Captain Stout - Alpine Beer Company

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on cask, via hand pump, @ O'Briens (San Diego, CA) on 3/18/10. Served in a pint glass.

Pours black with a 1/2 finger of foamy light tan head. This retains with some froth around edges, leaving a smattering of light spotty foam down the sides of the glass. The aroma is honestly, a bit light in the nose but still brings enough notes of smokey roast, cocoa powder, caramel, a dash of coffee, and some earthy hops in the back.

The taste is chocolate and caramel sweetness, with a dense blanket of smoke, roast, and coffee behind it. A moderate hop bitterness brings that same dank and fruity character that I picked up in the aroma. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a mellow creaminess to it but there's also a thick slickness flowing underneath that is showing itself rather boldly.

While I appreciated the richness of the flavors here, the thickness of the roasty character and overall feel just help the drinkibility back some for me, despite this being on cask. I'm interested in checking this out in the bottle or draft to see how it compares.

Serving type: cask

03-29-2010 02:34:47 | More by Kegatron

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown with a nice, two-fingered head. The smell was nice, lots of roasted malt and a little chocolate and coffee. The taste is quite nice as well, with some sweetness from the malt as well as coffee, chocolate, and a bit of roast. A little thin, but very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2010 23:40:01 | More by Thorpe429

Dijeriduster

California

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Alpine is a great little brewery just outside San Diego, highly recommended for a few tasters and a growler fill ($5 for the glass, $8+ for the fill).

A - Pours a dark brown / black typical to style. Moderate head with some lacing.

S - Nice and roasty, hint of hops but not much.

T - Good solid Stout. Roasty, chocolate start with a hint of coffee and hops in the finish. Surprisingly easy to drink for a robust stout.

M - A little on the thin side, I prefer a fuller feel on stouts. Still, not thin and soy sauce like as some (ie imperials) get.

D - Good drinking stout, you can have a few pints and not be stuff. Not the best from Alpine, but that isn't saying much as they have a barrage of incredible beers.

Serving type: growler

12-02-2009 21:29:46 | More by Dijeriduster

nickd717

California

4.22/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at O'Brien's in San Diego.

Black in color with a one finger tan head that fades to ring. Looks as a stout should, more or less.

Aroma is a lot of roast, coffee, a hint of dark chocolate, a and a little earth.

Flavor is smooth and well-balanced with coffee, dark chocolate, caramel, and earth. To style and very good.

Palate is smooth and velvety; body is medium.

Drinkability is high. I had to down 8oz within about a minute when our cab showed up early and it was no problem (although it didn't help my brutal hangover the next day). Solid stout from Alpine.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2009 22:47:22 | More by nickd717

Overlord

California

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What a nice little beer. Wish I could find it more often.

Pours a rich brown with some darker edging. Lighter brown foam head. Smells like rich roasted malt, some chocolate, and a bit of coffee. No oatmeal in nose.

Oatmeal comes through a bit in flavor, but it's mostly chocolate malt, roasted malt, and some bitter coffee. The lingering aftertaste is toasty dry, with some bitterness on the tastebuds. Really nice, and quite different.

May be a bit thin as compared to the stouts I usually flavor, but this was pretty nice. Actually, what it reminds me of is a souped up, big brother version of Stockyard Oatmeal Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2009 05:14:22 | More by Overlord

magictrokini

California

3.48/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at SD Beer Festival and O'Briens. Pours black with very little head. Aroma is malt and strong coffee. Taste is coffee and chocolate milk, with a sharp finish. Mouthfeel is not as heavy an you would expect. Not light, but creamy. Overall, a very good beer that needs a bit of time in a barrel or a little more substance.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2008 19:52:11 | More by magictrokini

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Deep brown to almost black with the slightest bit of ruby hints. A medium tan head with decent retention and spotty lace left behind.

S-Pleasant chocolate and roasted malts with a hint of smoky coffee.

T-Milk chocolate and dark roasted malt predominate. Secondary flavours of sweet caramel and coffee.

M-Quite smooth and creamy. A nice astringent finish lets you know this is a stout.

D-Full flavoured and smooth at 5.5%...this is an American session stout to be proud of!

