Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - Brooklyn Brewery

saintwarrick

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Been achin’ to try this and it does not disappoint. This brew lives up to the name as it is a solid black with a creamy tan head Aroma is milk chocolate, cereal, cocoa and molasses. Taste is tremendous; loads of dark bitter chocolate mixes in with a good bit of burnt coffee and cocoa. Very thick, more like chocolate syrup than hot cocoa. Alcohol is also prevalent but not distracting until it catches up to you.

A rare treat and another world-class brew from Brooklyn.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2008 07:30:12 | More by saintwarrick

jbphoto88

Texas

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Super black beer with a small tan head that peaks out of the lagoon of dark liquor. That me trying to be poetic but basically saying its a pretty brew.
Smells of sweet chocolate malts, dark fruit and a little molasses. Delicious but a little light for my preference.
Taste is up there with some of my favorite beers. There is a complex layer of flavors that starts with roasted and chocolate malts. Followed by a nice hop bite with a dark fruit chaser and then... sweet Jesus, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. The after taste is all chocolate and it lingers forever on your tongue and the sides of your mouth. There is also a nice warming of the pallet from the higher ABV, and it stays with your sip all the way down to your stomach. I think I am in love. I doubt I can wait and cellar this beer even though I know it will be even better after some age.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2008 00:20:38 | More by jbphoto88

easement

Georgia

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance - Pours black in color. A good deal of head and nice lacing.

Aroma- Burnt caramel. Chocolate.

Mouthfeel - Thick like sweet tea

Flavor- Bitter Chocolate finishes off sweet. Bitterness comes back and lingers

Overall- Very good. Great with chocolate cake and or french vanilla ice cream.

Additional Notes- One of my favorite winter seasonal beers.

serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 17:10:09 | More by easement

f0gg

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a DARK black with small layer of head on top. Amazing chocolate smell with a hint of malt and coffee. Great mix of chocolate and coffee flavor that has a bit of a bitter taste to it. Mouthfeel is slightly carbonated and seems to stay with you with a coffee aftertaste. This is not a beer to drink quickly its something to sit down with relax and enjoy for a little bit. One of my favorite beers that I have had recently and would definately purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2008 03:35:54 | More by f0gg

tanousa

Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Beautiful deep black with an delightful tan head.

S- Delicious chocolate, hints of coffe , licorice and strong alcohol.
T- Chocolate , roasted malts and hints of expresso.

M- smooth , nice carbonation.

D- Potent stout @ 10% alcohol content, a beer to drink slowly, great for desserts, a whole different experience enjoying this stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2009 03:36:29 | More by tanousa

RobertTh3Texian

Texas

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The tan head forms up nicely and stands proud as if to say, "I am Brooklyn, and Brooklyn is Stout." Black does not even begin to describe this brew. It's advanced darkness that seeks light (lite) of the world and swallows it whole. The nose is as fruity and toasty as the first taste is. The body isn't too heavy and it leaves a good fruit flavour that I love from a good stout and only comes out in the best of chocolates. Good beer all around, a must buy if ya got it.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 15:31:00 | More by RobertTh3Texian

dubinsky

California

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Winter 09-10 vintage poured from bottle into a snifter.

A - Pours a complete pitch black, with a thick, creamy, dark tan two finger head that recedes quickly but leaves some amazing lace behind. Its almost not fair to call it lacing, cause its not very laced, more like a solid curtain on the sidewalls of the glass.

S - Dark chocolate, cocoa, espresso and caramel malts dominate this beer. I've sat on this beer for over a year and i think thats is really mellowed out, at least from the smell. I'm not getting any booze in the aroma.

T - What can i say? A year does wonders. This is easily one of the best tasting RIS's that i have had to date. So mellow its not even funny. This is like drinking a 60% dark chocolate bar. Its dark, but still creamy. Amazing balance of dark chocolates, caramels, and coffee. There is ZERO alcohol burn. I bought a six pack of this beer and have been enjoying it every time, but this is the best i have had it to date.

