Bar Fly - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

billshmeinke

California

2.78/5  rDev -37.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Review from notes.

Bar Fly
Pitch black with a finger of beige head. Decent lacing. 4.5
The nose is honey and charcoal. Booze and dark fruits. Licorice. Too smokey. 2.5
Taste is honey, chocolate, a bit boozy. Licorice. Not enough barrel. Yucky dark fruit. 3
Mouthfeel could be heavier. Low carbonation which is good, but on the whole shitty. 2
Lame. 2.5

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 22:25:04 | More by billshmeinke

DarthKostrizer

California

3.25/5  rDev -27%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by a generous soul at Woodshop

Look: Black as hell with a small maybe 1/8 inch tan head (small pour) with ok retention and some spotty lacing left on the glass

Smell: The nose was rather faint. The label says smoked imperial stout so I was expecting quite a bit of smoke and it is there but very faint. Following the smoke is some chocolate and oak

Taste: Again damn it where is the smoke??? Very faint smoke and just quite malty. There is a some roasted malt mid palate and has a fair amount of oak on the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to thick body with medium to low carbonation.

Overall: This is one of those beers that I am glad I did not trade for as I am quite let down. Based on the other reviews it almost seems like I had a totally different beer from everyone else or this beer was improperly stored and time has been harsh to it. Either way the beer was very lack luster at best and most definitely not worth the headache. I would love to try it again in the future to see if maybe I just had a bad bottle

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 00:09:39 | More by DarthKostrizer

tarheels86

California

3.63/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

651mL thanks to CaptainCougar. Pours an ink color- used motoroil. Opaque with a large, dense, deep brown head. Yessss. Nose...apples and similar to CCB Hunahpu nose. Cocoa, dark chocolate, red apple. Taste is rich, mild smokiness and bacon, big sweetness, small lemon, big strawberry and brown sugar. Sort of a disappointment with not much smoked character. 7/5/7/4/14=3.7

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 16:18:59 | More by tarheels86

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle pour at Woodshop 7 held at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, and some slight soy sauce aromas. Taste is much the same with a mild roasty bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with some solid aromas and flavors that make it pretty easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 02:06:51 | More by UCLABrewN84

mikey711

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep black with a thin mocha colored head. some lacing, but it was minimal.

S: lots of smokiness as well as molasses. At times it even reminded me a little bit of fresh beef jerky. A bit more vanilla character would have been nice, but the smokiness was quite enjoyable

T: Much of the same as the nose, heavy smoke and molasses, but alos a nice level of chewy chocolate as well. some hints of leather as well as darnk fruit.

M: The alcohol was extremely well hidden and this was pretty easy to drink

D: Overall, while I am extremely pleased to have tried this beer, and would like to try it again, it wasnt life changing or awe inspiring. I greatly enjoyed the smokiness, but felt like something was missing in the end

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 19:12:26 | More by mikey711

doopiedoopiedoo

Netherlands

4.08/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Jeffo brought this one to my house. Nice!

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a snifter.

What do I see? A motor oil thick fluid. No head at all. It looks like something that would be very bad to your health. Awesome.

A nose that presents oak, vanilla and malt sweetness and some booze. I expected smoke but can't detect that.

Flavors of dark chocolate on a bed of oak is probably what a French waiter would say. I'd say this stuff tastes great.

A medium to full body. Nice carbonation flavors linger with a touch of booze.

Great beer. It's worth the hype. Make sure you keep this fom the hazardous materials in your garage because it looks like some automotive waste product...

Great call on this one Jeff!

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 12:38:21 | More by doopiedoopiedoo

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep black body. Medium brown head forms and slowly receded. Just a few traces of lacing.

S: Strong notes of milk chocolate and smokey malts. Hints of red wine, port, dark fruits and oak.

T: Similar to the nose but a bit more muddled and muted. A bit of chocolate, the smoke moves a bit toward the background, and the port/red wine like notes mellow out.

M: Medium bodied. Smooth texture on the tongue and a pleasant, but soft fading finish.

