Silva Stout - Green Flash Brewing Co.

Nugganooch

California

4.59/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12oz stubby bottle dated 12/18/12 (from the 2nd release I believe)
*Notes from 05/17/13 – FW snifter glass

A: Jet black body with more of a dark coffee edge. Not terribly thick as expected with a sizeable frothy turbinado sugar colored head. Impressive stay power for a barrel-aged beer. Waves of speckled stick lace the glass after each sip.

S: Dark roast and chocolate malts meld with some very nice bourbon barrel notes of vanilla, spice, and earthy wood. There is a brown sugar sweetness with some dark fruit additions and more bourbon coming through. Has a light vinous character of rich leather and dried tobacco at the trail end. Alcohol is rather tame in the nose. Very complex and not overly burdened with the bourbon which is nice.

T: Taste is a delicious blend of dark chocolate, dark fruits, molasses, bourbon, vanilla, spice, and charred wood. Almost crème brulee like with the creamy vanilla and caramelized sugar flavors. I get a glimpse of light licorice on the backend. Bitterness is a touch on the lower side and alcohol is rather tamed albeit noticeable. Incredibly complex yet delicately balanced. Simply delectable chocolaty bourbon goodness.

M: On the thinner side for an Imperial stout but not in a distractible manner. Moderate and not too heavy or fulfilling from the very creamy texture and even carbonation. Light warming alcohol and some drying on the finish with a clean exit.

D: One of the better bourbon barreled stouts I have come across. Complex like a bourbon chocolate cordial. Yet balanced with a more restrained approach with the barreling that compliments the base beer rather than drown it out completely. Simply an incredible blend and up there with some of the best of them. Now I just need MOAR!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 19:30:05 | More by Nugganooch

SPLITGRIN

Kentucky

4.79/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A vigorous pour gets me two full fingers of chocolate malt colored head. The foam actually sits in two different levels the top being slightly lighter then the bottom level. Lace is consistent and leaves a ramp to the glass. Body is the purest of ink blot black. Nose is absolutely delectable with chocolate brownies, chocolate malt, and rich mellow bourbon tones. The smell is amazing and truely inviting. As I take first sip I quickly have to check the label and verify the alcohol content. This beer is so chocolatey, creamy and rich there is no trace of the 10.1% content. Sweet bourbon soaked heavy bread and coco dance on the palate. I consider myself a huge long time fan of big stouts and this is nothing short of spectacular. Granted this one is definitely on the sweeter side. This makes the perfect night cap or desert beer. Finish is long sweet and heavy but in a good way. I will be seeking out much more of this gem in the future.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:59:54 | More by SPLITGRIN

themind

New Jersey

4.51/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Magnificent! Wow! excellent brew from Green Flash. This is the best brew I have had from them. Pours a nice head with a strong bourbon stout aroma. Fairly creamy mouthfeel with a little ABV burn. This for sure I would purchase again id I could. If you like bourbon stouts this is one to seek out. Up against the big boys this guy can throw some hands!

Bottom Line: Very, very good BB stout!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 00:37:38 | More by themind

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Silva Stout Batch 2 (12/2012) poured into Firestone Walker snifter

Apperance: Poured a nice thick 2 fingers worth of light brown head. Settled to a solid cap. Legs stay hanging around the glass with nice lacing after each sip. Dark body with the lightest of brown on the edges.

Smell: Silva Stout really takes on the aromas of the wood it is aged in. Lots of charred oak, very woody, touch of dark fruits, dark chocolate, and licorice in the back of the nose. Rich dark chocolate comes through more and more as the nose is taken in.

Taste: Chocolate, pitted cherry mixed with plenty of charred oak. Very bourbon like, dries out in the finish with some tannin & heat on the back end...light ash left in the aftertaste. The taste and feel are def reminiscent of bourbon. Not the huge vanilla, coffee, chocolate notes you get in a lot of barrel aged beers, but more of a showcase of the woodiness in a beer. Different than other BA Stouts, but non-less delicious. A light metallic taste comes through in the middle to end, which might be the one thing that makes this less than world class to me. Overall the finish is clean and long much like a bourbon. Left with a nice coating of flavors.

Overall: This is a BA stout that has a huge American whiskey feel to it. Plenty of white oak char and bourbon barrel presence while chocolate is the strongest flavor. This beer is more about the feel than the flavor...not that the flavor is anything less than tasty. The dry finish, with the tannin and bold chocolate flavor make this one to savor and enjoy. This may not be as in your face as many BA beers but it is incredible in the way that the wood/bourbon play their way though this stout.

[95/100]

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 05:23:26 | More by mindspin315

CaptCleveland

Ohio

4.61/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into Huna snifter, no dating. Big thanks to zchall23.

Black, opaque elixir, huge 2-finger, tan-brown head, dissipates to stable rim. Plenty of lacing with the first few sips, clears as the brew warms.

