks light, but it's deceptive—really it's just that the abnormally light colour tricks me into thinking that, when in fact it swirls quite languidly, and holds some tight fine carbonation, suggesting a bigger body. Still, it's really too light for the style, and although it has good points, I have to say it's not a good look overall.

Nose is better, however, with a very pleasant roasted grainy character, almost giving refined notes of a good English porter (if not the raw power and grunt of a big Impy Stout). Slight chocolate overtones, all with a hint of heavier roast to it—smells a little like an overcooked brownie. Not bad, all up; a little one dimensional, but not bad.

Taste is surprisingly dark and bitter, with a robust toasty grain character that lingers right from the mid to long after the beer has disappeared. It still feels as though it's missing a little sweetness, but it's surprisingly well supported nonetheless. It doesn't feel tame or empty, but there's really not much else in the way of flavour to explain it. Decent enough.

Feel is noticeably light, but with enough heft to support the flavours of the beer.

Not bad, all up, if a little underwhelming, and certainly not a good American Imperial Stout, if that's genuinely what they call it. But it belies its disappointing appearance with some decent flavours and surprising integration.

Serving type: can

03-03-2012 04:29:48 | More by lacqueredmouse

beergoot

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This can delivers a dark brown bodied beer with a one-finger, creamy, off-white head.

Dark roast coffee and burnt toast aromas greet the nose. There's some bitter chocolate in there, too.

Coffee and cream with vanilla overtones hit you on first taste. Bitter chocolate and dark roasted grains are fairly predominate midway through. A good balance of the malt flavors, hop bitterness, and alcohol warmth finishes things.

The body is medium in nature, smooth and silky.

A pretty good stout that highlights the malt characteristics over the relatively high ABV. My personal preference would have been for a darker, more opaque body, but (per the can info), the brewers used a lot of brown malt in this one. It shows in the overall character and sets this beer apart from other stouts. Besides, to me, the ultimate judging of a beer is in its taste and drink-ability, not primarily on outward appearances. Definitely worth checking out.

Thanks to Tim from Houston for throwing this in with our recent beer trade.

Serving type: can

03-03-2012 01:27:33 | More by beergoot

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours opaque, dark and black with a one fingered caramel colored head that dies down pretty quickly to an even yet thin layer across the top.

S - Dark roasted chocolate and coffee beans.

T - Mimics the nose...coffee beans, and dark chocolate that's a little roasty. This is a slight bit of caramel on the palette which I didn't didn't pick up in the nose. The flavor isn't as intense as I thought it would be.

M - Thin medium body, which it were thicker for an imperial stout, gentle carbonation on the tongue.

O - Worth a try but it needs more balls!

Serving type: can

03-01-2012 04:50:18 | More by jzeilinger

TATURBO

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From can to Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.
4/5 Appearance: Dark Brown with slight amount of light coming through around the edges of the glass. Minimal head.

4.5/5 Smell: Roasty Malty with a tinge of caramel. Like what my nose is picking up even if I can't describe it well.

4.25/5 Taste: Roasted with a Coffee/Chocolate flavor followed up with some caramel. Good malt flavor with minimal if any hops presence.

4/5 Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation with a tingle on the tongue. Maybe a slight big light compared to some higher end stouts but very good still. Slight alcohol on the very back end you pick up after a minute or two of your last sip.

4.4/5 Overall: Really like this stout. Flavor is very good, Carbonation is right on Looks and smells good. Alcohol is there but not overpowering for the stated 8.25%. I'll definitely seek out more of this one. Solid effort by Southern Star Brewing. I look forward to trying their other offerings.

Serving type: can

02-15-2012 23:33:00 | More by TATURBO

projectflam86

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz can.

A- Pours a dark brown color with a thick foam head that leaves good lacing.

S- Tons of sweet brown malt aroma with some hints of coffee and caramel. Not quite as roasted as I was expecting but a pleasant aroma regardless.

T- Very sweet initially with caramel, toffee, and brown bread flavors. A touch of bitterness in the finish. Very well hidden alcohol.

M- A touch thin with medium/low carbonation.

O- A very solid stout that with a few tweaks could really be something special.

Serving type: can

02-04-2012 15:45:06 | More by projectflam86

albertjr21

New York

3.45/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Into a wine glass pours a deep dark brown under a tan head. Nose displays notes of coffee and creamy sweetness. Bitter and carbonated acidic bite in the mouthfeel is coupled with a respectful amount of sweetness to deliver a more crisp ending. Notes of deep sweet roasted malt, dark chocolate and caramel steer the tastebuds.

