Mephistopheles' Stout - Avery Brewing Company

cvm4

Mississippi

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch # 7, Nov. 2011 Release

A - Pours like all stouts, has a brown one finger head that dissipates quickly into a ring around the glass.

S - Roasted malts and huge dark chocolate notes.

T - Bitter chocolate up front along with some roasted malts. Finishes with black coffee notes and a lingering sweetness. ABV is extreme in this beer. Not a discernible alcohol taste but a definite warming as you swallow.

M - Medium bodied with high carbonation for the style. Not thick and chewy like I was expecting.

O - Pretty impressive how they were able to let the flavors shine through and not let the alcohol take over.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 23:49:11 | More by cvm4

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

typical imperial stout motor oil black, yields less than a finger of mocha-toned head with decent retention and lacing.

nose is good, fronted with bold roasted, chocolate notes, and maybe a hint of hops loitering in the background. flavor profile is intense. this is a big, big beer. coffee, chocolate, molasses and roasted malt are all major players. a subdued presence of dark fruits - notably raisin - is perceivable, along with booze. very tasty, perfect for a blustery winter day.

mouthfeel is amazing. full, luscious, and chewy. wow. i will definitely seek this beer out again. obviously it's a sipper, but one to savor.

originally reviewed: 12-20-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 05:21:34 | More by BostonHops

kjlued

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I feel so lucky to have even been able to have this beer as somehow it wound up in specialty beer store in my state even though it is above the states legal limit.

Excellent beer however, for the price there are better beers.
It was $10 for a 12oz bottle and there are plenty of beers that are better for half the price.

I say definitely buy one or two bottles if you get a chance but otherwise save your money.

Good beer, just over priced.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 21:10:23 | More by kjlued

Greywulfken

New York

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

Dec. 2009 bottling @ 16.8 abv

A: black stout - but did I detect hints of ruby during the pour? Finger of head that settled out

S: sweet molasses, dark and chocolate malts

T: abv is apparent throughout the malt flavors and sweetness; some espresso notes, subdued hints of anisette

M: a little astringency creeps through a fairly mellow, creamy beer

O: had this beer a couple of years ago, and it was good; thought that a couple of years might have affected the tasting profile more than it did. This is a strong stout - I question if the high abv undermines the beer as a whole - and I love a strong beer (particularly a stout), but I've had better stouts

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 17:09:29 | More by Greywulfken

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.9/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a snifter. Batch No. 7 released Nov. 2011 Served on 5/01/2012.

Appearance: Black if I call it anything else I would be lying, the tan head is thick rising to roughly 2 fingers length.

Smell: Light molasses and roasted bitter chocolates.

Taste: Incredibly complex, I am so impressed I will shoot out to my local ber spot to see if I can by at least two more. Chocolate, that is bitter sweet...so tasty having one sip is not enough.

Mouth: Medium, bubbling throughout your cheeks...borderline full and no complaints.

Overall: I cracked this open after buying it a few weeks ago and I don't want to finish the bottle. I have had many and I do mean many imperial stouts and this ranks among the best, among the Dogfather, the Abyss, and Founders Breakfast plus the KBS. Treat yourself and grab 2; every real beer drinker deserves it. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 04:50:07 | More by BlurryVisi0n

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

another colossal stout from avery. this one is famous for a reason. pours inky black with a coffee brown lacey head 2 inches tall but fading out before long. smells like licorice, alcohol, cocoa, and espresso. the flavor holds all of those flavors and more. wood, vanilla, and a sugary sweetness all present themselves in turn. the taste is constantly evolving, seemlessly moving from one intense sensation to the next. finally a really strong alcoholic sweetness overtakes everything as it fades out. feel is a bit sludgey, but how could it not be? overwhelmingly full bodied, moderate carbonation. a good beer to share with your lady if you are lucky enough to have one that enjoys imperial stouts!

