Black Xantus - Nectar Ales

deltatauhobbit

Maine

4.1/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ahh, the infamous Black Xantus.

Pours a dark brown, almost black, color with a thinnish light brown head, fades quickly and leaves no lacing on the glass.

Smell has a subtle aroma of coffee, likely has diminished over time, roasted malt, light dark fruit notes.

Taste does not burn as badly as the jokes used to talk about although there is some heat to it, strong roasted malt backbone with a decent coffee presence, subtle dark fruit such as raisins, barrel-aging is very subtle with little wood character present, nice chewiness to it and a creamy body, carbonation is soft yet active.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 18:51:58 | More by deltatauhobbit

mahak213

New York

4.26/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance- Black, but with a touch of light coming in around the edges. Not much head as expected, which dissipated into lots of big bubbles around the edges of the glass

Smell- Coffee and chocolate, vanilla from the barrel as well as a touch of a sweet, roasted coconut. No alcohol at all on the nose

Taste- Big milk chocolate which fades into roasty coffee. Coffee isn't too present, but it's there. Really nice barrel character though with sweet vanilla, coconut, and a touch of booziness finishing things off.

Mouthfeel- Medium body with mild carbonation. Could be a bit fuller, but the carbonation is spot on for me. Finishes sticky, sweet, and coating

Overall- I think I enjoy KBS a bit more than this as far as BA coffee stouts go, but this has a much nicer barrel character. Either way, you can't go wrong, this is good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 23:06:29 | More by mahak213

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle. Pours a pitch black color with a 1/4 inch of medium brown head. Some lacing. Aroma is booze with some dark chocolate and roasted malts, but the booze dominates. Not picking up on too much else to be honest. The taste is boozey but with some sweetness. Dark chocolate and earth. Just like the nose, the bourbon is the main focus of the taste. Hints of black coffee and vanilla. Hot at the finish. Heavy, velvety mouth feel. This is a very booze forward beer but it drinks fairly well considering. Overall, this is damn good and I'd like to try one with some age on it. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:50:31 | More by PicoPapa

thedoubler55

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: A nice opaque black in color when you pour, a two finger tan head at the top that leaves nice lacing around the glass as you drink.

S: Lots of roasted malts, some caramel and vanilla, and slight hint of bourbon throughout the experience.

T: Same as the notes, with slight hint of brown sugar, caramel. In addition as the beer warms up the bourbon, vanilla and coffee is more present.

M: Medium-thick bodied, and mild carbonation.

O: A very good stout, well balanced throughout and great tasting as well. I never had anything from the brewery but was very impressed with this brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 19:00:39 | More by thedoubler55

CHADMC3

Connecticut

4.29/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours an opaque black, viscous like body beneath the dark tan head which dissolves to leave a dense, sticky lacing.

The sweet bourbon barrel notes and hints of maple lead the way in the nose.great bitter coffee and wood notes all over and only a touch of roasted malt as the bourbon becomes more prominent as it warms.

Delicious roasted coffe and malt accompany the generous bourbon notes. One of my favorite aspects of this beer is how well the bourbon and coffee compliment each other.

Medium carbonation and a thick, full body makeup the mouthfeel of this beer with the big chewy finish.

An awesome brew that just plain gets it right with the coffee and bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:03:40 | More by CHADMC3

kylehay2004

Florida

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Minimal head with scattered lacing on a very dark body with red tinge coming through. Aroma of vanilla, roasted malt, brown sugar and dark chocolate. The alcohol is very well hidden with a lot of vanilla and chocolate sweetness, a touch too sweet. The roasted malt base is mild and provides little bitterness. Brown sugar rounds this one out in the finish. Medium to full body and moderate carbonation with oily palate. This one is excellent but its a little too sweet for me. A solid and drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:55:09 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

4.44/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with a small head of tan foam on top of an opaque, black body. The head settles rapidly but leaves decent lace.

S - Coffee, chocolate, and some spicy notes of vanilla and clove.

T - Dark caramel, chocolate, and espresso up front. Some nutty toffee and caramel in the middle and a finish of peanut butter, chocolate, espresso, and complex, dark sugar.

M - A thick, oily body, moderate carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - Rich, silky and complex this is an unusually nice imperial stout. This is a surprisingly good beer, especially considering how mediocre the other beers from this brewery have been.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:55:05 | More by nickfl

arizcards

Arizona

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Picked up a bomber from BevMo on 10-8-11 for $14.99. Bottled in 9-2011. Been incubating in my wine fridge at 55 degrees since the purchase.

