Boatswain Chocolate Stout - Minhas Craft Brewery

BucannonXC5

California

2.31/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

Type: 22-oz. bomber
Glass: Manzanita pint glass
From: Trader Joe’s in La Mesa (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $1.99
Purchased: April 4, 2013
Consumed: April 6, 2013
Misc.: N/A

Poured a pitch black color with 1-2 fingers of brown head. Light foamy, foggy lacing on the sides. Good retention all the way down.

Smelled dark cocoa, coffee beans, butter and smoky firewood, almost an ashtray.

Got a sharp taste of extremely bitter coffee notes right away. That bitterness lingered on the tongue for quite some time. Still dark cocoa and that smoky fire and ashtray.

Full-to-medium body. Creamy-to-oily texture. Average-to-lively (above average) carbonation. Long, bitter finish.

A bit too smoky, but it was actually better than I thought it would be. And for $1.99 what more can I ask for?

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 05:21:06 | More by BucannonXC5

DmanGTR

New York

2.4/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

22oz bottle from Trader Joe's. $2.29, haven't seen a bottle of craft beer so cheap so I figured why not?

Poured very dark, nearly black, with deep garnet hues in the light. Tan bubbly head that remained as a thin cap. Looks decent so far. The aromas are very one dimensional. Reminds me of a biscuit with honey on top getting toasted, with aromas of coffee and cocoa, but a fake, extract-like chocolate. Also, I'm getting a LOT of metallic aromas here, rather off putting. Actually, it is quite off putting. A big bit of booziness despite the lower abv. There is a strange sourness that just doesn't belong here. The flavor starts sweet with malt and chocolate but the sourness creeps up again along with the metallic flavor and kind of ruins it for me. The body is thin and very carbonated. Overall, this beer is plain disappointing. I added a bit of bourbon to see if it makes it any more drinkable but unfortunately, I wasted a couple teaspoons of bourbon. Ended up drain pouring it.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:51:41 | More by DmanGTR

gobseulmuhri

New Jersey

2.43/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

picked this one up at TJ's for 2.29. it comes in a bomber like their other TJ's offerings. got pretty excited as i'm a big fan of chocolate stouts in general.

poured an opaque, dark black with a tan half finger head. little retention and minimal lacing.

the nose is muted but i got hints of malt, slight bit of something medicinal, a bit of chocolate milk mix powder gone bad. not a fan.

taste is malty, hints of dark chocolate, with a somewhat pungent hop finish.

mouthfeel is thin with a fair amount of carbonation.

i'm overall pretty disappointed in this beer. granted it was $2.29, but it's nothing close to a decent stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 03:04:53 | More by gobseulmuhri

travolta

California

2.63/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

App: I gave this one a vigorous pour. Foamy head with decent retention and lacing.

Nose: Dark, roasted malt, slight hops clarity in the middle, perhaps some vanilla at the end.

Taste: Bitter and toasty with and chalky finish.

Notes: I did not get any chocolate out of this. Great value and true to the style, so i didn't kill it on the rating. It is, to me, entirely average.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 01:53:13 | More by travolta

MadScientist

New York

2.65/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Jet black with a creamy, medium-tan head that settles into a ring after about 30 seconds.

S: Moderate aromas of coffee, cocoa, roasted grains and little else. No hops, faint alcohol.

T: Roasty with some of that dark grain bitterness and a husky malt flavor. There is a moderate hops bitterness as well with little flavor hops. There isn't any malt sweetness giving a bitter balance to the beer. The finish is dry and the aftertaste is of a lingering biterness and dark roasted grains.

M: It comes across kind of thin with medium bodied with a moderately-strong carbonation.

O: An average American Stout without much character.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 01:16:58 | More by MadScientist

Murrhey

Montana

2.83/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a pint glass. Reviewed live.

A- Poured with half a finger khaki head, no retention. Some floater bubbles on top. Dark brown, almost black color. Some watery, minimal lacing.

S- Chocolate and dark malts. Very subtle.

T- Roasted malts, some tangy hops and chocolate flavor. Average.

