Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - Brooklyn Brewery

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

4.04/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It is an absolutely black beer, with a super retained beige neck. The expresso/chocolate aroma hides very well the stunning alcoholic content of 10%. In terms of taste, we have a full-bodied beer that should emanate expresso and (dark) chocolate - exactly what we have here. The low carbonation pairs with a good hoppy presence to balance the toasted malt. The end is dry, hoppy, and brings the feeling of having an expresso. Very appropriate that what it proposes to be.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 17:54:54 | More by HabiMendes

Guden

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A bottle from Winter 11-12 (so a little over a year old)

A- Deep black with no light shining through. Head is a chocolate color and starts big before falling to a thin layer, leaving a thick wall of foam on the sides of the glass.

S- Deep dark chocolate. Some dark fruit (blackberry and plum) comes in the mix along with a little caramel. A tinge of booze barely shows itself, seems to be even less than when fresh.

T- Incredibly smooth and light up front with luscious dark chocolate middle mixing with burnt toast and other roasty flavors on the end. A bit of fruit shows as it warms but the alcohol isn't detectable in the taste despite the 10% ABV. Very complex.

M- Fairly thick and creamy. A bit milkshake like with low carbonation, a bit too low for my tastes.

D- A nice imperial stout with very strong chocolate flavor. The age seems to have played nicely with the flavors. Still the chocolate is a bit strong to the point where I wouldn't immediately reach for another.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 01:52:07 | More by Guden

JohannBock

Pennsylvania

4.61/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Bottle that says it's from winter 12-13, possible bottling date stamped on it too but too hard to read. Poured into a pint glass with 1 finger of tan head that quickly recedes to some light swirls on top. Pitch black, there is no light getting through this thing at all.

S: Dark malt and raisins coming through up front in the nose. Some alcohol sweetness comes out as well leading right into dark chocolate smell.

T: Slightly bitter dark malt right away followed by dark fruits, raisins and figs mostly. Next comes some alcohol sweetness and a little bit of bite. Then the after taste kicks in and it's all dark chocolate and warming alcohol from there. Finishes nice and smooth and begs you to take another sip.

M: Heavy and smooth mouthfeel with just enough carbonation to keep if from being sludgy. Seems just about right for the style.

O: This was my first experience with a RIS so I don't have a great benchmark to base this off of. With that said, everything I've read about this style is coming through really nicely in this beer. If this is what all RIS's are then I'm hooked. Great beer from a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 02:58:11 | More by JohannBock

JK4Stout

Virginia

3.99/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Very nice black color with coffee colored head around the top. This bottle was aged (unintentionally...forgot it was under the stairs) so I can't speak too much to head.

S: A mild aroma of melted chocolate and just a tiny hint of fruitiness.

T: I have had this a time or two but have forgotten just how good it is. I was fairly impressed honestly. I had an Imperial stout last night that didn't make the grade as well as this. Great flavors and even smoothness.

M: Heavy side of medium and decent carbonation

O: I'm all in. For price and availability this is spot on. I won't wait years before my next bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 00:21:25 | More by JK4Stout

CaptMaelstrom

Tennessee

4.7/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Bottle to tulip glass.

A: Poured thick and black, tiny caramel head.

S: Roasty chocolately goodness, 100%.

T: There's a bit of licorice bitterness, but mostly chocolately notes dominate. "Black Chocolate Stout" is the perfect name for this one.

M: Little bit of boozy warmth all the way through. Carbonation low enough to get all of the creaminess and chocolatiness onto the palate. Rich and milkshake like.

O: Right up there with Old Rasputin in my book. Great stout, 10% is well hidden, delicious, creamy, warming. Nothing better on a snowy winter's night!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 23:51:03 | More by CaptMaelstrom

BWED

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into my Brooklyn snifter

A- Black with a half finger brown head. Retains well with a wall of lacing.

S- Mocha, slight mellow booze ( which intensifies with temp rise) but very well concealed.

T- Strong coffee, bitter, a hint of chocolate. The chocolate presence is there.

M- Thick and velvety. A tingle of light carbonation and a little alcohol warmth. Finishes slightly dry/bitter for a good balance.

O- The first thing I thought of, was that this was no where near the chocolate stouts I have had in the past. But then I read and realized that this chocolate stout (unlike others) doesn't actually use chocolate in it's recipe. Then I was struck by how well selected the blend of malts is, in imitating the chocolate flavor. Props to Brooklyn.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 03:13:50 | More by BWED

Belgianbeerbunny

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - Black opaque elegance topped with a 1/2 inch caramel head.