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 21:37:14 | More by StonedTrippin

denver10

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours black with a mocha head. An aroma of chocolate and some coffee with some alcohol hiding underneath. Big flavors of rich chocolate cake, coffee, cocoa, roast, and a warming alcohol. Medium body with a little carbonation and not quite as thick and creamy as I might have preferred. Overall, wow this is a big beer. Lot of big flavors going on here and the abv reminds you that this is a beer that must be respected.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2012 21:41:17 | More by denver10

billab914

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 vintage poured from a 12oz bottle into my Portsmouth tulip. It poured black in color with a frothy, dark khaki colored head to it. Good head retention and great lacing on the glass as I drank it.

The aroma has kind of a boozy chocolate thing going on with some notes of caramel and cocoa to it. I get a little bitter, roastedness but it's pretty modest compared to how much comes out in the taste. I'm liking the chocolate and caramel flavors I'm getting though.

The taste has some caramel and chocolate to it up front. In the finish it gets very roasty with coffee grounds, bitter chocolate and some burnt flavors. The alcohol is pretty well hidden considering how high the abv is. The sweet, malty and bitter, roasty flavors actually compliment each other very well and give it a very nice range of flavors.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being a little high for the style. Overall, I was pretty impressed by it. I went in half thinking it was going to be a boozy mess, but I was pleasantly surprised. It had a nice range of flavors to it and I liked how the sweeter caramel and chocolate flavors got to shine up front while the bitter, roasted flavors seemed to dominate the finish. Very rich, but yet drinkable beer of the style especially for the abv. I'd love to find out what barrel aging adds to this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 01:51:31 | More by billab914

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A dark brown, viscous looking beer. A thin, espresso-like head, with some lacing. Carbonated. Aroma is vibrant, with fresh coffee, strong roasted malt, milk chocolate, earthiness, some sort of candy, and a notable alcohol presence. The taste is bitter like black coffee, with a touch of hops and smokiness. Tasty dark chocolates. A bit buttery hot and boozy mouthfeel. Slight astringency but not bad. Very warming. Quality beer - I will be getting this again!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 07:10:46 | More by Neorebel

SpdKilz

Illinois

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

Given to me for free by my local beer store guy. Thanks Chris!

Appearance – Pours a completely dark color into a tulip with a half finger of mocha colored head that fades quickly.

Smell – Burnt malts, cocoa, slight coffee. Not much else.

Taste – Similar to the aroma but even more roasty and char filled. Slight alcohol warming on the throat. Slight sweetness from molasses at the end.

Mouthfeel – Medium to full bodied, creamy, lower carbonation.

Overall – Honestly, pretty impressed with this. Very little alcohol taste though decent warmth in the swallow. Would love to see this with a few years of age on it.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 03:06:13 | More by SpdKilz

DovaliHops

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 4. Nov. 2008...finally decided to open this one. Pours a pitch black with a small tan head that hangs around for quite some time...very nice looking beer. Scent is heavy on the chocolate side with a good amount of espresso. Some dark malt, but mostly chocolate cocoa and espresso beans. A good amount of vanilla as well. Taste is WOW...much better than I was expecting. Honestly, I was thinking this beer was going to be a boozy mess, but it is nowhere near that. First I get chocolate cake with some nice vanilla and a bit of toffee. Some coffee notes linger, along with some solid alcohol booze (not overwhelming at all though). Very sweet, with just a tiny hint of anise. This guy is a chocolate bomb though. Mouthfeel is medium bodied (more thin than expected) with a very warming sensation. Drinkability is SCARY high for a beer that reads 15.9% ABV. Overall, this is a delightful sipper. With well over 3 years of age on this guy...I'm curious to see how this one tasted fresh (it couldn't have been even close to as enjoyable as this).

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 07:37:34 | More by DovaliHops

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours jet black with a small light brown to no head. In the aroma, coffee and alcohol. In the taste, coffee, small chocolate notes and alcohol. A small bite and a medium bodium mouthfeel, with a small dry coffee and alcohol like aftertaste. Big coffee and a small alcohol presence, and surprise by the lighter body.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 18:17:25 | More by OWSLEY069

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Batch 6 Bottled Dec 2010

A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with no hints of any reds or browns when held up to the light. The beer has a finger tall mocha colored head which reduces to about a quarter of a finger tall but covering the entire surface of the beer. Light lacing is observed.

