Collaboration No. 3 - Stingo - Boulevard Brewing Co.

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

brentk56

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a cloudy ice tea color with a rocky head that leaves a few shards behind

Smell: Rather fruity, with a range of overripe stone fruit buttressed by caramel and a hint of figs

Taste: Overripe, and almost rotting stone fruit, up front, with an earthy hop character developing by mid-palate; somewhat harsh and metallic, after the swallow, though the fruit flavors linger in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: I like many of the beers from both of these breweries but I wasn't crazy about the metallic and rotting fruit flavors in this beer; then again, I am not the biggest fan of Yorkshire Stingo, either

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 02:34:39 | More by brentk56

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

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

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a three-finger, tan head of bubbly foam. The fairly long lasting head left rings of sticky lace on the glass.

S - It smelled malty with some tart fruity notes. A mild floral aroma, too.

T - It tasted slightly nutty with sweet toffee and caramel. The tart fruity flavor is very mild.

M - It was crisp and smooth. A full-bodied beer that felt a little heavy.

O - This is a really tasty beer, but I should really be shared. It's quite a big tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 01:06:09 | More by zeff80

russpowell

Oklahoma

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

Batch 2012- opens with a slight pop, pours an effervescent caramel/chestnut with 3+ fingers of khaki colored head. Amazing heaad retention & lacing

S: Butterscotch, oak, much cakeyness

T: Cakeyness, woody & herbal notes, dryness, some pear notes up front. Cakeyness with some sourmash as this warms, plenty of dryness,some pears & green apples too. Finishes dry, woody, slightly fruitty & a touch sour

MF: Fairly chewy, slight carbonation, boozey & warming

Not a bad effort, this beer will go down a bit easier on a January night than now. If you like a big beer with some twang, this is a beer for you. Well worth a try, will age well I'm sure

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 02:27:40 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark murky russet brown, a sizable head on the first pour, second not so much. Retention is pretty good as it takes awhile for the foam to break. Not much lace.

Brown sugar, rum raisin, almond, shortcake aromas, lightly sweet but not cloyingly so.

Dried fruit and caramel, slight nutty almond. Lightly bitter with a slight tanginess, clean dry finish with some residual toasty, nutty malt derived flavors. Alcohol is ever so slightly perceptible as it warms up. Creamy and fairly smooth, punctuated by that light tangy tart plum note in the back (intentional as described on the label). Overall pleasant to drink, seems suited for cool Fall weather. May pick up another to cellar until late winter.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 00:14:15 | More by emerge077

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The liquid is brown and a bit cloudy. Huge head that dissipates slowly, leaving plenty of lacey foam on the glass.

Smells like toasted bread. There's a little bit of semi-sweet chocolate in the nose as well.

A little more semi-sweet cocoa to the flavor than in the smell. There's a bit of sourness. Good hop finish which makes the aftertaste reminiscent of a Brown Ale. Neutral body and carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 00:10:19 | More by smcolw

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

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

Two great breweries, collabing together to make something interesting, I hope it's good.

Pours a 1.5 finger fluffy head that fades semi slowly with nice lines of lacing, super dark molasses brown colored beer with hints of ruby light.

Nose starts with lots of dark malts, biscuit malts, brown slight toasty, caramel, toffee, molasses, little syrupy sweet candy, and a bit nutty. Then Some herbal hops, earthy and little grassy, typical of English bitter and very typical of Pretty Things. As it warms a hint of mocha comes through, and just a touch of booze.

Taste comes through smoothly, more porter like than expected, with rich brown and dark malts, a little biscuit and toasty brown malts, lots of fluffy caramel and toffee, fairly nutty, and plenty of molasses candy. There is a light candi sugar like sweetness as well with a decent booze kick, light esters and even a slight fusel alcohol. The hops come again with the earthy herbal UK style Pretty Things like hops, with a decent bitterness and herbal grassy flavor. There is also a light fruity taste, part from esters, and parts from the other additions, with hints of fig and raisin, and some tart like flavors. Finish is a bit drier but still fairly sweet, some warming almost fusel booze, lots of candy and syrupy flavors with molasses, caramel, toffee, nutty flavors lingering.

mouth is med to a bit fuller richer bodied, lighter but decent carb, plenty of warming booze.