O: While pleasant and enjoyable, I was underwhelmed as I found the flavor profile a bit sloppy and unfinished. Perhaps too much was going on here to get an integrated presentation.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 23:59:25 | More by callmemickey

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had: ? somewhere in Portland, OR

I have this beer in my notes, but damn if I can remember where exactly I had it. It's on the same page as my Apex notes, but I'm sure I didn't have it there. I'm going to assume it was part of the bottle share we had at Beermongers with writerLJberg. And if so, thanks to whoever provided the bottle.

Poured a dark black with a moderate tan head. Lots of roast in the nose, cocoa, coffee, dark malts, the usual suspects, with hints of vanilla'd oak and smoke. Complex taste that follows and augments the aroma, dark malts, roastiness, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, molasses, a non-offensive dose of smoky charcoal and grape skins, imparting a slightly bitter and dry quality. Heavy-medium body, smooth and flavorful, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 05:38:02 | More by Rifugium

Urbancaver

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Chris :) tried this twice in the last 2 weeks. Really pleased
Pours a thick dark brown. Nice tan head. Smells bourbony and lightly smokey. A bit sweeter than i would like. Harsh booziness but nice flavour profile. Nice thick mouthfeel. Overall nice and enjoyable :)

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 16:39:31 | More by Urbancaver

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours is a viscous opaque black with a thick dark tan head and solid retention. The nose has light hints of smoke and ash, roasted malts, light chocolate notes with some sweet anise and strong wood behind. The taste is well balanced with roasted malts and a rich chocolate brownie component. Dark fruits and faint smoke notes accompany a woody finish. The feel is full bodied, smooth and creamy, semi dry finish and gentle carbonation. Very complex, very integrated, and very balanced. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 20:35:05 | More by cpetrone84

drabmuh

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a midnight sun glass. Beer is black and dark with a thin tan head of small wispy bubbles. Some lacing. Low carbonation.

Aroma is boozy, sweet, anise, nice. A little boozer than I thought.

Medium to big in body. Fudge, sweet, smoke, licorice, nice. Good finish. Mildly bitter. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 17:54:24 | More by drabmuh

aasher

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This bottle was shared by muskabeatz at Darkness Day, thanks Evan! Reviewed from notes on my phone.

This one poured a very viscous and oily black in color with a nice and thick dark, stained brown head that eventually laced my mini snifter. This one coats your glass. You get a lot of oak, red wine notes, toffee, cherries, plums, and black cherries in the nose. It's pretty complex and still features the traditional roast. The flavors aren't quite as complex. You get a lot of toffee, dark chocolate, and molasses with a light smokiness. It's solid, but it just didn't live up to the nose. It drinks very thick and coats your palate. The aftertaste is pretty nice as well. Overall this is a very solid beer, I'm glad I could try it.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 15:16:32 | More by aasher

Onslow

Texas

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

22oz bottle .. Team Tubes #46 .. Shared at the first get together at Matt's .. I was excited about trying this one!! .. a smoked imperial stout! very intrigued! .. . Pours a deep brown black, medium foam, good lacing of light brown smudges .. . aroma of roast, light bbq pit, and burnt wood- quite balanced .. . similar tastes, just less smoke and more tar .. . wow, i really enjoyed this, a well made brew, but next time guys, add more smoke .. . Oh, so they have Internet on computers now!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 19:19:52 | More by Onslow

tewaris

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Insanely dark, among the darkest beers I have had and equally thick --- thick enough to stain the glass at the sides. Vanilla, sweet booze and spice, subtle smoke, dark fruit in volumes, roast at the end. Pretty darn good. Silky feel and medium carbonation.

Thanks Dan.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 10:39:49 | More by tewaris

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle. Pours a thick black with a small mocha head. Nose is rich, earthy malt, lightly ashy, with some smoke and wood. Very thick and rich in the mouth, fairly sharp carbonation. Fairly sweet flavor with fudge brownie, light wood, and a long roasted, smoky finish. Very nice, I enjoy the smoke and wood elements of this a lot. A lot of residual sugars...a bit more attenuation would have made this just killer.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 00:39:11 | More by JAXSON

womencantsail

California

4.28/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks for sharing this one, Shane!

A: The beer pours a nearly impenetrable black color with a finger of tan head.