M- Thin bodied for the style, but some carbonation gives it texture. Finishes somewhat dry.

O- For two dollars? This beer is a winner. Otherwise? Average at best.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 08:41:46 | More by Murrhey

1Adam12

Indiana

2.88/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bought this today at trader joe's. 1.99 for a bomber. Pours black, but looks over carbonated. Smells, um...a bit dirty actually. Slight malt, maybe the faintest bit of chocolate, earthy. Just smells weak. Taste is actually not terrible. Very thin mouthfeel, but the taste could be good for the right hot day. Small chocolate taste, malty, burnt flavors. However, the finish has this...blood taste to it. Not huge on the blood, but the rest isn't bad, especially for 2 bucks. Might by this again...but might not.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 02:49:19 | More by 1Adam12

JMB

2.9/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - dark and thick, what one would expect from a dark stout, head is generous and creamy when poured, dissipates into a minimal ring

S - alcohol prominent with roast and chocolate overtones

T - strong taste - with the alcohol and toast overwhelming the mouth - not subtle or integrated - toasty flavor is more on the burnt side

M - low carbonation - dry in your mouth

Comments: an average stout, slightly too toasty and dry for me, can taste the chocolate and sugar, but it is too subtle and overwhelmed by the roast

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 21:53:03 | More by JMB

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

2.95/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A $2 chocolate stout? Long live Trader Joe's of Williamsburg, Virginia! 22 oz bottle poured into a tumbler pint glass.

A: Pours a surprisingly thick looking dark burgundy color with faint hints of light coming through. The head is a rather fizzy one finger tan color with low retention and underwhelming texture. Very little lacing.

S: Actually fairly solid. It has a nice roasted malt and coffee profile, but only a hint of chocolate. I didn't expect Choklat (at all), so it's not really disappointing.

T: It doesn't have a huge chocolate presence...rather, it's strong with coffee and roast. Light fruity tones also exist on the back end, with some light hoppiness. You can kind of tell that the brewers cut corners here and there - it has a bit of an unrefined macro lager-esque grain profile, only roasted - but this isn't nasty or undrinkable. I could see myself easily finishing the bomber, and I think I will.

M: Thin bodied and a little watery, with a bone dry finish and moderately strong carbonation. I hate to use the "it drinks like a porter" spiel...but it drinks like a porter. At least its very drinkable.

O: Not bad at all! If this were a $7 bomber, I'd kvetch and whine about this being a failure of a chocolate stout, but considering it was $2, I'd say this is a shockingly decent dark beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 02:25:46 | More by ThisWangsChung

GossageBrewery

Missouri

2.96/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured this American Chocolate Stout from a bottle into a pint glass. Poured a dark black color produced an average tan head, below average retention and it left some lacing on the glass. The aroma of this ale consists of roasted grain, chocolate and coffee. Medium bodied, a foundation of roasted grain, chocolate and coffee. Overall, decent beer- to thin for my liking- Better Chocolate Stout's out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 16:57:04 | More by GossageBrewery

Nugganooch

California

3/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Trader Joe’s purchase
*Bomber to pint nonic

Brewed with Coco powder

A: Pours pitch black with a slight garnet hue during the fill. Yields one finger of turbinado sugar colored head. Low retention and just some splashes of lace upon the glass.

S: Smells of roasted barley mostly. Very similar to your standard Guinness. Has that dry roast earthiness. No real chocolate aroma in the nose though.

T: Tastes of dark roasted grains. Some smoky dry roast coffee notes. Not a whole lot of chocolate in flavor either. Dry and earthy with a bitter acridness. Slight metallic tinge. Not really chocolate at all actually. A bit disappointing.

M: MF is rather thin but with a nice creamy texture. Real smooth overall. Medium-light body. Slight higher carbonation levels. A bit frothy with a drying finish.

D: Missing the chocolate which was a bit of a letdown for me.
Overall a decent American Stout with some dark roast flavors but probably not one I will be revisiting anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 19:02:12 | More by Nugganooch

TheStig

Virginia

3.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Another two-buck special from Trader Joe's.

