Collaboration No. 3 - Stingo - Boulevard Brewing Co.

DovaliHops

California

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a brownish-red color, with a darker, off-white color. Head goes down slowly. Scent is surprisingly funky...funky tangy yeast aromas with some dark fruits and cherries. Dark malt with chocolate and English malt. Nutty as well. Taste is tangy at first...almost slightly tart, but not really. Kinda strange. Chocolatey, nutty, sweet, malty flavors with a bit of hop bitterness. Very complex brew we have on our hands here. The tartness goes well with the rich maltiness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and creamy. Drinkability is high. Overall, this is a very tasty and complex brew. Really enjoy this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 08:41:35 | More by DovaliHops

rlee1390

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Deep brown, two finger fluffy white head

S-Lots of malt, caramel, roasted, dark fruits, yeast as well.

T-An odd unbalanced mix of funky yeast with dark fruits and caramel. Not bitterness.

M-Light to medium bodied, little to no carbonation, tad watery.

O-The balance was off, the funk didn't work with the malt. I see what they were trying for but it didn't come together well enough.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 20:16:58 | More by rlee1390

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml caged and corked bottle, Batch 2012-2, best by 03-2013. Served in a DFH Signature glass, the beer pours a dark brown color with some reddish tints. There's about an inch tan head that stays around for a while, and also a good amount of lacing. The aroma is sweet and fruity, it smells like dark fruit (raisins, plums, cherries), nuts, caramel, coffee, and some brown sugar. The brew tastes like sweet and tart dark fruit (cherries, raisins, plums, red grapes), caramel, brown sugar, molasses, nuts, oak, and some chocolate. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy and has a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this beer, and I'm glad I got to try it. Definitely worth a try if you come across it.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 22:38:23 | More by bluejacket74

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a snifter)
best by 3/13 on the bottle
A- This beer is a dense glowing body with a thick lumpy sticky light tan head that last a good bit.

S- The woody malt aroma has an interesting green wood quality to it.

T- The green woody bitterness has hints of aged spice and some nougat flavors that finish with a tart hint of hops. The finish is just a bit dry.

M- this beer has a medium mouthfeel with no real alcohol heat noticed and no astringency

O- This is a nice simple beer that, although not really complex, it is very unique. It is woody but not from a barrel or from toasted wood. It is it's own flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 19:51:17 | More by rhoadsrage

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As the strong taste of this British regions ales resonate with cooler weather, the built in complexities and full flavors soothe the palate and satisfy the palate. This is a taste that the masterful brewers at both Boulevard and Pretty Things capture that sure to be the delight of the most staunch British ale connoisseur.

Tawny brown and with slightly more visual viscocity that the average brandy, the beers mohogany hue slowly releases its deeply embedded carbonation and crowns the beer with a dense blanket of tannish foam. Strong retention and lacy rings form as the beer fades, sip after wonderful sip.

Masculine aromas of molasses, brown sugar, and a toasty note that almost introduces coffee create the armatures for the rest of the characterful beer to mount. As the beer opens up, additional scents of dried fruit, wine, and spice emerge.

Mouth coating flavors of rich malt take the shape of toffee, molasses, peanut brittle and brown sugar in the most succulent of way. The delicious and hearty sweetness is jointed by the estery and alcohol flavors of tart cherries, dried apples, apricots, dates, raisins, figs, currants, plumbs, and grapes. The culmination of flavors hark to what's best about holiday fruitcake, except that the spices of the desert are replaced here by the vinous tartness that's normally reserved for oak aged red wines. Don't be surprised to pull additional flavors of chocolate, balsamic, and cider if your taste buds search hard enough.

Medium to full, the beer's creamy bubbles and rich malts create a fuller effect while the tartness and tannin have a thinning effect at the same time. This keeps the beer drinkable despite its richness and complexity. The beer slowly morphs into a pleasant acidity and broadly bitter spice from hops the deeper into finish that you go. An extended aftertaste continues to develop wine notes and stale ale notes in the most pleasant of ways.

