8 Ball Stout - Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe

JayS2629

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours jet black with a three finger creamy tan head that fades very quickly into a thin film with thin, creamy walls of lace.

Roasty and earthy with coffee and mild chocolate araomas. Caramel and cola undertows with faint vanilla notes.

Chocolate shows up in the taste with cream and vanilla, coffee, roasted malts, caramel, and big bitter, earthy and herbal notes balancing.

Thick and creamy, smooth

Overall, very tasty and drinkable, balanced and subtle. Slightly on the roasty side. Nice and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 06:45:53 | More by JayS2629

MelissaJ

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A black with a tan head, remained for a while, nice lacing

S roasted grains, cocoa, coffee. But the aroma is not that strong.

T an obvious coffee taste followed by some dark chocolate. extremely slight hops bitterness. on the sweet side.

M thin and light, but very smooth. Should probably feel heavier and fuller in the mouth for the style. Mouth feel is disappointing, but not terrible.

O the taste is good but it really needs some more body. Bottom line: Average. wouldn't go out of my way to drink it, but if it was my only option it wouldn't be a terrible one.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 01:04:31 | More by MelissaJ

PrivateEquity

Kansas

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Very dark beer, with limited head and lacing.

S - Sweet roasted malt smell. Dark chocolate with a touch of coffee.

T - Very nice char, roasted character. Flavors of coffee. Good amount of hops balances out the brew nicely. Increased the rating in taste as it cooled. Complexity definitely comes out.

M - A little light in the mouthfeel. Normally like more body.Slightly dry.

O - Very solid Stout. Great taste. With a little addition to the body could be outstanding. Easy drinking for a stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 23:37:12 | More by PrivateEquity

Holland

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a deep black with a brown/tan head of thick bubbles that leaves nice foam if poured correctly.

S: slight chocolate, malt, slight acidic smell, and sweetness

T: taste is first malty and a bit acidic, then basic and smooth. Some chocolate notes shine through along with grains.

M: smooth as it should be, with medium carbonation and medium body.

O: tastes like a higher quality Sam Adams chocolate bock. Not my favorite, but it's drinkable, available, and on par with similar offerings in price.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 04:07:36 | More by Holland

homebrew311

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: appears black/dark brown, opaque, khaki colored head, decent retention, nice amount of lacing

S: heavy roasted barley, bitter coffee, some hints of herbal hops in the background

T: firm roasted malt profile, roastiness is nearly over the top, doesn't match the lightish body

Mf: somewhat thin for style, high carbonation

O: nice stout, heavy on the roast, nice drinkability

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 01:59:53 | More by homebrew311

KajII

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

[Best served in a Pint glass]

The pour was a thick rich black with a huge (3-4 finger) medium brown rocky head that lasted throughout and had some really sticky lacing that coated the glass.

The aroma was nice and robust of a roasted dark chocolate malt, a mild resin hop and a strong leathery yeast with hints of coffee and molasses.

It tasted lightly sweet and mildly bitter with a hint of molasses in the beginning then became a slight more on the bitter side with a nice smooth coffee finish. The flavor lasted an average amount of time after the swallow letting the nice bitter-coffee taste settle in nicely.

Mouthfeel was just a tad beyond medium in body with the texture being rather creamy but also slightly watery and having a nice soft carbonation.

Overall a nice and easy to drink Stout with a nice rich smooth coffee flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 19:56:48 | More by KajII

harrymel

Washington

1.63/5  rDev -57.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Bottle date: unk

A: black, a finger of light mocha foam falls to islands of the same. Spotty lace.
S: Roasted malts, hints of tobacco and vinyl. Some coffee tones, but nothing to call home about.
T: Roasty, some oat tones, some raisin and some leather.
M: Thin for the style with WAY too high carb. Semi dry finish.
O: This is a poor example of an oatmeal stout IMO, much less a stout. Too chemical, too thin, too much carb, little on the nose worth desiring.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 09:30:17 | More by harrymel