Poured an intense, tarry black with a faint hint of brown. A two finger, brown and creamy head with no lacing foamed up.

On the nose, the first scent to bubble up was dark chocolate, slight bitter malts and a hint of caramel.

Smoky, savory tastes are predominant. Very little sweetness and a light acidity. This isn't entirely what I'd expect from a stout, let alone a chocolate stout, but it's not unpleasant. Mouthfeel is very creamy.

Not bad for two bucks, but then again, it's not something I'd go out of my way to obtain again.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 23:29:42 | More by TheStig

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.08/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a dark brown coloring, thin in appearance, with a ring of light tan film around the surface. Aromas of bittersweet cocoa powder on a rich, roasted backbone. The nose is a bit one-dimensional. Flavors are thin and smooth, with a touch of roast and smoke on the bittersweet chocolate backbone. Slick and light in mouth, the beer has a roasted coffee and mocha aftertaste. Rich, bitter finish...not bad, but lackluster.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:00:06 | More by GarthDanielson

DJW

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Read all of the other reviews while settling down to a glass. I tried it on the warmer side (ie only slightly chilled), as that's how I've preferred stouts while living in Ireland. With that said...

Appearance: generous dark tan head, vigorous pour not needed, settled down to 1/4" head and good lacing as we progressed. Opaque very dark brown.

Nose: dark roasted malts/barley. milder than expected

Taste: like a stout. nothing inspired, but nothing wrong either. the dark char of the grains was there, I guess I could say reminiscent of a french-roast coffee served black, but that's about it. any chocolate came through as I progressed through the bottle, not within the 1st glass, so very light in my opinion. slight bitterness on finish, but not of the hoppy variety (chew on some patent roasted malt and you'll get what I'm saying).

Mouthfeel: med-light, which suits me fine (preference towards mulitiple pints of this type of stout, rather than a thicker, higher abv version). Carbonation balanced for this lighter style (though again, had it only slightly chilled)

In conclusion: Alright. Not regretting the purchase, and thinking it would be a heck of a lot better than the Guinness/Murphy's cans floating around for St Patty's day. But I won't be calling my friends to recommend it either. For 1.99 a 22oz I'd have hard time making this beer! Good effort at that price point. Will try it chilled tomorrow.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 10:16:45 | More by DJW

kojevergas

California

3.11/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

5.4% ABV confirmed. 650ml brown glass bottle with standard unbranded gold pressure cap and generic bland brown label acquired at Trader Joe's and served into a Mitchells of Lancaster flared stem-tulip in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. 66 IBU. 14.26 original gravity. "Stout Brewed with Cocoa Powder."

Served cold, straight from the fridge, and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a one finger dark tan colour head of nice cream, average thickness, and above average (~3 minute) retention. Body colour is a solid nontransparent opaque black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Light even lacing as the head recedes. Head texture is atypical of a good stout; it's not as creamy, frothy, or soft as I'd want. Overall, it's pretty standard fare for a chocolate stout. There's nothing unique or special here, but I don't notice any overt flaws either.

Sm: Cocoa powder, definitely. Chocolate malt. Dark malts. Lightly earthy roasty character is somewhat present, but doesn't bring a lot of depth. Light earthy coffee grains. Cream. Hop presence is imperceptible; maybe some minimal floral character, but hops here are just to preserve. I get light vague hints of a dark fruit, but nothing truly evocative or interesting. Burnt bready grains. A mild strength aroma, overall - and a generally good one for the style. The chocolate malt doesn't stand out - in fact it's rather generic - but it gets the job done. I'm looking forward to trying it. No yeast character or alcohol is detectable.

