Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - Brooklyn Brewery

jeffboo

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Black as night,and that's a great time to drink this beer.this would work great for those who need a little help falling asleep. Black,black and more black, dark brown head and a nice complex aroma profile of espresso,ripe fruit,raisins and cocoa.It has a nice creamy smooth medium body that holds a combo of bitter chocolate and fresh roasted coffee and a nice acidity in the finish.It doesn't have an especially long finish or real complex flavor profile but a strong roasted stout that is very good.And for a imperial, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2003 15:50:34 | More by jeffboo

rotsaruch

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Vintage 2002-2003. Pours about as black as moonless, cloudy nite at sea. A pronouced tan head that quickly vanishes, but with linger lacing. A burnt malt aroma is quite noticable. Not suprisingly, the a chocolate and coffee flavor dominates the palate. However, I was disappointed with body and bite of this brew. There appeared to be sourness or acidic finish. May be this brew could benefit with some aging.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2003 18:45:33 | More by rotsaruch

HopheadEd

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

An ' 02-' 03 version, this beer poured a pitch black color and the dark brown head bubbled and faded up the glass like a Guiness! Nice! Chocolates obviously overwhelm the nose as well as roasted malts. The first taste is that of chocolate but some coffee and smokey malts follow. Creamy, creamy mouthfeel that is silky smooth on the tongue, easy going down and very drinkable. Only wish I had more than two. Very nice beer from Brooklyn, which redeemed the last offering, as I know they have great beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2003 16:10:15 | More by HopheadEd

far333

Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours into the glass inky dark, almost black. Thin head is dark dark brown, and dissipates quickly. The taste is intense, more like coffee than chocolate. It tastes nearly as strong as their Monster barleywine. This is not a session beer. The taste can be overwhelming to the palate, and two or three bottles will have an impact on your brain. Excellent beer, deep intense flavor. This is a great contribution from the guys in the historic brewery area in Brooklyn.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2003 15:26:21 | More by far333

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Finally I've developed a taste for this beer. I've got the 00-01 season and it is the most enormous beer I've ever had. I'd imagine that there are not too many beers that rival this as far as thickness and maltiness is concerned. It appears as if you're pouring black paint into a pint glass. It is so unbelievably thick. The smell of dark roasted malts and raisins is the best part of this beer for me although the taste is pretty bomb too. Similar malt and raisin notes here with a nice hop balance and hints of dark chocolate. Aftertaste will leave you wanting to drink three or four more of these, brush your teeth, and then pass out from the high ABV, which I'm about to do right now. This is the ultimate beer for a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2003 23:19:18 | More by HossMcGraw

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is as well balanced a stout as you will ever have. It is good in every way. Not too sweet or chocolaty, not overly hoppy or malty. Nice taste. Pours black, with a decent sized head, with some retention. Chocolate notes are certainly present, but they do not overwhelm the beer. Alcohol well hidden. This is not a stout that will immediately knock your socks off, but I can't imagine anyone not liking it. Thanks Joe!

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2003 21:52:36 | More by JohnnyDuvel

Dantes

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Package: 12oz. bottle, no ABV listed; “Limited Bottling-Winter ‘02-‘03”. Classy but busy gold and white lettering on a black label. Neck-label describing Imperial Stouts.

Cost: $1.49 (single)

Presentation: Imperial Pint glass at 50º

Appearance: Generous gunsmoke. Poured beautifully, generating a dense, voluminous, dark-brown head studded with some larger bubbles. Glass displayed a beautiful, long-lasting cascade of bubbles as head built. Foam persisted throughout the beer, generating heavy curtains of lace and thick rings at each swallow. Looked like a nitrogen-draught stout! Held to light, only the faintest glow existed at the edges.

Smell: Restrained aroma, despite head and carbonation activity. Definitely some sweet, roasted malt; with hints of caramel coffee and some alcohol licks. I was disappointed that there wasn’t any indication of chocolatey notes, but I didn’t have to wait long!

Taste: Wow! The chocolate was right up front, lined with an espresso edge. Further tasting revealed the sensation of plums preserved in eau de vie, a woody fruitiness, and the bitter-chocolate edge. Reminded me of Venezuelan El Rey 99% bittersweet chocolate. No overt sweetness, but an overall impression of rounded flavors. Alcohol was well-integrated, extending the sensation of flavors in the middle and finish.

Mouthfeel: Very creamy and viscous, staking a firm claim on one’s tongue. The extremely fine but persistent carbonation generating that beautiful pour really improves the flavor and my enjoyment of this beer.

Drinkability: Astoundingly drinkable! I could easily drink three of these without a problem (except for subsequent locomotion). It was satisfying, refreshing, intriguing, and inviting.

After the Storm King, I thought that I wouldn’t like this very much as it is not as well-rated (thus the single bottle). Boy was I glad I tried it. I found this to be a really enjoyable beer. I thought that it was smoother, more complex, and more flavorful than the Storm King; with a better appearance and mouthfeel than the Sam Smith’s Imperial Stout. After my SK experience, I began to doubt my ability to appreciate Imperial Stouts, but I’ve found another I like and my current benchmark for the type. Putting my money where my mouth is, I bought 2 sixes of this for immediate consumption. On draught, this would be a 5 overall!

