Serpent's Stout
The Lost Abbey

Serpent's StoutSerpent's Stout
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From:
The Lost Abbey
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #933
ABV:
11%
Score:
94
Ranked #2,277
Avg:
4.23 | pDev: 8.27%
Reviews:
616
Ratings:
1,897
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 05, 2024
Added:
Jun 10, 2007
Wants:
  328
Gots:
  448
The history of the bible and religion is indeed the struggle of good vs. evil. Our Serpent’s Stout recognizes the evil of the dark side that we all struggle with.This is a massively thick and opaque beer that begs the saints to join the sinners in their path to a black existence.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BEERchitect:
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4.18/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Substantially malty and chocked full of roasted grain flavor- The Lost Abbey continues to churn out world class beer after world class beer. Imperial Stout: check!

Opening with a deeply hued bark-brown color, the beer is absolutely opaque but not because of haze. In fact, the beer carries an onyx-like sheen; rather the inability for light to pass seems because of the sheer density of roasted malts. An abundance of carbonation fuels a huge froathy tan head and laces with intermitten patterns of foam on the glass. The beer delivers everything that's expected from stouts- at least to the eye.

Strong aromas of roasted grain hinges on burnt scent of grain, but releases just in time for the moderate scent of burnt caramel instead. Malted milk, rummy alcohol, cherry-like esters, and nail polish remover are just a hint of elements that hide beneath the blanket espresso, cocoa powder, walnut, grass and charred woods.

Flavors follow similarly with the bulk of the emphasis on espresso, wood fired malts and woods, bitter cocoa, walnut, slightly scorched toffee, malted milk, and a slight grassy taste that morphs evenly into mild resin bitterness in finish. Strong alcohols are somewhat distracting with the flavor of acetone and rumy sweetness.

Full bodied, but not as insane as many newer Imperial Stouts. Instead Serpent's relies on a firm malty early texture that's lifted by the airy carbonation and high attenuation- the beer seems to lift off of the tongue with ease in comparison to it's fullness. Creaminess subsides at mid palte and ushers in a malty-dry finish of acrid roasted grains, coffee grounds, and mild powdery ash.

Though quite dry and efforvescent, the lack of sweetness here allows the brunt of alcohol and burnt grain to reveal the rougher edges that cause slight difficulty in drinkability although the flavor profile sings praises. Unfortunately, heartburn inducing acids limit this beers ease of enjoyment.
Dec 28, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.38 by Prospero from Colorado

Jan 05, 2024
 
Rated: 4.02 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Oct 20, 2023
Photo of Christianriveraaa
Reviewed by Christianriveraaa

4.02/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Jet black pour from a 1 pint 9 fl oz bottle into a sniffer - thick motor oil appearance. foam appeared (approx 1 fingers length). Not much lacing left behind as it dissolves.
S: Aromas of dark malt, molasses, earthy spices, chocolate, slight vanilla along with toffee.
T: Just like the smell indicated, big on the sweet dark malts for this. Getting some chocolate, a bit of cola taste in the mix, with some molasses in there. slight coffee as well in this.
F: Heavy bodied, a good sipper. Not the easiest to drink but for the right taste buds it can be.
O: I enjoyed this stout, I personally love my stouts to be more chocolate forward, less malty, but this one is excellent in it's own ways. Definitely worth the try.
O:
Feb 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by bruindre from Massachusetts

Feb 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.28 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota

Jan 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.45 by Shantzak from Pennsylvania

Oct 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4.08 by brandoneast from Texas

Sep 17, 2022
Photo of RaulMondesi
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
You breathe, I breathe - there is no god that has a grander breath. We exist as humans - as humans… Living just to live - but I also hope living for some greater good. Not me vs you. And not you vs me. Just people. As people. And hell…can’t we just be?
Sep 11, 2022
 
Rated: 4.26 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Sep 09, 2022
 
Rated: 3.5 by fthegiants from California

Jun 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4.04 by einman from Minnesota

Mar 13, 2022
 
Rated: 4.11 by QuintusHorace from California

Dec 02, 2021
 
Rated: 4.4 by irishevans from California

Nov 07, 2021
Photo of NCSapiens
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana

4.36/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Fantastic stout. Heavy roasted malts is the predominant flavor, with just enough chocolate to round it out. Maybe a hint of coffee and cola. If you are looking for a stout on the toasty, charred spectrum, this is fantastic.
Aug 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Casey_L from Texas

Aug 03, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by Taenim from Maine

Jul 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4.73 by chiefz1 from New York

Mar 29, 2021
Photo of hopsputin
Reviewed by hopsputin from New Jersey

4.44/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
a: silky, dark jet black color. no light penetrates. thin tan head that is no more than a film (as you'd expect from the abv)

s: loads of rich roasted malts. milk and dark chocolate. sweet licorice, molasses, toffee. a hint of vanilla and oak. earthy leather and a hint of cola. a nice mild touch of dark fruit and fig sweetness at the end. rich, decadent, and complex aroma

t: roasted malts, sweet cola, and dark chocolate. a mild hop bitterness asserts itself after that, as well as a little bit of bitterness from the roast. milk chocolate and cocoa powder follow that. molasses and faint dark fruits. leather and a little tobacco hiding out in here too.

m: full mouthfeel with moderate carbonation

o: absolutely awesome Imperial Stout. rich, complex, yet very easy to drink for 11%. this beer is an absolute treat for sure
Mar 06, 2021
Serpent's Stout from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 1897 ratings