M - Thick and creamy. Very smooth with excellently light carbonation. Very well balanced.

D - Besides Chokolat, this is the easiest Russian Imperial Stout i have had to date. This is so good that i dont want to drink it fast and am finding myself sipping it, not because its a sipper, but just cause i want this to last. I will try to trade for this years batch and sit on it as well. A wonderful dessert beer. Having this with chocolate brownies.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 04:23:13 | More by dubinsky

droyce

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I was really excited to bring this one home, right after the pour I could tell I was going to enjoy this it.

A - black like motor oil with a thick creamy mocha head, great looking beer
S - a malty sweet dark chocolate
T - alcohol upfront but not bad for 10%, roasted malty goodness, barky dark chocolate
M - smooth but not overly thick
O - overall a great IRS, really enjoyable beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 01:18:44 | More by droyce

KeshiaM

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is a superior Imperial stout.

When I poured it it formed a thin, mocha head that faded quickly but left no lacing. This stout is black as black can be even against light.

It has a strong chocolate, coffee smell that is a rich as the taste

Speaking of taste, intense chocolate with a hint of vanilla and caramel. The alcohol is strong but it never overwhelms the taste. Just leaves a lingering booziness.

The mouthfeel is a little thin for a stout but it doesn't detract, at least not for me. Light carbonating keeps it from getting heavy towards the end.

Overall I loved this stout. I let it sit to warm up and it brought out every taste it had. A complex yet very drinkable beer. Be careful though, at 10 percent this beer sneaks up on you fast.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 23:07:20 | More by KeshiaM

KingSlayer

California

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: pours jet black full bodied liquid, light wont go trough, thick beige/tan brownish foam with lots of lacing, mild carbonation. permanent foam ring as beer is drank. requieres aggresive pouring.

S: wonderful bouquet, intense roasted sweet malts, coffee, dark chocolate, toffee, dark burnt caramel, cookie dough. cant wait to taste it.

T: same as nose, wonderful taste, sweet, little bit salty end, bitternes is present but well rounded. mild bitter prolonged aftertaste.

M: full body, dense liquid, mild but adequate carbonation, silky, almost like chocolate milk.

O: delicious thick, silky, meal-like beer, excellent chocolate, caramel, coffee palate, 10% alcohol per volume, but masks it perfectly, can sip this all day in a cold winter, excellent brew.
one of my favourite stouts.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 06:55:04 | More by KingSlayer

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served in the 12 oz. bottle. The color is jet-black, with a decent tan head. The smell is a nice chocolate malt. The taste is very chocolatey, with hints of coffee and anise, and the alcohol is not at all noticable. Mouthfeel is very heavy and creamy. Drinkability...could have these all day long.

Probably my favorite Imperial Stout to date. The chocolate adds a beautiful complexity to the basic taste. Simply tremendous, and I'm glad I still have a 6 pack of this one, and it's definitely one I'll be having again!!!!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2003 18:29:08 | More by beergeek279

deejaydan

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I originally picked this up in a beer trade with Davo...

Wow, this beer tastes like... the best thing I could compare it to would be Hershey's Special Dark. If I didn't know any better, I would swear that the added cocoa or some sort of real chocolate into the mash.

Pours dark as midnight. Nice, lasting head, great lacing. Smells like a bitter to semi sweet chocolate bar.

This is definately in my top 5 of all of the beers I have EVER tasted. Now, I have to find a homebrew recipe for it :)

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2004 04:56:50 | More by deejaydan

Erix

Vermont

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From bottle poured in pint glass.
Appearance: Well, its hard for an Imperial Stout (or American Double Stout?) to look much better than this. Absolutely black, with a dark, slowly developing head. Looks nice and thick.
Smell: Wonderfully dark, sweet chocolate. Hew did they ever get this much chocolate scent in here without using chocolate? Truly fantastic.
Taste: Bitter burnt chocolatey goodness all around! Wow, this is delicious. I've worked my way through about half the case despite my best attempts to pace myself, and it grows on me more with each bottle. Sweeter than you expect, the hops really play around with the roastiness to accentuate, rather than overwhelm, this malty backbone. Finishes with a soft, thick, coating malt sweetness. Well hidden alcohol.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and almost creamy, the bitterness doesnt pucker your mouth and shrivel your tongue like I often anticipate in a beer this color and strength. Great stuff.
Drinkability: Very easy to down this beer. A beverage this great and a budget as small as mine make it a must to never have more than one bottle chilled at any time.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2005 03:29:04 | More by Erix

david131

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a review from the 06-07 bottling.

