Baller Stout - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

mjohnson17

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This bottle is about 18 months old at this point (I believe). Poured into BCBS snifter. I will preface this by saying that I've only had one of the base beers, Darklord, so I'm making some assumptions here.

A: pours jet black with a really nice knaki head of about a finger. Nice larger bubbles floating on top. Can also see some carbonation rise up along the side of the glass, nice uniform bubbles along the rim, big bubbles in the middle. Looks like it has some nice alcohol legs.

S: roast, dark chocolate, sweetness like a burnt brown sugar smell.

T: The is A LOT going on with this beer. It's not a smoothly blended brew but rather the taste of all 4 base beers (Darklord, Darkness, Black Albert, & Beer Geek Brunch) comes through at different times. First it's the sweetness of DL, then a coffee roast of Beer Geek Brunch, then some black licorice (Black Albert?) then roast, charred malt, and a hint of hops (Darkness?). Then afterward it's swallowed the pallet picks up the sweetness again then finally finishes with a dry, roasty lingering

M: Sweet then dry and bold, then roasty, then sweet again then finally finishing on dry. This beer is crazy complex.

O: I really dug this beer. I wish I had all base beers prior to be able to identify which nuances I was picking up, but irregardless you can definitely tell there's a lot going on in this beer as the taste and mouthfeel change multiple times throughout the sip. I can see why some people hate as it's a hard beer to pin down with everything going on but I respect it's complexity and the way it's able to work with all the different stout flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 02:42:18 | More by mjohnson17

herman77

Minnesota

4.41/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: Black with a light brown head. Decent lacing and head retention

S: Lots of milk chocolate right off the bat with a little bit of roast. Some menthol or almost fresh citrus smell to it too (on further review, I think it's the booziness). A bit of dark fruits lurking in the background.

T: Starts off a bit sweet, roasty and then some alcohol comes rushing in. After that, a big wave of chocolate and roast comes in. Lots of dark milk chocolate. Finishes with a complex sweetness with dark fruits, coffee and roast. A lot more balanced than I thought it would be since this is a blend of 4 epic beers.

M: Fuller body. Moderate carbonation. A bit creamy.

O: Good drinkability. ABV is really well hidden. I think the age really helped this, can't say for sure since I've never had it fresh, but it seems like the hops have faded a lot and all the beers have really melded together into one. I've only had Darkness, so I can't pick out anything out of this. Glad I got a bottle of this to try.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:33:42 | More by herman77

tectactoe

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Chris for bringing this one to our tasting - it was something I never thought I'd try. Pours a dark, dark brown color with a fading, tan-colored head that doesn't stick around too long before it recedes to nothing but a thin skin cap.

As I first bring my nose to the glass, I'm getting a weird aroma that was hard for be to pinpoint at first, but upon further sniffing, I've come to the conclusion that it was: beef jerky. That's right, I get some serious beef jerky-like aroma off the top of the nose from this thing. Slightly smokey and robust with maybe a touch of spice. Big roasted malts full out the edges, along with some light cocoa beans. Some woody-oak and vanilla aromas don't come through much until the beer warms up a bit, but then they really start to break through. Light sweetness is detectable, but it's slightly overshadowed by the somewhat harsh roast.

The taste hits bit with some sharp coffee and cocoa - dense and seemingly packed with concentrated flavor. The front end is mildly sweet, but it transforms quickly into a more bitter and roasted flavor as the malts grow from quiet to loud within seconds. No beef jerky on the palate, per se, but I swear I'm still getting it in the aroma. Out comes a light heat, almost like a chili pepper spice, although I really don't "taste" chilies - my tongue is just picking up the tingling sensation as though they are there.

The alcohol is a bit subdued at first but gets much, much stronger over the course of this beer. Sweetness comes in noticeably but tame enough to be enjoyable; molasses, light syrup, and some dark fruits are the main contributors. The aftertaste is dominated by an ashy, charred flavor - perhaps this is where my nose was picking up the beef jerky from? Medium-thick body, slick and a touch oily on the palate coming in on the lower end of the carbonation scale.

Certainly glad I got to try this one, although I don't feel it was all it was cracked up to be. Definitely some uniqueness to it, regarding the smokiness and the serious beef jerky notes my nose was picking up. Is it just me who was getting that? Either way, tasty beer, but probably not worth what it took to get it. Thanks again to Chris, though - I'm glad to say I had the chance to experience this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 17:46:47 | More by tectactoe

portia99

Massachusetts

4.01/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz waxed bottle poured into a CBS snifter.