There's not many beers that display the more regal "aged" character that makes these rustic ales so charming. As was common in mid 18th century pubs, the blend of young and stale ale seems to be reliably captured in this collaborative Stingo.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 17:43:13 | More by BEERchitect

YouSkeete

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown/burgundy, almost black. Frothy and bubbly khaki colored head. Pale malts, roasted nuts, molasses, dried yeast, espresso beans and smoke. First sip is oddly sour with big flavors of charred malt and roasted nuts. Coffee bean bite and a dash of spicy hops with sweeter tones of brown sugar. Smooth, rich body with a solid backbone. Nutty, relatively dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 00:23:01 | More by YouSkeete

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 2012 - 2; Best by 3 2013

Served in a Delirium Tremens shaped-glass.

A: Poured a luscious, brown-maroon color, with a massive mocha head that, like most of Boulevard's brews, stuck around throughout the session.

S: Sort of a caramel-nut duo, much like a Nut Brown. No sign of stray yeast, but I'll keep searching.

T: This ALMOST had a Belgian quality to it, but not quite. It's almost as if someone took a Quad and stripped it on the "funk" part of the Belgian experience, then left it to be. Nutty, caramely, butterscotchy, and with only a sourdough bread bill to provide sweetness. After a few sips, I got more dark fruit.

M: Just enough bitterness to add some much needed complexity. The lacing was ridiculous, and this was INSANELY drinkable... even gulpable.

O: I've never tried a Smokestack Series brew that has sucked. This one continues that trend.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 19:34:47 | More by Chaney

brureview

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a misunderstood and underestimated beer. It's a great beer served at 55 F( 12.8C).

The first time I had this beer was at the Independent in Somerville- way too cold, and the result was a tart, unbalanced beer.

Fast forward 3 or more months. I served it at the correct serving temp in a tulip.

Nice caramel color. 1/2 finger head. Fruit aroma-dates, raisins or pomegrantes?
Mouthfeel very smooth. Noticeably tart on the tongue in the finish.

Taste- fruit- as the beer warms more lemony.

Overall- excellent beer served warm in a tulip.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 02:03:03 | More by brureview

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.43/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml served in a snifter.
Batch 2012-2 Best by 03-2013

A - Pours a very dark and clear garnet with 3 fingers of beige head that creates a solid ceiling of bubbles. Some pretty nice lacing as well.

S - Roasted chocolate malt, espresso beans, raisins, roasted dates, light woodiness

T - Starts of with espresso, cocoa, roasted malts, toasted brown bread, a grape skin tartness clings to the top of the mouth and sides of the tongue. Some muted raisins, charred dates, and unripe cherries, some pine hops create a bitterness toward the dry finish.

M - Medium body, moderate stingy carbonation.

This drinks good but doesn't have the deep layers of malt and that I was hoping for. It does have a stingy effect on the palate from the carbonation and the tartness. I think this needs to sit for a couple of years. I would drink this again but wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 01:55:55 | More by StaveHooks

ICanDrinkBeer

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Dark brown, heavy foam, slight red tint.

Smell - Slightly hoppy, notes of alcohol and fruit.

Taste - Dark fruits, sour notes, cherry and a slight maltiness. Like someone blended a nut brown with a flemish red.

Mouthfeel - Light, pleasant, lightly coats the tongue.

Overall a great beer, one I will actively seek out in the future. Has the flavor and body of a brown ale and the pleasantly tart and complex notes of a flemish red. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 01:04:30 | More by ICanDrinkBeer

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Boulevard glass because I own one and know how to use it. Beer is brown and mildly hazy, tight white / tan head of small bubbles, lots of retention and lacing.

Aroma is nice, mildly hoppy, malty, solid presence.

Beer is medium in body, a little heavy on the palate actually. Sweet, mildly bitter, interesting beer overall. I do enjoy it a lot. I'd probably have it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 19:29:54 | More by drabmuh

stephens101

Oklahoma

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bubbly, dirty white and thick goes the froth on this one. Retention is excellent. Color is dark brown.

Sweet in aroma with an almond nuttiness, vinegar and a wisp of smoke floating through.

Flavor involves a distinct and eclectic mix of grain and nuts, dark fruits, some tanginess, and a burnt woodiness followed by an afterthought of hops.

Dry for the most part with alcohol noticeable only in the aftertaste. Mouth-feel is light to medium.

