Mokah - Southern Tier Brewing Company

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

650ml bomber poured into tulip 8/6/13, cheers liamt07 for the bottle

A dark cola with a foam that has about the same retention of cola, perhaps my glass is dirty, no lace

S coffee fudge and chocolate syrup come out strong followed by some Kahlua and chocolate milk, just a hint of booze, so simple but so good

T burnt brown sugar and the roast is slightly darker then the nose, still lots of chocolate syrup but with some raisins, less booze then the nose but still noticeable

M not quite the body I was expecting from the color but far from thin, bubbles fluff up and flatten out quickly, syrupy but only a little sticky with some booze heat going down and a lingering burnt coffee finish

O smells and tastes great, simple but I love it, a little hot and not as thick as I was hoping for but something I'd keep an eye out for and maybe hide under the stairs

perhaps not the best night cap, now I have one eye wide open from the coffee and the others shut due to booze, I suppose there's worse things in life

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 02:16:46 | More by wordemupg

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: black and accented with dark cherry; cappuccino head never adds up to much and vanishes quickly

Aroma: chocolate at first, then some dark roast coffee, but the chocolate returns to dominate with a bit of black licorice; rich and only lightly acidic, bitter

Taste & Mouthfeel: dark chocolate with an espresso bitterness in the finish; silky, oily texture and some powdered cocoa; luxurious flavours linger for ages; medium body and just right carbonation; hint of orange peel, cinnamon

Overall: at the end of the day it's real chocolate flavour, not overwhelming, too rich, or sweet; would like more coffee influence to really get that feeling of a mocha, it's too subtle

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 23:59:57 | More by BGDrock

MacQ32

South Carolina

4.04/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

A - pours slightly lighter but still damn near black, head is shy of a finger, lacing and retention virtually non existent. The Oat consumed immediately prior to this is much stronger in all attributes.

S - tons of bitter sweet chocolate and roasty bitter coffee malts. Super sweet and syrupy.

T - lots of syrupy bitter chocolate and roasted coffee, decent alcohol burn, sweet vanilla. Super delicious

M - thick as hell. Drinks incredibly smoothly, hardly any carbonation. Sip worthy

O - delicious taste and an incredibly smooth drinker.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 03:46:21 | More by MacQ32

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A-dark brown to black color with a smallish tan head and some lacing

S-coffee, dark roasted malt, caramel, chocolate

T-dark malts with some char, coffee, chocolate, hints of brown sugar and earthiness, touch of vanilla

F-medium to full body with light carbonation, smooth and creamy, palate coating

O-a nice sipping beer with a good blend of both chocolate and coffee flavors

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 01:43:51 | More by MDDMD

TerryW

Ontario (Canada)

3.34/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Dark walnut coloured beer under a moderate head that leaves a lot of fine spidery lace. Head settles to a heavy film.

Big chocolate nose, very sweet bordering on syrupy. Malt in the background. Very soft on the palate to drink, but also heavy sweet. Too much syrup happening. Past the sweetness is some charcoal and a hint of bitterness. Lots of chocolate and coffee. However, overall just too sweet and syrupy to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 22:10:30 | More by TerryW

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.49/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured out of a bottle picked up long ago in Olympia, WA.

Black and mostly dark brown color comes out, plenty of viscosity to this bad boy. Small lighter brown head on it, really tiny bubbles, inconsistent lace patchwork on the side of the glass. Aroma was a little more burnt malt and not enough coffee/espresso/mochawhatchacallit to cover up the substantial existence of alcohol booziness wafting up from the glass. But its good, but not great.

Taste, still plenty of heat. Cover up the heat, way too much acrid bitterness on this one. Mokah makes me think brown + cream, not burning acidity and bitterness. Smoov it out yo! The mocha notes are just not there. People should blend this with creme brulee if they don't like brulee's sweetness, because this one has none, and would benefit from more chocolate and sweetness. More coffee and lactose please.