T: Lumpy chocolate is there - lacking refinement and any delicacy of execution whatsoever. Very clumsily handled. Cocoa powder, chocolate malt, dark malts, caramel malts, and overdone floral hop character for the style. Quite imbalanced; this one is a real mess. Haphazard; lacks focus. The notes that are here aren't necessarily bad; it's just poorly put together. Good sweetness/bitterness balance though. I get a sort of wine-esque rich tannin character on the back end; it bothered me initially but I'm warming up to it. Hints of burnt bread. Maybe some weak dark fruit buried beneath the poorly layered malts. It's not boozy, hot, or harsh. No yeast character comes through. As it warms, a bit more of that vague dark fruit pokes through; it's hard to identify but I think it's some sort of stonefruit. This is a mess of a brew, but it has some likable flavours. Overall, I do like it. There's just so much potential for this to be far better than it is.

As it warmed, I started noticing metallic notes coming through. That's a definite issue and may explain why other reviewers have disliked this brew so much.

Mf: Too smooth and wet for a stout; it has quite the case of porter envy. Lacks the creamy character I want from a good stout. Pretty good carbonation. Pretty good presence on the palate. Good thickness. Not rough or scratchy. Approachable. Good body. Not at all hot or warm. Not astringent. Suits the flavour profile generally well, but it needs tweaking.

Dr: A drinkable chocolate stout offered at a very fair price point. It has its flaws, but overall it's rather enjoyable. Very easy to drink; I could and would down a few of these in a session. I'll very contentedly finish the whole bomber by meself. I think many are coming down hard on this beer merely because of where they bought it and/or its price point. I could see this doing very well at a blind tasting.

C+

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 03:35:48 | More by kojevergas

ehammond1

California

3.13/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle

Thanks for opening this with, Chris!

A dark brown body with no clarity. Minimal light brown head without a lot of visible carbonation. This leaves the glass oily without any real cling.

The aroma is a pleasant enough combination of roasted malt, slight coffee, and cocoa powder.

A very average, unexciting flavor. The roast, chocolate, and coffee elements are present, but are all faraway. There's also a chalk-like chocolate presence that takes away from the overall enjoyment.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Simply average.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 19:22:21 | More by ehammond1

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Yup, a random Trader Joe's-bred bomber. The price was right, honey. This stuff pours a very deep black-brown topped by a finger of light brown foam. The nose comprises chocolate powder, light roasted malts (bordering on the acrid-ish), and a hint of coffee. The taste holds notes of sharply bitter roasted malts, dry and bitter coffee, and a touch of dark chocolate powder. Everything seems burnt, overly-roasted, and too bitter for its own good. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, an average stout at best, one that really doesn't express all that much chocolate character, and one that goes too bitter and roasted for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 03:20:21 | More by TMoney2591

BigH75

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Remarkably unremarkable beer. Poured out of a 22oz bomber into an Imperial Pint glass. Dark black with mocha colored head. Not much head and no lacing to speak of. First taste is non complex but decent. Mediocre flavor. A tad bit bitter for the style but not overly. Overall it is kind of boring but is perfect if I feel like an American non-imperial stout and don't feel like spending much money. 1.99 at Trader Joes.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 20:55:41 | More by BigH75

viverlee

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Always suspicious of BWBs. No, not BBWs, even if there is reason to be. BWBs – “brewed with” beers. The fruity, barely beer category is littered with these obvious offerings. And somewhere lurking behind there always seems to be some brew conglomerate doing it and doing it poorly. I’ve never heard of Rhinelander (or Minhas or whatever it used to be and can’t be bothered to explain on its website) but my local Trader Joe’s is full of em. And this isn’t so obvious, or poorly done.

STYLE: American Stout

ABV: 5.4%

LOOK: We’re not breaking any ground here. Dark but not oily with a brown-butter head.

NOSE: That delicate balance of sweet and bitter and tang. Chocolate cake, vanilla, subtle orange, medium roast coffee.

MOUTH: If it’s possible, almost too easy drinking. I want and indeed need a little bitter bite, preferably at the middle of the end. Just-warm coffee, wisp of smoke, chocolate. Not a game-changer, just solid.

Beeradvocate Rating: 76

ratebeer Rating: 58

Hayward Abbey Rating: 82

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 03:00:45 | More by viverlee

womencantsail

California

3.2/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for sharing, Richard.

