Silva Stout - Green Flash Brewing Co.

SkiBum22

New York

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

A - Jet black appearance, dense cocoa colored head, splotchy lacing, opaque

S - Vanilla, fudge brownies, oak, coconut, dark cherries, caramel and toffee.

T - Dry cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and some fresh oak. Black coffee. Hints of bourbon and coconut.

M - Velvety smooth, but not thick like more imperial stouts, more medium bodied with slightly higher carbonation then expected.

O - This is a great stout for sure. Glad I traded for this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 15:34:33 | More by SkiBum22

BB1313

Ohio

4.95/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ok, my mind has been blown by this one. I love stouts, but to be honest, I've had alot of letdowns when it comes to BBA stouts. I've also found some that I really love, but this one is perfect for me. I'm not saying I'll never come across one better than this, but wow. I've been lucky enough to have this on-tap during Cleveland Beer Week, and didn't think I'd ever see a bottle on shelves.. lucky me.

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours black, nice 1 inch mocha head. Beautiful wicked lacing and retention, I'm talkin beautiful lacing and retention. Smells like tons of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and a touch of bourbon. Smells like a double chocolate cookie. All of that can be found in the flavors as well. The bourbon is blended harmoniously. There's a nice sweetness, but far from cloyingly sweet. Not bitter. Chocolate and coffee/expresso dominate. Every once in awhile I catch a blast of vanilla. Oak/wood is there, but not dominant. There's also a touch of caramel and butterscotch. Mouthfeel is perfect. It's not milkshake thick, but thick enough. Perfectly carbonated, so damn smooth. This beer can be dangerously drinkable, because it's so good you'd never want to stop. Such a treat, very complex. Aromas and flavors are extremely bold. This is the REAL deal.

I'm confident this is the best stout I've ever had, to date. World class, phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 22:20:06 | More by BB1313

Pencible

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured a nearly opaque black with a little tan head.
S: It smelled like strong fresh oak and toasted coconut and rich milk chocolate, with a little brown sugar and roasted coffee and vanilla.
T: It tasted like dark chocolate and roasted coffee and lots of coconut, with some toasted oak and vanilla and brown sugar. It had a sweet and clean aftertaste.
M: It was thick with a bit of carbonation. Very full body.
D: This was a fantastic bourbon stout. It had great scent and taste, with excellent body and well hidden alcohol, so it was easy to drink. It had tons of bourbon and coconut character, which was enjoyable but not quite my ideal drink. I'm not sure how age would affect this one, but I would recommend trying it at any age if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 13:59:55 | More by Pencible

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep brown body, verging on solid black. Thin khaki cap. Spotty lacing. Bubbly collar.

S: Bourbon, warmed chocolate, roasted malts, and a hint of oak.

T: Bourbon dominates the taste upfront as roasted malts, a little coffee, and chocolate round out the flavor profile.

M: A nice even weight throughout. Gentle, but adequate carbonation. Light bitterness in the finish.

O: A decent bourbon barrel aged stout -- nice to see it in the more friendly 12oz format.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2011 02:40:52 | More by callmemickey

tjkinate

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Was very, very pleased with this one. Thank you Green Flash!

A: The brew produced a single fingered, tan colored head that exhibited decent retention and lacing. The beer itself is deep brown only allowing some light to pass through the edges.

S: Definitely bourbon barrel aged! Vanilla and cocoa nibs follow and accompany the bourbon beautifully.

T: Follows the scent perfectly. I love bourbon in my stouts, especially when its balanced like this.

M: Thinner than expected, could have had slightly higher carbonation.

O: Not without its flaws, but that flavor is one of the best I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 20:28:21 | More by tjkinate

THECPJ

Delaware

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

Reviewed from notes:

appearance: dark brown black with a 1 finger mocha head

smell: chocolate, roast, malts, vanilla, bourbon,

taste: bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, roast

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, full body,

overall: this beer is delicious. Can't believe how easy it is to drink would not of guessed it to 10%. hope to get a few more bottles.

cheers,
The CPJ

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 03:30:59 | More by THECPJ

GabrielM

New Mexico

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

Another amazing bottle from BA Tieman. Cheers!

A - dark as a black hole with a nice .5 inch of coffee-colored head on top.

S - bourbon dominates, followed by chocolate, vanilla, roasted malts, dark fruits. Very nice.

T - a ton of bourbon, some alcohol burn, espresso and chocolate with a hint of vanilla to close it out.

M - very pleasant, but a little hot and thin at the moment.

