Pike Street XXXXX Stout - Pike Pub & Brewery

charlesbyrd

Mississippi

3.23/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a pint glass.

A: Pours an oily jet-black, completely opaque. A one-finger brown head forms nicely but doesn't stick around for too long. I got a ton of spiderweb lacing in this one (left several distinct rings around the glass during session).

S: Smells of dark roasted coffee and black licorice, with brown sugar slightly noticeable. The smokiness from the dark malts cover up most of the other aromas.

T: I've heard of several issues with Pike beers and contamination, and I think I might have gotten a bad one. The most prominent flavors in the beer are black coffee and semisweet chocolate, although hints of stewed dark fruit are also present. However, this beer had an overpowering waxy bitterness to it that I almost couldn't handle. It killed the rest of the flavors in what could otherwise be a very enjoyable beer for me.

M: Medium to full-bodied on the palate, but goes down quite smoothly. The carbonation level is just right, and the ABV is completely masked by the flavors.

D: This beer is pretty subdued for its style and could be very drinkable for me if it wasn't for the off-putting bitterness. I will have to pick up another one of these and update my review to see if I just got an off-flavored beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2010 22:41:50 | More by charlesbyrd

aracauna

Georgia

3.3/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Nice pour, deep opaque black with an easy, thick creamy head that clings to the sides of the glass. It's not exactly long-lasting, but it never fully fades (ends up thin cream layer that's too thick for a film, but kind of like a like coat of moss or lichens). The aroma is a little weak, but roasty. The flavor is as strong as it should be but it dominated and unbalanced by too much burned bitterness. A bit of smokiness lingers underneath. The lack of balance makes this less than a joy to drink, but intriguing at the same time.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2002 23:23:26 | More by aracauna

thatruth

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

grabbed a 22 oz of this from the Safeway near the Junction in West Seattle last month a couple of days after I moved here, pouring it now.

A: 1/2" brown sugar head, lacing that runs and hides when tilted, black as the night is long. absolutely no light penetrates this beer.

S: hickory, cocoa, vanilla, hazelnut, cherries. robust and intense with a sweetness hovering over, makes one eager to try.

T: mocha latte. no lie. good stout, not too sweet nor too bitter. on the other hand, the after taste has the waning around of flat coke and paint thinner. month too long to wait?

M: pretty flat and dry, robust eagerness fades away quickly. by the time you take another sip you realize the taste that lingers in your mouth is what you just put back inside to wash it away...flimsy character, short life.

O: wantaway stout that remains local because of it's ill-perceived stance in a relatively competitive category.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 23:56:43 | More by thatruth

infi

New York

3.33/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bomber, courtesy of BA r0nyn. From 10/29 notes.

Poured into a Duvel tulip.

Fairly viscous and dark liquid with some areas of translucency. Good thin tan head above with some retention and spotted lacing. Aromas was majority towards barley and breakfast malt- very bready-oriented on the nose. There was also a good amount of some dark chocolate notes, which complemented the malt very well.

Taste mirrored the aromas phase by phase. Began with a substantial malt/barley foundation with some roasted coffee and dark chocolate sweetness, which was very thoroughly noticeable. And towards the end, the flavors end on a faint charred burnt flavor and thin astringency. Textbook stout overall.

Mouthfeel was medium-bodied with light carbonation and was incredibly easy to drink. Complexity is definitely not needed in this beer, as the flavors were readily identifiable and tasted well throughout. If this is available around you, this bottle is easily a candidate for a nice session. We all enjoyed this one pretty well. eXXXcellent. (ha!)

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 22:48:35 | More by infi

mcann2pu

Delaware

3.35/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a dark black-ish brown color with a two finger tan head, some patchy lacing,

Smell: roasty chocolate, a little earthy coffee aroma on the tail end,

Taste: sweet stout malts, a little chocolate, solid stout taste,

Mouthfeel: I would say medium for a stout.

Drinkability: good, this is one I would try again.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2010 06:09:36 | More by mcann2pu

IceTrey9785

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Relatively new beer for us -- 22oz bottles for only $3.99...

A: Poured the beer into a nice brandy snifter -- really dark color with a nice tan head. Lasts a few minutes or so, leaving a pretty white lacing.

S: Initially you are hit with huge amounts of roasted, burnt malt. Brown sugar, molasses and coffee soon follow. As the beer warms, there is a huge amount of smoke that eventually emerges -- similar to a peppered bacon. Bittersweet chocolate or cocoa round out the aroma.

T&M: Full bodied, but very, very smooth. This stout has a nice creamy finish. It is sweet, but the hop bitterness certainly rounds out the palate. I am left with unsweetened chocolate, weak coffee, and liquid smoke. Rich and round, with full flavor and a nice finish.

I like this beer, but I'm not wowed by it. It tastes like every other Extra Stout I've ever had. I dare say that most people would have a huge problem trying to decide what is what in a contest between Pike's and Guinness Extra Stout. Nonetheless, it is a good, solid beer, and I'll buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2010 01:26:58 | More by IceTrey9785

far333

Connecticut

3.38/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Motor oil black with a light brown head that settles out to a fine cap of foam.

