Boatswain Chocolate Stout - Minhas Craft Brewery

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

DarthKostrizer

California

3.3/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Look: Black and totally opaqe with a 1/4 inch dark brown head and good retention

Smell: Nice amount of cocoa nibs greets you right away. Some roasted malt is hiding behind the cocoa

Taste: The flavor actually works opposite of the nose with the roasted malt and ash notes being upfront and the beer finishes with some chocolate

Mouthfeel: A bit on the thin side and a tad bit too much carbonation

Overall: This beer is a pretty solid beer nothing spectacular but the simple fact that it is only $1.99 a bomber will keep me purchasing it more often. I can honestly say that this beer might give you the most bang for your buck

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 16:32:37 | More by DarthKostrizer

Popp24

California

3.3/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I had the version of this beer bottled as Underworld Brewing Chocolate Stout. I researched online that this is the same beer as that one. They carry this beer at Fresh & Easy and sell (2) 22 oz. bottles bundled together for 2.99 so for the price I thought why not try it.

A - Dark brown with about a finger khaki head that thins out quickly.

S - Not much going on here. I get some roasted coffee smells but no chocolate.

T - You definitely can taste the chocolate on this one. You can tell it's cocoa powder they use and not actual chocolate. I get some coffee flavors as well.

M - Very thin for a stout.

O - Not the greatest thing in the world but for the price it's not that bad and I would get it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 15:51:32 | More by Popp24

beerenjoyer1

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A Nice and dark with some foam. There is some lacing also which shows some good involved.

S Not as much aroma of chocolate but some malt, and some hops.

T More malt and hop taste than chocolate. Still a nice coffee flavor quite what I expected in a chocolate stout.

M A nice mouthful for a regular stout but not quite as thick a mouthfeel I expected in a chocolate stout.

O A nice beer but I would to see some more thick taste of chocolate along with the coffee, malts, and hops.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 20:29:04 | More by beerenjoyer1

brewerburgundy

California

3.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle, Sam Adams perfect pint,

Nearly opaque, the color is appropriate and tinged more with red and purple than yellow. The head was small and of a normal medium brown with lackluster stickage.

Uh huh, this smells like a chocolate stout. Outdistancing Young's famous brew, the chocolate is dark, shot through with French roast coffee swimming in sugar. Hershey's syrup with a little more refinement seems close.

Not a particularly great Stout is the base. Not a large roast character, but what's there is slightly acrid and even so this is a sweet beer. The lush coffee and chocolate are still there; they pretty much constitute the whole.

It's thin, any way you cut it, it's thin. Medium high carbonation.

Another one of Trader Joe's deals here. Aroma is better than flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 01:00:41 | More by brewerburgundy

augustgarage

California

3.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Samuel Smith nonic.

Opaque seal brown liquid capped by a thin lion head of foam. A light dusting and steady collar are all that remain after a few moments despite a vigorous pour. Thin lacing, no legs.

Hefty roast barley aromatics suggest dark roast coffee, black malt, and cocoa powder. Grainy nose overall with a hint of pine as well.

Rustic roast malt base with a faint metallic note on the palate entry. Lots of grain and specialty malt comes through next along with a mild peppery bitterness and a growing chocolate sweetness. Not very well integrated though the balance is decent. Chocolate barely registers until the aftertaste where it lingers on the tongue.

Rather light-bodied with adequate carbonation.

Reminds me of a Foreign Export Stout to some degree - a touch sweet and rough overall, but quite drinkable and almost as good a value as "two buck Chuck."

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 03:46:51 | More by augustgarage

brewcore

South Carolina

3.36/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass.

A: Yields a two finger tan head that dissipates into a thin long lasting sheet of foam. Opaque dark brown in color, no light passes through. Excellent lacing.

S: Faint dark roasted malts, chocolate notes. Alcohol punches through surprisingly strong for a low alcohol stout.

T: The expected flavors from the roasted malts. Coffee and dark chocolate. Nice toastiness comes through. Gets better as the temp rises.

M: Slightly high carbonation for the style but not overpowering. Thin to medium body.

O: Definitely not bad for a three dollar bomber, but I don't think I'll be buying another.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 23:17:44 | More by brewcore

Drinkerofales

California

3.38/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours black, with hints of red and brown in the pouring. A thick mocha head that flattens out rather quickly and leaves not much lacing.

Smells of coffee and chocolate, with a touch of booze, which is strange considering it's only 5.4%.

Taste is understated, roasted malts, bitter chocolate, hint of coffee and hops somewhere in there.

Feel is smooth and medium bodied. A touch of hop bite gives it some character, but not much.

Too bad we can't rate economics, as this 2 dollar beer has a great value, if not the best of flavors. On flavor as it is, it's better than the DIPA for the 2 bucks, but not on the ABV. Also, it seems that this beer is meant to be enjoyed cold, as all the flavors and smells aren't as good warm.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 11:22:40 | More by Drinkerofales

secondtooth

Indiana

3.39/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black with tawny brown highlights. Rich head of foamy suds. Thick tree-line lace.

Nose is cocoa. Simply put, cocoa. Not bad at all.

Taste is definitely overwhelmingly chocolate. I get a silky milk chocolate character more as this brew warms up. Not a complex nor multi-dimensional ale, but decent enough.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 22:48:58 | More by secondtooth

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 1.5" mocha head with average life. The body is deep dark as coffee. Smell is milder than I expected and with roasted malt but not really any chocolate. Then the taste was the opposite with a good amount of dark chocolate but not really any coffee or roasted malt coming forward. Medium body and medium finish. I still fully enjoyed it, and it was ultracheap at Trader Joe's.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 12:55:28 | More by MoreThanWine

ManuelHerrera

California

3.43/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at Trader Joe's, which is always a crapshoot:

A - Pours a thick, dark brown with very little light penetration and a dark fluffy chocolate head. Lacing is surprisingly thin.

S- Heavy dark cocoa and malt aroma. A bit of coffee on the nose as well, this beer is textbook chocolate stout.

T&M - Flavor is a bit one-note with little in terms of flavor profile. Boatswain hits the points it needs to hit on the profile, no more no less. Malty maltiness and mild cocoa give way to a bitter aftertaste, but not a bitter hop flavor so much as the bitterness one would experience from coffee. The mouthfeel is incredibly thin and carbonated, not what I expected in the slightest!

O- This might be one of the fastest drinks of chocolate stout I've ever had, as it's as thin as a pale ale and hardly a challenge. Best as a sample for someone who doesn't like dark beers too much, or to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 05:04:35 | More by ManuelHerrera