A - Pours with a slightly thin appearance and sits in the glass with a very deep and dark brown color. A finger of frothy mocha colored head sits on top with very good staying power. Lots of webby lacing left as the head slowly fades to the surface.

S - Roasty black coffee, thick with dark fruit, booze, mild molasses

T - Lots of chocolate up front, alcohol, estery, bitter hops, cocoa, roasted malts, touch of licorice, sugary sweetness.

M - Thick and syrupy in body with a medium carbonation level. A bit sticky and sweet overall.

O - Without really thinking about it, I pretty much get a little bit from each of the components in the blend - syrupy sweetness from Dark Lord, firm hoppy bitterness from Darkness, rich coffee from the Beer Geek, and a sort of non-descriptness from the Black Albert (which has never really impressed me). Not sure of the percentages of each beer, but they seem to come thru in approximately equal intensity. A rather interesting beer, although I wouldn't call it outstanding. The flavor components fight each other a bit and keep it from establishing its own character.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 18:38:47 | More by portia99

jsulko

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Bottle poured into a snifter glass

Bottle was purchased at the brewpud at the one year mark. I have had it since then.

Beer pours a very dark black with a thick chocolate colored head that faded somewhat quickly.

Smell is sweet with slight coffee and chocolate smells. Roastyness also in there.

Taste is coffee with a chocolate sweetness hidden in there. Slight alcohol presence in the finish. Hoppy bitterness also comes peaking through a bit on the back end.

A powerhouse stout that has appeared to age well. Would be interesting to try all the base beers but this one has come up a winnter for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 04:11:02 | More by jsulko

mhksuccess

California

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pour from a 22oz bottle into a snifter glass
very dark little head but not totally nothing i would say just light head
i love the label on the bottle
smell is boozy and sweet
taste i get chocolate, coffee, malty, cocoa
very smooth for such high abv
i little bit sweet probably due to the dark lord
heard other say it is hoppy from the darkness but i did not get this at all
overall an excellent brew i would definitely drink again

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 18:54:53 | More by mhksuccess

vic21234

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz bomber poured into a snifter. Decided to crack this one open from my cellar for my birthday tomorrow. Hopefully it's worth it.

A- Pours pitch black as expected. A solid 1.5 fingers worth of a khaki colored head forms, slowly fading to a nice froth along the top and sides of the glass.

S- Aromas of coffee and chocolate are most notable for me. I also get an overall sweetness in the smell also.

T- Quite a bit going on with the taste. Initially the chocolate and sweet malts come through. I get some notes of coffee/ espresso coupled in also. The backend of the taste leaves a surprising hop presence. Some alcohol is apparent in there as well but not overwhelming.

M- Heavy, well, carbonated, smooth with some surprising hops. Alcohol is apparent but drinks nice for nearly 14% ABV.

The only base I've had from this beer on its own is Dark Lord. I get alot of the sweetness that DL portrays. I am also aware that Darkness is rather hoppy and I get that in this one too. A nice beer from FFF.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 01:26:34 | More by vic21234

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I got this bottle as a birthday present from MsRif last year, and I decided to share it at Stone Soup.

Dark brown-black pour, with a thick tan collar for a head; some retention and lacing. Aroma of dark malts, chocolate, coffee, slightly roasty...probably closer to Dark Lord than anything. The taste was surprisingly nice and unique, lacking the heat and sweetness of DL and lacking the roasty bitterness of BGB and BA. I think the blend really hit a good balance here. Dark malts, dark chocolate, some dark fruit essence, roasty coffee notes. This was the only time I've had this beer, but if this wasn't the sweet spot, then I don't want to know what was (or will be). Smooth mouthfeel, full body, lower carbonation, and extremely well-hidden alcohol. It's a shame I won't ever have this again, but it was nice while it lasted. Thanks, biddy!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 22:57:22 | More by Rifugium

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

4.23/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cracked this open to celebrate 2013. 22oz bomber poured into Globe glass.

A. Pours 2 finger dark tan colored head. Thick head. Thick lacing. Good retention. Color is jet black.

S. Quite a bit of big stout aromas going on. Hops, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, molasses. I have had Darkness, Beer Geek Brunch, and Black Albert. Not sure that I can pick each one's aroma out individually, or that I can get the Dark Lord. Has some belgian yeast and mustiness that works pretty well. Not much alcohol heat present at all.