WoodBrew

Illinois

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

Trying Lost Coast 8-Ball Stout....and it is good. The beer pours a opaque dark with off-white head that isnt not lacing that well. The smell is very good....roast malt with slight smoke assistance. The taste is a roast malt with espresso boost...with slight Chocolate hints. The mouthfeel is medium...usually I like a bit more body. The carbonation level for this beer is good. Overall it is a decent stout....but not the best.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 00:44:36 | More by WoodBrew

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a standard pint glass. Pours a coffee-black color. A dark tan creamy head sits on top. The head eventually recedes to a wisp of cream colored bubbles. Random lacing. Smells of bitter chocolates and a hint of oats. This beer tastes pretty good, surprisingly to me. The chocolate bitterness is there as well as that sort of bitter Oreo cookie note. Burnt malts also. The mouthfeel is slightly more watery than I would prefer. Overall, not bad at all. I only bought one bottle o this, but it was worth it.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 21:51:04 | More by JuicesFlowing

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Poured a deep, deep brown to almost black. Opaque with a 3 finger tan colored foamy head that stuck around for awhile. Good lacing.

S- Not really prominent, but the usual coffee and chocolates for a stout, followed by a hint of hops piney smell.

T- A lot of coffee followed by dark chocolate flavors. The chocolate is followed by a mild hops bitterness. Then it finishes up with a sweet tinge of chocolate. Like legitimately sweet.

M- Light for a stout. Almost watery by stout standards. Still, the sweet tinge and mouthfeel compliment each other decently.

Overall, this is another stout I enjoyed, but I'm not sure if I'll seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 23:46:18 | More by boilermakerbrew

rstone57

California

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Pours jet black with a little less than finger's width of caramel colored head.

Smell is prominent dark chocolate.

Taste is dark chocolate malt with a medium body and medium carbonation.

This is a delicious stout from the folks @ Lost Coast up in Eureka.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 03:16:49 | More by rstone57

angelogarcia3

New York

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This black beer was poured for me at Tap & Mallet in Rochester. This oatmeal stout beer was poured in a pint glass. It came with a thin dark head and aromas of chocolate cordials, and vanilla on the nose. My first sip is creamy and thick with flavors of chocolate, cream soda, and a hint of malt.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2011 23:29:07 | More by angelogarcia3

ckollias

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a pint glass.

A: Pours a pitch black hue with a 2-finger tan head that leaves a solid, persistent, thick, frothy lace.

S: Sweet roasted malts with hints of coffee and chocolate.

T: Smooth slightly sweet roasted malts and slightly hoppy.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Excellent stout! Very smooth and easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 01:43:27 | More by ckollias

SouthLoopSuds

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark and Beautiful, Black, the head was a bit small though.

S: Nice, fragrent

T: Decent, not too bold, malty

M: Full, but a little bitter.

O: A decent stout for the price.

I bought this at my local Trader Joe's and for the price and overall taste, I think I'll buy more.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 01:02:08 | More by SouthLoopSuds

Dope

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A very dark brown pour with a milk chocolate head. Decent retention and good lacing.

S: Pretty simple, roasted malt with a bit of chocolate.

T: Lots of roasted malt (but not too much) and the smooth oatmeal with a bit of chocolate. A little bit milky like a borderline milk stout. Simple but great.

M: Super creamy and smooth, just like a proper oatmeal stout.

O: Great oatmeal stout. Not super complex or fancy, just a smooth, creamy, easy drinking stout. I could drink about 50 of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 05:07:32 | More by Dope

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Near black color with a large three-finger, beige head. Plenty of streaky lace that I'd describe as a cross between spotty and ring-like.

Aroma: Creamy, mocha aroma, slightly chalky.

Thin bodied and above average carbonation starts off the taste. The flavor reminds me of iced coffee, both in taste and consistency. This is a weak stout, but it has the elements of a darker and drier dark beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 01:53:10 | More by smcolw

CaptJackHarkness

New York

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A little on the lackluster side, no nose to speak of, thin weak head, that dissipates quickly, no lacing of the glass.Very unexiting brew.
Taste is decent but not exceptional, hints of chocolate and burnt oatmeal.

Surprizingly disappointing, since the ingredients are fully listed on the bottle and they should yeild an otherwise remarkable stout!