S - Faint chocolate and booze.

T - Like a dark chocolate bar with 75% cacao. Sweet at the front, but slightly bitter at the finish.

M - Thick and rich, like a milkshake. Hangs out on your palate for a minute or two.

O - A great dessert beer. My middle-age woman need for chocolate and booze has been satisfied by this sumptuous stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 02:01:12 | More by Belgianbeerbunny

CommanderOfAwesome

California

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle from IP trade with SF Fan Jake

A: Pours a black with a brown khaki one finger head.

S: This is the downside, the aroma is terrible. Similar problem that I have with aged Green Flash Double Stout. Wet cardboard, and off aromas. Just bad.

T: Thankfully the taste isn't effected too much by the terrible aroma. Tons of Roasty notes, chocolate and slight hop finish similar to Old Raspy.

M: Full bodied, plenty of carbonation for you belgian fans, and a slight bitter dry finish that isn't there in most stouts. Chocolate sweetness lingers as well.

O: Decent beer that I would love to try fresh. Think aging isn't kind to the aroma on this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 05:14:17 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

Andrew61923

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Winter 11-12 bottle poured into Sierra Nevada tulip after sitting out of fridge for 20 minutes.

A: Poured a viscous black with a plentiful khaki head to the brim of the tulip. Head dissipated slowly leaving minimal lacing.

S: Lots of dark fruit and raisin with some bitter chocolate, which I expected to get more of. Got some of the faint alcohol presence when I searched for it.

T: Almost liquid bitter chocolate. Not picking up on the raisin as much on the palette thankfully, though I got more of it as the beer warmed more.

M: Very smooth, but definitely thick and one for sipping. Coats the palette well and leaves you waiting for the next sip.

O: Sat on this for a little over a year and it was worth the wait. I definitely prefer it with some age on it and I'm excited to have the two year old bottle in my cellar in the near future.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 04:10:50 | More by Andrew61923

Mgm54

New York

4.16/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Black, no light is getting through anywhere in this beer. Two fingers of tan head

S - Strong chocolate and booze. not too much roasted character in the nose

T - Big chocolate bomb here, sweet booze (a lot of it), bit of coffee in the mid, roasted notes in the end

M - creamy, cloying alcohol

O - Great, big, chocolate brew. For 8.99 a four pack, buy it...

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 04:43:19 | More by Mgm54

DesertRat

North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I am a huge imperial stout fan. I consider this to be one of the best. On par with Founders, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy and the recent Narwal from Sierra Nevada. Chocolate and toffee finish with a completely smooth finish. You can barely taste the alcohol, which can sometimes be overwhelming in imperial stouts. This is a beer I will look forward to every winter. I was fortunate to find this brew a dollar off its already honest $7.99 retail price for a four pack. I love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 02:39:40 | More by DesertRat

Beerstorian

District of Columbia

4.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

This came out of a regular bottle, bought recently from the store.

Aroma had malts, with a faint background of chocolate, but not a great deal to it.

Appearance: A thick, creamy meringue head, with very good lacing, and a very deep black color.

Taste: Very roasty, a bit charred, and slightly smoky. A very good malt flavor, with some chocolate, but not overly chocolaty. I got no alcohol notes at all.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, with only a touch of "zip" to it. Not dry.

Overall: A definite favorite, though also not a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 12:53:44 | More by Beerstorian

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.94/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz. bottle 12-13 vintage purchased in the greater Washington D.C. area (Cleveland Park Wines and Liquors representin'!) several months ago, poured into a Weyerbacher tulip glass, drank 2/15/13 over ~one hour.

A: 4.75- inky-black coloration, unfiltered haziness swallowing the light; slight lacing around the glass, imperceptible alcohol legs

S: 4.75 - roasted almost burnt coffee, bitter chocolate, slight toffee and caramel undertones, moderate alcohol on the nose

T: 5 - coffee bitterness on the anterior tongue opens the taste buds for a surprising bite of Cascade hop grapefruit, lots of chocolate and caramel in the swallow with lingering aftertaste; hidden alcohol with warming notes throughout the chest

M: 5 - full chewy body, feels like a mouthful of dark chocolate with roasted coffee!