Low aroma of fig, raisin, and some espresso.

Thin flavor upfront, but moves quickly to dark malt, coffee and oak, hints of cocoa. Firm bitterness balances the malt. Could be more roasty and complex.

Full mouthfeel, but finishes tannic with a puckery linger, which detracts overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2009 04:00:41 | More by far333

crwrunner

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Black body with a big brown head. Lots of lacing and the head stays a while on top of the beer.

S- Pretty interesting. The first thing that came to mind was terraki bbq sauce.

T- Strong choclate taste up front follwed with a nice taste of hops when swallowing. Soon after a very nice roastiness comes out.

M- A little thick that really seems to cover the mouth well.

O- I think this is a pretty good beer. I would definitley drink it again. While I didn't care for the smell to much, it made up for it in taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 19:49:20 | More by crwrunner

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2002-2003 limited release...

Big pour, dark/dark brown and opaque. Orange carbonation settles down in about 60 seconds. Laces in looping clumps. Coffee and orange rind-like impresssion to the big aroma. Flavor is somewhat more limited, a dark roasty coffee, slight sense of malted milk and the requisite scant hop. Mouthfeel is about medium to thinnish, but I pick up an offputting vegetable, almost smoked onion, sense to the profile. Not dominant by any means, just slightly annoying. Not an awful beer, but not a first choice to my tongue.

Source: Liquid Solutions

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2003 15:24:14 | More by ADR

CurtisLoew

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Purchased at the pike brewery downtown seattle.

Average stout. Tastes good. Nothing amazing, but solid beer. A little thin for my tastes. Enjoyable to drink. Problem is, it reminds me of 50 other stouts sitting on the shelf, it just doesn't stand out as a special beer. I'm glad I tried it, and the brewery was a pretty neat place.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2011 05:34:51 | More by CurtisLoew

bobbypaulson

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

drank this brew last night with a buddy, I aquired it from a trade from a very kind girl on the other wedsite. She throw this one in as an extra and boy am I happy she did. This beer was poured from a 22oz bomber into a darkness snifter. It pours a motor oil black with a thick light brown head. This beer looks super thick and smells great like chocolate and dried fuits. After about a minute the head finally subsided enough to drink it. The smell and the look was gerat but the taste was just ok. I was expecting a big robust beer and it was kinda on the lighter side. The mouthfeel was good nothing too exciting, but still an over all good drinking brew

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 19:28:36 | More by bobbypaulson

silver0rlead

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark black with a thin tan head that doesn't retain well. The aroma has some roasted malt notes upfront, along with chocolate and coffee, some dark fruits, molasses, and some burnt bread. The flavor is similar to the aroma with big roasty notes initially, along with dark fruits (plum, cherry), lower % dark chocolate, coffee, molasses, some burnt acridness and alcohol. The mouthfeel is moderate and drinkability is decent. Overall a decent but unspectacular stout.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2010 02:59:39 | More by silver0rlead

claspada

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Aromas of smoke and roasted malts; I get some bacon characteristics as well. There's lesser coffee, bitter chocolate, and a hint of licorice to round things out.

The taste is less than impressive. Bittersweet baker's chocolate, with a boat load of smoke and rauchbier tastes which I hate. I desperately crave some more sweetness for this beer to balance the rough bitterness and dry acrid flavors.

Mouthfeel is really full, mild balanced carbonation. Finishes really full and viscous; coats the mouth to a point of ruining the taste buds.

Overall, I had high expectations for this beer and I was delivered a smoky pork/bacon dry bitter mess. Not sure why people like consuming these flavors in beer, anyway. Not recommended, compared to the numerous better available styles available.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 01:02:22 | More by claspada

BelgiumBill

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A vigorous pour into a pint glass gave a thin dark beige head that swiftly retreated to some islands and lacing about. It was black with the thinnest rim of brown.

Smelled of chocolate, roasted malts, hops, coffee, and hints of vanilla.

Flavors were similar to the smell.

It was typical in the mouth and medium bodied. This brew falls in the middle of the pack as far as Stout's go. No greatness or unique characteristics to be had, though nothing out of whack either..

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 00:13:14 | More by BelgiumBill

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours an opaque black body with a medium-sized, beige head.

Smell: Aroma of rich, roasted dark malts with plenty of dark chocolate and licorice. Faint hint of soy.

Taste: Dark maltiness with an airy sweetness to it. Some licorice. Full roasted grain flavor. Super soft touch of floral hops near the roasty, dry finish. The taste, overall, has a little sourness to it.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Best beer in history? No, but it's a tasty, nicely drinkable stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 17:56:40 | More by ChainGangGuy

ccrida

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into an imperial pint, pitch black with a large, reddish dark tan head that settles pretty quickly and leaves heavy lace.

Smell is pretty strong, sweet crystal malt, a slight touch of roast and fruity.

Taste is pretty robust, a strong roast, but still fruity and sweet caramel. A good rich stout, but not as sweet as I expected for a FES. Only a moderate bitterness on the rich and roasty lingering finish.