Imaginative brew that leads to another big win for Boulevard.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 23:44:15 | More by stephens101

chanokokoro

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Corked and caged 750 ml bottle poured into a Boulevard Smokestack series tulip glass

Pours a very dark brown capped with a two finger foamy cream colored head. Significant splotchy lacing present. The aroma of nutty toffee, hints of caramel some phenol alcohol and a touch of cocoa greets the nose. Opens with a hint of dark chocolate joined by almond, caramel, and finishes smooth with mild alcohol warmth cloaked in slightly dry and sweet caramel. A medium level of carbonation and medium smooth body. A solid brew and very enjoyable. One of the better collaborations I've enjoyed recently.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 03:37:46 | More by chanokokoro

draheim

Washington

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL into an imperial pint glass. Pours a nice clear amber w/ lively carbonation. A big fluffy khaki head slowly settles to a dense pillow of foam.

Aroma is malty, minerally, with a vaguely vegetal quality. Chocolate, molasses, brown sugar, caramel.

Taste is malty, caramelly, sweet and sugary with a distinctly bitter counterpoint. That same vaguely minerally taste, like baking soda in water.

Mouthfeel is clean and refreshing. Carbonation keeps it light on the tongue. Bitter aftertaste.

Overall a nice, drinkable, malty English ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 04:56:22 | More by draheim

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this one up in the last week... Can't remember where... Probably the COOP. Poured into my slim tulip... khaki head... short retention but still nice lacing... the brew is fairly clear deeep amber...

Figgy.. caramel notes.. and some hefty fruity esters make me think of sweet cherries and underripe black plums.

Flavor mirrors the nose with some dark malty astringency that plays interestingly with the underripe fruitiness.. a slightly tart undertone... fun...

Body is a solid medium... carbonation is a bit light... nicely done... Not sure if I like this much as the "other" Stingo, but I would buy this again and maybe even put a couple in the cellar to check things out in a year or so.

4/3.5/3.5/3.5/3.5

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 05:28:02 | More by JohnGalt1

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a caged and corked 750ml bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a fairly dark mahogany color with a nice red tint when held up to the light. There is a huge, foamy tan head with long retention. Heavy curtains of lace.

S: A deeply malty smell. A good combination of bread, sweet molasses and toffee, some light toasted/roasted notes and a bit of medium fruit: cherries and raisins. Also a decent earthy quality.

T: A similar but expanded malt profile compared to the aroma. Some darker chocolate and maybe even a hint of chocolate. Light vinous character as I savor. Some brighter fruit flavor, notably cherry. The finish is fruity with a little bit of earthy pine.

M: Medium bodied with low, foamy carbonation. Slightly sticky with well-hidden alcohol.

O: Very solid. Some unique earthy malt flavors, sweeter malt, bright fruit and vinous character make this easy drinking beer fun to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 20:40:27 | More by WankelEngine

vandemonian

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Boulevard Stingo is an English strong ale that is a bit overcooked. Too much autolosis for my palate.

A: Dark red-brown colour and a good 5 mm head that lasts very well. 4.5

S: Malty with the dark aroma of pumpernickel (i.e. dark fruits and some autolysed yeast). 4

T: Malty with a dry, dark fruit flavour. Strong autolysed yeast flavour (i.e. vegemite). The finish is a little smoky. 3.5

M: Foamy. 4.

O: 3.5

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 04:03:10 | More by vandemonian

UCLABrewN84

California

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to jmgrub for sharing this one at his tasting.

Pours a clear copper with a foamy khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, toffee, and some fruity aromas. Taste is much the same with a slight tartness and a mild roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is drinkable but nothing all that special.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 03:57:49 | More by UCLABrewN84

RickS95

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rich, dark brown. Almost thick looking. There's some lighter red notes to keep it from getting too dark, but no light is making its way through. The head is relatively thin and lacks much retention.

The bottle talks about complexity and it starts with the smell. It's got the malty backbone that allows brewers to do a lot with it, and they've done plenty with this. In addition to some darker, malty scents, there's the fruity esters of dark, ripe fruits. From time to time, it seemed I could pick up a faint smokiness. On top of all that, there's the alcohol. It's not overpowering, just enough to let you know it's there.

While there was little in the way of a head, there's plenty of carbonation, so much so that it masks some of the flavors. The alcohol is a bit stronger than the smell. The fruitiness is present. Pretty malty with a cola-like caramel taste.

Like I said earlier, there is an abundance of carbonation. Combined with alcohol and some acid and it really keeps your tongue guessing. Slight tartness. Initially a heavy feel, but the carbonation balances it well. Dry finish.