Overall OK but not great, nice malts very rich and tasty, but the typical UK style hops I don't really like, and quite boozy tasting. The fruits and tartness were another interesting additions.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 02:52:37 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From 08/17/12 notes. Had on tap at Stoddard's in Boston, MA. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours a very dark brown color with one inch of light tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, toasted malts, caramel malts, bananas, and burnt malts, and some like brett. Pretty nice malty nose.

t - Tastes or burnt malts, toasted malts, roasted malts, nuts, light fruits, caramel malts, toffee, light funk/brett.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. A little bit overcarbonated but nice.

o - Overall a pretty good beer. Tons of dark malts and some light brett, another nice beer from Boulevard I'd have again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2012 20:37:00 | More by mdfb79

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

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a deep amber to brown in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, a small roast, and a small earthiness. In the taste, quite mellow, a sweet roast, and a small presence of alcohol. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry roast, and a note of hop in the aftertaste. Nice presence of hop and earth, with a pleasant roast.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 18:06:27 | More by OWSLEY069

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Solid two finger, beige, head after the pour. Great head retention for all 750 mls. Deep ruddy, rusty garnet and cola color. It's a little difficult, but when you get the right angle of light, the bubbling is very nice for an English style beer in my opinion. This beer looks great!

Robust, yet subtle malt aroma. Heavily toasted biscuits add some caramelized plums and apricots. Smells savory and like a good sipper.

Starts yeasty and toasty. Lots of plums. But the blood and band-aid flavor starts to dominate from the middle through the finish. There's a little alcoholic heat, that I think would blend well with the flavors at the front of the palate. But in this case it just adds to the bitter blood and band-aid flavors.

Dry, chalky palate with some blood and tin. Maybe I let it sit too long, but this beer is not something I would buy again if it was available.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 20:15:45 | More by scruffwhor

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

the smokestack series continues to impress me. this was a neat collaboration in the style of an old ale. the beer pours a luxurious low red color with a tall and permanent off white foam head. it smells like dark fruits, rich sweet caramunich malt, and wildflower honey. the flavor has so much going on. its plenty tart from the fruit aspect, like cranberries and dried blueberries. its not sweet fruity, acidic fruity flavors are mellowed by a heavy dose of sweeter malts and alcohol. not sure if this fits the old ale exactly stylistically, but its got all the similar features, plus the fruit. the honey aspect form the nose isnt as prominent in the flavor, but there are still some waxy sweet elements, especially in the finish, that remind me of honey right from the comb. this is a style of beer id like to see get resurrected a little bit, its just so complex id like to try more variations from different brewers. the feel is nice, its a hugely full body with relaxed carbonation. a big bottle of this will surely satisfy you, and likely fix you to a comfy sofa for the night. great great beer, wholly unique, and fairly priced for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 21:22:01 | More by StonedTrippin

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

FosterJM

California

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1503rd Review on BA
Bottle to Smokestack Chalice
750 ml C/C

Batch 1-2012-1

Thanks to my mom for bringing this to CA for me.

App- When you pop the cork and pour this out, you are greeted with a mahogany/amber looking brew. A bit of a shimmering beer with deep highlights and good density in the glass. The head was quite a bit large on each pour. A good 2-1/2-3 fingers worth. My glass was solid with cling and lace. Quite a good looking beer.

Smell- This was a bit of a mish mash of aromatics in the glass. It was similar to a quad for me with a lot of dark rich fruits. Plums, dark cherries and figs. A bit earthy and full of malts as well. Balanced out by a sort of tart, grassy, earthy aroma with a tinge of bitter hops.

Taste- The nose was correct on this one. The quad flavors carry over on the 1st couple sips and as the beer integrates in the glass you are moved to a hoppy, bitter and tart flavor. The middle has a very English Mild ale flavor with a bready, malty flavor and the finish has a little bit of chocolate to it.

Mouth- A very nice feel to this one. It was a bit bubbly on the pour and I was skeptical at 1st. The body on this one was a lighter medium with a bit of a chewy caramel malt flavor remaining. The carbonation was a bit prickly and pushed the higher carbonation threshold.

Drink- For some reason, I have become a big Boulevard homer ever since my parents moved to KS. Great beers that dont break the bank. This was an another example. Good flavors intermixed with some flaws, wasnt expecting perfection. Just a good collaboration beer and got that.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 14:52:43 | More by FosterJM

champ103

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a lovely garnet/brown color. A two finger beige head forms with excellent retention, and the spiderweb looking lace is impressive.
S: Chocolate and toffee sweetness. The chocolate is slightly bitter. Coffee in the nose as well. Some wood aromas in the finish.
T: Follows the nose with a slightly bitter chocolate flavor. Toffee sweetness, bread and biscuit. Very slight tart cherries. Wood lingers. More an more dark fruits come out as this warms.I like it.
M/D: A medium to full body. Good carbonation that is creamy and smooth. So easy and enjoyable to drink. I will finish the bottle in no time. A treat to sip on.

