Silva Stout - Green Flash Brewing Co.

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.35/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Small draft pour has a black body with a small mocha head. Excellent retention for being as big and barrel aged as it is.
Heavy bourbon barrel character on the nose with some chocolate.
Omg the taste is amazing. Big bourbon and chocolate character dominate for me. Roasty coffee sits behind that with a little coconut, vanilla, and woody barrel.
Smooth body but seems a touch thin.
Delectable. All that bourbon and chocolate just works.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 02:18:25 | More by MattSweatshirt

chinchill

South Carolina

3.86/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Near black in color; hazy and opaque. The dark tan head has moderate retention.
Smells of a bourbon barrel and dark malts, but too little in the malt dept. for the level of bourbon barrel.

T: dark malt; cherries; burnt wood; licorice and oak. Complex and rich, but eventually only the bourbon barrel lingers on.

M: very smooth, with the feel of beer at about 6% ABV

O: wood flavor and aroma from the barrel aging is a bit over the top. Just way too woody.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 20:36:58 | More by chinchill

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured deep black in a snifter there was a nice light brown froth the layered the outside edges of the glass.

The scent was a little chocolatey, a little vanilla and some molasses and espresso.

Tastes of chocolate, vanilla, coconut, malt, bourbon-essence and grains come out in a smooth well blended array. Well crafted and well balanced this drinks very easy. Only complaint is the ever so slight alcohol tinge in the finish.

Overall this is a wonderful example of the barrel aged stouts and one that comes highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 01:27:28 | More by KYGunner

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.49/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Silva proves all of what's right in the world can manifest in a single glass- albeit a brandy snifter. Its pursuit of succulence, power, and grace ends in a highly robust taste of chocolate, coffee, and bourbon; but don't they all?

Its pure black color is the first indicator of what's to come, just as the beer lifts its creamy structure underneath. What rises is a mocha-stained honeycomb of bubbles that for its long-lasting head and attributes to its broken rings of lace later. This is one gentlemanly looking stout!

Bold roast aromas fill the nose with elements of espresso, chocolate, walnuts, heavy cream, and dark fruit. As the bourbon-tilted scent rises, so comes notes of cherries, berries, and sherry wine. Its a fully appetizing aroma that causes me to dive into the beer far sooner than I needed.

But it's exactly those flavors that manifests froom scent that makes Silva so great. Its chocked full of bittersweet chocolates, espresso-type roast, and marshmallow sweetness that makes the taste like alcoholic milkshake. Caramel, vanilla, and sweet alcohols accompany the beer's taste 'til the end. But finishing with the hop taste and bitterness of burnt wood signals the beer's closing impressions, yet the roast and chocolate lingers indefinitely.

Where the beer really shines is in its texture where the early billowing creaminess accompanies textures of vanilla bean ice cream, marshmallow, and bourbony heat. Its full and robust body holds true for the entire session without quivering. A late bitter wood note and slight vinous alcohol fruits allow for any compromise in finish. If not, we feel the beer for ever!

Where some imperial stouts favor "roast" and others prefer "sweet", Silva prefers a marshmallow character that's present in its heavy vanilla nose, it's cream flavored taste, and its creamy texture. All does so with the roastiness of stout and pleasant wood hop notes to finisnh.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2013 07:47:54 | More by BEERchitect

barczar

Kentucky

4.34/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours an opaque black with a frothy quarter inch deep tan head that dissipates fairly quickly into a very light layer of foam.

Mocha and buttery toffee begin the aroma, with roasted malt and notes of vanilla and raisins adding complexity. Tar emerges as it warms.

Dark chocolate is initially the dominating flavor, with vanilla, toasted malt, and oak rounding things out at the finish. Subsequent sips reveal dark berry presence. Raspberries and bruised cherries underlie the profile. The finish is lightly roasty and a touch dry.

