Lake Trout Stout - Sebago Brewing Company

Burkbom23

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown near black. Ruby hues. 1 Finger brownish head that fades fairly quickly. Loads of raw grain in the aroma. Earthy, dirt. Almost soapy smell. Little chocolate. Taste consists of chocolate, toffee and roasted flavors. Some smokiness. Bitter finish for a stout. Very drinkable stout. Kind of hoe hum. Wouldnt turn one down but wouldnt seek one out either.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 01:38:49 | More by Burkbom23

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.21/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My beer review served in a 8 oz. plastic hotel cup.

Black with a showy tan head. Several layers of lace left like one of those sand art things bottles.

Smells like roast malt, char and goey dark chocolate syrup. Has an encompassing leafy, muddy throughout.

Tastes like it smells only stronger. Bittersweet chocolate and coffee with a lovely bitter roast malt back and fade. Mud puddle earthyness.

A bit thin for most stouts but downright chewy at 4.75% abv.

Lake Trout is Sebago's epiphany beer; far better than anything else in their portfolio. Three years ago I actually heard an argument about this very subject break out two rows in front of me during a Phish concert.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 00:05:20 | More by donkeyrunner

deebo

Minnesota

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

Bottled 8-4-12
A-attractive creamy tan head. Clear with a chocolate brown color
S-aromas of coffee, sweet toasted dark malt-very nice
T-spot on with the nose. The malts are rich without being too bitter
M-very smooth, moderate carbonation
O-easy drinking full flavored excellent stout. Successfully Walks the line of being rich dark malt flavor without being over the top bitter

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 17:13:26 | More by deebo

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on nitro-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer has a great cascade along the chestnut and auburn body, leveling off with a thin, dense, light tan head that looks creamy smooth. Aromas of roast coffee, dark chocolate, and a solid roasted grain in the background. Flavors of coffee, both roasted and bitter, on a light, dry body. Dark chocolate and charcoal lace the tongue and roof of the mouth while you drink, with the solid coffee bitter keeping the palate in check. Smokey and roasted aftertaste, with a curtain of lacing all over the glass. The finish is bitter and dry, just as it should be. Very tasty and smooth.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-24-2012 22:47:05 | More by GarthDanielson

Dope

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: A dark brown with just a hint of red in there. Thick and dense light brown head. Fades slowly leaving a nice swirly lacework behind.

S: Nice roasty aroma. Mainly coffee with a bunch of oatmeal that adds some nice creaminess. A hint of bitter dark chocolate and a touch of smoke.

T: Smooth oatmeal with some smokey/charred malt. Coffee mainly and just a hint of dark chocolate but not much. Fairly bitter with all the smoke and coffee. The oatmeal tries to smooth it out but doesn't quite make it.

M: Medium bodied, smooth and creamy.

O: Not a bad stout. On the very roasty and smokey side. Low sweetness; quite bitter. Almost no sign of chocolate which probably would have helped balance it out.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 03:42:05 | More by Dope

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin beige head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains chocolate, caramelized malts, honey and touches of hops & dark fruit.

T: The taste starts out with mildly sweet flavors of chocolate, caramel, licorice and dark fruit. Then a hearty but thin for the style malt character comes in. There is also some smokiness in the background. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly smoky.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry but very clean for the style.

O: Tasty and complex, goes down very easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style and yet slightly different. At first sip, this was a difficult beer for me to judge. However, as I kept drinking, this beer continued to grow on me. It’s lighter than most stouts and a lot more complexity than your typical chocolate intensity. If you’re one of those people (like I’ve been) that think big stouts are either too thick and heavy to drink for a long time and that the milder stouts are too dry and lacking in flavor to keep your interest, then this is the beer you may want to try. While I’m not giving anywhere close to all 5’s for this beer, this has definitely been one of the more unexpectedly interesting and enjoyable reviews that I’ve written.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 04:02:47 | More by TheManiacalOne

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into NB globe. Pitch black pour with a nice thick brown head. It looks really nice; the brown/tan head just looks thick and creamy.
Really nice aromas of roasted chocolate and vanilla. Taste is of bitter roasted malts, slight chocolate and nice vanilla notes. Nice oatmeal and hop balance as well. It feels a bit thin; missing real body, and slightly bitter, but overall a good stout. Just wish the abv was higher.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 23:47:36 | More by DrinkSlurm

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very dark brown (almost black) with almost no head

S: Roasted malts and black coffee dominant with hints of dark chocolate

T: Follows the nose, very roasty with notes of coffee and bitter dark chocolate. The coffee gives it quite a bitter finish

M: Medium bodied with low-moderate carbonation. A tad bit thin, but it works with the abv nicely

O: An easy going stout that is nice and simple. Probably more suitable for the colder months, but still does fine in the warm weather. Certainly pairs well with a lot of their food (as most of their beers do)

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 05:33:23 | More by BEERMILER12

Daktyls

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a pitch black color with a minimal mocha color heat that dissipates quickly to a small patch of fine bubbles in the center of the brew.

S: A bit of coffee in the nose followed by huge amounts of roasted barley and a hint of oats. Most else is quite masked by the barley and some malts.

