Samuel Adams Black & Brew Coffee Stout - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

armock

New York

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Wegmans in Penfield, NY

A - Poured a black color with a brown head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of roasted malt with strong coffee scents with a touch of vanilla

T - Follows the nose with the roasted malt with a pretty good coffee punch

M - This beer is a little thin for the style with medium carbonation to it

O - Yet again this is another beer from the BBC that is a good gateway beer for the style its not overly done or exciting but its an overall good beer worth picking up the mix pack for this beer and the other winter brews in it

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 19:08:21 | More by armock

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I poured this into my Cigar City snifter.

A: Poured about as black as a cloudy night in Seattle, with about 1/3 finger head that died down into a cobweb-like lacing that clung to the glass in spades.

S: Nice, but not in-your-face smell of fresh coffee grounds infused with a lactose-esque stout.

T: Despite the coffee flavor, there was not one iota of bitterness to this. This is sort of the coffee equivalent of a Starbucks gourmet foo-foo drink that they make for us non-coffee drinkers... with heavy whipped cream and all!

M: Very creamy and delightful, perfectly carbonated, and the VERY subtle coffee notes were perfectly realized for my tastes.

O: Different Strokes for different folks I would say about this one. If you are a hard-core coffee-a-holic and like lots of bitter coffee notes digging into your palate, you may not care for this one. But, if you're like me and like for the coffee to be candy-ized, you'll probably dig it! I think this in one of the best brews that Sam Adams makes.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 19:05:12 | More by Chaney

JamesS

Indiana

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a very nice dark brown (near black) with some very nice initial head and a bit of lacing as it went down. Nice scent, some good roasted grains and a very nice coffee hit in the nose. Good flavors, well balanced with roasted grains, bitter-sweet coffee flavors, the tiniest hints of chocolate, and a nice coffee and slightly earthy bitter finish. Went down well, this is a good coffee stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 14:39:14 | More by JamesS

WoodBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sammy A has done it again! SOB this is a good beer. The Black & Brew pours a nearly opaque deep rich amber with ecru head that is lacing. The smell is espresso with hints of semi sweet choclate. The taste is like a mochacinno delight...espresso with chocolate...I luv when a brewer hits his mark. The mouthfeel is medium in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a taste beer....that really hit the mark.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 03:54:08 | More by WoodBrew

homebrew311

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into Samuel Adams pint glass.

A: pours dark brown/black, opaque appearance, 1 finger of cocoa colored head, great retention, lots of lacing

S: nose features medium roast coffee, mellow cocoa, hints at cream and vanilla, roasted barley is present as well

T: things starts off sweet with some molasses and mlats, it quickly is taken over by dry coffee and roasted notes, finish is slightly bitter

MF: medium body, medium to high carbonation

O: nice surprise in the winter SA 12 pack... this is a drinkable and well balanced coffee stout...wouldn't mind seeing this packaged by itself as 6 packs or 12 packs.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 07:33:15 | More by homebrew311

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown body, ruby highlights, and a big softball of dark tan rocky foam. Light highly stretched lace.

Big inviting roast coffee aroma.

Taste kicks off with fresh coffee, and a hint of chocolate down in the mix. Mild bitterness without an actual bite. Very smooth taste overall.

Smooth rich mouthfeel without being oily or syrupy.

Overall a solid coffee stout, one that could be overlooked if one only looks at imperials, but should be appreciated on its own level.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 21:36:39 | More by RonfromJersey

Brenden

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Black, yes, or at least such a very dark brown that I can only tell it's not ink or oil by the look of it because some color shines through in the light. The head is brown and just over a finger tall. It sticks around all the way and leaves a good amount of evidence in some decently thick rings and spidery legs.
Malts are roasty and lay a solid foundation, bringing out some chocolate with the coffee grounds. It's also toasty and the creamy leaning gives a bit of a caramel note.
The taste offers a creamy light chocolate and caramel sweetness under roasted malts with plenty of coffee goodness. Toast, a gentle undertone of fig and/or raisin, and just a tinge of hops for light balance top it off. There is a wisp of some astringency to which otherwise great coffee-based beers can be prone; it's just enough to be a very minor mar and not terribly distracting.
The body is medium with a nice, creamy feel. It's not heavily carbonated but maybe a hint much for a stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 04:38:36 | More by Brenden

chinchill

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black with deep brown edges. Thin, short-lived, tan head.