O - a damn fine bba stout, worthy of its A rating. I'll definitely search out a few more bottles to see how they develop with some time.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 02:21:40 | More by GabrielM

billab914

Virginia

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

12oz bottle into my Bruery tulip. It poured black in color with a thin, sticky, tan colored head to it. Nice lacing on the glass as I drank it.

The aroma has a rich dark chocolate and bourbon flavor to it. I get some brown sugar and vanilla sweetness mixing with some bitter, roasty, coffee flavors. Very nice range of flavors to it.

The taste starts out with some of the sweeter, malty, vanilla flavors. Towards the finish more of the bitter-sweet chocolate and roasty flavors mix with some of the dry, woody oak. The bourbon really compliments the beer well and gives it some great depth.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side with carbonation being on the lower side. Overall it was a great beer to sip on this evening. Everything really comes together in it nicely. The bourbon barrel flavors really integrated nicely into the beer. Great beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 03:35:55 | More by billab914

Florida9

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark, dark brown. Virtually black. Forms a nice light brown head that leaves some light lacing.

S: Heavily roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, cream and some light vanilla notes.

T: Absolutely wonderful. Starts with a light sweetness before moving on to a blend of caramel, chocolate, and cocoa. Roasted malts. Dark malts. A little vanilla.

M: Full bodied and sweet with lower carbonation levels leaves this beer feeling smooth, creamy, and velvety in the mouth.

O: A very, very good Imp stout. Barrel aging is present, but it is quite balanced and not overbearing or intrusive; rather it just adds to the complexity.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 02:46:53 | More by Florida9

mentor

Colorado

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

12 oz bottle provided by jshufelt, thanks for the opportunity. Pours a solid finger of dark brown head over a pitch liquid. Smells wonderful. Rich vanilla, bourbon, char, chocolate brownie, raspy oak, cedar, rich espresso, anise, grassy hops, light-colored caramel, lightly of mint and pineapple, and with a clean alcohol sting. Balanced, blended, and smooth.

Tastes delicious. Sweet with balancing bitter characters and a lightly cleansing alcohol. Bourbon barrel, chocolate, roast, burnt marshmallow, potent vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, candied prunes, vanilla wafer. Finish cleans away the wet with a rough alcohol/carbonation combination. The aftertaste is brittled sugar (like peanut brittle without the peanuts), drying oak, and fading vanilla. This a beer with flavors that border on big, but that play well together with great finesse. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 03:59:11 | More by mentor

claspada

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 version released in September of last year I believe. Courtesy of hoppymcgee and shared with HimerMan. Pours an opaque, black body with a nice small thinnish, dark brown head.

Aromas begin with a sweet, roasty nose full of chocolate truffles, caramel, brown sugar, coconut and vanilla. Hints of earthy, oak barrel wrapped up in an inviting waft of bourbon of good quality.

The tastes directly follow the nose with engaging roastiness lovingly layered in sweet chocolate sauce, vanilla syrup and melted caramel squares. Oak barrel accents given a dose of coconut-brown sugar fudge and a light splash of bourbon. Not a drop of alcohol warmth thanks to the year of age on this. Perfectly balanced with the sweetish, chocolate-flavored coffee laced flavors melded with the perfectly balanced bourbon finish.

The mouthfeel is near-full bodied with light to medium carbonation. Finish is not too heavy or thick which is so nice and is often a deterrent for certain Imp Stouts for me.

Overall this was freakin' amazing. The second best Barrel Aged Stout I have ever had, only behind Kate the Great, which is great company to be associated with. Flavors are balanced with a generous load of heavy maltiness going head-to-head with a balanced barrel character comes together to make a very nice beverage. I will be definitely be trying to track down more of this for sure. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 15:41:37 | More by claspada

Bierlerner

Oklahoma

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

A- Poured into a snifter. Dark chocolatey brown. Nice creamy head.

S- Wow. Great bourbon notes. Vanilla and oak. Great milk chocolate too. Outstanding!

T- Again, wow! Silky smooth milk chocolate with a perfect balance of bourbon. Nice hint of wood and vanilla. A bit of spice in the background.

M- creamy, low carb, melts in your mouth like a chocolate bar.