O: 5: as a full disclosure, Brooklyn's BCS is my favorite RIS on the market; it also holds sentimental value for me as one of the first beers that addicted me to craft beer and sparked an interest in homebrewing (I brew a clone of it each year now); the chocolate and coffee aroma and taste are unparalleled with just enough hop flavor/aroma for balancing, maybe the best use of Cascade hops in a non-American IPA/DIPA; I'll continue to be cellaring and eagerly anticipating my vertical tasting in 5-10 years. Cheers, Garrett Oliver and Co.!

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 03:11:43 | More by MNishCT77

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

3.15/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Poured viscous, black and opaque, almost reddish, one finger light brown head that quickly disapated.

S - Roasted malt, coffee, hint of cherries

T - Slight sweetnees, roasted malt, alcohol, medium bitter at the finish

MF - Astringent, thin

O - Not at all what I expected. Where is the chocolate? If its there, its faint. Maybe this brew needs some aging. Not again for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 04:13:47 | More by Sludgeman

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

3.24/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Black as night with a finger of head the laced well and retained quite admirably. True to it's name, the body is a black as night. A little bit more head and a bit more retention would have earned the perfect score.

Smell: I'm catching a light smell of dark bakers chocolate, and...that's it. I guess I can't complain, I mean it's called Black Chocolate Stout, but that being said, there is a lack of stout on the nose here.

Taste: There is an undertone of dark chocolate throughout the beer, and dominates the entire experience. It starts with some straw like malt, and then turns to come notes of charred wood with a slight alcohol solvent taste.

Mouthfeel: The alcoholic note I could use without but the carbonation does a good job of accenting things and keeping the beer a smooth ride. The dark chocolate really likes to linger on the back of the tongue though.

Drinkabilty: Well it's medium bodied to me and while I'm not a fan of dark chocolate it's taste is prevalent in the beer that someone who did like it would be pleasantly surprised.

Final Thoughts: I can't help but question this beer, I mean you'd think a beer that emphasizes chocolate taste would go for something sweeter, but it doesn't. You'd also think as an RIS more malt and other character would be there, but it's not. If you like dark chocolate or high cacao chocolate you will like this beer, I personally don't so it's not quite my thing.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 05:13:28 | More by TheHammer

kagent777

Utah

4.31/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle from Sonofalime, thanks! Poured into my CCB snifter. This bottle is from the winter 2010-11 release.

Appearance: About as black as a beer can be. Has a one fingered tan mocha head that settles after a few minutes. Alcohol legs creep up after a short swirl. Very inviting.

Smell: Dark malts with a dark dried raisin or prune sort of smell. I get a semisweet waft of cocoa.

Taste: Chocolate really picks up in the taste. A kind of bakers chocolate. The overall taste is not too sweet, with the alcohol very well hidden. A bit of bitter ash and tar/char mixed in as well, but not a bad thing. The finish is very long.

Mouthfeel: Silky solid body with tight but mellow carbonation.

Overall: Very nice stout. Again, I say this too often here, I wish I could get this one here in Utah.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 04:08:37 | More by kagent777

craft_shannie

Indiana

4.26/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

poured into imperial pint glass.

A: opaque black, minimal brown head.
S: roasted malts, molasses
T: very smooth roasted malts; dark fruits; minimal bitterness on finish.
M: smooth and creamy; minimal carbonation.

"Chocolate" is very sutble. Very drinkable and perfect Sunday afternoon brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 21:13:02 | More by craft_shannie

Mando603

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours jet black with a heavy brown head that takes it's time leaving. Smells like a Hershey bar with some dark maltiness. Tastes the same with hardly any alcohol coming thru. A nice dry sweetness at the end. Satiny mouthfeel. Just velvety chocolate stout goodness!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 23:22:08 | More by Mando603

sommersb

Tennessee

4.06/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 02-08-2013
Freshness: 2012-2013 Vintage
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Snifter
Purchased: Single from the Bottle Shop, Franklin TN

A: Black and opaque beer, with a tan head of a finger. Head retention is low and leaves a fair amount of lacing.

S: Aromas have dark chocolate and roasted malts, plus vanilla and some tannin. A hint of dark cherry fruits.

T: Starts with a coffee-like bitterness and bittersweet chocolates. Also has some wood/oak flavors. Fairly dry and not as sweet as I expected.

M: Thick and creamy mouthfeel with a moderate amount of carbonation. The finish is dry with a bittersweet chocolate and French roast aftertaste, with a hit of alcohol.

O: Seems to represent the style very well, but at the same time did not seem remarkable enough to make me want to go and purchase more.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 06:05:51 | More by sommersb

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.99/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter at cellar temperature.

L – Black color with a 1.5-finger frothy, tan head. Nice retention and some really terrific lacing early on. It sort of slides down the glass back into the beer as time goes by.