S: Lots of aromas of dark roasted malts, chocolate, anise, butter, and some moderate presence of the alcohol. The beer almost smells creamy if that makes sense to you.

T: Upfront the flavor is dark roasted malts with a hint of chocolaty sweetness, followed by some bittersweet chocolate + anise, and the alcohol really dominates the finish. There is a very light bitterness in the flavor but it gets a little overwhelmed by the alcohol.

M: Full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slight alcohol heat but not surprising at 16.8% ABV.

O: This beer is a bit strong/harsh in flavor and could probably do with some additional aging to mellow it out. There is a really strong alcohol presence in both the aroma and the flavor as well as the heat in the mouthfeel. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this beer but it is not an easy drinker and definitely not sessionable. There is a nice complexity and depth to the flavor and the smells.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 14:28:32 | More by dbrauneis

fritts211

Kentucky

2.7/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Just picked this up from the Binny's in Downtown Chicago. Pours a thick, motor oil black, not much of a head to speak of, half-finger with an autumn brown head, poured into a tulip glass.

A- Beautiful appearance, jet black, small brown head that I knocked off a point for. Otherwise, looks dark, beautiful, and dangerous, just as advertised.

S- Overwhelming alcohol, butter rum, molasses, faint raisin and chocolate

T- Not a fan. A lot of strong alcohol, soy, a bit of molasses, hints of dark fruit, and not much chocolate. Roast, but not enough for a good dry aftertaste. A bit like a barley wine, which I despise. Too much alcohol and soy for me.

M- Thick, but not as full as I would like. It is syrupy, but without the creamy, thick mouthfeel I like.

O- I'm sure that a lot of people would love this beer, but it isn't for me. Aging might do this well, but fresh it was a bit strong. It had a strong alcohol presence, and tasted a bit like teriyaki sauce. Sometimes those flavors arise naturally, but it was a bit overwhelming at this stage. I would not get this again. That being said, if you are set on a bottle, give it a couple of months at least in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 03:58:51 | More by fritts211

N3rdM3t4l

Oregon

4.85/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle poured into standard pint. 2009 vintage

A: Black as night with a finger of milk chocolate colored head. Really bubbly head not very sticky.

S: The moment I opened the bottle I was assaulted with STRONG chocolate aroma! Chocolate and licorice on the nose. Something I can't identify in there too that just smells rich. This beer smells creamy.

T: WOW, just like the nose this beer STRONG in chocolate and licorice. Deep roasted malt and no hops until the very end. Even then the hops is so light that you hardly taste it over the alcohol burn and chocolate goodness. The alcohol in this badboy burnt me three times. A little numbing in the sip, a throat burning swallow, and it burns all the way down. Normally I am not a fan of alcohol flavor but this thing is so wicked good.

M: Thick and rich. Surprisingly thick for how much alcohol is in this. Very much an imperial stout. Feels great!

O: WOW I love this beer!. But something named after a fallen angel HAS to be good. And this thing is GOOD!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 20:41:48 | More by N3rdM3t4l

DavidST

Texas

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass, Dec 2010 batch. I've held onto this one for a while, it sort of intimidates me. Pours a thick pitch black color with a large mocha head (surprising considering the ABV). The smells are of dark roasted malts, not the alcohol smell I was expecting. The feel is thick. The taste is good, I do get the alcohol I was worried about, there seems to be some sweetness to counter it and there is the bitterness from the dark roasted malts.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 04:20:06 | More by DavidST

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Mephistopheles

I can't believe this sucker has a head! Half an inch and tan in color. Still sitting after two minutes. The beer sits a devilish brown-black, but more black than anything. 4.5

Nose full of charred malts, charred oak, espresso, rip-roaring booze, and Heath Bar. 4.0

Taste is huge malty goodness. Espresso, butter rum, oak, roast bitterness, raisin, and peaty smoke. Booze is huge and the piney hops are spicy in the finish. This is a throat-burner, but pretty damn tasty. Impressive! 4.5

Richly thick and decently smooth. Giant chew and coat, a beer that gets stuck in your teeth. However, boozy as hell and carefully sippable. 3.0

Hell of a draft to start out with at two in the afternoon. I need a sandwich. And, fast. 4.5

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 18:34:23 | More by thecheapies

CasanovaCummins

Nevada

4.9/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Now this is a heavy weight of a stout. It has body, and blends it big booziness with a lightly chocolate tinged depth that make this a viable candidate to lay down and age.