T. Pretty smooth. Was expecting some heat, but there isnt much. Roasted malt, molasses, milk chocolate, a bit of hop bitterness is still evident. Get some earthy oak flavors, that are somewhat muted. Actually find it to be pretty well balanced between the 4 beers. I do pick up the Belgian qualities of the Black Albert, and Beer Geek. Pretty smooth and ABV is well hidden.

M. Not as thick as I would have like. Medium/Full is how I would describe it. Medium carbonation. Finishes with a bit of sweetness.

O. The question I had going into this beer was whether the sum of the 4 beers would be greater than any one beer by itself. I am not sure that they are. I think I would prefer Darkness and Beer Geek Brunch over Baller Stout. It might be an improvement over Black Albert. I would have to disagree with the word on the street that this beer is a hot mess, maybe it was when first released but on 1/1/13 pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 22:16:09 | More by siradmiralnelson

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -26%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Back log rating, reviewed from notes.

22oz bottle courtesy of LoPo87. Thanks!

A: Pitch black with a thin lacing and great legs.

N: Pepper, chocolate, burnt brown sugar, black licorice, and smoke.

T: Hops, chocolate, definite bitterness. SMoke, plenty of overly roasted coffee.

M: Not as thick and oily as I'd expect; rather it maintains a pretty thin feel. Very alcoholic, though, and it is a distraction.

O: This isn't awful, but neither is it remarkable or great. Not complex, nor drinkable, and as such, it's deserving of a pass.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 22:04:58 | More by writerLJBerg

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into taster - thanks rob

Pours an inky blackness, think and viscous with barely any head or lacing.

An intense assortment of scents in the nose with hoppy bitterness, sweet chocolate, roasted coffee beans and dark malts. Boozy warmth, dark fruit and vanilla.

Having tasted all of the base beers numerous times, this is a borderline insane combination of flavors. Robust and earthy with a hoppy snap up front, followed by waves of chocolate, coffee, vanilla and dark fruit. Touches of candied raisins supported by a thick, heavy dark malt backbone. Roasty and warm with an upfront boozy finish.

Fullest of full bodied, decent carbonation, sticky and heavy on the tongue. I, as many others did, wanted to really enjoy this but it's almost just too much. The $30 price point really doesn't help either.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 13:48:58 | More by xnicknj

harrymel

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Been staring this down.

Pours black, some central dome and rimming of light cocoa foam. Smells of molasses, alcohol, leather, some fudge and bits of cinnamon. Tastes like there is plenty of residual sugar, sweet, roasty, more molasses, some licorice, cocoa, coffee, more sugar. Heavy body with nice carb and a sticky finish. I'm glad the dark lord wasn't too noticeable. That would have ruined this beer. Glad to try it, not worthy of seeking out IMO.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 06:06:01 | More by harrymel

cosmicevan

New York

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

had this one once or twice before, but looks like my review is in the backlogs of the notebook(s), so might as well tick it tonight...enjoyed from a 3Floyds teku glass - solo baby! BALLIN!!!

a - de-waxed and popped the cap. brew poured a watery black with a thin cream colored head that was gone quick. lacing was spotty. not as thick and oily looking as i had expected considering the parts.

s - nice decadent mix of chocolate and roast. some coffee and dark fruit. very nice stout smells.

t - big and bold. lots of dark lord at first with some intense dark cocoa sweetness. then i'm slammed in the palette with rich dark fruitiness of black albert. there is some remnants of darknesses hopped out stout in there as well and a tinge of the tangy finish from beer geek brunch. it has been said throughout the reviews here, that this is not better than the individual parts, but i'd say that this is probably better than some of the parts. the booziness is definitely well hidden and integrated and i rather enjoy this blend.

m - thick and rich but not as intense as you'd expect. the parts sort of balance out the intensity of some of the bigger brews. very smooth and easy to drink. the booze is invisible.

o - overall, take it for what it is...a crazy blend of some crazy beers. is it dark lord? no. is it darkness? no? same for black albert and beer geek brunch...but if you wanted those beers, wouldn't you open one of them instead? as a blend of a bunch of big stouts, this could definitely be a mess and frankly, i don't find it to be the mess that some people claim it to be, i rather like it. i was a bit apprehensive about taking this on solo on a monday night, but as i dig deeper into it, i'm glad i did. really nice stout and if you like the beers within, you will probably like this...maybe not more, but possibly yes. cheers to FFF...BALLIN!!!

