Secret Stache Stout - Finch's Beer Co.

MaximalC

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

12-02-2012 21:57:23 | More by MaximalC

Mattco

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

06-17-2013 21:38:10 | More by Mattco

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

06-17-2013 03:39:51 | More by mendvicdog

Brad007

Vermont

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

One of the most impressive can pours I've seen. Pours dark, thick with a milkshake-like head into my glass.

Good mix of roasted coffee with a touch of vanilla in the nose. Smells a lot stronger than something at this ABV should.

Now I see why. Creamy with tons of roasted malt, cocoa and vanilla flavors. Bursting with flavor.

Leaves a bit of a singe going down, mainly due to carbonation. Dial it down a bit and you're golden there.

A very flavorful stout in a can. I would like to try their other stout offerings soon because this is the most flavorful stout I've had in a while.

Serving type: can

06-17-2013 00:11:24 | More by Brad007

mjm47

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-16-2013 21:46:07 | More by mjm47

Pillowburn

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-16-2013 21:43:36 | More by Pillowburn

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

16 oz can into a pint glass.

A: Pours a nearly pitch black color. Not much head is on this one, which is disappointing - it isn't even a fingers high, but it has a nice khaki shade. The only thing noteworthy about it is the slight lacing it leaves on the glass.

S: There's plenty of roasted malt, which I always love in a stout. Beyond that lies notes of cream, chocolate, and vanilla. The advertised vanilla is evident...but not quite as much as I want it to be. Oh well.

T: However, it does make a decent showing on the palate. Vanilla notes blend fairly well with the cream flavors, before finishing with touches of roasted malt. Decently enjoyable if simplistic and sweet.

M: It doesn't have the finishing dryness I like out of my favorite stouts, nor the body. What it does do well, though, is showcase the vanilla flavors decently through a soft, creamy finish. Carbonation is good, but could aid drinkability a little more.

O: Not bad. It's a bit too sweet for me, though, so I doubt I'll buy this again. Well worth a try if you like vanilla or cream soda.

Serving type: can

06-15-2013 23:04:00 | More by ThisWangsChung

capnamerica

Arkansas

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-15-2013 02:06:51 | More by capnamerica

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-14-2013 15:13:20 | More by DrunkinYogi

hinemk76

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-13-2013 22:46:03 | More by hinemk76

Ajlvt

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-11-2013 05:47:02 | More by Ajlvt

tfar2112

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-10-2013 23:28:44 | More by tfar2112

oberon

North Carolina

3.99/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours black as an oil slick with a creamy deep beige head atop.Aromas of bitter chocolate,vanilla,dark fruit,and mild char,it's pretty sweet.Flavors start out with a big hefty sweetness but a nice drying earthiness keeps it in check,alot of vanilla and dark fruit flavors to go along with bitter chocolate at the onset.One of the better milk stouts I have had in awhile,it's sweet but it's also got a big earthy/roasted finish.

Serving type: can

06-10-2013 22:54:16 | More by oberon

RobertColianni

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -36.7%

06-10-2013 01:50:44 | More by RobertColianni

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I bought a couple of these CANs on a recent scouting expedition to The Foodery (N. Liberties) and I CANnot believe that reviewers STILL have a bias against CANned beers! Apparently, The CANQuest (TM) has CANtinued not to make believers out of everyone within earshot. I could understand it even up to a few years ago, but now ... ? Beer, and especially craft beer, in CANs is the way to go! End of CANrant.

From the CAN: "Ale brewed with Vanilla".

The Crack reveled yet another brimful craft CAN and as a previous reviewer mentioned, not only are you definitely NOT getting gypped, it is like a Baker's Dozen. The only drawback in this instance is that it is a very dark beer and if it splashed on white or colorful clothing, it might be an issue. I recommend opening it away from the CANsumer's body as a result. The tallboy nature of the CAN made it a little more difficult to perform an inverted Glug, but as a professional, I was able to pull it off. I was faced with a finger of dense, deep-tan/light-brown head with decent retention. Color was a deep, dark, cola-brown which allowed for zero light penetration. I even took a wee dram in a fest tasting glass outside to see if I could get any traction and even then, only at the edges. The SRM on this one must be extremely high. Nose smelled like French Vanilla coffee, reminding me to pick up some of Giant Eagle's brand the next time I am near one. To quantify, there were roasty notes of coffee and chocolate but with vanilla added to the equation. I have never made (or drank) a full pot of French Vanilla coffee as it tends to be too sweet, but I am pressing on with this one. Mouthfeel was medium with an oily slickness on the tongue that I had not expected. Previous reviewers had led me to expect a fullness which was not present, but neither was there anything wrong with that slick feeling. The taste was definitely French Vanilla coffee and I recommend a name change to "Finch Vanilla Stout", but I will understand if the brewers disregard my suggestion. Finish had a dryness that left a powdery feeling in the back of my throat, like dehydrated beer, just add water. This was a very different stout than what I was used to or even expected. I would probably stop at one as a self-avowed hophead, but that is just me. The fact that it is available in CANs makes it a bonus.

Serving type: can

06-08-2013 14:22:02 | More by woodychandler

beertardis

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

06-06-2013 20:10:13 | More by beertardis

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Really lovin' what Finch Beer Co. has in mind, their Milk Stout takes on a sturdy roast character that's buffered with vanilla and cream for a savory desert-like effect.

The lush ale pours with a deep and dark brown color that hinges on black- seeming near clear, its onyx-like sheen is deep and ominous. Even with a turbulent pour, the head is short with tan coloration and its lace is slight as the oils of vanilla and cream make their presence known.

Lovin' its aroma, the scent of bittersweet chocolate, roasted nuts, deep roast coffee, burnt sugar and malted milkshakes offer up first impressions. But as the taste settles in. the ale favors and malty-rich middle palate of brown sugar, toffee and molasses before it surpasses sweetness and favors burnt toast, espresso, and heavy whipping cream even late in taste- its vanilla thread is eventide with each and every sip but never commands the overall flavor.

Its easy to be seduced into bigger and more robust texture, but the ale is remarkably even and balanced. Even after the early carbonation subsides, its late structure is smooth, light, and pleasantly pillowy even as the slight herbal hops, alcohol warmth, and receding malts suggest otherwise.

Delicious in its taste, Finch's Beer Co. is upping the game of Stout yet keeping them drinkable, smooth, and ever so lavish. It's clear that Finch Beer Co is upping their game in the dark ale arena.

Serving type: can

06-05-2013 06:58:59 | More by BEERchitect

Weas

Arkansas

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

06-03-2013 23:34:32 | More by Weas

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours ebony with a pinky of mocha colored head. Decent lacing & scant head retention

S: Coffee & cocoa

T: Follows the nose, very dry, a touch of woody hops up front. More cocoa with lactic sourness, more dryness as this warms, plus a bit more woody hops. Finishes dry with a touch charcoal, carob & chicory, almost pulled a 4.25

MF: Medium bodied, smooth carbonation, thinned out a bit as this warmed

A pretty nice stout that faded out a bit as it warmed, not a good as Buffalo Sweat, but not bad. Bet this would be great on nitro

Serving type: can

06-03-2013 04:36:00 | More by russpowell

MichiganderHB

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

06-01-2013 16:07:49 | More by MichiganderHB

ERRL710

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-31-2013 23:09:30 | More by ERRL710

Denoas

New York

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-30-2013 16:45:16 | More by Denoas

Zaphog

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

05-30-2013 15:22:19 | More by Zaphog

iwantmorehops

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-25-2013 19:45:16 | More by iwantmorehops

hornsup

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-23-2013 02:47:32 | More by hornsup