Serving type: can

01-30-2012 07:05:22 | More by albertjr21

pmarlowe

California

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

Thanks to bentwookie for this one. 12oz can to tulip glass.

A: Pours a dull light brown with three fingers of cream colored head, which deflates slowly to leave some thick lacing.

S: Roasted malt, light roast coffee, cocoa, cola, and cream and vanilla. Pretty interesting.

T: Smooth roasted malt, mild coffee, and cola, with roastiness and coffee on the finish.

M: Creamy texture, medium-light carbonation and medium-full body. No alcohol noticeable.

O: Really solid stout. I drank this thinking it was an American Stout, not Double, so that speaks for its drinkability.

Serving type: can

01-25-2012 07:13:02 | More by pmarlowe

LtCracker20

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a deep mahagony with a creamy 1-2 fingers tan head that sticks around for a while.

S- Roasted malts, a little bready, slight chocolate, and a little coffee-ish aroma.

T- A little sweet, slightly bready, more roasted malt flavors, caramel, and more coffee.

MF- Very creamy body on this one. A very good feel on the palte even though it is just slightly thin.

Serving type: can

01-21-2012 22:35:08 | More by LtCracker20

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz can with no canning date information. I poured this one into my Boulevard snifter. Thanks to bentwookie for the brew!

A: Pours an interesting deep reddish brown color. Not really imperial stout-ish, as it's not BLACK black. About a finger of light tan head. Tight bubbled. Solid lacing.

S: Getting lots of mild coffee notes. They dominate the roasted and toasted notes. There is some chocolate there as well. And maybe some soft vanilla hints to go along with it. But primarily brewed coffee.

T: Some mild coffee notes on the tip of the tongue. Coats the tongue. This is almost totally coffee dominated throughout. Not much chocolate or dark fruits etc. This shouldn't be imperial at all.

M: Medium to full (due to style).

O: It's a B beer for me. I like the flavors, but thought it was a little thin for my liking. I was expecting more when I read "imperial" stout. Maybe a little fuller and deepen the other flavors a touch and this would be further up there for me.

Serving type: can

01-18-2012 14:32:53 | More by inlimbo77

stxSS07

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

A- Aggro pour yields a 2 finger creamy tan head. Dark brown body, but a bit light for a stout. Great lacing.

S- Dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee, and a sugary vanilla like note.

T- Bittersweet dark chocolate, malty sweetness, ends with a delicious mocha/iced coffee flavor.

M- Thin for a stout with pretty high carbonation.

O- Not sure this is an imperial stout, but it's a damn tasty beer. Glad i picked this up on a whim.

Serving type: can

01-15-2012 09:44:00 | More by stxSS07

GPHarris

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a - poured a one finger thick tan head into a snifter that left a thin ring and sheet throughout. the body was dark black.
s - overwhelmingly coffee with a hint of piney hops.
t - coffee with a little bittersweet chocolate underneath. a burnt roastiness comes out as it warms with a hint of raisins and hops.
m - slick, slightly thin.
o - really good coffee stout, about as sessionable as one of these can be.

Serving type: can

01-12-2012 16:01:52 | More by GPHarris

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. can poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint Glass. Liquid comes out Root Beer brown and amber highlights. Off-white colored head comes up pretty nice after a hard pour, but it goes away to a slight skimming on one side and around the edges, slight lacing.

Smell gets things going a little more. A little bready, some coco fudge and coffee. As it warms up there's a slight hop presence that pinches at your nose. It's pretty good, but you gotta let it warm up a tad, don't go crazy reviewing this one right out of the fridge.

Taste grows on you after a bit, I really just thought it was mediocre at first. As it gets closer to room temperature. A mix of bittersweet chocolate and roasted dark coffee. Long story short, it's much like the smell where the bitter and sweet just kind of meet in the middle. Still, it's slightly weaker and less enjoyable than the smell.

Mouthfeel is pretty good. Body is more towards the lighter end of the style, but probably still full bodied. Valiant effort at being smooth but fall just short, carbonation is a little weak too.

Overall, Buried Hatchet didn't hold up to my expectations but I was still happy to try it. Thanks depechemode1983 for the trade. My review doesn't reflect my appreciation for the trade.

Had it again with about a year of age on it. Held up without much difference.

Serving type: can

01-10-2012 05:37:53 | More by AndyAvalanche

CooperEllis

New York

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from canadianghetto in the n00b BIF (neverending cycle)

12oz can into the DFH snifter.

More coffee coloured than black, with deep brown and red highlights. Consistent bubbling that keeps a thin head on this as it's consumed.