S: There definitely is some smoke to the nose, but it's not overpowering. Lots of dark chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee as you would expect. The lightest hints of oak in the background and vanilla and molasses give a touch more sweetness.

T: I liked the nose, but the flavor is simply better. Sweeter than anticipated with vanilla, chocolate, burnt sugar, caramel, and molasses all playing a role. The roast qualities are there and there's a bit of coffee with just a hint of smoke.

M: Medium to full in body with a smooth, medium carbonation.

O: After a lot of let downs from Midnight Sun, it was nice to have a really solid beer from them.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 14:26:29 | More by womencantsail

mdfb79

New York

4.3/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

From 04/14/12 notes. Poured into my Cigar City snifter.

a - Pours a very dark brown, almost black color, with one inch of tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks pretty good.

s - Smells of roasted malts, dark fruits, dark chocolate, smokey malts, lightly toasted and burnt malts, some wine, oak, and sweet fruit. Very nice nose; very roasty and chocolatey, and the smoke is light and nice.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, sweet dark fruits, oak, sweet chocolate, alcohol, smokey malts, molasses, burnt malts, and toasted malts. Still quite nice but the alcohol comes out in the taste.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Super smooth and creamy body. Perfect mouthfeel for a stout for me.

o - Overall I thought this was a very good stout. The nose was great and the mouthfeel was perfect. A little more alcohol then I would like in the taste but world class and would love to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 17:50:58 | More by mdfb79

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Alex for opening this bottle at DLD 2011. Served in a snifter.

Pour yields a near-black brew with a good mocha-ish-colored head and a nice cap as it falls down. The nose is really quite nice with an underlying smokey character throughout. On top of that comes some light chocolate as well as a dusting of coffee and some roasted malt. Everything is layered with the smoke quite well. Very nice touch. The flavor is really nice, hiding the alcohol quite well. Impressively well, in fact. Smoke mingles with chocolate, roast, and espresso. What's not to love? Good full body and appropriate carbonation. Very nice. Thanks again, Alex.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 10:42:48 | More by Thorpe429

craytonic

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Was happy to open and try this one!

Appearance: Near jet-black pour

Smell: Dark chocolate, light roasted malt, coffee, toffee, blackstrap molasses and a faint smokiness (in just the right amount)

Taste: Very nice, dark chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, and molasses with a hint of smoke. Well done

Mouthfeel: medium/full body, medium/light carbonation.

Overall: Very solid beer, I hope they make this one again. Not my favorite for the style, but it isn't a style I like and it is rare that I find one I enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 03:00:27 | More by craytonic

oline73

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into my Hunahpu's snifter.

Appearance: The beer pours black with a layer of tan head that fades to a ring around the pour.

Smell: Sweet and quite smokey. Lots of dark fruit, I am picking up some wine like qualities. I'm also getting some alcohol heat.

Taste: This is a very smokey beer, especially right off the bat. The first sip reminded me of barbecue sauce. I'm pretty sure it's the combination of the smoked malt and the wine. Things blend together and mellow after a few sips. The finish is a tad bitter with a nice smoke level. There was also a hint of dark chocolate from the malt.

Mouthfeel: The body is just on the thick side of medium with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This was a very good and extremely interesting beer. The wine barrels and smoke worked well together. I wouldn't want all of my stouts to taste like this, but I'm glad this one did.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 03:06:59 | More by oline73

Sean9689

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

MI Mega Tasting III. 22oz bomber, poured into RBSG 2010 snifter.

A - Pours black as night with nothing else much going on. Just black stout in my glass and that's about it. There's a yellow hue left after swirling the glass around a bit...motor oil-esk.

S - Bitter dark chocolate, slight smoke, roast, nice oak character. A little bit of this and that, blended together, equals awesomeness.

T - Not quite as much dark chocolate on the palate as the nose, but it's still there. The slight sweetness comes out from the cabernet barrel. Smooth booze, slight roast, very complex. 12.6% alcohol, you say? No way...barley noticeable/very impressive.

M - Full body, smooth, rich, with light carbonation.