I dunno about my score here. I was ultimately disappointed by a good beer. I think that stems from a few things:

1. The price. $10+ a bomber means you better be bad ass.
2. I know ST can and does make better stouts: See choklat/creme brulee. I dunno, maybe they thought those stouts big complaint was for being too sweet, so they decided to make this big and burly without the soft touches.
3. The coffee flavor was average at best.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 17:47:20 | More by Beerandraiderfan

brureview

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The beer poured a dark chocolate color with almost no head.

Immediate chocolate aroma. Quite nice, but it dissipated with warming.

The mouth feel is very smooth. Lightly carbonation.

The taste is deep chocolate with very pronounced strong coffee.
The beer is better served at the suggested temp on the bottle: 48F ( 8.8C)

Overall, an excellent beer. In the American Double style, the taste profile is very accentuated- the Mokah exemplified this with deep coffee-chocolate taste, and a relatively smooth lightly carbonated finish. The aroma was good, but it didn't last long for the duration of the warming.

No bottle date. perhaps it wore off the bottle, so I am thinking the bottle could be from last year.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 13:11:30 | More by brureview

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.46/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

For my 900th review I'll thank andrenaline for including this beauty in our latest trade
A - cold black with a little light getting through at the bottom of the glass, short tan head dissipated to some random islands
S - big shot of sweet milky chocolate, mild roasty and coffee notes, all rich and decadent aromas
T - mix of milk and dark chocolate goodness, espresso compliments and lingers, roasty background, alcohol is there but more sweet than heat making this extra dangerous
M - silky creamy smooth from start to finish, would have guessed half the ABV, dangerous...
O - what a ridiculous beer in the best kind of way, like a rich mocha with a melted chocolate bar stirred in, definitely left wanting more

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 02:11:28 | More by joemcgrath27

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- the stream of liquid from the bottle looks a tawny brown but in the snifter it is pitch black and ominous, the thin cappuccino head settling to a soapy ring within seconds. The elephant shaped etching in my DT snifter does keep a nice clump in the middle of the surface for the remainder of the glass however.

S- enormous dark chocolate aroma with background notes of mild coffee and floral citrus hops. The hops blend into the sweetness and don't at all smell 'bitter'. I imagine a cup of blue mountain coffee ($40/lb. wtf) with like a whole fancy chocolate bar melted into it. Deeply roasted coffee bitterness fumes out over the chocolate so I guess these beans aren't from the magic mountain after all. Burnt wood, tobacco, leather, soil, composted coffee grounds.

T- intense bittersweet flavor annihilation. The chocolate flavor is alarmingly strong, and the sweetness is cut hard by black roasted coffee bitterness. The interplay between sweet and bitter is almost overwhelming, with a somewhat balancing acidity and earthy hop presence. Malts are grainy and treacle, with caramel, cocoa, and lots of residual sugars. Finishes sweet and roasted with persistant dark chocolate flavor.

MF- big bodied but not exactly thick or chewy. Carbonation is very soft and tickling giving the beer a light syrup like character- very coating and sticky, an intimidating texture for te uninitiated. Something between alcoholic hot fudge and iced espresso, the feeling of strong coffee on the cheeks is undeniable.

D- this is an example of the whole not being equal to the sum of its parts.. The outstanding, nearly perfect Choklat just doesn't play well with the awesome kick ass existential entity that is Jah-va. (Get it.. Jah. Idk it's irie. Alcohol isn't Ital anyway). This is a great beer, but leaves something to be desired- specifically and glass of Choklat followed by a glass of Jahva. Not the two combined. Still, it puts on that bilateral buzz, coffee and booze, and I bet it would kill something like a blue Stilton.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 03:45:52 | More by hustlesworth

jvillefan

California

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: A dark black body with a light brown head.

S: Intense chocolate aroma in the front. There is some roast and coffee in the background of the aroma.

T: Chocolate and coffee. That sums it up nicely. Very rich dark chocolate and very bold coffee.

M: Thick heavy body with a decent carbonation.