Not much to the aroma at first blush - however some dark fruit, burnt malt, raisin and bitter chocolate notes are fairly homogenized here.

The taste is nothing like the aroma, creamy, full bodied with a lightness that reminds me of eating a high quality caramel. There is a light astringency but it's pleasant and helps cut a bit of the cream from the sip.

Top shelf mouthfeel, good carb, light at the end, full the rest of the time. Wish there was more flavor on entry and I don't love the bitter aftertaste, but nothing to severe.

Really tasty. I've been enjoying stouts in cans lately, notably the Diesel from Sixpoint, and this is a very good offering.

(152nd)

Serving type: can

01-07-2012 00:37:19 | More by CooperEllis

Lillie1128

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a murky brown with a small mocha head

S - Roasted coffee with a little bit of vanilla

T - Bitter coffee with some roasty notes at the end

M - Goes down pretty smooth, it's got some light carbonation

D - Pretty high for a stout

I think this is a pretty solid stout. While I don't think it's anything too special, I definitely enjoy. Thanks MikeytotheB for this one!

Serving type: can

01-06-2012 02:51:33 | More by Lillie1128

SuperSpy

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A very dark brown with a BIG tan head. Crazy amounts of lace.

Sweet iced coffee, chocolate, unsweetened cocoa, dark roasted malt. All the things you expect in a good stout.

The flavors are all dark and sweet. Sweet creme at the start. The middle coffee, cocoa, and a subtle smokiness. More coffee, charcoal, dark chocolate and roasted gran toward the end. Just enough bitterness to round out the finish and just enough hops to leave the tongue dry and make you want to come back for more!

A very good beer. The look, the smell and the flavor are all excellent.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 23:25:21 | More by SuperSpy

jwhawkins81

Ohio

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

Aroma - Sweet with a roast aroma but also hints of caramel. maybe a touch of alcohol on the nose too.

Appearance - Dark with a slowly dissipating creamy tan head

Taste - Roasty and sweet with just a background hint of bitterness. Mostly smooth sweet and malty flavors with a slight tang on the end. No real detectable alcohol.

Notes - Not too heavy a mouthfeel but very drinkable. Not a crazy good stout but still enjoyable.

Serving type: can

12-24-2011 14:38:23 | More by jwhawkins81

DCon

Missouri

2.98/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Received a 12 FL. OZ. can of this brew in a trade w/ cfh64. Poured from the Brown/Tan colored can with a Hatchet buried in the dirt (hence the name) into my 12oz Surly Darkness Tulip Glass. Does not have a freshness date on the can.

Aroma- Very light aroma present. Has a good, noticeable burnt attribute with good roastiness behind it. After this, nothing else comes up...

Appearance- Pours a light brown, 2 finger head that has average retention time. Has a dark brown colored body with an amber tint to it and clear. Leaves tons of suds down the glass.

Flavor- Good grains and tons of roast, light coffee, and a sweetness that keeps it a mild stout. Light hop flavor at the end with a medium bitterness level.

Mouthfeel- Medium Bodied, Low Carbonation, Smooth, and has a roasty finish on the palate.

Overall Impression- Not sure I can call this one a Double or Imperial Stout... A nice stout though! The light coffee taste made this one go down easy and it was easy going all the way through. Wouldn't go back to this one but definitely want some others from Southern Star!

Serving type: can

12-20-2011 19:51:08 | More by DCon

suspect

New York

3.68/5  rDev -8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz can into a Dogfish Head Signature Glass. Thanks again to miikezombie for the Secret Santa hookup.

A: Pours dark dark dark brown. Aggressive "glug glug" pour leads to a small pinky-finger sized head that disappears in under a minute to a thin ring of light tan head. No lacing. Boo.

S: Toasted chocolate malts are first and foremost with alcohol filling the nose shortly after. Some dark fruit makes it's way in as well with a subtle coffee nose at the back.

T: First off, I must note that the aftertaste is full of subtle coffee. I had to keep breathing out to figure out that's the flavor but, it is...coffee. Nice. Anyway, the malts here are nice as well, toasted with some plum, raisin and molasses.

M: A touch thin, but overall, good feel. Creamy mouth coating fills my mouth with stouty goodness leaving me searching for more.

O: A nice stout that gets nicer as it warms and is pretty complex. I would definitely like to have this beer readily available to me. Buuut, it's not so I'm grateful for the two cans I've got :)

Serving type: can

12-18-2011 02:55:14 | More by suspect

lonestar4lunch

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass with just a bit of lacing. Kind of dark in here at the moment so not 100% on the color, seems a bit lighter than I had thought it would be, can see a bit of red thru the light. The aroma is of sweet malts, light toffee and light toasted choc. in there...just a bit.
The taste is something to be enjoyed. There is some caramel/toffee then comes the strong malts with just a hint of that roasted flavor.