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 21:26:13 | More by CaptJackHarkness

scottfrie

California

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Helm’s Alehouse.

A: Pours black with a great frothy light tan head that left wispy lacing down the glass.
S: Rich dark malts, dark chocolate, a touch of sweet caramel and a smoky and inviting kind of meaty campfire smell.
T: Follows the nose with notes of sweet dark roated malts, dark chocolates and a good light smoky finish.
M: Medium slicky body, low carbonation, thinnish mouth but not too watery.
O: Really solid oatmeal stout that isn’t the most complex, but doesn’t have any outrageous flaws.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2011 03:17:12 | More by scottfrie

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a deep red-brown, almost black with a finger of tan head that lasts a little while but doesn't leave much for lacing.

Smell. Sweet roasty malts, chocolate and a bit of vanilla, a little metalic.

Taste. Sweet chocolate, roasty malt, caramel. Just a little grassy hops. Tastes pretty good.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, slightly higher than medium carbonation.

Overall. Bottom line is that this stuff tastes good. Could drink more than a couple pretty easily :-)

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 02:32:29 | More by Rutager

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle

Appearance - The beer pours a black colour with an average size fizzy light brown coloured head. I can't see much carbonation due the darkness of the beer and there is some good lacing on the sides of the glass. The head lasted for 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Chocolate, malts, roasted coffee, smoke

Taste & Mouth - The beer has a high amount of carbonation and I can taste chocolate and roasted/burnt coffee mixed with malts and and a bit of a smokiness. The taste is really well balanced but the beer feels a little thin and watery which is surprising given it's alcohol content. It finishes with a chocolate/coffee slightly smokey aftertaste.

Overall – One of the better beers I've had from this brewer. I'd drink it again for sure. Only needs a little improvement in the mouth feel department.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 13:09:25 | More by spinrsx

DUBinMIA

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured pitch black with an almond color head about 3/4 in that reduces to about 1/4 - 1/2 in with good lace.

Smell is of sweet malt and coffee notes... maybe some lagging hops but nothing real pronounced.

roasted malt to start and coffee flavor kicks in... smoothes out then you get a bit of hop bitterness almost floral but more on the piney side if that makes sense. very faint alcohol finish.
mouthfeel is ok could be a bit thicker for a stout but adequate.

Overall a good beer and decent stout that i might be inclined to try again.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 02:52:27 | More by DUBinMIA

thirstybrother

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer has all the makings of a great stout, looks good, smells good, tastes great.
EXCEPT that the taste dies immediately on my tongue. There is very little aftertaste to speak of, which is a shame because it is quite delicious right away, hints of chocolate, and a great 'oatmeal-ly' feel.
Another thing is that mine has very little carbonation, could use a better head....
Will try again anyway.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 00:17:22 | More by thirstybrother

dgilks

Australia

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pitch black with a small creamy tan head. No lacing.

Mild chocolate and roast. Quite underwhelming.

Roasty with a slightly herbal kick. Mild chocolate but nothing overpowering. I’m looking for a little more.

Medium body with moderate carbonation. Smooth and unassuming.

A decent though lightweight stout. There’s a bit of flavour here but it falls just a touch flat on the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2011 03:41:38 | More by dgilks

jmbranum

Oklahoma

4.47/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very enjoyable dry stout.

Pours a dark brown almost black with big light tan head.

Rich malty aroma.

Flavor is very dry. A little bit of dark chocolate balanced with cream. Counter-balanced by some oatmeal. Lingering bitterness with some malt sweetness.

Medium mouthfeel.

(Bought in Manhattan, Kansas. Enjoyed at home in Oklahoma City)

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 03:50:37 | More by jmbranum

DarthKostrizer

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Look: Black in color with a 1/4 inch head and ok retention

Smell: Believe it or not the first thing I smell is citrus hops then it is followed by hints of chocolate and caramel

Taste: Very subtle dark chocolate coffee and oatmeal notes up front and the backend has some bittering hops

Mouthfeel: A bit watery for a stout with a medium carbonation level and a slightly dry finish

Overall: Everything about this beer is just ok

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 02:10:19 | More by DarthKostrizer