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2008 07:41:53 | More by Deuane

Floydster

California

3.63/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pint at the Stone World Bistro about a week back for four dollars, reviewed from notes

A-Very dark brown with just a little light shing through, 1/2 inch light tan creamy head that stuck around for a few minutes, some retention and lacing

S-Mostly coffee, vanilla bean, dark chocolate, oatmeal, bready malt aromas, roasted barley, a hint of smokiness, and some faint sweet accents

T-Flavor did not change much over time and tasted almost the same cold right out of the tap than it did thirty minutes later, lots of coffee from the beginning that provides a crisp dryness, some chewy grainy and oatmeal in the middle, finish is slighly sweet with some dark cocoa, would be more interesting with hops or something to add more complexity, pretty roasty overall and its few tastes are nicely balanced with another, not a bad brew from Alpine

M-Thin to medium body, dry and chewy mouthfeel, nice level of carbonation, taste did not linger long, somewhat watered down in my opinion

D-Could drink quite of bit of this, its ABV is very low for its style of beer, lighter on the stomach than most stouts, smooth, no alcohol in the taste

Not my favorite Alpine brew but still good, good to see they took a break from brewing all those IPAs, will probably grab some bottles of this in the future, recommended

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2008 20:54:01 | More by Floydster

MiScusi

California

4.47/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12-30-07
On tap at the Stone Bistro/Gardens. Poured a real dark black, just how you would expect a stout to be colored, but the bartender poured it with pretty much no head. The smell was pretty sweet, chocolate and roasted coffee. The taste was also very similar, with a lot of roasted coffee coming through but it wasn't too bitter, the chocolate seemed to override it enough. A real tasty sweet stout.
4/4.5/4.5/4/4

3/7/08
From a growler purchased 1 week ago at Alpine. Pours with a clear black that is ruby red at the corners. Nice light tan head builds up but fades fairly fast. This from a few inches away this beer smells of high roastiness. But when you get your nose into it a ton of caramel and a little chocolate come out. The taste is like a sweet caramel liquid. It's a pretty savory beer, with some roasted bitterness at the end to still let ya know it's a stout. Upgraded rankings to 4/4.5/4.5/4.5/4.5

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2007 05:44:37 | More by MiScusi

tonistruth

Nevada

4.2/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap @ Pizza Port Carlsbad in Carlsbad, CA

A- pitch black (until only a sip or two of brown is left, then its a deep wooden brown with red hues), 1 finger creamy mocha colored head, good retent, thin lacing rings all down glass

S- rich chocolate, dry roasted malts

T- creamy chocolate and roasted malts, dry roasted chocolate malts, some coffee, hints of caramel, delicious

M- smooth and creamy, dry finish, brew feels as if it evaporates off your tongue, carbonation nearly undetectable

D- fits style well, flavor is excellent, would pair well with desserts or could be one on it's own, sessionable, recommended

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2007 07:07:13 | More by tonistruth

sleazo

New York

3.4/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Cask O'briens.
A- Dark, dark brown with rich creamy head. Good lace throughout

S- is of alcohol & sweet roasted malt.

T- hits you with alittle raw alcohol taste then some red fruit followed by the bitterness of the charred malt. This is interesting but I don't love this. Too sweet for my tastes

Mouthfeel is good but this on cask.

D. Probably not more than one, a little too sweet for me.

The % is surprising, this tasted like it had alot more alcohol than 5.5%. This is an interesting stout, but i think it might be better with some age.

Serving type: cask

03-16-2007 03:55:22 | More by sleazo

Westsidethreat

California

4.25/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Stone World Bistro

A: Jacobean color with medium tope head that disapates at an average pace. Just a few stray floaters remain on top with a ring around the glass.

S: Black patent malt, fresh espresso and cream.

T: Begins charred but moves quickly to a fruity like profile. Some grape, strawberry, pineapple mixes with vanilla cream to make the drinker think the stout isn't going to live up to its namesake. But then...the roasted in with coffee leadign the way. Finishes bitter, a little dirty and a little chocolaty.

M: Medium body but thinner across the palate than one would expect. Ok though as the carbonation fits just fine.

D: Good balance with nice complexity. Hand crafted and well done. Another fine beer from Alpine.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2006 06:25:38 | More by Westsidethreat

scottoale

California

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this one a couple of times at O'Brien's this past week and for good reason...this is a damn tasty stout. From the nitro-tap poured into a pint glass is a black-ass brown thick ale with an upwelling thick creamy cocoa head of everlasting proportion. Lace...fat, thick rings telltale every sip with tons of it, sticking all over the glass. It's a real beauty on nitro.

On the nose is a deep, bitter espresso and some dark toasty, roasted malt with bakers chocolate undertones.

The flavor is all of the above...super rich, smooth and creamy...very tasty with a nice bitter finish. Full body with a smoothness that is easy to swallow and a mild ABV that makes it all too easy to drink. A great breakfast or dessert beer...highly recommended, cheers!