A-Very black, with just the slightest bit of light making its way through the edges when held to a light. The head is small and orange, but creamy looking with good retention. For close to 11% this is outstanding.

S- Wow, this has aged nicely. The chocolate aromas really come out along with some coffee and licorice and a dark fruit complex. Absolutely wonderful.

T- A massive amount of complexity without being overbearing. This is very tasty and complex. The alcohol is very well hidden, with only a slight warming aspect after the swallow. Time has done this wonders.

M- Very smooth, but maybe just a bit thin. The alcohol is still hidden to an amazing degree.

D- This is an absolutely amazing beer. Age has done this some good. This could quite possibly be the best value in the beer world.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2008 03:51:25 | More by david131

samie85

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Pours an opaque jet black with a cratery, dark khaki head. Leaves decent lacing.

S- I get roasted malt, cocoa, a sweet alcohol aroma and some vanilla.

T- Rich, dark chocolate with roasted coffee upfront and then finishes with a slight bitterness and alcohol.

M- Not thick per se, but definitely smooth. I find some RIS's to be a little thin, but this beer avoids that by having just the right amount of carbonation. Finishes with a slight alcohol warmth in the throat.

D- This is not the same beer I had a year ago on tap. I think it might have been dirty lines or something. This is phenomenal compared to what I remember. Really smooth, and well hidden alcohol for a RIS. This would be a nice beer to keep on hand during the winter months.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2009 04:45:01 | More by samie85

Berthold

New Hampshire

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured this black beauty in a tulip. Black at SRM40+, the thin dark tan head is supported by low carbonation. Moderate legs and sheen on glass noted. Aroma is roast malt, stone fruit and chocolate. Flavor is a dark roast, slightly biscuit, complex stone fruit with a low bitterness. Mouthfeel is very full bodied with a sweet finish. Warmth from alcohol is noted.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2009 23:24:55 | More by Berthold

bundy462

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark as cola, frothy caramel colored head.

S: Dark chocolate, black licorice, and booze. Slightly nutty. Slight cherry.

T: Huge hanging burnt chocolate malt. Big dark chocolate rush with a dark fruit twist. Dry licorice finish. Nice booze kick the whole way through, warming. Excellent.

M: Thick and creamy. Smooth.

O: Very drinkable stout. Great tasting, a perfect change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 00:52:22 | More by bundy462

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a snifter glass. 2011 Bottle.

Appearance: Pours an oily pitch black with no color coming through. Decent two fingers of dark tan head that quickly fades into a thin patchy layer. A moderate amount of lacing sticks.

Smell: Smells as dark as it looks. Lots of dark chocolate with dark roasted malts and a hint of coffee. Also some strong hints of dark fruits and earthy hops. Smells very bold and sweet.

Taste: Like the smell, a big presence of dark chocolate with lots of dark roasted caramel malts. Some good notes of coffee come in midway. Has some nice hints of dark fruit with dark cherries. Also some light hints of earthy hops. Fairly sweet but the bitterness of the chocolate balances things out. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Very chewy and creamy. Starts sweet and finishes dry. No heat from the alcohol is felt.

Overall: A great imperial stout. One of the best out there and you can't beat the price.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 05:41:53 | More by MattyG85

Lare453

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A black with a medium sized brown head. The beer is opaque and looks great.

S bitter chocolate, coffee and malts with a light hint of fresh grain

T big bold chocolate, coffee and dried malts throughout the flavor profile. The aftertaste is slightly boozi but has a distinct dark chocolate flavor.