O: Unique and amazing beer. If you can get this beer thrown in as an extra if you trade or just buy it if you can.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 03:00:46 | More by jvillefan

brewdude1982

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

This was a 22 oz bottle poured into a tulip.

This beer pours dark and has a small head with low retention. It smells sweet and chocolately with a tad of booze. It tastes like roasted malts and then sweet and chocolate followed by the coffee and then lastly a bite of the booze. It has a big body and low carbonation. Great dessert beer. I love this and highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 22:13:23 | More by brewdude1982

Beerquester

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I guess I'm biased but this is still one of my favorite beers. I bought a bottle at Wegman's (local grocery store). It cost only $7.99 for the bomber bottle which i thought was reasonable for an imperial beer that does a fine job of combining chocolate and coffee flavors. I haven't had one for a few years so I thought I'd try it though I wondered would it be as good. I was not disappointed, however.

Out of the bottle i had a knock your socks off aroma of chocolate. The coffee aroma was there though not as strong as the chocolate. It poured up a nice thick tan head with retention average. The wonderful aroma just won't die and keeps coming out of the glass. I wish they sold this flavor in air fresheners!

Carbonation spot on for this beer. Full body, slightly "chewy", ending with an warm alcohol sensation, not surprising for an 11.2% beer. Flavor profile includes the chocolate and coffee flavors, and some caramel.

I have had both the Jahva and Choklat separately and feel I prefer the mix to either. Profile starts out really smooth then the alcohol hits, then a slight "roastiness", a fairly clean finish. Definitely on the "sweet side", not hoppy, to be enjoyed as a "dessert beer". But not too sweet I hasten to mention. I would consider purchasing a case of this beer.

p.s. I detected a flavor close to vanilla. I didn't want to mention it at first since it wasn't listed in the ingredients but i thought it was there and I see now some other people picked the flavor out as well so there you have it. A secret ingredient? A known mellowing/smoothing agent? Could be. Stranger things have happened in the beer world!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 00:30:47 | More by Beerquester

Long813

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a black body with no light shinning through. One finger of mocha head with some retention. Typical look for a heavy stout aged a bit.

S: Amazing aroma of sweet chocolate and roasted malts. It smells like I'll be drinking melted chocolate. Very pleasing.

T: Big mix of chocolate, coffee, roasted malts. The alcohol is still quite strong, coming through in the taste.

M: Thick bodied with low carbonation. Texture is oily and thick, what I would expect from a strong stout. After taste is of chocolate and coffee with a strong lingering alcohol finish.

O: Great chocolate beer. I've usually been impressed with ST beers and this is no different. Well made, but still a little to hot.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 02:07:25 | More by Long813

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber picked up at the LCBO; bottled June 29 2012. I've seen most of the brews in this Blackwater Series for sale in Ontario over the last year or so, but until now I'd never actually bothered to pick one of them up. Not that they didn't look enticing, but various factors - high prices, conflicting reviews and the fact that I am typically not all that enthusiastic about high ABV brews in general - combined to cause me to avoid this series on principle. Still, I love me some coffee, and this one's label description managed to intrigue me into a purchase. Poured into a tulip wine glass, and served only slightly chilled.

Pours a deep brownish-black colour, reminiscent of cola, topped with a half-finger of dense, beige-coloured head that wilts away relatively quickly. Its only remnants are a narrow, foamy collar around the edge of the glass and a modest spattering of lacing. Not the most impressive thing to look at, but oh man does this stuff have a lovely aroma - lots of roasted malts, chocolate (more milk than dark but both are present), espresso and molasses, with hints of vanilla, raisins and fruit cake. Honestly, this is one of the best-smelling beers I've had in recent memory; everything about it is robust, complex and intense.

In fact, 'robust' and 'intense' just might be the words of the day, because the flavours are every bit as bold and interesting as the aroma. The sip starts off sweet, with a solid dose of milk chocolate, molasses and hints of dark fruit, followed by some pleasant espresso notes. This immediately leads into a huge blast of roasted malts, dark-roasted coffee and baker's chocolate, finishing with a combination of earthiness, roastiness and booziness. Milk chocolate, coffee grinds and some ethanol heat linger into the aftertaste. On the lighter side of full-bodied, with a relatively silky consistency and moderate carbonation that could probably stand to be toned down a notch. This becomes less of an issue as it warms and breathes.

