Silent Night - Mother Earth Brewing

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

and away we go with hobo tasting number four. me and calton in the parking lot of chucky cheese, drinking top 100 beers in crystall glass ware from the back of his trunk. we both have too many issues to get into right now.

the pour was fantastic and honestly could not be improved upon in any way. just a deep, dark black color and a huge, towering head of tan that was going nowehere and fast! rich aroma of chocolate, roasted malts, hints of dark fruits from the yeast as it warms and a sugar, almost vanilla like touch to it that really just sealed it for me. great stout. flavor was more of the same, lots of carbonation here with cocoa, light coffee bitterness, touches of light hops and a nice dose of vanilla seals the flavor and leaves a long finish of the palate.

overall a really nice beer i have to say, very impressed with this offering from mother earth an would love to try it again

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 02:57:05 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Mark for sending this one to me.

A: The pour is surprisingly lively and overcarbonated. Almost black in color with a huge tan head.

S: Smells pretty nice. Lots of roast and dark chocolate with a decent coffee aroma. There is a bit of char to it as well as some burnt sugar, licorice, and just a hint of dark fruits. Really complex and good.

T: The flavor is quite as good, but still nice. Dark chocolate, coffee, brown sugar, char, and plenty of roasted malts. Just a little bit of licorice and molasses and perhaps a dark fruit character.

M: Medium in body with a fairly high level of carbonation.

O: I was impressed by this beer. The nose was quite nice, and the flavor wasn't half bad either.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 05:26:32 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by bmanning--thanks, Ben. After reading the initial reviews on this, I was quite excited to try it. Unfortunately, it doesn't nearly live up to the hype. Served in a tulip.

Pours near black with a bubbly reverse-cascading head. This quickly fades into a tan collar with some large carbonation bubbles. The nose is roasty with quite a bit of smoke as well as some charcoal and bourbon. The bourbon is a bit light, with the smoke coming through on a stronger level. There is some definite boozy heat, and this makes its presence known more so in the mouthfeel. Slightly prickly carbonation. As it warms, the nose is still a bit light, though it exhibits more notes of coffee and roasted malt. The finish is a bit odd--harsh and a bit bitter. A bit disappointed in this, though it's not a bad beer. Could probably use quite a bit of time.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2010 00:17:40 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Arrives with a pitch black colored liquid topped by a mocha cap; both the retention and lacing were decent

Smell: Boozy bourbon on top of roasty chocolate and coffee tones

Taste: Burnt sugar, dark chocolate and a hint of coffee, up front, with a bit of hops arriving in the middle; by mid-palate, the boozy bourbon starts to impact the profile, adding a vanilla tone; after the swallow, the bourbon is dominant, leaving a harshness in the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body (lighter than expected), with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Not.a bad first effort but still needs a bit of work to find the right balance points; I have a bottle but will put a bit of age on it before I give it a go

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 18:35:02 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to leschkie for sharing this one at the post Bruery Reserve Society party bottle share!

2011 vintage.

Pours an opaque super dark brown with a tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt and cocoa powder. Taste is also of dark roasted malt and cocoa with a very nice balance between the flavors. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good stout that is quite tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 01:02:56 | More by UCLABrewN84

oberon

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter jet black with a thinner mocha colored head atop,no light got thru this even when held to the light.Aromas were a little lighter than most of the style with chocolate,roaste/coffee,and vanilla standing out.It's much lighter in the mouth than expected but it's not totally a bad thing,it does glide down easily,still I would like a little more body for a big stout like this.Well balanced big stout flavors with the bourbon barrel not being the overpowering presence like way to many of the aged beers,chocolate and roasted notes dominate with the bourbon notes giving off some vanilla in the finish along with some sweet alcohol.This big beer has alot of finesse,as big as it is it's pretty damn easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:31:21 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a glass mug.

Thanks to VDubb86 for sharing this bottle!

And here I thought I was done with Christmas songs until next December... This thing pours a straight black-brown topped by a finger of sandstone foam. The nose comprises coffee, bourbon, vanilla, light oak, roasted malts, and chocolate milk. The taste amplifies the bourbon over the roast and the vanilla, slightly o'erpowering things, though not excessively. The chocolate has darkened, embittered slightly. A subtle alcoholic burn lurks in the very back. The body is a hefty-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a lightly chewy feel. Overall, a nice big stout, but a bit unbalanced and weak for me. Good, but nowhere near spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 05:10:40 | More by TMoney2591

MasterSki

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks to Chad for sharing this one. Served in a Portsmouth tulip.

A - Pours with a good amount of tan foam that features nice retention, glass-coating lace, and eventually a thin cap. Black body. Very attractive.