It's a good beer and a collaboration that neither side should be ashamed of. That said, it's not world class. Maybe a little more aging would give all facets of the beer additional time to meld, but right now, there's a sharpness to it. If the edges could be dulled a bit, it would be even better.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 03:30:18 | More by RickS95

oline73

Maryland

3.15/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at Devil's Advocate in Minneapolis. Served in a tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a dark mahogany color with a layer of off white head that fades to a ring around the pour.

Smell: Lots of caramel malt with a slight red berry like tartness. There is a ton of dark fruit going on along with the malt.

Taste: More tartness here than there was in the smell. Brown sugar and dark fruit with a slight red berry tartness. Fairly similar to the smell. The finish is rather bitter, along with the sweetness from the malt.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with foamy carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I thought the tartness in this one was a bit weird. The sweet and tart didn't really get along in my opinion. I don't need any more.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 21:05:49 | More by oline73

tigerbeer90

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought this at the release party at pretty things beer and ale project july/august. 750 ml bottle poured into a glass. I would like to go on record in saying I have never had a stingo before. I kept this bottle b/c I hated to open it knowing I can't get boulevard in south carolina

A: pours a brown fairly clear with some deep red undertones
S: getting an earthy and tart cherry nose. perhaps a little coffee
M: a little thick but well carbonated
T: a bit bitter, although I think with this style there is supposed to be more. still get the tart cherry with a lot of woody tones
O: I've never had this style before, but I would be willing to try this again, perhaps the sam smith yorkshire stingo. Sadly, this is my last boulevard bottle of boulevard beer the smokestack series is great.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 01:21:46 | More by tigerbeer90

GbVDave

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a corked and caged 750ml bottle into three pint glasses. Thanks to HeatherAnn and pops for the assist!

Batch Number/ 2012 - 3
Best By Date: 03 - 2013

A: Pours a deep, muddy brown with 1/4 finger of tan head on top. Retention was non-existant and no lace was left behind. A bit fugly, but we liked it anyways.

S: Deep woody/earthy notes with bits of tart cherry, chocolate, caramel, and toffee. Quite interesting in a kitchen sink sort of way.

T: Same as above. We really liked the tart flavors going on in this beer.

M: Started off fine. Full and relatively thick. But, as it came up to temp it took on a definite boozy edge that got a little tiring as the glasses wore on.

O: We liked this and always welcome the Paquette's sense of adventure when it comes to revisiting old styles/recipes.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 23:55:16 | More by GbVDave

TheSarge

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found this brew on a whim, and poured it into a standard pint glass. Stingo makes a two finger thick off white head, and the body of the brew is dark ruby red in color and cleanly filtered.

The aroma is bready, fruity in the way of dark dried ones, some coffee and dark chocolate, and maybe a hint of vanilla.

Taste wise it's a blend of over ripe orange, chocolate, vanilla, oak, metallic, and kind of earthy.

Feels medium to full in body, ample carbonation, not syrupy at all, but a little warm in the end.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 01:44:21 | More by TheSarge

JEdmund

Kansas

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A lot darker than I imagined with its nearly black body; only when held up to a light can you see the black cherry color. Really nice head formation, settling into a thick cream crop; leaves fine lacing.

Lots of malt in the nose, some nutty and chocolate hints, and really great fruit notes—particularly cherry, in a way that reminds me of a light kriek.

There’s a wine-like flavor quality to it; almost a tannic, dry finish. There’s also milk chocolate, raisin, cocoa, and fruit. Mouthfeel is full, with a luxurious velvety texture, and thankfully it’s not syrupy. It really kind of reminds of an old ale cut with a brown ale. Finishes sweet and slightly tart—like chocolate-covered cherries.

I liked this more than I thought I would. Lots of complexity and yet it’s drinkable despite its heft and malt-forward nature.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 14:23:50 | More by JEdmund

rinhaak

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoyed this collaboration with Boulevard and Pretty Things. A wonderfully rich aroma with scents of roasted walnuts, brown sugar, and rum. Beautifully balanced in the mouth, there are flavors of sour cherries (though not a sour beer, there is a distinct tartness), caramel malts, and brandy. The 8.5% isn't hidden, and there's a slight boozy character to the beer, but I personally felt it was balanced out by a strong malt profile and subtle hop background.

I highly recommend the beer: it's a winner.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 17:52:33 | More by rinhaak