Body is fairly full, with low carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Overall, I'm a little disappointed, given the score. Not as flavorful as anticipated. Dark berries dominate, with decent roast and chocolate, but I guess I expected more. Then again, I just finished an Uncle Jacob's. Backbone is just a bit lacking.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 22:41:09 | More by barczar

transbeman

California

4.48/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pitch black. Very light in the mouth. Strong boozey smell--might not want to light a match around this one. Strong taste of coffee, chocolate and booze. Too expensive for a ten ounce pour but I bet that blame for that goes to the bar not the brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2013 23:35:43 | More by transbeman

UCLABrewN84

California

4.47/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a 1/2 inch puffy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film. Chunky rings of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, vanilla, wood, and bourbon. Taste is of dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, vanilla, oaky wood, and bourbon. There is a nice roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a very nice mouthfeel with a great level of carbonation and a slightly drying quality. Overall, this is a great barrel aged stout that has a wonderful integration of the bourbon barrel with the stout flavors. Very well balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 05:42:56 | More by UCLABrewN84

pmarlowe

California

4.53/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Silva Stout 2011 (re?)-Release party during SDBW. First bottling.

A: Pours black with a nice cap of pretty brown foam, dense with good retention and lattice.

S: Big chocolate and bourbon, kind of a hazelnut/nuttiness as well. The chocolate is firmly in the forefront but superbly supported by the bourbon. Vanilla and some different spices from the oak. Wow, awesome.

T: Again, dark chocolate and bourbon, with the latter more noticeable now, some cola. The alcohol is present, which detracts slightly from the taste. Finishes off dry with a toasty oak flavor. The finish is short and maybe a little thin.

M: Medium body, medium-light carbonation, maybe not as soft as it could be.

O: Really nice sipper, well integrated chocolate and bourbon flavors. I didn't care for the base beer that much, but this is great stuff. Not quite up to KBS, but gives it a run for the money. I would have no problem putting back a bottle of this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 05:29:01 | More by pmarlowe

badboyrsl84

California

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at the Green Flash brewery grand opening

Pours dark as night with a nice mocha/tan head

Smell- bourbon, vanilla and a strong sweet chocolate. Amazing!

Taste- follows the nose. Bourbon, vanilla from tgw barrel and tons of mouth lacing chocolate. Chocolate dominant and no kick from alcohol.

Overall- this is the west coast version of Founders KBS. Amazing

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2011 19:02:19 | More by badboyrsl84

beenitty

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Blind Tiger NYC, Sunday Brunch, had this one with flapjacks and bourbon aged vermont maple syrup.

A: Pours pitch black with tan mocha head, that stays and stays, looks great

S: Chocolate, Molasses and bourbon. Not overpowering, but you know its there

T: Very nice. Chocolatey, malty, goes down smooth with the bourbon kick. Tastes more like Porter than a stout which is good for me, either way, taste great.

M: Creamy Smooth. Nice age on this one as some bourbon beers have a bigger kick but you deal with it, this is one super smooth. One of the smoothest barrel aged beers I've had.

Wish I had more access to this one, very solid across the board.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 19:23:56 | More by beenitty

MikeSr619

California

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

So, Im sitting at this bar when Chuck walks up to me and says, "Hey punk, try my beer!" I look up at him and say, "What makes this YOUR beer, Chuck?" and he slaps me with his drivers license and says, "Im Chuck MFing Silva!!" never mess with chuck norris silva.

seriously though, this beer is amazing. I had it on tap at a gastropub around Rancho Bernardo and it poured like a dream. The smell was roasty and you just knew when you tasted it that it was going to be great. It went down VERY smooth.

My ONLY problem with it is that I wish there was more. But you gotta keep the public in demand.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 17:42:13 | More by MikeSr619

Azurescens

Washington

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Brouwer's, poured into snifter on 5/21/11

A: Pours black with thin tan head, some lacing around glass. Some dark red brown hues when held to the light.

S: Layers of chocolate, vanilla, and roasted malts with hints of bourbon and some alcohol.

T: Very rich chocolate, earthy oak with roasted malts, some vanilla and coffee notes as well. Hints of bourbon, hops and alcohol. Lingering taste of bourbon and vanilla.

M: Rich and smooth medium-full bodied, lower on the carbonation.

O: Pretty drinkable for a strong barrel aged stout. Overall it is very good but not the best around.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2011 01:37:04 | More by Azurescens

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Poured jet black with some brown hues as the light hits it. Finished off with a nice tannish cap

S: Big, rich cocoa upfront, bourbon, wood not just wood but but Oak as well. There is a difference and this beer reflects it.