O - Hard to find any flaws at all with this one. The alcohol is seriously well-hidden, which impresses me most of all. The chocolate and oak are not overdone and contribute instead of mask mistakes, which I find with other stouts. Another excellent brew from MS...recommend!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 18:09:30 | More by Sean9689

largadeer

Kentucky

4.38/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber shared by westcoastbeerlvr. Thanks, Craig.

Viscous opaque black. The beige head quickly recedes to a thin but lasting film.

Oak, smoke and bittersweet chocolate are heavy on the nose. The smoked malt is very well integrated. There's a good bit of vanilla from the barrel, and a slight vinous fruitiness. I have no idea what kind of barrel was used for this, but I'm guessing primarily whiskey or possibly a blend of whiskey and wine.

There's more whiskey flavor than the nose implies, caramel and vanilla forward with a nice woody smoke flavor that avoids coming off as meaty. Apparently no bourbon -bals were used with this beer, but I'll be damned if it doesn't have a whiskey-like sweetness to it. Roasted malt appears mid-palate. Alcohol is noticeable, but not 12.6% ABV noticeable. Tannic, smoky, woody finish. Pretty awesome beer, another winner from Midnight Sun.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 04:31:37 | More by largadeer

Arbitrator

California

4.38/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Updated 09/23/11: Either there's some bottle variation, or it's starting to oxidize and increase the perceived sweetness. Scores lowered a bit. Still a great beer.

Chilled bottle into a glass, courtesy of the late, great chswimmer (RIP). Thanks. From notes.

A: Pours a slick, pitch black body with minor legs upon swirling. It generates a very light head with agitation, but nothing that retains.

S: As soon as I sniffed this, I fell in love. It boasts aromas of wine, oak, vanilla, smoke, coconut, chocolate, roasted grain, figs. It's so well-integrated that it takes several minutes to pick out everything and write it down, and I'm convinced I missed some of it. Nothing is dominant; it's all in balance.

T: It begins with roasted grain, lending a mild bitterness that segues into chocolate, molasses, toffee, licorice, and figs. A touch of smoke is noted, then it finishes with clean barrel character: a blend of wine, whiskey (not bourbon -- I'd actually guess rye whiskey), oak, and vanilla. Again, nothing is dominant. All the elements are in balance and each one is well represented. The finish brings out a touch of smoke, spice, and chocolate once more.

M: A velvety, full body that leaves nothing to be desired. The flavor lingers without being unpleasant. Great, long-lasting finish that makes each sip an experience.

O: This beer is underrated. And that's coming from a guy who almost always says the opposite.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 05:32:40 | More by Arbitrator

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.4/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Alan at TJs during the latest Philly BA intervention.

Pour yields a near-black brew with a good mocha-ish-colored head and a nice cap as it falls down. Aroma is rich and sweet blend of fruit/port with strong roast malt and milk chocolate. Flavor is more of the same, extremely balanced yet a little sweeter than your typical stout from the barrels used I assume. Not as much coffee presence as other reviews have mentioned; seems like the barrel is becoming more prominent. Still a strong roast malt and chocolate presence however. Medium thick body with moderate carbonation and a silky presence on the palate. Trying this side by side with Czar Jack it's hard to nitpick either and pick a favorite. However this one made me slow down a little more, where Czar Jack seemed like the perfect example of the style, this was a pleasant, subtle tweak on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 19:06:20 | More by yourefragile

scottfrie

California

4.4/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle generously shared by ipa247. Poured into Jackie O’s snifter.

A: Pours black with a good long lasting collar.
S: Very roasted and sweet notes with a bit of smoke as an afterthought, similar to barbque. I get some raisins as well.
T: Big notes of raisins and other dark fruits including plums and prunes, with a great dose of well-integrated smoke in the aftertaste. Caramel is low.
M: Super smooth, bubbly carbonation, and a soft mouthfeel. This beer is thick, but not crazy. Alcohol is just noticeable in the finish, but for almost 13% ABV, it’s hidden very well.
O: Overall a great balance between the sweet and roasted/smoky flavors. Alcohol is well done, and the smoke is not overpowering or off-putting in flavor. Thanks again for sharing, Jeff, I enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 23:28:33 | More by scottfrie