S - Alcohol, dark chocolate, some light nail polish and acetic notes, wood, and solvent. Seems way hotter than the listed 9%.

T - Bitter dark chocolate, some char and burnt notes, a bit of barrel. Thankfully the tart notes found in the nose are gone here, and this is definitely less sweet as well. Very bitter licorice and espresso finish.

M - Lower carbonation, smooth medium-full body with nice creamy viscosity. Obvious heat in the finish, but otherwise quite style-appropriate.

D - This is a sipper, and definitely needs more time to cool down. It's not as bourbon-forward the ridiculous Mother Earth but it's still too hot to be enjoyable at this stage.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 07:28:19 | More by MasterSki

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottled in Dec 2012

Pours thick, effervescent & pitch black with 2 fingers of mocha colored head. Above average lacing & average head retention, nice viscious look to this

S: Rich dark choclate, dark fruit & a touch of boozeyness, some oak & vanilla. Coffee beans are a late arrival to the party

T: Charred grain, coffee, dark chocolate, raisins, & woody dryness up front. More coffee, dryness & charred grain as this warms; some nice dark chocolate & vanilla notes as well. Finishes dry, somewhat boozey, with caramel, much charred grain & subtle coffee/mocha notes

MF: Chewy, smooth carbonation, has some slickness

A very nice/drinkable Imp Stout, didn't rock my world, but it did make me very happy

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 02:58:06 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thank you Wil for sharing... tastes like winning.
Review from written notes.

Black with mahogany edges, a finger or so of mocha foam with a creamy surface. Solid retention with some spotty lacing around the edges of the glass.

Wet bourbon barrel, freshly emptied... plenty of whiskey in the nose. Dark fruits, dried plum and figs, brown sugar, oak and vanilla.

Big sweet bourbon notes, woody oak tannins, molasses, plum and fig notes upfront, mild roast and dark chocolate in the middle, aftertaste of oak tannins and vanilla. Frothy feel, medium bodied. Moderate alcohol presence... to be expected. Well integrated Imperial Stout & bourbon barrel character. A sipper, but easily enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 05:41:11 | More by emerge077

Jason

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml brown magnum with a bottled on freshness date on the label.

The ale throws down a black liquid with tiny tan bubbles that seem to want to take their time on their ride to the top of the glass. Head retention is a non-issue here, each sip leaves a thin ring of lacing. Hint of boozy fusel barrel juice, vanilla, charred wood, roasted grain and a blackberry brandy fruitiness. Big brawny body with enough smoothness to break up that thick creamy body a bit and a cushy body that is as it settles down on the palate. The flavor lands sweet but with a charred slightly smoky backing, burnt sugar comes to mind as well. Hops take second seat. Faint bourbon note though there is a definite pull on the palate from the wood. Very balanced and almost too drinkable for its size. 9% is pretty mellow. Finishes with that dry pull from the bourbon barrel.

Hard to balance near perfection like this in a bigger beer. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 02:45:46 | More by Jason

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml corked and caged bottle into a couple of tulip glasses. Big thanks go to Barscream for sharing this one with me. I must say that I really like the label on this bottle. Very classy presentation overall from Mother Earth!

Pours black as night in the glass, topped with a finger of milk chocolate colored foamy head. This holds tight across the top of the glass, staying thick and rich, and drenching the sides of the glass with a robust and creamy cascade of lacing. Really top-notch look to this! The bourbon is a bit forceful up front of the nose, with notes of molasses, burnt wood, and vanilla, that then move into a more base blend of rich chocolate fudge and roasted malts. Sharp pangs of warmth cut across the back of the nose and add an extra sweet sting to the proceedings.

The taste is similar with the bourbon flavors layered on top; with charred burnt sugars that give way to vanilla, toffee, chocolate, and dark roasted character. There is maybe even a little bit of some leafy hop tones that mingle with the green tannic dryness of the barrel in the finish. The mouthfeel is full bodied and puts some sharpness on the tongue before spreading out into the mouth with more of a creamier feel and then finally getting thick and chewy as you near the swallow. Great overall feel here. The actual ABV seems well hid for the most part but the bourbon really brings a lot of raw heat to this as well.

This was solid for the most part and I really liked what I felt out of that base Imperial Stout as well (I wouldn't mind seeing just a separate release of that). Unfortunately, this got a little too hot at times for my taste. Probably more so than I usually like in a BA beer. Plus it seemed like there could have been a little more of a melding of the beer and barrel flavors as well. Not bad at all for a first time effort from Mother Earth but I would like to see them continue to work and refine this one, as it really has the potential to be excellent.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 20:29:33 | More by Kegatron

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cork blasts off almost taking jh1982's eye out after merely unscrewing the cage in the parking lot of a Wolfpack baseball game! Worries about infection subside when it pours nice and black with ample tan head. Very roasty aroma, didn't pick up bourbon in the nose.