Wonderful vanilla, bourbon, oak, char and burnt malt aromas. The vanilla and oak predominate and are quite enjoyable.

More chocolate and cocoa come through at the forefront. The bourbon is understated but comes through at the end. A nice amalgam of dark fruits, cocoa, burnt malt and bourbon. Nicely balanced and create a very complex brew.

Full body, nicely carbonated, rich.

Well done and another example of the craftsmanship that pervades GF. Seek this out. It has been a want of mine for some time and well worth the effort.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 04:37:07 | More by CaptCleveland

arfenhouse

California

4.7/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Black with a brown head. Retention is good and has some spotty lacing.

S: Big on the roasted cacao with a small amount of syrupy chocolate. Decent amount of coffee aroma. Vanilla and roasted coconut. Bourbon is decently hot on the nose.

T: Getting a good dose of sweet syrup-like chocolate and dark fruits (raisin mainly). Bourbon, vanilla, and black coffee come in midway and extend all the way into the aftertaste. Bourbon is not too strong or hot.

M: Medium body and medium-light carbonation. Wet. Mouth-coating feeling.

O: Great beer. I'd pay 20$ for a 22oz.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 06:43:21 | More by arfenhouse

bonkers

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

thanks to arash1000 for this one, bottled 12/12. Poured from a 12ounce bottle into a CCB snifter, jet black pour, thin tan head. The aroma is full of bourbon, vanilla, roast coffee. the flavors are well balanced, nice mix of all the aromas, lingering boozey finish. the body is medium/full, well carbonated, smooth mouthfeel. a very good beer, glad I have 2.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 23:15:54 | More by bonkers

RoninTK3

Rhode Island

4.93/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Near jet black with some thin mocha lacing

S - Lots of bourbon. Chocolate, roasted malts, and alcohol come through. Some vanilla.

T - Wow! The bourbon does not overpower the flavor like it does the smell. Lots of chocolate, roasted malts, and bitterness nicely complemented by the bourbon. This is a perfectly balanced stout.

M - Smooth and medium bodied with light carbonation. A bit of alcohol heat on the finish but hard to believe this has a 10.1% ABV.

This is easily one of the best stouts I've ever had. Perfectly balanced and goes down very easy for the ABV. The bourbon complements this one rather than is the predominant flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 03:39:54 | More by RoninTK3

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.94/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Batch 1

Served from a 12oz bottle into a Smutty half pint. Shared with RoninTK3.

Appearance- Pitch black with little mocha head. Some solid lacing.

Smell- Heavy Bourbon. Caramel and vanilla, some coffee and chocolate, but mostly bourbon and oak.

Taste- Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, bitter malt, oak, cherry. Extremely light booze. Super smooth. No heat.

Mouthfeel- Very smooth, light viscosity, mild carbonation, no heat or booze.

Overall- This is hands down the best bourbon barrel stout I've had to date. Super happy I could try this.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 03:21:46 | More by Seanniek91

mookihouse

California

4.23/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12-oz bottle released Jan 2013.  Thanks to Gottatickemall for the bottle.  Pours dark with tan head.  Not a lot of carbonation.  Smells of sweet dark fruit and chocolate.  Let it warm up a little.  Taste matches the smell.  A very balanced stout with no single dominating components.  Barrel characters are there but no alcohol heat like some other barrel aged stout.  So drinkable I think I can drink it all night and not get tired of it.  Kind of reminds me of the 2012 Abyss.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 05:21:28 | More by mookihouse

Etan

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from the 2nd batch.

A: Pours out an inky black with a small tan head that sticks around.

S: Nose comprises thick mocha, raisins, egg cream, baker's chocolate, a bit of coconut and oak.

T: Caramel, lightly bitter roasted grain, vanilla, mildly acidic oak tannins, dark chocolate, a bit vinous.

M: Thick-bodied with light carbonation. Really nice consistency.

O: Definitely an enjoyable barrel-aged stout, but one that I don't think should garner the incredibly high praise it does. Perhaps batch 1 was better.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 20:49:18 | More by Etan

ThePaleRider

California

4.68/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A - This brew is black. Not dark like a lot of stouts, but black. Pours like oil, kind of reminiscent of 10 fidy. Poured straight into the glass brought up a thick two finger head that's the color of chocolate milk. Very, very pretty with a little dark lacing on the glass. Absolutely no light is passing through this super stout.

S - First whiff smells like a chocolate liqueur. Lots of oak looming around in there. Vanilla, bourbon, and a little wood smoke.

T - Booze definitely hits you in the face. I'm a bourbon drinker so I don't mind this at all. I like aggressive brews. Lot's of chocolate and oak. After taste is very dry and leaves you wanting another sip.

M - Wasn't nearly as viscous as I anticipated. Very smooth. Lots of alcohol in there with a clean finish.