O- This is one truly exceptional beer. Glad my buddy sent me this. I could drink this over and over and over again.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 23:31:42 | More by Bierlerner

tmcelvain

Minnesota

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

Looks beatiful in my Darkness tulip - pitch black with a fluffy light brown head.
Smells of slightly roasted malts and alcohol.
Taste is phenomenal. Fluffy is the term that comes to mind immediately. Like cotton candy in your mouth, without the sweetness. I was starting to think that barrel aged beers could not be well-balanced (hint, hint, KBS), but this was spot on. It had aged a bit - 2010 bottle opened in the fall of 2011, so that may have contributed to the balance, but this had both classic stout flavor and the depth and woodyness of barrel aging.
Nice, heavy mouthfeel, just leaving a slight alcohol tinge on my cheeks during the aftertaste.
Overall I was blown away. Great surprise to get in the mail in a trade with JohnDoeXXX, and it greatly exceeded my expectations. It does not look like there is a lot of this out there, but if you get the chance, do not pass it up.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 19:22:10 | More by tmcelvain

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

DarthKostrizer

California

4.72/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to stoad for sharing this at Jerz halloween bottleshare

First Vintage

Look: Pours an almost black and totally opaque with a 1/4 tan head and some nice spotty lacing

Smell: The nose of this beer is fantastic. The bourbon and vanilla join together in perfect harmony and I remember just sitting there and smell the beer for 5 minutes before I even took a sip

Taste: The flavor is very similar to the nose. It is simple and complex with essentially 3 flavors that stand out and are beautiful. The beer starts out with beautiful bourbon notes and then the chocolate takes over and reminds me of a good fudge brownie and finishes off with a great vanilla note

Mouthfeel: Full body and low carbonation

Overall: Just a fantastic beer and I can't wait to get some of the new batch. Wonderful beer and highly recommended

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 22:38:37 | More by DarthKostrizer

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I got this bottle from sideswipe-- thanks John!
reviewed from notes.

pours a oily looking brown with some red hues in the legs. Minimal spotty lacing and below average retention. (for some reason I am sounding much like Ron Burgundy as I narrate my voice notes-- bare with me).
The nose is chocolate, bourbon, loads of vanilla. Good bourbon bite on the finish.
I was unimpressed the first time I had this one, but after subsequent visits to this one, I must say it is delicious. Perhaps Drewba's enthusiasm rubbed off on me.

The feel is a bit undercarbonated, and just a hair thin.

Overall-- if this is bottled again, don't drink it for the first 5 or 6 months. Wait and enjoy it more.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 02:28:41 | More by AleWatcher

afksports

New York

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Martin for this Silva Stout.

I love Green Flash's Double Stout. In a bourbon barrel? Heheh... don't mind if I do.

Beautiful. The bourbon adds a little heat, some creaminess and roundness at the end, which has the same elements as the Double Stout of a dark roast coffee combined with bitter chocolate. Double Stout is my go-to NYC local available stout, and if Silva were in the area... wow. I'd have a case in my fridge at all times.

Perfect creamy mouthfeel, sticky lace all over the snifter. The only drawback is a smell that lacks the strength of the flavor inside. It's still good, but it doesn't match that wonderful taste. Deep, thick, black, roasty goodness. Happy engagement, B. Thanks again, Martin.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 01:32:52 | More by afksports

brentk56

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a pitch black color with a rather modest tan head that fades away quickly though it left a web of lace in the chalice

Smell: Dark chocolate, black licorice and oak; the Bourbon element is very subtle

Taste: Oddly, the beer is very dry and woody, up front, and it takes a while for the chocolate, bourbon, mint and vanilla elements to arrive; when they do, however, the flavors blossom into a nicely balanced finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy, with moderate carbonation

Overall: Based on the other reviews I have read, I am guessing that this beer is past its prime, though I would have thought that it would have held up for longer; still, a very nice beer with subtle balance

Thanks, mrmiles, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 01:00:01 | More by brentk56

Rhettroactive

Virginia

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

From 12oz bottle to tasting glass at my 30th Beerthday Bash on 9/23/11
*From notes

A: Rich, burnt brownish black - as it should be. A careful pour yields a one finger head with good retention. The creamy color of the head and lacing are fantastic.

S: Toasted coconut, bourbon and cocoa. Note to Green Flash: make this into an air freshener and I'll strap it to my rearview.

T: At this age, the beer is right where I like it. The see-saw balancing act of the bourbony booze and char is just right. Hints of vanilla bean are strong, as it effortlessly ushers in some dark, semi-sweet baker's chocolate, toasted coconut and smooth, sipping bourbon.

M: Easy enough to drink and extremely approachable. I didn't feel like this was something that had to be consumed one milliliter at a time. The carbonation is spot-on, allowing the beer to be quite creamy and luxurious. The barrel really helped to smooth out any rough edges their Double Stout may have had.