Sweet, fresh ground coffee over well-roasted malts with a bit of dark chocolate. Near 4.5.

Taste: Nicely balanced dark malt and coffee flavors. There's a hint of spicy hops, particularly in the finish. Excellent sweet/bitter balance. Fine and long-lasting coffee/roasted grain/hops aftertaste.

M: Smooth and creamy; perhaps more lively (carbonation) than usual for a coffee stout, but works well for this beer.

O: Another very good coffee stout; these seem to have gone from rarities to nearly commonplace (e.g., Kona) in a short time.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 20:40:47 | More by chinchill

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice pitch black color, with a nice brown head. Laces well, with good head retention. Aroma is mild coffee grounds, with some toasted malts and hints of dry cocoa powder. The coffee kicks a bit more in the taste, and is accompanied by a nice subtle cocoa note and pleasant toasted malts. It's got a nice full body and creaminess to it, and finishes a little dry. Overall, I think I've enjoyed this the most out of the mixed 12 this year. I'd drink this year round...I'm talking to you Koch.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 23:59:30 | More by EgadBananas

Rayek

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Black & Brew pours a deep mahogany that's a few shades short of black. A small tan cap is slow to form and quickly recedes to thin islands of foam. A little bit of lace is left behind.

The coffee is very prevalent, but not to the crazy amounts I've experienced some other beers. Instead, it adds a roasted espresso goodness that compliments the traditional roasted grains and burnt bitterness of dry stouts. There's a hint of vanilla at work too. The beer get a touch astringent late. The medium-light body is chalky in a good way, but has too much tingle for my tastes.

I usually shy away from coffee beers, because they rarely do much for me. However, two of my fave SA beers only show up in their "Winter Classics" mixer, so I bit the bullet. I came away pleasantly surprised.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 23:44:27 | More by Rayek

budgood1

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

pours out an opaque black...crimson hues are detectable...huge two inch creamy, frothy light tan head. does not recede and leaves huge chunks of lace. looks about as perfect as a stout of this sort can look. espresso nose with strong notes of toffee, caramel and dark roasted malts. maybe some lactic notes? the taste is a very malty mix of nougat and cocoa notes with a dark roast coffee kick. i imagine having a milky way candy bar for breakfast and a dark roast cup of coffee...but in beer form. yummy stuff here. it has a sweetness to it that counteracts any perceived bitterness from the coffee used. this is damn good. this stout has a soft, round, ample body...the texture is amazing and in fact supercedes the slight watery notes in the mouthfeel....regardless...it's silky smooth and luxurious in nature. good drinkability...i never drink in the morning but i could see having one of these upon awakening and on vacation.

overall, the only drawback i can come up with is the misplaced, slightly cloying sweetness. the java notes are not heavy handed which could be perceived as a plus. i would definitley buy this by the six or twelve pack if it were available. highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 22:45:53 | More by budgood1

far333

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep mahogany with ruddy highlights and a big frothy head of light brown foam that lingers long and leaves thick sheets of lacing up the sides of the glass.

Aroma of raisin and light cocoa, some coffee notes, some sharp espresso and some faint hops. Rich flavor of coffee and cocoa upfront, moving quickly to floral hops, good balance of flavors. Good offsetting bitterness, but not too harsh. Even mouthfeel, moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy, I wouldn't mind it being a bit more viscous.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 01:29:08 | More by far333

wedge

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark brown color with a dense tan head on top. Nice amount of pleasant coffee beans in the aroma and a trailing dark chocolaty sweetness. Roasty, creamy coffee flavor...obviously quite malty with a pinch of fruit in the finish. Straightforward, but satisfying. Creamy, oily medium body. I'm a sucker for coffee stouts and this suits me just fine.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 21:46:20 | More by wedge

jsanford

Georgia

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint

Pours a dark black with brownish edges and a creamy mocha head that settles to a nice cap, leaving lots of spotty lacing. Sweet and rich aromas of coffee beans, chocolate, cream and sugar. Really coffee-forward, but not insanely intense. Taste is spot-on with the nose, sweet flavors of chocolate and cream with a pleasantly bitter fresh-ground coffee character. Nicely balanced, and quite drinkable for a coffee Stout. Smooth and creamy, with a medium-thin body and good carbonation. Overall a solid coffee Stout, that is insanely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 03:35:34 | More by jsanford

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours black of course. Almost no light shines through. Only at the very top of the beer can you see any color other than black. Light layer of tan colored head. Head leaves minute amount of lacing.