Beer poured black as night with a tan head that is lingering around.

Nose is bourbon, vanilla, roasted malts.

Taste is roasted malts, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, charred oak. There is enough hopping to keep the sweetness at bay.

Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied and very smooth.

Overall this is a mighty fine RIS, full of flavor, viscous, and complex. Can't ask for much more! It is kind of pricey but i would purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 22:52:05 | More by arizcards

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.19/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz bottle from SeaofShells. I'm not positive but I interpreted the numbers inked on the bottom of the bottle to indicate bottling in 11/12. Served in a Terrapin snifter.

Pours very dark, near black brown, rubyish at the edges under the light with about one and a half fingers sand/tan head. Small occasional dots of lace.

Aromas are sweet and roasty- coffee, vanilla, roast malts and caramel.

The taste is much bolder than the nose let on. Bitter coffee and sweet bourbon up front followed by burnt oak, dark cocoa, cherry pits, vanilla, caramel and licorice. Many layers, with those various aspects changing with each sip. Noticeable alcohol but kept in check by the flavors.

Full, syrupy, semi chewy body with a strong bite of carbonation- almost too strong. Coats the tongue and hangs around for a long bourboned coffee aftertaste.

An enjoyable imperial coffee stout with a nice mix of barreled notes. I'm definately interested in getting a couple more at some point and possibly seeing how it ages- I suspect the answer is quite well.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 04:53:35 | More by ThickNStout

CaptCleveland

Ohio

4.49/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber shared with local BA.

Pours an opaque elixir into snifter. Tight ring of brown bubbles last during tasting.

Nice aroma of vanilla, burnt malt, coffee and bourbon.

Well balanced with the coffee, bourbon, malt and vanilla up front with a nice mild burnt malt lingering.

Medium to full body, creamy, nice.

Had this first at last years Huna day, thanks to a nice BA. Holds up and is really a stellar brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 23:44:06 | More by CaptCleveland

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottled 8/30/12

A - lookswise, this beer pours a shadowy black with tinges of ruby; lacing, head and carbonation are virtually non existent

S - this beer is sugary bourbon up front, with hints of coffee, chocolate, and raisins to follow on the nose

T - almost exactly the same as the nose, with more coffee emphasis present and notes of cherry, almond, and bitter malt; not too hot; as it warms, some buttery nuttiness comes through

M - surprisingly, this beer actually carries some legit carbonation in the mouth, despite its look; it's pretty bitter up front but smooth and medium bodied towards the backend

O - a pleasant surprise to me for a beer that doesn't seem to get a lot of love; the abv is great and not upfront; I prob overpaid bc of the place purchased (Mondo Vino, $17), but at 10-12 bucks, this is a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 00:06:38 | More by SkeeterBoganski

sukwonee

Washington

4.56/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ok, seriously people? I know 4.13 is a good rating, but this beer deserves higher than that.

I would have given it about 4.3, but to raise the overall rating a bit, I am upping my score.

2011 vintage (dated 8/19/2011), properly cellared and cracked open today (2/10/2013). Served at right around 50F at first and right now... it's probably somewhere in the 60s degree.

A: Black with reddish tint. Not entirely opaque as you can see some light go through the body of the beer. 2 finger head quickly dissipates into a thin ring. Not much lacing.

S: wow. Sure, it's boozy, but you can vanilla, oak, brown sugar, chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, toasted coconut

T: Sweet, boozy, and complex = awesome. I also taste some honey too... Similar to the nose, I get lots of vanilla, oak, chocolate, some coffee, roasted malt, cherries and other dark fruit notes. This beer (surprisingly!) is quite comparable to Parabola. I would love to do a blind tasting of the two beers side by side one of these days.

M: Chewy, syrupy, but medium thickness. It's definitely not like Marshall Zhukov thick but it's not thin like CW BB stout.

O: This beer is awesome. I bought this 2011 vintage from a local shop at its cellar event for $15.99. However, this beer is still awesome. Very similar to Parabola, I would say this one has more dark fruit notes and is a tad bit sweeter (and stickier).

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 03:26:22 | More by sukwonee

ksimons

New York

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-a very dark brown with a bit of ruby highlights when held up to the light and a thin layer of tan head that leaves a ring around the edge

S-roasted malt and dark coffee, chocolate and vanilla sweetness, and bourbon

T-getting much more of the bourbon flavor in the taste along with more roasted coffee, roasted malt, and chocolate covered cherries.