Backwash: Even my mother liked this! What else can I say?

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2003 16:17:57 | More by Dantes

Bcant

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This sturdy stout pours black and has a rocky creamy head. Its remarkable chocolate flavors, derived entirely from the malts (rather than from real chocolate as in some stouts) are well balanced by enough hops to avoid over sweetness. Other detectable flavors light caramel notes and a hit of smokiness from the roasted malts. A cold winter's night feels complete with a pint of Brooklyn's Black Chocolate Stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2003 18:00:46 | More by Bcant

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer is pure darkness in a bottle. Light can not penetrate it and only a chocolate mousse colored foam head let's you know you have not fallen into a black hole. Above the beer hovers an aroma of alcohol, malt, and cherry (reminds me of a port wine). Each sip of this full bodied beer begins rich and malty. Coffee, chocolate, raisin (or cherry?), and alcohol are all present. A sticky sweetness with fruity overtones are left behind.

The fruity esters and alcohol flavor were a bit of a turn off for me. However, the malty characteristics and smooth mouthfeel make this an enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2003 13:52:10 | More by WanderingFool

vitesse

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer just pours so beautifully -- performance art in a glass. The carbonation just cascades so smoothly and the head comes up to a creamy, tan foam.
The alcohol in it seems to hit the tastebuds hard, but in a pleasant way- a way that tells you "respect me, fool!"
The taste that is most prominent has to be the malts. The maltiness is so good that you won't long at all for hops bitterness.
This is just a perfect winter dessert beer. The only thing that takes away from it a tiny bit is that once the beer settles in the glass, it seems to lose some of its creamy texture (but that's a small price to pay.)
This is a serious, heavyweight beer -- and one that is probably one of the most affordable in beer stores.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2003 08:11:24 | More by vitesse

avylover

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

One look at this brew is enough to get you drooling. Pours solid black with a huge deep tan/red (yes, red) head. Smells of burnt coffee & floral hops. The taste is alcohol & chocolate, with some bitter hops in the aftertaste...mmmmmm...but the chocolate is definitely there.Not quite as thick as it looks but still pretty thick. Great brew!!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2003 16:26:25 | More by avylover

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

'02-'03: Poured with a deep mocha colored head atop opaque black liquid. Nose is dark fruits, roasted barley...rich and deep. Taste is powerfully malty and roasty, roasty, roasty! Espresso-like tones mingle with notes of alcohol and a healthy hopping that almost balances things out. Finishes long and bittersweet and powerfully tasty...not as good as last years' rendition, but still a bold Imperial Stout.

'01-'02: This beauty pours black as can be. The tan head settles into a fine bubbled lace. Nose is heavily roasted malts, chocolate (true to it's name), and slight yeast fruitiness. First taste is a bit tangy followed by more roasted malt, alcohol, bittersweet chocolate, fruitiness and a long dry finish. Hops are there, but I think the malt profile elbows it's way to the front. This beer is amazing..due to it's ever-changing, long-lasting finish. an American classic! Others may not agree, but IMHO this is the best vintage to date.
--
'00-'01: Oh man, put on the seat belt for this one! It's one helluva roasty, toasty, hoppy, strong roller-coaster ride. Black as night, strong as hell! A man's beer for sure! Coronas' drinker's worst nightmare!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2003 21:40:24 | More by beerluvr

JISurfer

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is the best Imperial Stout I've ever had. It's appearance is stupendous. Dark black, with a dark red head, that was huge, but after a while it died down. It has a little of a alcohol after taste, but it's hardly noticeable with the chocolatey taste. It's soooo smooth! I couldn't believe how it just ran down my tounge and coated my throat. The fact that it's pretty darn cheap helps too!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2003 16:37:43 | More by JISurfer

jward

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewing the 01-02 edition, which has been sitting for about ten months. I believe that this beer is better now than it was in early March when the six-pack was purchased.

Black with a dark tan, mocha-colored head that is decorated with an array of swirling browns and peppered with differently sized bubbles. A beautiful beer. The aroma suggests sweet molasses and raisin, with only a hint of chocolate. Alcohol is also present in the nose. The initial flavor displays roasted malt, with what I would describe as dark, even burnt, coffee. The chocolate flavors are at first rather faint, but more noticeable as the beer warms, especially at the back of the palate and in the nasal passages. At no point, however, would I describe this glass of beer as especially chocolately. There is a slight sourness at the finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2003 16:28:11 | More by jward

Admiraldinty

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Inky black with a dark tan head. I found this far tastier than the Luxury Double Chocolate Stought (probably because the Brooklyn is an imperial stout while the latter is not). The chocolate was also far more apparent in this beer. Of course other flavors were present: coffee, etc. The mouthfeel was not quite as good as the Young's, although it was certainly quite good. This is definitely a beer that must be respected, and too much of it at once is not a good idea.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2003 13:47:14 | More by Admiraldinty