S – Definitely chocolate, molasses, and dark fruits like plums and figs. Some roasted coffee is here, too, along with some alcohol.

T – Sweet nearly all the way through with chocolate, plum, fig, and some molasses. Some roasted bitterness creeps in and builds at the finish.

F – Full-bodied with good carbonation, a velvety, sticky, and creamy mouthfeel, and a bittersweet and slightly dry finish. Sweet chocolate and dark fruit and bitter roasted malt flavors linger. There is definitely some throat-and-palate warmth from the alcohol.

O – This is a good RIS. It’s not the best or most complex one that I’ve had, but it is exactly what is advertised – a black chocolate stout. Glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 04:29:12 | More by BlackBelt5112203

DocJitsu

California

4.36/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours an opaque, nearly black color with a dull mocha/khaki head that has a hydrogen-infused appearance. The aroma is very nice. A lot of coconut and sorghum up front. After the beer settles a bit, a lot of sweet, milk chocoate emerges. Mouthfeel is not as viscous as it looks. Very creamy with some sting around the edges of the tongue from a carbonation/hop hot/alcohol combination. A lot of chocolate flavor, contrasted by the smokiness. The smokiness dissipates as the beer sits. There's a bit of ripe cherry in there as well. I like it very much.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 23:39:47 | More by DocJitsu

ironchefmiyagi13

New York

4.31/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The restaurant I work at got this on tap recently so I decided to try it out.

For a RIS lover, I was very pleased with this beer. The color and density of the beer is dark and syrupy. Pours a very thick and creamy head that last around long enough to hold the aroma for smelling.
The flavor, while tasty and drinkable, was just a tad sweet for my taste. You can definitely taste the chocolate, with the coffee shining through. I also tasted chocolate covered dark cherries and raspberries. Very interesting and appealing.
Overall, I enjoyed this beer enough for a second glass. Great for sipping at the bar with friends. Will definitely drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2013 19:58:43 | More by ironchefmiyagi13

Dave1999

Virginia

3.71/5  rDev -11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours pure black with a small tan head which actually last s a while.

The smell is dark roasted malts although too subtle for me.

The taste is dark roasted malts, quite sour and bitter.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation.

This beer had a weird sour and bitter taste not what I was expecting. Hopefully just a bad bottle and the other 3 will be better.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 19:49:52 | More by Dave1999

rdilauro

Connecticut

4.9/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

WOW.... Thats one word to describe this stout. It is dark, it has a great aroma. Hints of chocolate and coffee with a touch of cinnamon.

Then the pour.... Dark dark dark through and through. Then slowly the white creamy head rises to the top. Not a lot, just enough to separate the dark from the cream.

The first sip. Its smooth, its delicious, you can taste the coffee more than the chocolate and it is smooothh The beer in your mouth is very full and the after taste lingers for a long time.

For a beer that is 10$ ABV, you would never realize it because it is so easy to drink

I gotta run out and buy several more 4packs.

09/2012
Second major tasting of this stout.. Same as before, loads of chocolate in the noise and in the taste. This years brew seems to be fuller and rounder than the 2011, which to me was even that much more enjoyable. The only negative, and its a very small negative, is that in this batch (2012), I seem to taste/feel more alcohol. Even at 10%, past years brews seem to have less of an alcoholic taste.
But then again, this could be just more beer tasting techniques and skills have been advancing.
Even so, a great STOUT!

11/13/12
Another Tasting: This one is getting better and better every time I taste it.. Its getting close to a 5 for me now

02/02/13
One more time. This time, I could feel the chocolate as well as smell and taste it I was anxious like a little boy in a candy stand waiting to unwrap the chocolate candy bar and bit into it. Well tonight, I was that little boy and boy did I enjoy this even more

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 04:06:07 | More by rdilauro

tekn0ph1sh

Florida

2.53/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured out black thick and viscous. Poured from a bottle into my Duvel glass with Maybe a fingers width of reddish brown foam. It looked like tar or thick oil in my glass.
It smelled like burnt cereal.
All I could taste was burnt grain with a metallic after taste. It was so boozey and tasted like gasoline. I really do not like this RIS and regret I have another bottle to choke down but at least it's 10 percent and will cellar well. Maybe by next year it's taste will have improved and mellowed a bit. I could not taste chocolate at all.
I would never buy this again and will think twice about buying another Brooklyn beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 07:08:46 | More by tekn0ph1sh