Pours dark brown in color with a rather sizable tan head. Not a bad aroma, actually. Some chocolate along with roasted malt and a mild toffee sweetness. There might even be a touch of vanilla. The roasted malt is the most dominant flavor, but there is a little bit of toffee and chocolate in there. The vanilla that seemed present on the nose doesn’t really come through at all. The body on this beer is incredibly thin and light.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 17:08:25 | More by womencantsail

ToasterChef

Maine

3.2/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

A chilled 22 oz bottle is split between two tulip glasses.

This is an opaque dark brown beer with a nice brown foam head. The head only began to rise up once I started to pour the beer vigorously. It has lasted a long time. Once it finally began to settle, it leaves behind good lacing. Some clinging carbonation was visible initially, but the beer is too dark to make out any rising bubbles.

I can smell a good portion of toasted malt and some chocolate, but not as much s I thought I would.

The flavor also doesn't have as much chocolate as I hoped there would be. I can taste a lot of crystal malts. There is a little bit of toast, but not as much as you often find in beers this dark. Chocolate sweetness can be tasted as I swallow.

The beer isn't as thick as I thought it would be. It's certainly a heavy beer, but it doesn't have the same body as a really exceptional stout. Carbonation is average. A sticky coat is left behind.

This stout won't blow you away by any means, but for a sub $3 bomber of stout it's pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 20:04:09 | More by ToasterChef

flexabull

California

3.23/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

$1.99 at Trader Joes, figured this was worth a shot at that price.

Pours a dark flat black color with a decent light brown head that quickly faded, not much lacing.

Aromas are kind of vegetal, with some pronounced cocoa, coconut, and molasses.

Taste is a bit thin, smoky, almost burnt chocolate malts, cocoa, faint sweetness, and a pine hoppy bite on the finish.

Mouthfeel is ok, but thin for the style.

Overall, a pretty decent beer. It's far from great, but it's worth trying with the price tag it has.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 20:41:15 | More by flexabull

brureview

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

For the money, it's a decent beer($2 and change).

Dark coffee color, 1 finger head. Mild chocolate smell. Mouth feel is quite smooth. The taste is a bit disappointing. Too
much coffee- burnt dark roast . Perhaps stale dark roasted coffee. The coffee taste should be mellowed. A bit of lemon also in the finish.

The beer is better above 50. The coffee taste mellows and there is more lemon.
Nevertheless, a good beer-decent and worth drinking with dinner or when you are not on the mood for a special tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 23:44:25 | More by brureview

UCLABrewN84

California

3.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

$1.99 at Trader Joe's. How could I pass that up?

Pours an opaque black with a 2 inch foamy dark khaki head that settles to a film on the top of the beer. Foamy thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, chocolate syrup, and some dark cocoa powder. Taste is of dark roasted malt, unsweetened cocoa beans, and some slight coffee bean flavors. There is a slightly sour and roasty bitter flavor to this beer as well. This beer has a crisp carbonation with a bubbly mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good stout especially for the price but not worth buying again in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 06:01:16 | More by UCLABrewN84

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an Allagash glass on 9/3/12

The beer is a dark, scorched brown that settles near black. A one finger head starts off smooth but has an ending appearance of very fine sand paper. Overall retention is thin but it lasts the whole time. Decent lace, too.

The nose takes a toot toot for the old snoot snoot of powder and melds it with roasted grains and a faint nutty twinge, resulting in a pretty decent smelling, chocolate-forward stout. The taste has a much more tangy roast, especially upfront and the tanginess is pushed to the forefront by a thinnish body and bristly carbonation. Beyond the initial fussiness are more pleasant flavors of dry, roasted chocolate and subtle earthiness. Swirling out the carbonation pulls some of the tangy flavors from up front and shows off a body that is smooth and a slightly more pronounced than originally displayed.

This is the best of the Boatswain Four, hands down. It isn't spectacular, but I find it tastes fairly good and it's easy to drink. Great price, too.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 05:57:06 | More by Ryan011235