Mouthfeel is oily and thick.

Drinkability is OK, a good and full-flavored stout, but drinks more like a RIS then a 6.8% ABV FES.
Served at cellar temp.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2008 03:06:54 | More by ccrida

midaszero

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Opaque black with one finger of coffee head and good lacing

S - A little chemically smelling. Lemon, citrus, and floral are faint

T - Almost like a chocolate soda. A little sweet with decent chocolate body and a little hop bitterness on the back

M - Medium body with medium carbonation

D - Pretty good and enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2008 19:33:49 | More by midaszero

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From a 22 oz. brown bomber, label states 6.6% abv. Pours out stark black in appearance, dense chunky tan head with fantastic retention.

Dry roasted malts up front on the nose, some milky sweetness.

Grainy dry roasted malt up front in the flavour too, intense coffee grounds, some brewer's licorice near the finish, dry espresso-like grounds in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel has a decent body, a bit slick, but carries the flavour well. Thickens out on the finish, very dry.

A dry bitter stout, similar to a dry London porter. Not my particular taste for mass consumption, but it seems to hold its own in that particular flavour profile.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2009 05:22:32 | More by IronDjinn

StoneBrewFanatic

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours very dark brown, almost black in color, with a little over a finger of light brown head, moderate retention and pretty nice lacing.

S - Roasted malts, bitter cocoa, sweet brown sugar/molasses, and mild coffee tones.

T - Roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate, dark fruit, anise, bitter hops and coffee.

M - Too thin for my taste in stouts

D - It's drinkable, just nothing too exciting and I am going to be bored with it before I finish this bomber...

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 00:23:45 | More by StoneBrewFanatic

beerman21

California

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Ser- 22oz bomber, given to me by the girl friend on her Pacific Northwest trip. Much appreciated my love ;).

a- pours a aggressively showing head with a super dark brown body no to be confused with your typical black in color stout but then again what American stout is...

s-fruit; figs, kiwi, molasses soaked pineapple, roasted malt and toffee.

T-Butterscotch, maple syrup, toffee, BBQ figs soaked in molasses enriched alcohol. impressive.

M- coats the mouth well, flavor lingers.

O- American style Stouts have taken awhile to become my favorite style and it has taken awhile for it to be a style that I’ve leaned to be a favorable beverage of choice when it comes to beers. This However brings something different to the American style and you know i appreciate the effort. So if given the chance i will purchase it again! Good beer for its style..

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 03:00:23 | More by beerman21

froghop

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

pours an opaque with a small brown head, and some lacing.

smell is of cocoa, some coffee, some roasted walnuts, vanilla, and a touch of licorice.

taste is thick and creamy, bakers chocolate, some licorice, a touch of vanilla, and coffee, ends dry and a little bitter.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2009 01:14:26 | More by froghop

biglite351

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A - black to the edge, tall creamy dark tan head.

S - very mild malts and yeast. Something almost like crackers.

T - strong toasted malts. Very hearty.

M - heavy coating but no real tingle, just a touch on right side of tongue.

O - quite drinkable alone or with food.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 21:43:44 | More by biglite351

UCLABrewN84

California

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a thick pitch black with a nice 2 inch beige head that fades to a small cap. Nice foamy lacing all around the glass on the drink down. Smells of roasted malt, coffee beans, cocoa powder, and faint whiffs of alcohol. Tastes of bittersweet chocolate, strong espresso, and an earthy grain taste. There is a strong bitter astringency after each sip. Good carbonation with a medium body. Creamy and smooth in the mouth. Overall, this is a pretty good stout but the bitterness is pronounced and detracts from the beer in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 03:03:40 | More by UCLABrewN84

mactrail

California

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very dark brown, near black. Nice bit of beige foam and lacing in the big Duvel tulip. Medium body and only a little of the watery taste that a lot of stouts have. Seems stronger than the sub-7 ABV claimed, but that's flavor for you.

Seriously roasted barley is the dominant taste. Burnt malt taste, but not at all sour, as some of these charred brews seem to be. Quite dry, but has a hint of malty sweetness left. Just a touch of something like dried figs, and mostly just a very clean, long, black flavor. Some hops make their appearance mostly as a strong bitter aftertaste. A total taste bud takeover. Very drinkable, but it's a sip at a time for me.

From the 22 oz bottle. Label on this version says 6.6% and 65 IBU.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 05:55:00 | More by mactrail

RedDiamond

Oregon

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

In olden times most people, including brewery workers, were illiterate. To distinguish one beer style from another, brewers marked the kegs with X's. One X represented one style of beer, two Xs another and so on. That's how they told one beer from another.

And you thought all those Xs had something to do with Seattle's other First Avenue landmarks.

Pike's XXX Stout quickly launches into a rich tapestry of roasted aromas converging on cacao, coffee, and barley grain. It imparts a sweet malty flavor with ample roasted grain on a coal black body. This is a worthy stout of pronounced roastiness though I can't help but wonder if a nitro pour might deliver the final touch of grace in smoothing out the body.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2009 06:11:59 | More by RedDiamond