There is a little bitterness that lingers like a light cup of coffee but still has some sweetness to mess with your mind. The alcohol is very well hidden and to the mind this is a bit light for the style but it is very good. I can't believe it has taken me this long to pick up a four pack of this. It is not going to last.

Serving type: can

12-11-2011 00:22:58 | More by lonestar4lunch

kbuzz

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a can into my trusty snifter. I didn't see a canning date.

A: Doesn't look like a stout at all. Looks like a porter or even a brown ale. Pours a one finger head, solid carbonation. Some floaties in the glass. Still a good looking beer, just not for a stout. Leaves a ton of lacing.

S: Confectionary sweetness and roastiness. Some bittersweet chocolate malts evident. Almost a barleywine brown sugar, dark fruit quality. This beer is friggin confusing. One minute it's a brown ale, next it's a barleywine...but it's labeled a stout. I don't get it.

T: Roasty and chocolatey. This is the only part of the beer that screams stout!! There's even a decent bit of hop bitterness that you get in some stouts. I do get some latent dark fruits on the back of the tongue, but I like it. The confectionary sugar pops up again at the end.

M: Medium bodied. Maybe just slightly chewy. A lingering stickiness at the end. Moderate carbonation.

O: This beer is preplexing, but really pretty solid. Looks like a good brown ale, smells like a solid barleywine and tastes and feels like a stout (for the most part). Talk about complex and category-bending. This is a tough one to review because it defies convention, but I thoroughly enjoyed. This would probably age beautifully and end up tasting like a barleywine in the end.

Serving type: can

12-03-2011 03:06:31 | More by kbuzz

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Dark, deep brown. Head is tan and clings in a thin ring around the edge of the glass. Carbonation looks a little high for the style. Pours nice and smooth.

Smell: Booze, char, chocolate (both malt and real), some coffee and raisins. Lots going on here. Some sweet burnt caramel/toffee aromas as well. Faint biscuit dough quality on the back. Hops add a touch of citrus to the whole thing. Lots of roasted malts.

Taste: A thinner version of the nose. All the flavors are there, but they come across muted somehow. Tobacco and chocolate reign with some dry crust making up the backbone. A nice hit of sweetness and booze keep things fresh. Flavors tend to play over one another rather than with one another. Dark fruit in the back as well.

Mouthfeel: A little thin. Carbonation is definitely on the high side and ends up drying the whole things out. Flavor lingers for a good bit.

Overall: Smells amazing, but loses some appeal after a few sips. The flavors tend to hit and disappear and never really come together. All in all, it's decent.

Serving type: can

12-02-2011 04:36:23 | More by Goblinmunkey7

Ungertaker

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz can poured into a New Belgium globe
Drank on September 27th. Reviewed from notes.

A- deep brown with a white, somewhat foamy head that fades to a bubbly ring around the glass. The head leaves a sticky trail of lacing in its path.

S- roasted malts, coffee, faint vanilla and toffee, maybe cinnamon?

T- chocolate, vanilla, toffee, and a bitter coffee at the finish.

M- medium to thick with a light carbonation.

O- Good stuff. I would say that this is the best canned stout I have had if it wasn't for TenFidy. Thanks to KMatlack for this great brew!

Serving type: can

11-28-2011 03:14:29 | More by Ungertaker

cavedave

New York

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

Big thanks to pjones for this wonderful beer part of a stupidly epic box of wonderful beers he sent (sent 2 of these bad boys!!)

A darkest brown which allows barely a whisp of reddish cast light to pass, with a beautifully light beige, multi-finger, looong lasting head. Just an advertisement of itself, so perfectly framed in an Alchemist pint glass.

Beautiful aroma of the softer notes of roast malt. Molasses, and a light caramel smell lead, nice roasty chocolate-coffee-dark caramel with it, sweet, subdued, enticing.

Put chocolate more to the front of the nose aromas, and you have the taste nailed. The soft roast is here really tasty, no ash to it, nor acrid, and all the other flavors make for a medium strength, delicious taste. Plenty of sweet at end of sip, maybe a touch too much?

Very creamy, medium carb., no cloy, pretty clean flavors and decent finish.

Best stout in a can I've tried. Best stout? No, but really fine. Number 2 going to hb club for stout research. Wish there were more of these.

Serving type: can

11-12-2011 17:00:56 | More by cavedave