O - Simply an amazing beer. I truly hope Green Flash continues with the barrel aging because this is an exceptional offering.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 06:58:26 | More by ThePaleRider

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.83/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to GrumpyOldTroll for this one. 12oz. bottle into a Cigar City snifter. Shared with schen9303.

Pours pitch black with a 1.5 finger rich and creamy dark mocha head with good retention. Lacing is stringy, spotty and sticky with oily, thick legs. A real nice looking beer.

Nose is bourbon, molasses, honey, chocolate and cocoa. Some brownie too. Very sweet and plenty rich but not too aromatic.

Opens sweet chocolate, honey and molasses. Middle is roasted malt, cocoa, fudge, vanilla, a touch of smoke and booze. End is more sweet alcohol with a bit of heat. Finishes hot with a big malt body. Molasses on the aftertaste. Pretty simple. The flavors work well together though.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Oily and hot in the mouth. Some nice heat going down. A touch thin at times. Messy aftertaste with a slightly lingering finish.

A solid beer overall but there's parts of it that I'm not too impressed with. The body is a touch thin and while the flavors work very well together, there's a certain depth that's missing. Worth a try but don't go out of your way for this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:30:01 | More by SpeedwayJim

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to rudzud for sharing this one. I've been trying to get this for a while.

Pours a very nice thick rich creamy head, fades slowly nice retention and decent lacing, pitch black nice legs.

Nose is predominantly dark malts and roast, coffee, espresso, black malt, just a bit of very dark chocolate, cocoa powder, very faint bourbon and barrel, a bit of fudge brownie, light earthy hops. Faint acrid burnt roast.

Taste brings cocoa, fudge brownie, light roast and some coffee, chewy but smooth lush creamy oats and chocolate, very dark bitter chocolate, hint if caramel and toffee even. Light vanilla barrel, hint of toasty oak. It gets abit more oaky as it goes. Then some earthy hops with some bitterness, light tannic black malt and hint if char. Finish is drier but sticky and powdery, cocoa, dark malts, lots of dark bakers choc, more earthy hops, very faint barrel. Long bitter earthy hops that outlasts the sticky mouth coating malts.

Mouth is thicker bodied, lots of fluffy carb, light warming booze.

Overall nice, not phenomenal but pretty nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 02:16:21 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.44/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Shared with JLindros and poured into a Kate the Great tulip.

A - Poured a nice oily black with a one finger mocha head that has great retention and lots of sticky lacing.

S - Aromas of super faint bourbon along with nice chocolate. Good black malts and earthy hops . Fainter vanilla as it warms.

T - Taste is full of Fudgy brownie happy fun time. The bourbon is there, not white prominent but is deliciously there. The barrel is combining with the chocolate to create a nutty fudge brownie flavour that is crazy. Would like some more bourbon, nice vanilla notes as well.

M - Mouthfeel is nicely carbonated but not quite as chewy or velvety as say, black note.

O - Overall this was a damn good beer. The hops played a nice roll as did the rich almost bakers chocolate. Like the brownie qualities here but wish there was more bourbon and a touch less coffee.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 01:32:11 | More by rudzud

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to jibboom56 for sending a few of these my way!

A: black with a one finger brown to tan head that looks just beautiful.

S: some earthy and roasted tones hit me first, followed by the bourbon sweetness with toffee and oak.

T: taste is balanced with bourbon, roasted flavors, and a bit of earthy hops. Something hits me just a bit wrong on this - maybe it's too fresh, or it's the bit of sour cherry flavor. Doesn't quite measure up to the smell, but still delicious.

M: fairly thick feeling, but not syrupy. Great carbonation keeps it fresh throughout the glass.

O: That bit of weird taste throws me off a bit, but it could be my palate. I'll have to have another and come back to this. Maybe I'm adjusted to not like barrel aged stouts as much as I used to.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 00:44:27 | More by Holland

Hamburgers

California

4.19/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle vintage 2010. Pours black with thin brown head. Strong bourbon aroma followed by notes of chocolate and dried fruit. No heat. Flavor is smooth bourbon with bitter sweet chocolate finish. Medium bodied with a nice cola texture. Nicely balanced stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 06:32:38 | More by Hamburgers

tarheels86

California

3.73/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355mL pours ink black with a large mocha head. Sheety brown lace remains. Nose is chocolate malt balls, dark fruits, raisins. Taste is silky, mild bourbon, feeling sweeter and more date/raisin heavy than something similar like Parabola. A good dose of bitter chocolate. Softer mouthfeel. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 21:00:22 | More by tarheels86

mdaschaf

Washington

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes.

A: Pours a dark black with a small tan head on top, a nice cap forms and sticks around. Thick lacing forms down the sides of the glass.

S: Very bourbony, lots of brown sugar, chocolate, oak, and some vanilla.