M-full body, light to medium carbonation, slight roasted feeling left in the mouth

Overall this is an interesting imperial stout. I'm not sure all the flavors work perfectly together, but it is growing on me with every sip.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 22:52:00 | More by ksimons

seand

California

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a dark near-opaque brown, with a small amount of dark tan head.

S: Sweet brown sugar and malt; densely sweet.

T: Milder sweetness to start, becoming fuller and denser towards the finish. Nice balance and complexity with the roasted slightly bitter notes.

M: Medium to full body, medium carbonation.

Overall, it's nice, and somewhat unusual without really being weird. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 05:57:23 | More by seand

AltBock

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz. bomber bottle with a beautiful label of a hovering black hummingbird in front of a mountain landscape at night. Flanking both sides of the hummingbird are barley stocks, one hop bud, and three barrels. No description of the beer can be found on the label. The only other info on the label is just the mandatory Government, the beer's ABV%, and the Brewery's address. I poured this beer into a Cigar City Snifter. 

Take the fingernail moon out of the label and the beer is just as black as the black hummingbird in front of the night landscape. Highlights? You got to be joking! Putting a light source to the beer will only bounce the light back into your eyes. Not much of a head of foam on this beer. The only thing I got to see was a teeny tiny skim of tan colored foam. That quickly left as it appeared. It only managed to leave behind a super tiny string if rings around the beer.

The first aroma that came to me was the strong aroma of finely roasted espresso beans. It smelled a little like a coffee house. Quickly following the espresso beans was a nice rich aroma of bitter dark chocolate. After those two fine aromas left, in comes some dark roasted malt, a drop of molasses, a small amount of bourbon and charred oak, and then it finishes up with a subtle whiff of vanilla. Very nice!

While the espresso ran the aroma, the taste was shared. The main taste was shared between the finely roasted espresso beans and the rich bitter dark chocolate. It didn't taste like chocolate coveted espresso beans. It tasted like they were separated. Following those two was the dark roasted malt, a pinch of black cherry, a speck of black licorice, a gentle taste of bourbon and charred oak, and a subtle taste of vanilla. I liked how this beer didn't let the bourbon and oak completely take over the taste, but it could let it off the chain a little longer. Still a great taste.

The mouthfeel was thick, full bodied, and with a strong aftertaste. The aftertaste contained more roasted espresso beans, bitter dark chocolate, roasted malt, bourbon, and charred oak. This aftertaste will linger on some time on the roof of your mouth. It will take a few glasses of water to wash it away. I really couldn't feel this beer's high 11% ABV.

This is a very good beer. A little more bourbon and charred oak would have been nice, but it's fine where it stands. At least it made an appearance. If you like barrel aged coffee/espresso beers, then this is a must try. Even if you don't like those, it's still worth a shot. I bought another bottle to see how this beer reacts to some age.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 02:03:34 | More by AltBock

brewdude1982

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Black xantus - nectar ales
A: 4.5 it pouts a dark opaque color with little head
S: 4.25 nice malt smell. 
T: 4.5 great bourbon smell with amazing stout qualities
MF: 4.25 great body but lower on the carbonation
O: 4.5 great beer and I would highly recommend

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 00:25:09 | More by brewdude1982

tdm168

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pitch black with a little, thick brown head that has little retention

S - bourbon, chocolate, anise, alcohol

T - chocolate, roasted malts, bourbon, vanilla, coffee, faint black licorice

M - full bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This was a fantastic, full flavored, delicious beer. It has depth and subtleties. For such high ABV the drinkability was still there. This was a truly enjoyable drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 22:54:22 | More by tdm168

CommanderOfAwesome

California

4.39/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours jet black, very minimal head which is synonymous with the style. Very little head, thin dark khaki/brown head. Recedes quickly to the edge of the glass. Little Alcohol legs coming in as well.

S: Barrel smell, chocolate and coffee. Sweetness is prevalent.

T: Sweet chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. Not much bitterness or hops and alcohol burn finish.

M: Medium to full bodied. Little carbonation and a burn finish. Chocolate coffee after taste.

O: Just outstanding a staple for BA Stout lovers.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 03:50:12 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.91/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Onyx black body with a half inch of espresso colored head.

The smell is surprisingly muted. Light notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and bourbon. I don't pick up any coffee at all.

The bourbon pops much more in the flavor with vanilla, carmalized sugar, and butterscotch. Dark roasted coffee is slightly detectable in the finish.

Mouthfeel is viscous with low carbonation. The booze is warming.

It's a solid barrel aged stout. There's certainly far better out there, but a lot more that are worse.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 01:34:58 | More by Vonerichs

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.33/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle sent by dope (thanks man!); I believe this to be the 2012 bottling. Poured into my CBS snifter.