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 01:29:15 | More by cosmicevan

zac16125

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Baller Stout
22oz bottle poured into a small snifter

Thanks to Mark000 for sending this one over in a trade.

A: Pours a somewhat thin appear very dark brown, bordering on but not quite black, with just over 1 fingers width of mocha colored head. Actually looks very similar to Coke Cola, only slightly thicker. Head dissipates down fairly slow and leaves small spots of random patchy lacing.

S: Roasted malt, crisp green apple, some dark fruits with raisin and fig, a unique sweetness that is somewhat reminiscent of bubblegum, anise, slightly medicinal. Pretty unique aromas for a stout, and certainly doesnt smell like any of the individual components. Im not sure I particularly like the aroma but it is VERY strong so it gets bonus points.

T: Initial sip is sweet dark fruits with a big roasted and coffee presence on the backend. Early on I get bakers chocolate, apple, anise, and the big roasted and big coffee notes. As I continue to drink the flavor becomes dominated by a bitter, medicinal, almost astringent quality.

M/D: Pretty heavily carbonated for the style, not particularly smooth and a touch thin. ABV is incredibly well masked though, never would have guessed this was a 13- plus percenter. Drinkability is fair. 3.5

O: Overall, Im not sure how I feel about this one. I initially was loving this beer, in both aroma and flavor, but as I continue to drink, it began to wear on me. The pleasant characters gave way to less desirable ones. I'm not really sure how to grade it. Its certainly not a boring drink, as lots of different flavors and aromas come out. Although I can't say they necessarily blend all that beautifully, but it does keep one's palate and on its toes. I guess if I had to classify it compared to the other beers it would be as follows (from leave to most favorite):
Dark Lord-> Baller Stout -> Beer Geek Brunch Weasel (never had the regular brunch)-> Darkness/Black Albert, with Dark Lord being almost undrinkable, Beer Geek being a huge step up from Baller and Darkness/Black Albert both being significantly better than the rest.
Im filibustering now but I guess to sum it up, this one is not great, but really unique and certainly worth trying, especially for comparison to the individual components.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 01:13:26 | More by zac16125

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Yeahnatenelson for this great lookin' bottle! Drank with DaftCaskBC during the 2012 Trailer Park Tasting.

Appearance. Foamy light-tan head, black!

Smell. Liccorice, dark chocolate, oak, slightly metalic.

Taste. Licorice, roasty malts, plums, dark roast coffee.

Mouthfeel. Full body, medium carbonation, slight warmth.

Overall. A very good RIS but not relly mind-blowing as I had hoped. The seperate beers that I have tried were much better than this blend.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 21:14:05 | More by Rutager

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from the 2012 BC Trailer Tasting Camping Tour with Rutager.

A: 1/2" light brown head over black/cola coloured liquid.

S: Oak, bourbon, roasted malt, coffee and caramel.

T: Coffee, roasted malt, pine hops and pears.

M: Thick viscosity and low carbonation.

O: A strong stout with many flavours that aren't very well integrated. The total isn't the sum of the parts in this case.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 20:40:23 | More by DaftCaskBC

claspada

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown, almost black color, with a smalldark tan head that leaves ample lacing.

Aromas begin with bourbon, oak, coffee, dark roasted malts and boozy alcohol. As it warms you get a little bit of sugary Milk chocolate sweetness and darker fruits but the roast is up front and dominant.

The tastes begin with espresso coffee, roasted malts, alcohol, bourbon and acrid licorice/molasses. Again, as it warms your get some sweeter dark fruits, raisins and sugary milk chocolate sweetness.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation. The finish is fairly sweet and roasy with some alcohol heat.

Overall this beer is one of those that the sum of it parts do not live up the original offerings. Each of the base beers used to blend this beer are superior than this melange. For what I was told this cost originally and cost to acquire I am glad I did not invest personally.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 14:19:17 | More by claspada

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle to FFF Teku glass.

A - Black with one finger of light brown head that reduced to a ring around the edges of the glass. Spotty lacing.

S - Semi-sweet chocolate, roasted malts, sweet molasses and some coffee.

T - Sweet chocolate up front that immediately gives way to a bitter hop profile and a touch of coffee. A big sweetness returns and lingers along with some molasses and a very light hint of dark fruit in the background. Fairly sweet overall.

M - Medium body with a fairly big chew. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 14:35:25 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

650 mL bottle poured into a taster glass. No bottle date. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Nice black body. Good off white head. Nice retention.