O another hit from Brooklyn. It is delicious and I have been saving some for each year to try. This one was a fresh 2011 - 2012 bottle. I would recommend this to everyone and I drink it frequently.

12oz bottle served in a riedel snifter

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 05:32:30 | More by Lare453

Todd

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

An incredibly tasty and powerful stout. Best use of chocolate malt that I've ever seen for the style. It's high alcohol and rich flavours also make it a perfect canditate for aging. Have a 99-00 that I am waiting to review. Yummy stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2000 23:44:44 | More by Todd

QXSTER1

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Boldest, most complex stout I've had to date. Enhances chocolate desserts immensely.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2001 19:47:20 | More by QXSTER1

AaronRed

New York

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

'01-'02: Wow, this beer knocked me out! For a while, all I could taste and smell was alcohol. But after it warmed, the rich texture of the chocolate and malt became evident. This beer really warms the inside of your belly and is perfect for this time of year.
--
'00-'01: What a brew! I saved a bottle from last year and it evolved into an even more spectacular beer. It's like velvet, but sweet and with a kick. You can't go wrong.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2001 21:43:15 | More by AaronRed

JackStraw22

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the 2004-05 edition. Pours a typically black body, with a nice dark, caramel head, reasonable retention. There's a wonderful sweet aroma, tons of chocolate. Also some fruitiness. The taste is awesome. For as sweet as this is, it isn't overbearing, and the high alcohol doesn't make an appearance in the mouth, what a delight. The mocha taste in this is really good, and just a hint of bitterness to give some balance. I could drink these all night.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2005 01:32:41 | More by JackStraw22

arguemaniac

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Note: Having had this amazingly complex brew before, I decided to forgo using my usual pint glass and instead opted for a snifter in order to review this one.

Appearance: Utter and absolute darkness, this brew is entirely opaque (even held up against a light the color does not change). Also, a thick, creamy brown head (with some minor ruby hues) that sustains for quite a while. The viscous oiliness of this beer is also very impressive (it has that somwhat rare “coats the glass” quality).

Aroma: A number of aromas emanate from this brew: chocolate, roasted coffee, burnt fruit, alcohol hints, and even hop bitterness. Nicely earthy and complex.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Two basic, overall flavors dominate this brew: bitterness and roastiness (or, more accurately, a burnt flavor). The former comes from an array of the beer’s flavors such as bitter cocoa, hop flavor, alcohol bite, etc., while the latter stems from roasted coffee, burnt fruitiness, espresso, etc. All of these varying tastes complement to create a very rich and very complex brew. Also, the sweetness has a port-like character. In addition to all this, the finish is long and robust. The mouthfeel is exceptionally thick and oily, with a nice carbonation tang as well.

A number of words could be used to describe this truly outstanding beer – rich, robust, delicious, complex, earthy, etc., - but I think one simple word does it best: amazing. Easily my favorite stout, but also one of the best out of all the beers I’ve ever tasted, regardless of style. The one very minor drawback, IMHO, is that its richness makes it somewhat difficult to finish off more than one or two of these at a time (I been drinking the same glass of this stout for almost a half-hour and I’m still not done!), not to mention its alcohol kick (an 8.5% hammer). But, overall, no serious craft beer drinker can afford to not try this one. Highly, highly recommended!!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2005 09:02:35 | More by arguemaniac

TuckerCarlson

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a thick, opaque near-black. Thin and fleeting dark tan head.

Smells sweet and dark with strong chocolate and maybe some prunes behind it.

Dancing dark chocolate and coffee flavors with a hint of fruit and of something dry and grassy; warming alcohol that helps dry out the finish to slightly bitter dark chocolate and coffee flavors.

Big, thick, and chewy; thoroughly satisfying.

I'd have to call this my absolute favorite. I doubt I'd have more than one at a time, but with a beer this good, there's no need to.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2007 22:17:28 | More by TuckerCarlson