Great chewy roasty presence. Tiny bits of bourbon and chocolate, everything melds oh so nice with this, alcohol heat is tame, if at all. Reminiscient of Eclipse for multiple reasons, none of them being the flavor per se.

Very roasty, like the base beer for Eclipse (Totality). Bourbon and alcohol are not through the roof, this beer isn't about being the strongest or -est anything, its just about being a damn good beer. This definitely is thicker and chewier though.

Balance is its strong suit. A lil wood, lots of roast flavors, little bits of chocolate and bourbon = a damn fine beer, thanks for bringing it fellas. Wish I would have kept the empty to shoot though.

The higher than average carbonation was nice to blend with the flat Papier Brandy, that's worthy of another bump in this overall score.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 17:43:38 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown-black color with a surprisingly large tan head that retained well and left a bit of lacing on the glass. Lots of roast in the nose, dark malts, coffee, cocoa, oak, slight fruit esters. More of the same in the taste, roasty dark malts, coffee, cocoa or unsweetened chocolate, woody notes, with subtle hints of dark fruits and anise. Body was about medium, carbonation was moderate, but a bit more prickly than I'd expect. Nice beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 08:51:38 | More by Rifugium

glid02

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap.

Pours black with a light brown head leaving decent lacing.

Smells of smooth roasted malts with good amounts of smoother dark chocolate with hints of vanilla. Also present are very light amounts of earthy oak.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though not quite as complex. Robust roasted malt flavors up front are joined by solid amounts of mildly bitter dark chocolate. Midway through the flavor profile sweetens with hints of vanilla, carrying through to a moderately bitter ending. Mouthfeel is OK, with a lighter-than-normal body for the style and solid carbonation.

Overall this was a very well done beer that had a good deal of complexity. A bit more thickness and it could compete with the big boys. Worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 23:52:50 | More by glid02

HopHead84

California

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

6/26/2011

Bottle opened by Andrew (womencantsail) at Stone Sour Fest 2011, thanks!

A: Looks like a Russian Imperial Stout. No surprises here. Dark in color, bordering on black with a respectable brown head exhibiting good retention.

S: Molasses, bourbon, dark chocolate, licorice, and roasted malt. There's a decided nuttiness in the nose that I don't often get from beers of this style, it's an interesting and enjoyable touch. The various components are well balanced. I get a whisper of vanilla. Smells nice.

T: Again, the characteristics are balanced: black strap molasses, dark chocolate, coffee, oak, and bourbon. There's that nutty quality again. The bourbon is well integrated with oak and a mellow bitterness. Alcohol is faint.

M: Upper medium to lower full in body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is silky, smooth, and sticky.

Overall: A nice barrel aged Imperial Stout. A pleasant surprise in a sea of acetone. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 03:43:46 | More by HopHead84

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

An absolutely superb beer, and one that I think is underrated on Beer Advocate. Pours very dark brown, almost black, with a thin tan head. Lovely aromas of coconut, cream, vanilla, Bourbon notes, charred wood, and a nice nuttiness. Very smooth and integrated in the nose. The taste is similar, but what a smooth, well integrated package. There is also a nice burnt sugar note, but this doesn't come on too strong or overwhelm the other flavors. This beer is an excellent example of how to successfully utilize a Bourbon barrel to age a beer. Everything here is beautifully balanced and complementary. Superb job! Very, very smooth- graceful power on an elegant frame.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2011 16:20:28 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2.95/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a fizzy tan head. Color is black.

Aroma: Whiskey, oak, and bourbon flavors. Chocolate as well with some cocoa. It is fairly hoppy.

Taste: Super roasted with coffee, chocolate, and cocoa flavors. It has some hot bourbon as well as oak and vanilla.

Mouthfeel: Hot and fizzy. Full bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends boozy.

Overall, I wasn’t the biggest fan. Too much carbonation and too hot. Not for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 18:40:46 | More by mothman

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had at Hobo Tasting #3 with mikesgroove! Served from bottle into a Delirium Tremens snifter. Poured a deep dark brown almost black with a one finger tan head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, wood, and chocolate. The flavor was of roasted malt, chocolate, wood, and slight alcohol. It had a medium-heavy feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall I enjoyed this one better on tap if I'm honest. Just seems to lose something in the bottle in my opinion. It still had a nice flavor and aroma though, but it just wasn't all that awe-inspiring. Still worth trying regardless of how you have it or can get it.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 16:25:51 | More by thagr81us

gford217

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Trevor for this 750ml bottle.