T: Initial taste has earthy tones of malts and some light barley, a light amount of cocoa and a hint of coffee was detectable as well.

M: Mouthfeel is lighter than expected, with an almost watery sensation as one is enjoy the beer. Medium-light body that's light on carbonation.

O: Overall, certainly not bad, but this is not one of the more memorable stouts I have had.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 22:03:25 | More by Daktyls

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked up a bottle of this stout, and also the bourbon barrel aged version, back over the summer in Maine. Tonight I opened the regular version. Poured into a Great Divide Yeti tulip glass. First thing I noticed was the color - tar black. Darkest beer I have encountered in a while. Nice thin head and some attractive lacing marks on the glass. Smell reminded me a lot of an oyster stout I had recently - a bit mineral-like and sour. Flavor was dark and rich with coffee and chocolate. Notes on the bottle say this beer was brewed with oats, so that's an interesting addition. Mouthfeel was smooth and creamy, just like a good stout should be. A solidly built stout. I look forward to trying the barrel aged version this week to compare the two while still fresh in my mind. For under $4/bomber to go at the brewpub, this was a steal.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 04:33:19 | More by morebeergood

ggilman

Maine

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pulled out a 22 oz. bomber for brunch. Paired with bacon, fresh farm eggs, fingerling potatoes & fresh haddock fish cakes!

Pours deep black with a tan foamy head that settles to a wisp and laces the Sebago tulip glass nicely. Roasted coffee and roasted chocolate malt in the nose. Bitter chocolate, creamy mouthfeel with medium carbonation helps to wash over my bacon greased palate. Dark coffee roasted flavors, with a slight bitterness. Paired with the relatively low ABV, this works great for brunch. Slight amaretto and dark dried fruit flavor comes through at the end.

Not as rich & luxurious as the bourbon barrel-aged variety, but a very solid go to stout all the same. Easy drinkin'!

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 17:55:46 | More by ggilman

godlessape

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Midnight coffee black. A laser beam couldn't penetrate this stuff. Not much head to speak of here.

Smell: All coffee and roasted barley malt.

Taste: It tastes as dark as it looks, with a boat load of coffee notes and earthy barley malt.

Mouthfeel: A wee bit weak here--maybe it was my bottle. Not much carbonation at all.

Overall: I think this beer has some great flavor to it, but the lack of head and carbonation just didn't work well with me.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 05:30:03 | More by godlessape

jondeelee

Massachusetts

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

Deep and rich, this stout boasts huge coffee flavors, and has obviously been brewed with massive amounts of chocolate malt, maybe even black malt (as I do detect an ashy undertone). Even the mouthfeel is heavy, resembling more cream than water. A good, thick layer of hops lies underneath, and while the bottle does say that it's there to "balance the roasted barley," it seems to me that it ends up catalyzing it.

I'm torn on how to rate this beer, because while I do enjoy it, I also recognize that the sheer overpowering taste means that this brew rides a razor's edge, and comes very close to plunging into the unpalatable abyss. So if you really--and I mean REALLY--love thick, heavy, black coffee flavors, you've gotta give this one a try. But if even a Guinness is already pretty out there for you, then I'd suggest you stay away.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 16:11:16 | More by jondeelee

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of the sebago collection I recieved from my good friend Matt up north. Decided to do the vertical/horizontal/ whatever it is of all of them. Poured into a pint glass,lol.

black as night, dark oil like liquid. Huge tan head had a very very slow fade and left lots of lace all the way down the glass. Looked just like a stout should look....thick.

Smell was very robust, deep roasted coffee and dark german chocolate. Hints of a sugary or caramel sweetness as well. Taste was very thick and complex. Big deep roasted flavor, almost a burnt taste to it. Lots of flavors of coffee and german dark chocolate. Cery thick feel, but not syrupy, great carbonation led to a great silk like feel. Nice big hoppy finish left a very long lingering burnt aroma, I could literally taste it for 20 mins after the last sip, very outstanding full flavor

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 17:23:11 | More by mikesgroove

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

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

Thick black with a thick layer of coffee colored head. The aroma is coffee, roasted (almost burnt) malts, some tangy dark fruits.
Flavor is extremely smooth. Dark malts are the solid foundation for this brew. Black and roasted dark chocolate, bitter coffee and bakers chocolate and a layer of earthy hops. Light carbonation and a thick body made this beer perfect for my breakfast on a Sunday morning.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 15:18:05 | More by DrinkingDrake

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

At Sebago, South Portland:

Into a pint glass:

A: creamy tan head, thin quickly fading lacing, dark brown body

S: roasted malt combined nicely through the oats and barley, dark fruits

T: all previously mentioned flavors coming through and some espresso noted in the taste

M: medium, bitter and dry finish and aftertaste

O: good American Stout, I don't normally do Stouts in the summer, but hey, glad I tried it

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 00:24:23 | More by kangarooAdam59

Bowdoinbeerboy

Maine

3.23/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bought this down at trader joe's. I've had this a number of times on tap at Sebago and its a solid stout. It doesn't have a tremendous nose or taste, but its a solid drinking stout. The only things I can really tell going on here are coffee and some burnt notes. Its none too heavy for a stout but a really nice local example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 18:14:00 | More by Bowdoinbeerboy

steve8robin

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Got this one at a local beer store. I got to try this one once before and loved it. Let's try it again and make it official. 22oz bottle...