O: Green Flash's Silva Stout was an absolute treat, and one of the many standouts in an epic evening. Unlike some, I feel that this is drinking beautifully at the moment, and can't wait to crack into the other two in my cellar.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 21:53:10 | More by Rhettroactive

mdvatab

Indiana

4.63/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to ExplosivoSR for the trade! Had heard great things, and was glad to get my hands on a bottle.
Poured from 12oz bottle into Bordeaux glass.

Aroma: From the get-go, I knew this one was gonna be great. Deep, deep chocolate maltiness, powdered hot cocoa mix, a fruity blueberry note, rich espresso, and some light vanilla.

Appearance: A substantial 1.5 finger head resembling the light tan foam on a cafe mocha. Foam settles to a thin, but persistent layer of foam on the surface of the beer. Body is a dark espresso black/brown.

Flavor: Mmmmm! Wow! Fantastic chocolate flavor, and some toasted coconut, thanks to the barrel. Just enought mocha bitterness on the finish, followed by more delicious vanilla and coconut at the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body (admittedly, a tad bit thinner than I'd envisioned). Medium-low carbonation, and a warming mouthfeel from the alcohol.

Overall: This one kind of reminded me of Ivan the Terrible, but was only slightly thinner in body. I hate to mark the mouthfeel down a tad bit, since this brew was one of the best I've had. If the body were thicker, it would be even that much better! Highly-recommended, nonetheless!

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 02:52:42 | More by mdvatab

1Adam12

Indiana

4.88/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours pretty black, but not jet black. Smells fantastic. Loads of vanilla and chocolate. Barrel aging is present. Taste is SOOO smooth. ABV just isn't present at all. It's like sipping a desert. Semi sweet, but dry as well. Vanilla, dark chocolate, loads of malt, bourbon is there but blends very nicely with the rest of the flavors....just fantastic. Mouthfeel is perfect. Huge but smooth. Insanely creamy. This is one of the better BA stouts I've ever had. Nuff said.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 00:30:57 | More by 1Adam12

homebrew311

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to MrTopher for sending this one my way in a trade.

A: jet black appearance, dense cocoa colored head, splotchy lacing, opaque

S: starts off with vanilla and dark chocolate, then comes a huge waft of toasted coconut, very nice, some oaky notes on the end. The bourbon seems to be seamlessly integrated in the beer.

T: big rush of sweet malty notes come firsts, milk chocolate in the middle followed by vanilla and toasted coconut on the end. The balance is amazing, zero heat from the bourbon. This is a top of the line bourbon stout, reminds me a bit of Bourbon County Rare.

MF: creamy mouthfeel, mellow carbonation

O: this is a wow beer. This is the type of barrel aged brew that sees a lot of benefit from the barrel aging. It is evident that it was done in a precise and careful manner. Overall delicious.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 02:56:09 | More by homebrew311

camil1mj

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by Romulux. Reviewed from notes. Served chilled.

A: Deep, dark black. Minimal head.

S: Lots of bourbon dominates the smell on this one.

T: This is very similar to the BCBS. Great chocolate and bourbon flavors. This is very bourbon forward, just how I liked my -bals.

M: A little on this thin side for the style in my opinion.

O: A great BA beer. Glad I got to try. Would not mind trading for some of this one and putting it in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 19:09:02 | More by camil1mj

waltersrj

Washington

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

Batch 1 (the only one I believe).

Pour: Dark chocolate brown...almost black with a dark, espresso brown, creamy, thick and lively head.

Nose: Vanilla, fudge brownies, oak, coconut, dark cherries, caramel and toffee.

Taste: Dark chocolate, fudge brownie, vanilla, oak, caramel, coco powder, cherries and toffee/caramel. Hints of marshmallow.

Mouthfeel: Excellent! Slightly dry, well carbonated and extremely creamy. This is velvety smooth, and absolutely perfect.

Overall: A fantastic extra from a fantastic BA. This is excellent and will be sought out again once available. God this is fantastic...make it again Chuck!!!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 05:31:21 | More by waltersrj

jnn4v

Virginia

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

A: Very dark brown, almost black in color. Very small amount of head, tan in color. No visible sediment or haze - it was pretty much opaque.

S: Chocolate, oak, vanilla, caramel, molasses, chocolate caramel (yeah, I'm lacking in creativity here, but it's what I smelled). Absolutely excellent scent.

T: Dry cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and some fresh oak. Amazingly dry with not nearly as much malt as I would have imagined. Black coffee. Hints of bourbon and coconut.

M: Very good texture - nice and dense and thick. Moderate carbonation with very fine bubbles.

O: One of the best smelling imperial stouts I've ever had, and the taste was good too, but just not quite as good as it smelled. Glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 05:08:32 | More by jnn4v