That said, I like this now. It is robust and bold and expressive. This is a bad ass stout. But I can imagine what age can do if it smooths out the edginess and deepens the flavors. You win either way.

I would call this an extreme stout. It's Bigness pushes it over the smooth level into the level of this-is-a-bit-strong-but-not-in-a-negative-way kind of stout.

Not for wusses, that's for sure. This will grow hair on your chest.

This is in my top five stouts of all time.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 04:11:14 | More by CasanovaCummins

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.73/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 Vintage

Poured from a 12 oz ounce into a wine glass-pours a pitch black (just like the coffee from the Black Lodge in Twin Peaks) with very minimal head, only a thin ring of retention around the edge, and a few little spots of lacing.

Smell is wonderful and intriguing- immediately smells like chocolate, mint, and coffee- then the dark malt and chocolate malt sweetness take over. Hint of booze.

Tastes like a thick frappaccino- coffee, chocolate, thick malt, a little bit of cream, and a little taste of booze.

Mouthfeel is surprisingly good for such a high alcohol content- full body, medium light carbonation. Excellent beer- if you have an interest in beer, find this beer and buy it.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 05:40:46 | More by Hopdaemon39

Naugros

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle states that this was brewed in December of 2010. I poured it into a snifter, but not a very wide one.

Uber-dark, with a decent measure of tight, mocha foam on top that sizzles as it reduces down to a thick ring with the barest hole in the middle...sort of like my buddy who's going a bit thin on top.

The smell assaults you as soon as you open the bottle. Sitting a few feet from it, it still reaches your nose. You don't need to bring it your nose, but as Mephistopheles did to Faustus, it tempts you and you delve in, willingly. Very vinous, as the sinful alcohol prompts you to drink. The malts come on strong with a strong aroma of the roasting process, seemingly done over the flames of Hell. Too much play on the name? A little chocolate in the nose, but not much coffee, which surprises me.

Finally, time for the first sip and I am going to be careful with this one and actually sip. Wow! There's the coffee with a bit of black licorice in it, like a shot of high-octane ouzo poured into a strong and massively bitter Greek coffee. Alcohol presence is pretty large, restricting your draws to a mere sip. Dark fruits are also at play in here and the slight sense of chocolate in the nose stays as a mere suggestion in the wash.

The alcohol really drives a pitchfork into you and lingers in the back of the throat, warming you form that point and then down your throat, leaving behind bitterness. The body of this beer is velvety and thick, so nice. You can't craft an uber stout much better than this. It's a huge one, but still wonderfully drinkable, just not quickly. The abundant flavors marry effortlessly, well either that or they get strong-armed by the booze. Whatever. Who cares? This beer is going to eff me up good.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 02:32:42 | More by Naugros

katan

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz into a goblet

A - The definition of dark - opaque to the extreme. Very thick, black, viscous. A medium amount of mocha colored head. Well retained.

S - Bongo amounts of roasted barley, burnt, almost woodlike char. Maybe even a little bit smokey - very edgy.

T - Starts off smooth, sweet, chocolate, perhaps a little bit of maltose. Raisins, marmite, prunes as well - very complex. Mid-stream gets some yeast notes, where I finally get to notice the belgian notes. Brings on strong amounts of bittersweet chocolate, smooth. Finishes with more of a burnt flavor, with lots of retained hotness.

M - Moderate body, moderate to low carbonation - more meant to convey creaminess than balance. Extremely hot, alcohol just burns the mouth. Cloying sweetness.