S-Rich aromas of both roasted coffee and milk chocolate. Like chocolate covered coffee beans. Smells pretty tasty actually. Am excited to try this.

T-The coffee flavor is very, very authentic. Lasting light coffee flavors. Not a very bitter coffee taste. More like a coffee with cream and sugar. Chocolate dances around the flavor but the coffee is the big ticket here.

M-The flavor is bigger than the ABV but the feel matches the ABV which is nice because this would be a great session stout. Tons of carbonation. Medium body. Slightly creamy.

O/D-Overall, one of the best Sam Adams beers I have had. Way better than expected. Really hits the coffee flavor well. This needs to be at very least a seasonal six pack. I really liked it.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 02:46:46 | More by VelvetExtract

HalfFull

California

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle poured into a tulip glass, Sam's Black & Brew is a deep brown and almost black in color with just a hint of ruby around the edges. Half an inch of mocha foam offers decent retention after a firm pour.

Aroma of coffee beans and a touch of carob/chocolate. Bit faint overall and leaning more towards shaved chocolate with warming, along with a bit of smoke.

Taste of milk chocolate initially and somewhat thin in body in the middle. Improves with a bit of agitation however and yields a light fruity character at that time along with some brown sugar notes. Offers a generally pleasant roast character, becoming a bit dry in the end..

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 05:53:12 | More by HalfFull

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown to black with nice, thick creamy head. Nose has a nice espresso/milk aroma to it, for real. Palate brings forward some nice coffee flavors as well, roasty malty flavors, and some cocoa. balanced nicely with hops. Finishes semi-sweet cocoa/coffee and is quite drinkable.

Nice addition to the winter pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 03:25:48 | More by yemenmocha

daliandragon

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The Sam Winter Sampler gets stronger each year. I was wondering if they would try another stout in this spot. I generally enjoy coffee stouts, and stout in general seems like a logical choice in a seasonal mixed twelve.

Solid jet black body, with a sticky. lacy tan head. Nose is rich in coffee bean flavors, with hints of vanilla and wood smoke. This is one of the best opening statements I can ever remember for an SA beer.

Rich and creamy in texture. Thinner than many stouts but you lose very little as far as I can tell. The flavor is understated at first but builds through the aftertaste. There is slightly more sweetness in the flavor than the nose but only by degrees. The roasted and smoked undertones to the basic coffee backbone give this one a lighter tone that matches the thinner mouthfeel.

This is a real nice effort by Boston Beer. It's a lighter but very drinkable stout with an unusual mix of flavor notes. Not sure if they need to tinker with that Winter Sampler much more.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 06:40:31 | More by daliandragon

Kendo

New York

3.45/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured into a pint glass. Body appears black with a small light-tan head that's gone quickly. When backlit there are orangey-mahogany hues on the edges.

S: Mainly coffee, with a touch of roasted barley malt.

T: First impression is more about the mouthfeel than the taste: it's thin, watery and a bit too fizzy. Getting past that and into the flavors and I get . . . no surprise here. . . coffee. Some dark fruits on the mid-to-back of the tongue, and it finishes with a decent bitterness that provides both balance and a palate-cleansing dryness.

M: See above. Bottle calls this full-bodied, but I disagree completely. Call it light-to-medium (closer to light) and again, I will note the watery feel and over-active fizzy carbonation.

O: OK. Too thin in feel and too one-dimensional in taste. Could use a much bigger malt backbone.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 02:26:09 | More by Kendo

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass from a 12oz bottle.

A - Pours a very dark brown with some slight black hints and some ruby red edges. There is a nice 1 inch head that is light tan with some nice dense bubbles. Pretty creamy. It slowly recedes and it leaves some sticky lacing on the glass like a cappuccino.

S - Smooth roasty malt notes, with some chocolate and some nice coffee grounds. Very smooth and appealing. Seems light as well. Easy to drink and approachable. Nose is lacking a bit.