Maybe I should rethink that whole "high abv beers aren't my thing" thing, because this is an absolutely delicious imperial stout that I honestly can't find much to complain about. It's one of the finest dessert beers I have ever had the pleasure of trying, and would eagerly recommend it to any fan of chocolate beers, coffee beers, or imperial stouts in general.

Final Grade: 4.53, a very high A grade. At 11.2%, Southern Tier's Mokah is actually the heftiest beer I've ever bothered reviewing. Make no mistake - the taste is just as big and impressive as the abv suggests, but the supremely well-balanced flavours prevent it from becoming a sticky-sweet boozy mess (which is usually my main concern with these big stouts, and why I am rarely willing to shell out the bucks for them). A sinfully tasty 'extreme' beer that is well worth a try, and an ideal tipple for Christmas evening. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 03:47:21 | More by thehyperduck

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a dark brown color with not much of a head and some lacing.

S: Dark chocolate and coffee. A little bit of roasted malts.

T: Lots of chocolate and a little bit of roasted malts. Mostly chocolate,

M: Medium to heavy bodied with light carbonation.

O: It's almost like I'm drinking chocolate milk with a ton of alcohol in it, Fucking lovely!!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 03:55:51 | More by nUgZ

SanFranJake

California

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber poured into a snifter, as directed. Thanks nUgZ for this hook up!
Poured a deep dark brown/black with little or no head.
A deep coffee and cocoa aroma as you take it in.
First sip was amazing! It's called Mokah for a reason and it delivers! While not an Abyss or BCBS, I took a sip and was amazed! Soooo warm and delicious!
While it does get tastier as it warms, I was eager for the next, and next, and next sip.
This is am amazing stout that I can't wait to share with others, pending receipt of trades going forward.
nUgZ, I owe you mang!

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 03:53:43 | More by SanFranJake

CommanderOfAwesome

California

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into a snifter.

A: Pours jet black. Very little head. Some alcohol legs. Fairly standard for a high alcohol Imperial Stout.

A: HUGE, HUGE!!! Chocolate smell. This surpasses any chocolate aroma I've had from another beer. Dark and milk chocolate pour through. Not even sure how, but creamy smoothness is conveyed. Some sugary sweetness is present as well. Perhaps a NERD candy smell? Hard to place but you get the picture.

T: BAMMM Chocolate in your FACE! Deep, creamy, smooth chocolatey goodness. Its like what you'd want to happen if you poured nestle into a beer. Some bitterness from the hops shine in as well. Chocolate bomb.

M: Thick, smooth, and some carbonation action on the tongue which I wouldn't have expected. The hops leave a dry finish, with chocolate over tones.

O: Fantastic brew. Can't think of anything that comes close, maybe MAYBE, Green Flash Double Stout is in the same ball park sitting up in the nose bleeds. Definite must try for stout lovers. Love this beer, will drink again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 02:51:18 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

maltyb

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 650 mL bottle into a Leffe chalice, tried to let it warm up a little bit before drinking.

Produced a nice solid brown head that dissipated fairly quickly, leaving lace that lasted for a good while before being left with a ring of foam around the glass.

Color is as close to black as possible, no light gets through this, very dark brown.

Aroma is initially of chocolate, which becomes more pronounced as it warms. At one point the smell is reminiscent of Nesquik powder, and eventually some coffee/espresso aroma comes through.

Taste is definitely chocolate based in the front, malty and sweet. Before this warmed up it was nearly cloying. The espresso really comes through more in the taste than in the smell of this brew, and provides the main bitterness. Some noticeable warmth on the finish, as expected at 11.2%. As the carbonation dissipates and it warms, the flavors blend together more smoothly. I do wish it had a bit more hop contribution to help pull the finish together.