O/D - This beer is over the top in just about every way. ABV is scary - is this a bottle of merlot? The solid texture and body of this beer makes it a total sipper - almost meant to be shared even in its 12oz form.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 06:12:35 | More by katan

YouSkeete

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Jet black appearance with a two-finger mocha colored head. A wonderful lineup of molasses, caramel, oak, scotch, tobacco, dark cacao. Syrupy, with hints of dark fruits like cherries and grapes following. Huge dark chocolate and bitter alcohol on the initial sip. Smokey tobacco and oak flavors hit the palate hard, with heavy molasses and brown-sugared fruits. The dark chocolate rolls into a sharper cacao bean mouthfeel towards the end of the drink. Big bourbon mouthfeel; boozy, syrupy, smokey, roasty, extra rich and moderately carbonated. Beautiful brew, astounding.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 00:13:43 | More by YouSkeete

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After this brewery left Indiana, this has been one of the only one of their beers I could really find. Maybe the price tag scared people off ($10 per 12-oz. bottle), but I’ve heard it’s worth it. At any rate, I’m ready for a baller stout tonight. Hit it!

Brewed three-and-a-half years ago (Batch 4, “Bottled in NOV 2008”). Let’s check out the age on this beast.

A: Pitch black with an inch-high head, chunky with a multitude of dark tan bubbles. A moment or two passes before it settles to a paper-thin film. Very light spots of lacing leave oily imprints before sliding back down.

S: Pungent, spicy! Buttery chocolate, raisin, dark alcohol, and sweet toffee. They balance nicely with the caramel, vanilla, and warm brown sugar scents – notes that are normally overbearing in a beer like this. Malts are actually pretty grainy, too, with full wheaty textures of fruit and bread. Pepper, chile spice, woody bourbon, smoke, and a hickory aroma (like bacon, almost) – great zest. A big, chocolaty, spicy nose.

T: Bold and intense, like the nose – tobacco smoke, chile pepper, bourbon, light pine hops, and bittersweet dark chocolate bring spice and heat to the front. Malts are thick and delicious: mocha, a combination of burnt and toasted grains, raisin/craisin/plum, vanilla, chicory, molasses, and cookie dough. Spicy, rich, thick. Boozy at the finish, with a little bit of maple syrup and hickory on the aftertaste. I feel like I’m getting smacked in the face with darkness. Mephistopheles, you evil bastard…you delicious, evil bastard.

M: Hot and astringent, pairing with the palate for a smooth stickiness. It’s stripping the enamel off my teeth, I swear. Lighter than some 10% beers I’ve had...

O: My lord, this is World Wide Stout with even more heat. It’s almost a dollar an ounce, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t worth every penny. You want the extreme of stouts? Grab one of these…you won’t be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 04:41:13 | More by BarryMFBurton

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE: Rich, oily and black. A little red light gets through at the bottom, but it is generally black. The head got a bit too big by the end of the pour, but the lacing is solid.

SMELL: Smoky and roasty. Not much else, other than a bit of coffee aroma gets through.

TASTE: Nothing like the smell. This beer is rich and complex. It starts out with chocolate and dark fruit, a very sweet and delicious beer. The sweetness eventually gives way to the 107 IBUs in this thing and coffee along with a hop bite take over towards the finish.

MOUTHFEEL: Absolutely perfect for a big, imperial stout. Pours like motor oil and it has a big, full-bodied, rich feel.

OVERALL: Avery went after taste on this beer and nailed it. The look and aroma are nothing to write home about, but the taste and mouthfeel make this beer a real treat.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 09:01:01 | More by StoneTSR

pvo

Virginia

4.73/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great, given the alcohol content. I've been having some of Dogfish Head's limited beers recently, and with all of those have found the alcohol overwhelming. This is an example of a strong stout that is still predominantly a stout, rather than some sort of gimmick.

I will look forward to having this again, but it's still a step below Weyerbacher's Tiny, Bell's Black Note, or Haandbryggeriet's Dark Force. Not to take anything away from it, but that's where it stands in my book.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 20:38:13 | More by pvo