T: Taste is very similar to the aroma, brown sugar and caramel with vanilla and oak from the barrels. There is a little bit of chocolate and coffee.

M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. Very smooth with the abv hidden extremely well.

O: Extremely drinkable, was very impressed by this beer. The bourbon flavors have held up nicely and make this a very tasty beer. Want more.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 16:01:21 | More by mdaschaf

Jules11788

California

4.3/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a half finger-width head, very light lacing; pitch black, lets no light through

S: Smells of dark baker's chocolate, musky wood, roasted malts

T: Tastes like a super chocolaty bourbon-infused brownie; good roasty flavors of coffee and dark malts

M: Medium viscosity, very light carbonation, no hint of booze; super smooth

O: This beer was delicious, I really hope I'll be able to score another one of these in a trade so I can cellar it for a few years

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 20:31:18 | More by Jules11788

dfillius

Michigan

4.98/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a wine glass, shared a 12oz with warnerry
A: 1/4 finger of dark brown head with fair retention. Near opaque dark brown. More head would be nice. The head only sticks around as a film.
S: Vanilla, some bourbon. Nice slight cherry. Some buttery aroma, maybe diacetyl? This makes it smell almost cake-like. Mississippi mud cake in a glass.
T: Chocolate, bittersweet cocoa, very slight bourbon. Some fruit. Fudge-like. Maybe slight coconut. I like how the bourbon is subdued.
M: Warm, not hot. Smooth, viscous, bitter from cocoa. Silky.
O: Would have been able to drink the entire 12 oz gladly. The scarcity maybe leads me to a greater appreciation. I would love to have this again. One of the best BBS I've had. Full flavored and not hot.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 02:12:23 | More by dfillius

azdback

Arizona

4.7/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, received from TIMMYJ21. Poured into a Bruery tulip. Black as can be, some very dark brown highlights at the stem of the glass. Dark cocoa colored head that is a little less than a finger in size and on the creamy side. Lace isn't sticking that well.

Smell is wonderful!! Bourbon, vanilla, charred wood, roasted espresso beans, chocolate and some alcohol. Reminds me a lot of Parabola.

Taste is just fantastic!! Dark roasted flavors, roasted coffee, chocolate, cherries and then the barrel sets in with the fantastic vanilla and charred wood. The cherries or dark tart fruits come out a bit more as this warms. Very close to BA Stout perfection.

Mouth is rich and full. Carbonation is medium to light with great body that is on the chewy side. Finish is everlasting and wet but the tart fruit does dry it out a bit.

Overall I must say that the wait was worth it and the hype on this is warranted. I have been reading about this beer for a couple of years and finally I received a bottle in March from TIMMYJ21 and have held on to it until now, late September. Just a fantastic Barrel Aged Imperial Stout that justifies a heavy ISO from you if you haven't tried it. Thanks again Tim.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 04:46:07 | More by azdback

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pour was dark chocolate with cocoa colored head, about a 1/2 inch or so.

Rich with plenty of bourbon. Slightly soft vanilla.

Very bourbon forward through out. Some roasted malt and bitter dark chocolate. Slight vanilla. Light sweetness.

Very slick and thick

This probably could have used some more time but still excellent. Lots of bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 15:42:45 | More by hooliganlife

iadler

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to hamilton23 for sending me a couple of these. This has been a top want of mine for quite some time. From notes:

A- Pours a deep black with a thin mocha head that dissipates fairly quickly leaving a few spots of lacing behind.

S- Freshly cooked fudge brownies, coconut, vanilla, bourbon, oak, hint of dark fruit and some roast. Fantastic aroma.

T- Bourbon is more upfront in the taste followed by oak, vanilla, dark chocolate chips and some caramel malt.

M- Medium carbonation and a slighlty thin body for the style. The abv is practically nowhere though.

O- A drinkable and well executed BA stout. The taste was slightly disappointing due to how amazing the aroma was. I will will most likely crack the other bottle soon as I don't see how further aging will enhance this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 05:08:34 | More by iadler

warnerry

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to dfillius for sharing this one! Been wanting to try this for awhile.

A - Pours pitch black with less than one finger of tan head. Head dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing.

S - Nice sweet bourbon aroma with a lot of vanilla. Smells like dense chocolate cake. A bit of fruit (maybe cherry) and some coffee aroma.

T - Lots of chocolate upfront. Slightly sweet, but mostly bittersweet. Vanilla follows quickly with bourbon. Bourbon is a bit subdued, but very nice. Really tasty.

M - Medium/full mouthfeel, but not heavy. A bit of noticeable alcohol, but relatively mild. A faint amount of lingering booze.

O - Big, flavorful stout, but not at all in your face. Nice bourbon presence, and very chocolatey. Would love to have this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 03:05:45 | More by warnerry