Bit of a gusher alert on this one. As soon as the cage was unhooked the cork immediately hit the ceiling and the gushing ensured. It doesn't last too long so not much beer lost. Pours deep chocolate brown, not quite black, with an enormous dark tan head that shows great staying power.

Aroma is heavy on the roasted chocolate malts, cocoa powder and espresso. Hints of bourbon but probably more oaky tannins than true bourbon or vanilla.

Taste is excellent with oak and vanilla up front mixed with malted milk balls, bakers chocolate and coffee. There is a light fruity character in the middle before the oak and alcohol take over in the finish.

The mouthfeel is what really holds this one back for me as it's way too carbonated for my liking. Almost effervescent with a medium body.

The carbonation of this one really keeps it from being a great stout. The flavors are good if now a little chalky and heavy on the oak. Still, a decent BA stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 03:52:12 | More by gford217

jrallen34

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Chad for this tick, drank from a Cigar City snifter... A black body, looks decent. Lots of carbonation here, at least three fingers of tan head, good retention and lacing. Looks good... Bitter chocolate, roasted bitters and lots of alcohol, off tartness, hint of maple which I attribute to the barrel. Too much alcohol, comes of chemically... The taste is slightly better than the aroma, but the mouthfeel is way over-carbonated and distracting and really detracts. Dark chocolate, wood, roast, and a bit of coffee. Meh.

I was't too impressed with this, probably needs more time. I'd re-visit in the future but can't recommend it right now.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 23:29:14 | More by jrallen34

dirtylou

Washington

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

oh silent night - the internets have roared about you. is this a result of being one of the few of your style brewed in your state? is this truly a brilliant beer? What is your story silent night?

X-mas eve at Duckworths is the best place to investigate this e-phenomenon

appearance: served on tap, 8.5oz serving, ebony body, creamy tan head. it looks the part, but most do

smell: dry roasted malt, dark chocolate, espresso

taste: Duckworth's has really made my holidays in Charlotte productive. Silent Night is a nice brew, but not necesarily warranting some of the message board hype. Very dry, cocoa, espresso, some piney hops. This is certainly on the lighter side of the style spectrum - tasty and worthy of my first beer of the day, but please, kill the hype train

mouthfeel: dry, medium bodied, creamy

drinkability: good

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 23:18:14 | More by dirtylou

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL courtesy of mikesgroove, thanks a ton Mike! Cork had to be sawed off and removed with a wine opener! Tough S.O.B. Gushed a bit and pours with a massive, light brown head. Retention and lacing both decent.

Nose is vanilla-laden with light, vaporized bourbon aromas. Nutty, almost like hazelnuts with a rich chocolate note. Nice.

Has the same bourbon heat as the Tripel Overhead aged in bourbon barrels...intense heat but maintains a smoothness and interesting flavor profile that seems to beguile the mind. Very cool. Lacks a bit of rich sweetness I wouldnt mind seeing, but that is a very mild complaint. Vanilla is fun and adda some much needed depth. I think this would be a good candidate for aging 5 years or so. Thanks again, Mike. Very generous offering from you.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 02:13:16 | More by twiggamortis420

smakawhat

Maryland

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on tap into a tulip glass.

Super dark walnut black body, with a faint tan creamy cap. Laces nicely, with a faint sense of carbonation present. Real dark and impressive.

Ripping roast grain, a hint of perfect booze and crushed coffee beans coming off a little bit like Kahlua. Grainy but solid.

A bit fizzy, with roast malts and coffee light flavor. A tad hint of wet which surprises myself as the aroma seemed to sense something bigger is coming. Faint estery dark berry fruits on the finish slightly, matching with a nice lingering roast and coffee astringency. Almost hop hinting with a pleasant bitterness and some tobacco notes also.

A real solid stout, even without much of the barrel aging characters present. Not crazy in love here, but a good one to know about.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2013 16:20:00 | More by smakawhat

blackie

Virginia

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

a: served in a tall snifter, the beer is night-black in color and maintains a coating of mocha colored carbonation, light lace

s: a rich imperial stout with a bourbon barrel influence reigned in just enough to allow vanilla and oak to peek through without boozy effect, heavy with dark chocolate, near-burnt sugars - molasses, and dark tree fruits, very nice and borderline deserving of a higher score

m: carbonation light-moderate, body full but not heavy, smooth and silky

t: big roasted body laden with flavors of dark and bakers chocolates, molasses, and toffee taken near the point of burning, sweet and creamy, the bourbon presence is refined - tough to pick up at first taste but certainly there, adding a subtle oaked-vanilla flavor, a complete package of complexity and balance

d: I'd love to and was expecting to be the anti-hype, but this is really good stuff, nuanced bourbon and a well-crafted malt structure make for a nice experience

lunch draft at The Pit, Raleigh

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 01:20:59 | More by blackie