T & M - Starts off with some roasty coffee ground notes. Very delicious coffee notes. There is some slight smokey and burnt malt notes. There is also some slight nut to the beer. Maybe some hazelnut. Very good chocolate notes as well. This is quite delicious and approachable. There is some slight coca powder sweetenss and chocolate notes that blend really well with the roasted notes. This is a solid stout and a solid effort by BBC. Mouthfeel is light-medium with nice carbonation.

O - Great solid effort by Koch. It is very delicious and drinkable and has some well crafted flavors that play well with each other.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 02:06:54 | More by JoEBoBpr

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12-ounce bottle into a Willimantic Brewing Co. pint glass.

A: Black with a rich, creamy one and a half finger head of brown foam that retains nicely and leaves a good amount of chunky lacing.

S: Strong, roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, figs and raisins. A hint of herbal and earthy hops leaps up with the fresh coffee grounds.

T: Bittersweet and roasted black malts up front give off a lot of robust coffee, espresso and baking chocolate flavors. Herbal, slick and brewed coffee flavors fill up mid-palate with some creaminess before washing down with some dark, fruity acidity and bitter coffee notes. Did I mention the coffee flavor? Wow.

M: Smooth, slick, slightly acidic and a little creamy upon its initial sip. Leaves a hop and pressed espresso resin on the palate.

O: A nice American stout with the added complexity and allure of Sumatra coffee. At 5.8% ABV, Black & Brew is poised as a nice replacement for your after dinner coffee or morning accompaniment for the more brazen. I'd really like to see this stout added to Sam's line-up as a sixer next winter.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 00:37:21 | More by Gambrinus1184

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a twelve oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours dark black with some foam at onset to a small layer. Strong espresso and coffee bean smell. Really roasted coffee taste and a strong coffee finish. Smooth chocolate malt in between. More coffee than beer. Bitter finish. Nice new stout. Like.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 00:45:59 | More by KTCamm

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this is in one of those mixed twelvers for the winter season. I was excited to see some really new beers and I was most excited about this one. I love coffee beers so my interests were piqued immediately.

Pours perfectly. Nearly opaque with some dark chocolate highlights visible in the bright Carolina sun. The head is picture perfect: One finger in size continuosly, creamy, foamy, rocky and very firm. I dont give 5's often in appearance but this one deserves it.

Aroma has coffee immediately up front. Expected and welcomed. Slightly sweet and metallic as well, also expected. Perhaps a touch more fresh coffee would make this one a 5 in the smell category. The coffee aroma was more extract or coffee malts than actual coffee grounds.

Flavor was lacking a lot of the coffee I was looking for, given the aroma. Slight coffee but with more dark fruit coffee. I guess its not really that bad but I prefer dark roast, espresso coffee to the more fruity blends. Not SA's fault I suppose.

Mouthfeel was medium bodied and very creamy. This is one of my top 3-5 SA beers of all time. I was really pleased with this one. I suspect this would be a great "coffee gateway" beer as the coffee isnt in your face but more subdued and milder. A great beer indeed!

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 20:05:37 | More by SaCkErZ9

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brown-black with a light beige head. Some lacing. 3.5

Lactose, black coffee, and kilned malts. Mild sweetness. 4.0

Coffee grounds, some milk stout qualities, charred grain, cocoa, and a dried berry character similar to Craisins. Mostly malt bitterness in the middle, finishes semi-sweet. Astringent tang at the end. 3.5

Medium body, medium carbonation. Fine bubbles. 3.5

Nothing worth seeking out, a very average coffee stout. 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2012 00:32:38 | More by thecheapies

htomsirveaux

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle tried 10 Jan 2012. Served in the (512) One snifter.

Medium sized brown head. Well carbonated. Clear very dark brown in color. Aroma is dominated by coffee, roasted malt, some cocoa. Starts relatively sweet, a lot of chocolate to start. Coffee comes through in the middle. Dark fruits, coffee, chocolate. Medium body, light ethanol. Very easy to drink, reminiscent of a mocha cappuccino double shot. Finishes with a roasty coffee bitterness.

A says 'Cookoo for Cocoa Puffs'. In a good way. Which is odd because she doesn't care for chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 02:52:30 | More by htomsirveaux