Boatswain Chocolate Stout - Minhas Craft Brewery

hreb

Washington

3.56/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Cold 22 poured in pint glass. Beer is thick, almost syrupy, and opaque brown, with a fat head of a somewhat paler brown. Nice to look at, though the aroma is only faintly of chocolate and somewhat off-puttingly bitter.

Flavor is chocolate stout right up the middle. Not too sweet, but a distinct chocolate note comes through the body of the stout, though it doesn't dominate. The label claims 66 IBUs, but given how neutral this beer is I suspect there's a lot more sugar in here than I'm tasting. It's really quite balanced. The mouthfeel is a little bit lighter than I'd want in a chocolate stout. And while there's nothing really standing about this beer, the value is fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 04:06:27 | More by hreb

HalfFull

California

3.58/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a large wine glass, showing a solid black with a half an inch of mocha foam. Offers decent retention, settling out to a light surface film and leaves good lace.

Aroma offers dominant notes of carob and cocoa with some faint spice as well. Some earthy hop notes pop out a bit with some warming. Taste follow and adds a bit of dark cherry and chocolate. Nice and smooth in the delivery though a touch thin in feel at first, firming up with some cocoa and spice on the finish. But then at 5.4% I guess it does just fine. And a solid value for sure though not particularly 'chocolately' foor a self proclaimed chocolate stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 02:45:41 | More by HalfFull

JamesS

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber for 2 bucks at Trader Joe's in Indy. Poured a very nice deep dark chocolate brown, with some very nice head and decent initial lacing. Decent roasty aroma with a nice chocolate hit and earthy hoppiness underneath. Nice chocolate flavors, seemingly from powdered cocoa, with some light roastiness underneath and a bit of stout astringency. Goes down well, but the flavors don't merge as well as they could.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 16:30:06 | More by JamesS

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.63/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A big light brown head takes its time falling into a nice lacing above a clear really dark brown to black colored stout.

Dark roasted malts with some chocolate and coffee, and it seems to almost have the added aroma fresh mashed barley malt.

Coffee and light chocolate within a dark roasted malt grains taste.

A dryish aftertaste without much of the darker roasted grains hanging around on this medium to full bodied beer.

An alright stout, the aroma seems to be better than the taste, but still very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 22:51:59 | More by LXIXME

notchucknorris

California

3.65/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Black with a nice light brown foamy head. The head recedes a little too quickly though and completely disappears.

S: Tootsie roll, subtle yeast notes, marzipan, chocolate and a bit of spiciness.

T: Roasted malt, some powdery cocoa powder and a hint of earthy hops on the finish. For me, the taste was a little too one-dimensional and it got old before the bottle was through. Still, at $1.99, this is an absolute steal. Very worth the price.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 09:30:03 | More by notchucknorris

fezmeister

California

3.65/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A no-frills, uncomplicated, yet very pleasant chocolate stout that is what it says. Deep, dark brown in color, creamy tan head, with a rich, malty scent. The flavor is not complex or original, but the roasty malts and strong chocolates are great, balanced by just enough hops, give a rich but smooth and dry finish. The mouthfeel is somewhat creamy, but very drinkable and not heavy. Overall tasty, very easy to drink, and well worth $2 for 22oz.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 04:26:21 | More by fezmeister

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Black bodied stout, no detectable light passing through. A light brown head foaming up when poured, but quickly fading to lace and a few mini islands of bubbles.

S - Nose of mineral water, sweet and metallic. Faint notes of roasted grain and sourdough.

T - A light flavor profile, with some sweet and mild chocolate, hints of roasty malts. Light sweet mineral water, some dry grain.

M - Very light bodied for a stout, its clean and crisp with a mildly dry end. Very drinkable.