The head is creamy initially before giving way to a thick rich feeling beer.

Overall, definitely an enjoyable beer that should be tried at least once. Chocolate on the forefront and a coffee/espresso finish leave it spot on for what its advertised as.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:15:33 | More by maltyb

etop8222

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great experience for the first time. Like my first girl, something I will remember. When I ordered this, it came to me in a goblet style glass. I could tell before I tasted it that it would be everything I expected. I could smell the rich coffee chocolate aroma.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 02:26:09 | More by etop8222

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

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

Yet another quality beer from Soutern Tier. One of the breweries I always look forward to seeing at the LCBO.
Smell is chocolate and coffee. Smooth and sweet. Taste is light milk chocolate is very sweet and has a slight bitter aftertaste. There is a bit of a kick in the aftertase that could be a little smoother, but i'm not complaining. Mouth is creamy, the carbonation is very mild.
Overall, as i stated above, another quality beer from Southern Tier. I think i need to visit the brewery

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 01:43:14 | More by cfalovo97

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Super, oily, inky pour. Heavy and viscous with a two finger tan head. Lacing is chunky and sticky.

Dark chocolate syrup, dark roasted coffee, vanilla, brown sugar, fresh baked bread. There is a touch of molasses and licorice.

Chocolate syrup, espresso, molasses and vanilla. Super rich, super decadent.

Medium to full body, slightly syrupy, medium carbonation really sticky on the lips.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 21:36:30 | More by korguy123

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours pure black with a smallish espresso colored head. Short head retention, but good amounts of lace on the glass. The aroma is roasted barley, dark chocolate and brandied plums with some spicy booziness evident. huge chocolate flavors - dark, milk, raw nibs fill the taste. A bit of earthy coffee and some caramel add to the complexity. Pine forest hops lay in the back, providing a good bitterness for balance. The wall of malt and chocolate flavors is kind throughout though. The mouthfeel is thick and viscous with light carbonation. The finish is bitter from the preponderance of black malts more so than the hops, and quite chocolatey. Alcohol is evident throughout - a spicy kick - but never distracting.

This is a nice Imperial Stout. Very full flavored, worth a try. It could have a bit less alcohol presence and a bit more hop and coffee presence.. Then it would be world class!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 05:04:43 | More by CAMRAhardliner

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Pours pitch black, finger of head with some retention and no real lacing.

S - Chocolate explosion, sugary malts, hints of espresso, caramel, vanilla and a touch of burnt toast.

T - The sweetness is present but not overwhelming, literally tastes like chocolate milk with an espresso flavour that lingers on the finish. Solid cocoa profile, hint of ABV sweetness, but for 11.2% the alcohol is dangerously hidden.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and sticky on the finish.

O - Dare I say one of my favourite offerings from Southern Tier. Flavour profile is tasty but not overwhelming. I had no problem taking down this bomber alone. A worthy ale and definitely worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 01:27:15 | More by andrenaline

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is black with a smallish tan head. Fades relatively quickly.

Smell is predictably full of chocolate and coffee, leaning toward the former. It is a milk chocolate scent rather than dark chocolate, a significant creamy component. Smells like dessert, there is no doubt about that.

Taste is the same. Lots of milk chocolate, some coffee, some caramel. Vanilla. Very sweet. Doesn't have any roast malt or hoppy element to it. Quite nice but you can only drink so much.

Full bodied, moderate carbonation. SIlky smooth.

Overall, pretty much what you would expect. Dessert in a bottle. Some is very nice but not a beer you can go through a lot of.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 19:32:42 | More by jrenihan

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Black liquid with slight tan head.

S: Smells primarily of fudgesicle ice cream bars.

T: Grass and chocolate fudge up front, caramel in the middle, and some coffee with roasted barley malt on the back end along.

M: Medium to thick viscosity and a low level of carbonation.

O: A sweet and fantastic tasting imperial stout with chocolate, caramel and coffee flavours. My only complaints are that this beer could have better head retention and more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 03:08:24 | More by DaftCaskBC