Taste: Chocolate is a milk chocolate upfront, blends with a light bitter cocoa, bourbon, coffee, roasted malt and oak, all blend and work together very well. Such a great taste! A tinge of booze which you forget about from the smoothness and great taste.

Mouthfeel: Full body, nice amount of booze and body, great feel.

Overall: Exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2011 14:25:52 | More by barleywinefiend

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A nice pour at the Strong Ale fest in Boulder...I had several more. Black pour. Can make out some dark ruby highlights if i concentrate. Dense head, off brown. Lacing is good.

Aroma is rich in vanilla and caramel, some woodiness and roasted coffee. Molasses in the background.

More chocolate in the taste. Vanilla is the footing upon which the wood sits. Coffee roast is there but turns more into baked dark chocolate. This is quite good. a bit boozy, but the vanilla seems to mask it. Some leather and dark, black plum

Easy drinking for the abv and style.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 20:40:45 | More by Mebuzzard

basica

Singapore

4.47/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Craftheads in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan http://craftheads.jp

A - Tapped a jet black color into a snifter glass with a thin, tan head eventually reducing to a fairly thick clingy ring around the glass (4)

S - Strong chocolate goodness on the nose with pleasant notes of wood and bourbon (4.5)

T - Upfront flavors of chocolate milk blended with roasted malts with with the roasted notes becoming more pronounced in the middle; some coffee and bourbon flavors as well as dashes of dark fruits were present as well (4.5)

M - On the lighter side of medium bodied thickness with moderate carbonation and a milky smooth texture (4.5)

D - Pleasant chocolate flavors, a smooth mouthfeel and definitely very easy and pleasant drinking for the 10.1% ABV (4.5)

Very good imperial stout; together with the Swan Lake Imperial stout, these are the two best Imperial Stouts I've had on my Japan trip

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2011 12:48:48 | More by basica

juhl31

California

4.05/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

-very black body with a tall, fluffy brown head with a nitro look to it. good lacing as well

-at first it is mostly bourbon...as it warms, chocolate comes through as well as some roast, vanilla and some warmth

-milk chocolate throughout the taste. not too big on the booze taste. there is also a weird aftertaste to it...dont know what to name it

-not too hot and pretty light bodied for the style and ABV

-this is a session BA stout if you will. doesnt feel like a meal when you drink it, which in my book is kind of a bummer

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 04:57:06 | More by juhl31

goalie33

New York

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Something special for my 50th beer review.
A: Stout black, no light comes through. Mocha head fizzles away to a thin layer coating the top of the beer.
S: Bourbon and vanilla with undertones of chocolate and espresso.
T: Bourbon flavor upfront with a hint of vanilla from the oak casks. Finishes sweet with coffee and licorice flavors.
M: Very smooth, soft mouthfeel.

Not my favorite bourbon aged beer, but it is a very good beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2010 21:03:49 | More by goalie33

Reveille1984

California

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Green Flash this past weekend during SDBW.

a - Pours a very dark, dark brown with around an inch and a half of tan head.

s - Bourbon hits you first but not overpoweringly so, with hints of vanilla, oak, chocolate and roasted malt. Very complex smell with lots of different stuff going on as it warms.

t - The chocolate, bourbon and oak mix awesomely. The bourbon isn't overpowering for such a young beer and doesn't mute out the other flavors. Vanilla comes out more as it warms.

m - Medium to full body. Average amount of carbonation.

d - Good for a stout. Goes down smooth and is a touch hot as it warms up a bit, but is overall very drinkable and smooth for such a big beer. For a 10% I could drink this all day.

An exceptional brew overall, lives up to the hype quite well. On par with other top bourbon barrel-aged stouts for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2010 03:31:51 | More by Reveille1984

BMan1113VR

California

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Many samples, both tap and bottle. This rating is from my 6th encounter on tap. Pitch black pour with a lasting brown head that leaves awesome lace. Aroma of decadent fudge, wood, barrel,fresh coffee, earth, a vinous note, some angel cake, molasses. Flavors are decadent, wood, bourbon, and fresh coffee. Plenty of chocolate. Mouthcoating, syrupy, but with refreshingly lively bubbles. Can put back many of these. That said, possibly better in bottles than on tap. I wouldn't age it much, it is mellow enough now and has tons of fresh coffee flavor that will fade quick.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2010 04:26:52 | More by BMan1113VR

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