O - A drinkable stout, with this light feel and subtle flavors.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 03:09:03 | More by BeerForMuscle

whatthehull

California

3.7/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tulip

A - Nice deep brown almost black, one finger very tan head and some nice lacing

S - Lots of roasted malts, brown sugar, milk and dark chocolate, earth and wood, nice mellow coffee, some earthy hops and more sugar

T - Tons of earth, crisp and refreshing, nice malts sweet and toasted, mellow chocolate more on the milk than the dark, soil, minerals, brown sugar, cinnamon, wood and a slight floral hop note

M - Medium minus body, low complexity, low acidity, medium balance and medium finish

D - Very drinkable, if you like guiness stout and are looking for something "craft" give this one a whirl. Refreshing, tasty and surprisingly light

Final thought - $2 and very drinkable? Yes please! Add a teaspoon or 2 of bourbon and a pinch of sugar and watch out!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 06:59:34 | More by whatthehull

UnknownKoger

California

3.73/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

$2 at Trader Joe's? I couldn't not try it. Poured from bottle into Bruery tulip

Appearance is motor oil black with a little bit of brown at the top. Decent carbonation yields a good head that settles down into a nice ring around the glass

Smell is as it should be. Slight roasted chocolate goodness. There is also just the slightest hint of sweetness

Taste is good. It could use a bit more body, but it's definitely an easy drinker. The chocolate is there, but it's not overwhelming. Sweetness is there as well.

Since this is pretty light bodied, the mouthfeel is great. Goes down clean and smooth.

Overall, for $2 this is a steal. I would absolutely buy this again for that price.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 03:11:59 | More by UnknownKoger

Aaron_Ramson

California

3.73/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: dark roasted color, almost black. Head did not retain well at all as it flattened almost immediately but left a nice lasting lace on the side of the glass.
S: smells like a coffee truffle with whiskey in it! Very boozy and warm smelling for a 5.4% beer, cocoa and roasted coffee are prevalent, some burnt toast.
T: taste follows the nose with burnt coffee and dark chocolate favors at the forefront. There is a boozy, hard alcohol bite that is peculiar for a beer that is only 5.4%.
M: Medium-heavy mouthfeel, slightly syrupy. Carbonation is good for the style.
O: Not a big fan of the style but surprisingly good and more complex than a $1.99 beer deserves to be.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 05:14:25 | More by Aaron_Ramson

Mosstrooper

California

3.78/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bottle into Duvel tulip glass.

Appearance: Opaque black with a small brown head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind a thick, foamy ring of lace.

Smell: Bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and a slight hint of grassiness.

Taste: Begins with sweet chocolate, which rounds out to more of a dark chcocolate/coffee bitterness before finishing with more sweet chocolate with a faint hop bitterness that balances everything out.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with balanced carbonation and a watery finish that gets a bit stickier as more sips are taken. Not bad at all, but something might be missing in this category.

Overall: The best of the three Boatswain beers I had. Not outstanding, but a solid all-around stout and well worth a drink, especially for $1.99. This would be a great go-to beer when on a budget.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 07:47:49 | More by Mosstrooper

mactrail

California

3.8/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

"Brewed with cocoa powder," which seems to accentuate the malty sweetness. Has a nice dose of hops, though I would question the 66 IBU claimed on the label. Modest bitter aftertaste. Nice appearance, from the dark mahogany color to the lacing swirling along the tulip glass. Really quite well balanced, from the touch of candy to the hoppy bite. Light body with a pleasant carbonation in the mouth. Nose of chocolate and burnt barley. Really not a bad beer.

From the 22 oz bottle. Another beer sold by Trader Joe's and brewed at the old Huber brewery in Monroe, Wisconsin. Label says "Rhinelander Brewing Co."

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 04:02:08 | More by mactrail

Zorro

California

3.83/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer is now being sold by Fresh & Easy in California under a different name.

Labeled "Underworld Brewing Chocolate Stout" it is the same beer.

Nearly lightproof beer with a small brown colored head.

Smell is strongly of coca powder with a fairly sweet scent. Smells like a Milk Stout patent malt and coffee in addition to the coca powder. Little bit of toasted grain scent but mostly this smells of chocolate.