Smell - Roasty chocolate. Big hop presence. Smells like an RIS.

Taste - Chocolate. Roasty malts. Hoppy, but mostly milk chocolate. Hoppy in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Nice and creamy. Thick and chewy.

Overall - No better than the individual beers that went into it, but it's decent. I was expecting a mess. Instead it's just a quality RIS.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 17:40:56 | More by Alieniloquium

Gobzilla

California

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured a dark as night black with a very thin dark brown head that left a little lacing sticking to the glass.

S: lots of the mikkeller black character was present on the aroma such as booze, roastiness, some chocolate, hints of dark fruits, and a slight char notes.

T: the booze character was not as bad on the taste alongside roastiness, brown sugar, chocolate sweetness, dark fruit accents and a little char flavor but with a touch of vanilla. The mikkeller black character was really coming through the most to me.

M: the brew was medium to full in body with sweet, mild boozy, chocolatey, slight dark fruit and silky finish.

O: beer was a decent considering all the monsters that went into the blend. Very creative and was glad to have a taste of it.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 21:26:49 | More by Gobzilla

Etan

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz into a snifter.

A: Pours a dark brownish-black with some red hues. Big tan head.

S: Very sweet (as expected). Chocolate, sweet coffee, brown sugar, slight booze, brown bread.

T: Sweet but with a good bit of balancing roastiness. Smooth chocolate malt, roasted grain, solvent but tolerable alcohol presence, a bit of coffee bitterness. Thick raisin and coffee roast in the finish.

M: Very slight carbonation, very thick and creamy.

O: Not a bad blend at all; a bit sweet, but the mouthfeel is killer.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 01:59:35 | More by Etan

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opened on 7.10.12.

A - Pours a dark motor oil brown with a one inch medium brown head with decent retention.

S - Licorice, roasted malt, booze.

T - Coffee, booze, leather, anise.

D - Decent carbonation, medium to heavy body.

O - A real mixed bag for me. Good and bad smells and flavors are all over the place.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 04:18:54 | More by HuskyinPDX

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks goes out to my boy aasher for handing this one off to me during our most recent massive in-person trade! Thanks Al! Shared this one with beeruser, funkydelic, and 67couple during a past tasting! Served from bottle into a Sweetwater snifter. Poured pitch black with a half finger light brown head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, roasted malt, bubblegum, sugar, dark fruit, and sweet alcohol. The flavor was of roasted malt, bubblegum, dark fruit, sweet alcohol, and wood. It had a heavy feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. After first hearing about this brew I was totally intrigued. And to be honest, I was not disappointed. I did find the bubblegum aspect to be a little off-putting, but at the same time it seemed to work quite well on this brew for me adding another level of complexity over the regular versions of the blend I HAVE tried (eff you Kate). A definite must try for anyone who calls themselves a Stout fan.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 10:59:30 | More by thagr81us

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

XV Anniversary yellow wax into CBS snifter.
Special thanks to BeerTwinkie for this beer. Without him I'd never get a chance otherwise.

A- Pitch black, oily, opaque pour. Two and a half finger tan head that slowly deflates leaving a thin ring and gobs of sticky lacing.

S- Sweetness of brown sugar, vanilla and chocolate up front. Super roasty espresso aroma and a slight amount of alcohol in the back. There is a hop bitterness and a bit of dark stone fruits.

T- Sweet base from the Dark Lord (not nearly as sweet as Dark Lord itself) Super dark roasted espresso (Beer Geek Brunch) with chocolate syrup and vanilla beans.I close my eyes and can pick out the Black Albert as well. Darkness seems to be a little lost in the mix. Hop bitterness is nice and the alcohol is minimal for this strength of brew.

M- Heavy, slightly syrupy with decent carbonation.

O- A lot of people complained about this beer. I honestly think it works really well. Four great brewers doing their best brews for one behemoth.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 00:14:07 | More by korguy123

tewaris

Minnesota

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

Thanks Dan and Frank!

Excellent stout looks, dark and thick with a good dark tan head. Aroma is sweet malts, some vanilla (nowhere close to a -bal beer though) and roast. I don't get much coffee.

Tastes rough and aggressive... the smoothness of the component beers is missing, and I like Dark Lord :-/

Mouthfeel is good, rich body and medium carbonation. To echo what others have said, this beers is less stellar than its components:

|x1 + x2| ≤ |x1| + |x2|

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 06:16:00 | More by tewaris