A: A medium / agressive pour into my Pumpking glass yields a dakr brew with no light shining through with a 1/2 inch mocha colored head that fades slowly to blanket of bubbles across the top of the brew. Good.

S: Smells of some earthy malt with a hint of roastiness and vanilla. Some faint chocolate. Ok.

T: A watery vanilla with some creamy earthy malts blended in. Some faint roast and chocolate flavors. Not as good as I had recalled, but decent.

M: Medium body with a very good carbonation. A nice creamy and clean finish. Very good.

D: Goes down so easy. Can't ask for much else here. Perfect.

All in all, this is a good brew. Not great, but good. Don't bother hunting, but if you have access, definitely give it a try for a drinkable, well blended local stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 02:22:04 | More by steve8robin

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a Southampton pint glass at MiKro in Hamden, Conn.

A: Black with ruby-brown edges under a thin veil of creamy, off-white foam. Lacing was minimal but the foam resin hung on for the duration of the brew.

S: Roasted barley and a bit of smoked wood round out the mostly herbal and earthy aroma with a leafy hop scent on the end.

T: Flavorful roasted malts with bits of chicory and anise in the bittersweet, bold entry. Some light, fruity ale flavors round the palate before bittering up and leaving a dry, roasted finish.

M: Full-bodied stout that errs more balanced than creamy. A bit chewy at its center but relatively dry, bitter finish.

D: The 5.8% ABV and herbacious hop balance make Sebago's Lake Trout a fine American stout IMO. Not the best stout I've had in ages, but a steady drinking, balanced stout to pair with a dessert, cigar or on its own.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 17:27:39 | More by Gambrinus1184

Kooz

New York

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Big 1 pint 6 oz. bottle poured into a Sam Adams pint glass. Nice dark color--opaque. Really nice, but isn't a perfect 5 because the head dissipates too quickly to a ring around the top.

Smells of molasses--the oatmeal and roasted barley are hinted at too.

Tastes pretty good. A bit too bitter at the end.

The mouthfeel is average. Nothing special. Was hoping it would be creamier.

Pretty drinkable beer. pleasant. Could be a hint sweeter, but really good regardless.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 01:36:35 | More by Kooz

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a jet-black body with a creamy tan head that leaves a very nice sample of thin lacing behind.

A generous roasted malt aroma rises from the beer that also includes oats and barley. There are some sweet notes mingled in as well, perhaps dark fruits as best I can tell.

More roasted, bordering on burnt malt in the flavor with a touch of espresso. Similar oats to the aroma, with some nice hops showing up towards the rear of the palate, and again the dark fruit sweetness appears as the beer warms.

Medium to full in body with medium carbonation with warming, drying finish.

This is a very nice American Stout with good traditional character and just enough flavor and aromas to keep the senses entertained without overwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 01:52:32 | More by CHADMC3

gamanley

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle. Lake trout stout is a deep brown, close to black. There was minimal tan head on the pour. The aroma is filled with roasted malt and chocolate with a hint of alcohol. The taste is also filled with roasted malt and bitter chocolate. This has a very nice flavor profile for a stout. The mouthfeel is medium with a good amount of carbonation. I can't wait to pick up another bottle of this next time I see it.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 00:33:24 | More by gamanley

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to knifestyles for this extra.

Poured into darkness snifter.

Pours a very little layer of khaki head. Color is pretty much black.

Aroma: Very muted. Some roasted notes and chocolate. Not to much here.

Taste: Roasted malts and bitter coffee with some chocolate. Almost has a burnt malt flavor. Some vanilla notes, but not much going on here.

Mouthfeel: Roasted and dry. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends very dry and roasted, just as it starts.

Overall, this beer is a fairly average stout. Not very much going on here. It does pair very well with sweet dark chocolate, however. This beer is simply average overall.

Serving type: bottle
@ Sebago Brewing Company, 211 Fore St, Portland

09-06-2010 20:35:09 | More by mothman

HopPilot

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a nitro tap, very dark brown, but not quite black color. Small amount of head, in a creamy off white color. Smells strongly of coffee. Mouthfeel smooth and silk like with little to no carbonation. Taste starts off somewhat sweet followed by a slightly bitter but strong coffee flavor. A bit of chocolate trys to break through the strong coffee flavors. Overall a very smooth delicious coffee like stout. If your in the Portland, Maine area I would recommend.

Serving type: nitro-tap
@ Sebago Brewing Company, 211 Fore St, Portland

08-08-2010 20:42:08 | More by HopPilot

StevenBilodeau

Connecticut

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was a good find, a good addition to the selection at the store.

This pours a nice dark color, good head, nice lacing. Greta taste, and great smell. The palate is of roasted coffee and chocolate, very yummy...

another good comparison to this is the Grand Imperial Porter from Poland.

Serving type: bottle
@ Sebago Brewing Company, 211 Fore St, Portland

07-14-2010 22:27:19 | More by StevenBilodeau