Starts out mildly sweet with a strong charred grain flavor. Get sweeter as you drink it and the chocolate taste really comes on strong. Tastes like Milk Stout with a slight smoke and coffee taste, but this is really a chocolate beer.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall the best beer yet from Fresh & Easy. Two bombers of this for $5.99, a good deal on a tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 07:27:36 | More by Zorro

chinchill

South Carolina

3.84/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle with a Boatswain label from TJ’s served in a De Koninck snifter at about 55F.
Pours a very dark brown, clear but looks black in the glass excepting the brown edges. The dark tan head has decent retention and the glass is nicely coated with lacing after each tip. Plenty of dark and medium chocolate in both the aroma and the flavor [near 4]. Excellent sweet/bitter balance, if a tad more hoppy and bitter than usual for a chocolate stout. A hint of licorice lingers into the slightly smoky aftertaste. Creamy smooth medium-full body with excellent carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 00:42:28 | More by chinchill

BeerDocT

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From the folks who gave us "Simpler Times" beer, comes this different imprint...Boatswain! A bomber of this was under $3 at Trader Joe's in Alpharetta, GA. I had to walk past the weirdo stocking guy who always stares at people to get it, so I hope it is worth it.

-Appearance 3.5: Jet black and opaque, like any self-respecting stout should be. Small tan head formed and faded away into swirls on top.

-Smell 3.75: Nice bouquet of toasted grains, cocoa and barley malt. Bouquet is subdued and pleasing.

-Taste 4.0: The front is slightly sour and smoky. Middle is slightly sweet and then fades quickly into a mountain of a finish that hits you with barley, hops and chocolate. This cascades nicely into a very pleasing finish of smoky grains and light hops. Very good.

-Mouthfeel 4.0: Very nice, full mouthfeel. Carbonation is just right for this style and the added "oomph" from something (probably maltose) makes this an above average experience.

-Overall 3.75: It may be cheap, but it is really good beer. I have had several expensive stouts that are nowhere near as good as this brew. Unfortunately, I think that many people see the price and immediately let their preconceived prejudices do the tasting. Pay the jerks no mind and gleefully pick up this beer and enjoy it with the full knowledge that you are offending the sensibilities of legions of Buddy Holly glasses-wearing Arcade Fire fans. I like this brew and I bet the weirdo stock guy would, too. I think he would give it four out of five "ughs."

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 02:52:22 | More by BeerDocT

iSunMonkey

California

4/5  rDev +22%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

For $2 a bottle at Trader Joe's, I feel like this is definitely worth trying at least once. I'm a big fan of chocolate and of stouts. So, when I saw this on the shelf I snatched two bottles.

I really enjoyed the chocolatey, dark bitterness. Definitely will have again.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 06:11:02 | More by iSunMonkey

yesyouam

New York

4.08/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Boatswain Chocolate Stout is a black ale with a slightly reddish cast. The smooth, dense, brown head has decent retention. It has a roasted aroma with notes of coffee, dark chocolate and toffee. It feels smooth and full bodied with a clean, dry finish. A little grit is left on the teeth. There's a hint of sweetness, but it's dry overall. The chocolate flavor is very dark and pretty subtle. There's a bit of caramel going on mid-taste. The chocolate is probably most prominent in the dusty aftertaste. The bitterness is very subdued and is just enough to balance things out. This is a very solid, drinkable and enjoyable stout.Boatswain Chocolate Stout is a black ale with a slightly reddish cast. The smooth, dense, brown head has decent retention. It has a roasted aroma with notes of coffee, dark chocolate and toffee. It feels smooth and full bodied with a clean, dry finish. A little grit is left on the teeth. There's a hint of sweetness, but it's dry overall. The chocolate flavor is very dark and pretty subtle. There's a bit of caramel going on mid-taste. The chocolate is probably most prominent in the dusty aftertaste. The bitterness is very subdued and is just enough to balance things out. This is a very solid, drinkable and enjoyable stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 00:59:14 | More by yesyouam

jlmlvsbrew

California

4.13/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

The beer poured fine and had nice head. flavor very nice, fresh chocolate or cocoa and bold. This is as good if not better than Guinness extra stout and for the price is amazing. It did lose the foamy head but was perfect with the last gulp of beer. So stout lovers drink up!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 02:35:25 | More by jlmlvsbrew