Black Currant Stout - Saint Boniface Craft Brewing Company

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on Nitro-tap @ the fridge in a large snifter.

The color is very deep brown and appears black in the low light, the head is whipped up and medium tan with tightly condensed bubbles. The smell is good but lacks much of the dried fruit you might expect from a beer called black currant stout. The malt makes up for that with strong cocoa notes and mild dark sugar with a subtle roasted aroma. The feel is pretty decent with a mild bitterness level overall but enough to balance the sweetness of the malt with a gentle roasted quality and mild alcohol for the amount of abv, as the nitrous relaxed it seems to have a fuller feel if that makes any sense. I think this would probably be better on straight co2, but I am not a big fan of the Nitro personally.

This tastes complex with some nice dried fruit in the background but it struggles to compete with the deep earthy malt and yeast nuances. There is a definite creamy vanilla like flavor which seems to go well with the mild roastiness and there is a light caramel sweetness to accent the mellow spice from the hops. The dark grain is lightly astringent adding a nice accent to the sweet and toasty elements. There is a dark brown sugar tinge that goes well with the plum-like flavor which I guess is coming from the currant. The fruit is almost black cherry in quality but not quite that strong. Overall I enjoyed this Stout, it was a pretty drinkable beer for the style. I appreciate that it isn't over the top with alcohol in the taste, the currant is good because it doesn't distract from the layers of malt.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-12-2011 15:39:11 | More by Slatetank

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2011-08-26 at the brewery.

A - Darker brown with a 1.5-finger deep tan head and good lacing.

S - Light chocolate malt, mild licorice and a hint of citric aroma.

T - More chocolate malt than the smell. This is complimented by some tartness from the black currant extract. The black currant flavor is understated; bordering on citrus and licorice. It's a rich, pleasant taste and not cloyingly sweet.

M - Medium body and light carbonation. Creamy and not too heavy.

O - I enjoyed this brew and got a growler to go for a family get-together. I'm a big fan of currants and was hoping for more of this flavor in the beer. It's more an adjunct to the chocolate stout flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2011 22:18:32 | More by Tucquan

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Fridge, Lancaster PA
Poured into a 12 oz shifter. Topped up, a 12 oz pour

Pours a thick creamy head, black color with great lace. Beautiful.

Big blast of coffee when first smelled. The aroma is one of rich, roasted malt, with a hint of yeast. The coffee fades rapidly to a rich roasted malt. The malt dominates throughout the pour. No hops.

Very rich, malty entry on the palate, chocolate, and dried fruit. Very full bodied. Has a very refined carbonation, which makes for a balance brew. Delicious!

Very long finish of rich roasted malt.

This is a delicious Stout. It’s a different style than what you normally taste these days, somewhat old school, with not bitterness or hops at all. Smooth as silk, and quite rich. I could drink a lot of this Stout.

A word on St. Boniface:
I have had many styles from this brewer and their stouts are IMO the best they have to offer, don’t pass a chance to try one.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-12-2011 23:26:30 | More by JTSbeerislife

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thick black pour under a medium brown head; thin brown lace. And my, what flavor! Subdued cherry a very solid stout with a unique taste from the currants. Nice heavy mouth feel and enticing aroma. I absolutely love this stout, and I wish they made it year round.

Serving type: growler

11-14-2012 22:39:03 | More by SeamusDoyle