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-16-2006 23:23:36 | More by scottoale

kmcnair

California

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a deep dark brown, but not quite black, its like peering into a glass of the abyss, floating atop is a clean tanned crown that fades into a small halo. Aroma of toasted caramels, burnt maple and rich roasted espresso beans. Flavor is a huge caramel malted complexity featuring notes of bittersweet chocolate, caramel, toasted brown sugar, fresh coffee and maple syrup. Mouthfeel is soft and creamy with a super dry finish. A really great offering from Alpine and one of the better dry stouts out there, definitely worth a try or even a session. Not to be missed on cask!!

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2006 05:13:36 | More by kmcnair

OStrungT

California

4.83/5  rDev +28.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer pours an inky black with a fluffy brown head. The ehad fades slowly, leaving a decent lacing.

This beer has a chocolate aroma to it. I can also detect some sweet caramel aromas. It is malty. It smells very slightly of coffee. Also, I can detect a roasted malt aroma.

This beer tastes wonderful. It has a malty flavor. I taste some mild chocolate. Also, I taste some sweet caramel. A very slight hop flavor is present. This is what a Stout should taste like.

This beer goes down very smooth, leaving a chocolate malt aftertaste. It is carbonated to perfection.

This beer would make an excelent session beer. It is not high in alcohol, and the flavor is not aggressive. This might be one of the best Stouts I have ever had. If Alpine bottled this, I would definately keep a stock of it in my beer fridge.

Serving type: growler

02-12-2006 00:29:03 | More by OStrungT

oggg

California

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at PizzaPort Solana Beach. Went great with a BBQ bacon cheeseburger pizza on whole grain crust...

This beer came out of the tap with mounds and mounds of dark brown foam. This dark dark brown stout had a smooth noble hop floral aroma with a fainter roast background. This beer tastes way bigger than 5.5%. It's terribly smooth with a firm hoppy bitterness up front. No sour notes. Finishes just slightly dry.

Overall: excellent quaffable smooth stout.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2006 03:05:55 | More by oggg

Gusler

Arizona

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draught @ Alpine Brewery
The beers pours a pitch black with a smallish chocolate head, the texture spumous and the lace thick and sticky. Nose has a light coffee and chocolate aroma with sweet malt underneath, start is sweet and has a pleasing malt presence, top is moderate in feel. Finish has a nice bit of hops and the acidity mild to moderate, very dry and lingering aftertaste, a nice stout overall.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2004 21:41:57 | More by Gusler

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Refillable growler received from Xlperro as part of Growler-It-Forward 2.0. Thanks for the opportunity.

First imperial pint glass pours with a dense light brown 3/4" head, over this very, very dark brown, almost black hued brew. Head showed amazing staying power, and the aroma was strongly of coffee and chocolate grains. Following along those lines, the taste was as well of the roasted malts. Mouthfeel and drinkability were excellent for such a heavy brew. Wish I could try it over and over to make sure I've got my rating correct...

Serving type: growler

05-16-2004 03:27:37 | More by ppoitras

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.58/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A recent visit to the Alpine Beer Company with fellow BA’s xlperro and EyeChartBrew, on 12th July 2003, gave me the opportunity to try several of the ABC beers that are not yet bottled (though this may alter in the near future). They are however currently available to buy here in 5, or 15.5, Gallon Kegs, or just for filling up an ABC Growler which you can purchase for $5, and fill for $7.

ABC Name: Captain Stout.
ABC Description: Chocolate –Oatmeal Dry Stout.
ABC Listed Strength: 5.5%ABV.

Presentation: 4oz Sampler for 50¢.

Appearance: Dark brown, so much so that it often looked black when sat on the small Sampling Room Counter, but on closer examination it is a very dark brown. A leather tan head remained as a thin bubbly covering for the duration.

Nose: Deep roast malt and some coffee odors. A strong nose with a very rich “quality ingredient” aspect to it. Very nice.

Taste: Lovely smooth, rich roasted malts that swirl well in the mouth and coat the inside of the cheeks like melted dark chocolate. Bitterness in the middle measures out the roast malt and chocolate aspects, whilst the coffee elements balance all this very nicely into a well-balanced, astringent finish.

Mouthfeel: Extremely impressive and very accomplished mouthfeel that lingers for some time. Dry finish on the palate is very memorable.

Drinkability: The sampler disappeared with little problem, its silky smooth feel and balanced tastes, make this a fantastic quaffer. At 5.5%, this would kick ass on draft.

Overall: One of the best Dry ‘Irish’ Stouts I have had in a very long time. The first of my ABC samplers, and still my favorite, after the other three. A larger glass would have been ordered for sure if I had not been on a quest to try as many of the offerings as possible in the limited time we had, as well as the fact that it was very early in a long day’s tour of San Diego beer establishments. Highly recommended for filling Growlers, or any container for that matter, including your stomach.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2003 04:08:23 | More by TheLongBeachBum