A: Dark brown pour yields an opaque body with ZERO head and nice alcohol legs all over the goblet.

S: Pleasant big whiskey notes without being hot. Lots of sweetness, and plenty of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. Rich hazelnut. Light toasted edge underneath these aromas, possibly coming from the barrels. Some coffee makes itself known but its quite subdued. Well integrated whiskey notes. This smells really good.

T: More whiskey sweetness here, but I wouldn't call it boozy, just prominent. Lots of vanilla and caramel, some toasted almond and (dare I say?) coconut. Hazelnut, chocolate and light espresso, & roasted malt. Light alcohol burn is felt.

MF: Wouldn't call it full bodied, though the mouthfeel is relatively viscous. Medium bodied, low carbonation.

O: Pretty darn good. Surprised this one isn't ranked just a little higher on BA; the barrel notes are very nice, and there is plenty of vanilla, chocolate, caramel, toasted almond, some coconut, and light coffee.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 16:54:10 | More by Scotchboy

zackinthebox

California

4.6/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

the bourbon barrels, chocolate and black cherries really stand out in this beer. Thin light brown head that quickly dissipates. I don't drink coffee so I don't feel qualified to comment on that trait . It is dark but not black. Smooth. Nectar of the gods.
I like it. A lot. Thank you!!!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 08:11:45 | More by zackinthebox

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An exceptional imperial stout. This one was better than expected. It pours a thick, viscous black liquid. Small - quickly nonexistence - head, reminiscent of some motor-oil-like brews. the aroma is of grain and malt, fuel and alcohol, wood and chaff. Roasted and strong boozy scents. The taste is very warming, but not hot. It's an engaging and approachable beer. Full and thick in body, the aftertaste, of grain, alcohol, and thick malt, linger for minutes. I'd look for this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 02:52:09 | More by Suds

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Black Xantus, number 900

A-Pours rather light for a beer of its stature and girth. When held up to a light source, I can see through the beer all the way through. Granted, I really squint and strain to do so. An aggressive pour gives birth to a big, frothy brown head. Head is over an inch tall but it does die down considerably. Lighter lacing bugs and specks.

S-The nose is firstly a huge fog of milk chocolate. Vanilla bean and flat cola with light spicy notes. A delectable oaky barrel character arises as well. Very light bourbon notes. Fresh brewed coffee and burnt toast. Leaning towards charred maltiness. The barrel combined with the chocolate makes this one quite aromatic.

T-Ah yes! Chocolate bourbon ice cream milkshake. The barrel notes complement the beer's base flavor exceptionally well. There is some definite peppery heat here. Dark roast coffee and pumpernickel bread that has been over-toasted. Mocha deliciousness. Reminds me of a deluxe New Holland Dragon's Milk.

M-Quite full but not incredibly viscous. Plentiful, soothing carbonation. Light bitterness. Dry. Super drinkable. The bomber is disappearing quickly.

O/D-Really nice brew. Its big but not gigantic. Far more drinkable than other barrel aged Imperial Stouts. It just barely misses that upper-echelon for this style. About as drinkable as a barreled stout over 10% can be.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 04:05:52 | More by VelvetExtract

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a snifter glass.

A: A jet black color that does not let light through. Very small light brown head with minimal glass lacing.

S: Bourbon on the nose right away with dark chocolate, roasted notes and some darker coffee.

T: The bourbon is very forward on this beer and mixes nicely with the darker chocolate flavors. Some burnt coffee, roasted flavors and espresso mix with an underlying sweetness that keeps everything working together. Finish has more bourbon with some woodyness that doesn't allow the sweetness to linger. Nice roasted finish.

M: Full, coating, alcohol forward (very welcomed) and low carbonation.

O: A very good barrel aged beer that I was completely surprised and blown away by. The bourbon was just about perfect and mixed well with the sweetness to make a very balanced but complex beer.

Loved this beer, I need more. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 14:16:52 | More by Kadonny

CA_Infidel2o9

4.8/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber to a Tulip

A- black with some ruby sees through w/ light, almost zero head

S- caramel, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, earthy, roasted malts, slight booze

T- follows the nose perfectly

M- creamy, low carbonation, slit alcohol heat

O- Very nice brew! Probably my favorite Imperial Stout of the year. It's rich, decadent, and super creamy. Caramel, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, w/ some booze makes this the perfect holiday brew. I've passed on Nectar Ales for years. If the rest of the line up is as good as this... ill slap myself.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 22:40:11 | More by CA_Infidel2o9