I really enjoy this. Another hit from the Smokestack Series, and a great collaboration as well. If you like Fuller's 1845 or Sam Smith Stingo, this is for you. Something I would highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 02:12:55 | More by champ103

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

An English style ale from a Belgian influenced brewery, at least for their Smokestack series.

Pours a dark, rich brown, great head, great sticky, off tan lacing. perfect i think.

Aroma of ripe red apples, black plums, some smoke and wet wood, sweet caramel and brown bread.

Flavor follows. A touch tart. Apple and plums mostly. Some raisin and smoke. Some booze here and there. It seems like a malt bomb at first, but thins out and gives more flavors than just the caramel and pale malt. Fruity without too sweet. Sweetness is there, but the end is dry. Subtle yeast blends well with the malt bill. Bready, but not thick.

A very nice English style beer. Perhaps a bit boozy. Take off 4% and this would be fantastic

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 08:03:49 | More by Mebuzzard

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.83/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottles served in a wine glass. Pours a beautiful, deep, plum-colored hue with a half inch, dense, cream-colored head embedded with pinpricks and ringlets. Nose is somewhat subdued expressing only some faint, fruity esters. Taste is reminiscent of a Quad, although not as full-bodied, with the addition of some smokey and slightly metallic notes. Mouthfeel is medium-light with an even carbonation. Overall, I can't say that I'm overly familiar with the style, having only had Sam Smith's Stingo to compare this one to. As such, in rating this to my personal preferences, I thought that it was a decent beer, but not something I need to try again, and a far cry from the better beers produced by these two breweries.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 21:28:09 | More by Jwale73

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

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle int tulip glass, bottled in 3/2012. Pours slightly hazy very dark reddish brown color with a 1 finger dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, apple, pear, caramel, toast, toffee, floral, pepper, oak, brown sugar, clove, light roast, light nuttiness, and toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of malt and fruity yeast notes; with good strength. Taste of caramel, raisin, apple, pear, fig, toast, molasses, toffee, biscuit, floral, nuttiness, oak, light chocolate, light roast, and toasted earthiness. Lingering notes of light and dark fruits, caramel, toast, molasses, toffee, biscuit, light roast, light chocolate, nuttiness, and toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice balance and complexity of toasted malt and fruity ester flavors; with zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a slick and creamy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent English strong ale. All around nice balance and complexity of malt and fruity ester flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 04:39:08 | More by superspak

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

billab914

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle poured into my Bruery snifter. Dark brown in color with a frothy, dense head to it. Pretty decent head retention to it.

The aroma has a rich maltiness to it with caramel, toffee and a little dark fruit. It's got a bit of a toasty, roasted malt quality to it with a some coffee and dark chocolate to it. I'm getting some sweeter, banana like flavors coming out as it warmed.

The taste shows a little more of the darker, roasted malts to it with some stronger notes of coffee and dark chocolate. The finish is where I get a little more of the sweeter caramel and dark fruits. It's got some tartness lingering into the finish as well.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side of the style with carbonation being moderate. Overall, it was a good beer. It had some bold flavors to it, and they come together well. Pretty enjoyable beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 21:05:39 | More by billab914

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

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

This is the second beer that I've had that claims to be in the stingo style, ironically the other one made by Samuel Smith is rumored to be a recipe designed by Dann Paquette. Pours a dark brown with ruby highlights and a huge beige head that sticks around forever as it laces the sides of the glass. I got lots of chocolate and a bit of banana right after popping the cork on this brew, but those seem to have subsided. Lots of caramel and dark sugars with some dark and tart fruits along with a hint of spice. this reminds me a lot of a Belgian Strong Dark. The flavor is really complex and varied. I get a rush of caramel, chocolate, and dark dried fruit maltiness right up front. Tart fruit and a hint of ethanol break through that and never really let go of you. There's and earthy almost salty flavor that cuts in somewhere towards the end. Medium to thick body with a moderate to ample level of carbonation and a sweet salty tart mouthfeel going on. I thought I had reviewed the Yorkshire one, I guess I didn't, I would have really liked to compare the two. This is an interesting beer, it's wildly complex and varied, but maybe to its detriment, as the flavors seem a bit less than harmonious. If I come across another bottle I may pick it up just to see what a little age does to this.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 21:40:25 | More by johnnnniee