Wildman

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer fooled me with it's name. I didn't know it was one of my beloved Imperial Stouts I hadn't tried. Well, it poured like a Guiness, black as night and a rolling foaming dark tan head that left circular lace as it subsided. An aroma of burnt malt, coffee and chocolate, which seems to be the most powerful aspect. Might account for the name. The flavor was of malt, coffee and chocolate. It had a medium body and a bit of sourness to the finish. This is one that may do better with some cellaring. A good imperial, but not up there with Expedition or Stone.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2003 20:00:09 | More by Wildman

goz

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Jet black pour, with small hot chocolate looking head. Aroma had roasted malt and an alcohol kick to it. Taste was initially roasted coffe, bitter chocolate - quickly turning to a tongue coating dark chocolate sweetness that lasts and lasts and lasts. Although the alcohol is in the aroma it sneaks up on you in the brew.
My second tasting of this wasn't quite as enjoyable as the first. The aroma was more astringent, and the alcohol aroma and feel in the mouth was much stronger and less pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2003 11:00:21 | More by goz

francisweizen

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2002-2003: An Excellent Russian Imperial Stout! This beer pours a thick, motor-oil black into my stout chalice. This smells of chocolate, malts, and smoke and roasted barley. This tastes chocolaty, boozy, and narcotic...absolutely wonderful. This has a very thick and rich mouthfeel, and I feel that this beer should be drabk at 50degrees or so to fully experience this luscious mouthfeel. This beer also has a nice good drinkability, and it is a classic of this style IMO.

2000-2001: This aged version of the BBCS poured a dark black colour with a gigantic dark brown head. The aromas were of ALCOHOL, CHOCOLATE, roasted malts, and hops. The taste was a wonderful mix of booze and chocolate. This stout had a very roasted flavor and the mouthfeel was exceptionally creamy, full and excellent. The drinkability? Excellent as well. This brew ages very well!

2003-2004: Not as strong as previous years offerings. A light chocolate aroma with a bit of booze, and some hops. The taste is of chocolate, cocoa, caramel, and booze. The mouthfeel is thick, and the drinkability is nice. Stick with the 02-03 if you an still get some....

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2003 07:24:23 | More by francisweizen

Jarod

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer poured into the glass black, no light penetrated the glass. Well carbonated and had to wait a few minutes until the head settled to the top. The head was a thick creamy dark beige brown color and lasted quite a long time. The aroma was of chocolate, chocolate, coffee, raisins, alcohol and some roasted chocolate. The taste was nice and creamy. Flavors of chocolate and coffee seemed to dance together throughout the mouthful, but I did notice that chocolate seemed to lead. I also noticed that during the ballet in my mouth the raisins and alcohol would try to cut in on the other two dancing and seemed to get in a step or two, first raisins, then alcohol, then raisins again before the other would ask for there partner back. At the end alcohol seemed to get the last dance with the chocolate. I personally loved this limited edition 02-03 beer. I am on the hunt for a few more to keep and cellar can I can imagine that this beer can only get better with time.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2003 07:18:50 | More by Jarod

TXHops

Texas

5/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From www.brooklynbrewery.com:
"Malts: two-row English Malt, Wheat Malt, Chocolate Malt, Black Malt, Black Barley, Roasted Barley
Hops: East Kent Goldings, Cascade, Willamette
Alcohol: 8.5% by volume
Original Gravity: 21.7 degrees Plato; 1087
Bitterness: 70 IBUs"

The best Imperial I've had to date. After I've tried a few more that I can't currently get my hands on (like Stone), I'll revisit this review and make sure I didn't get overwhelmed. For a full account of my opinions of the beer, check out my article on the mini-Imperial Stout Challenge...

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2003 21:16:19 | More by TXHops

inebrius

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bittersweet chocolate, ripened pears and alcohol nose. A draught flows soft and roasted to finish slightly astringent in an envelope of warm fuzz. Shady and sleek, but a little jagged on the edges. An ample brew I wouldn't pass on, but probably not one I'd keep a huge stock of either.

Gracias Frank!

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2003 18:24:58 | More by inebrius

ElGuapo

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

boy oh boy is this black. dark as midnight with a good brown foam atop this one. lots of hops in the aroma to accompany the chocolate, dark malts, and coffee.

very rich and smooth with very little carbonation, this is just great to drink. there is not a lot of chocolate in the flavor, but there is a great presence of hops that makes it very interesting. coffee and burnt malts dominate the flavor. this is one fine stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2002 07:03:28 | More by ElGuapo

kelticblood

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well first off let me wait until this giant head 3 inch chocolate colored head dies down a bit before I taste it.Let me talk about the pour while I'm waiting.If I had a regular pint glass instead of 20oz it would of spilled all over the place.It looked and sounding like motor oil being poured.Looked similar to chocolate milk and then turned black as night.I've waited 6 minutes and the head has just died down to about an inch so I can taste it.Whheeew thats strong..Its creamy and smooth like drinking pure butter.The head looks like ice cream floating in a milk shake.It tastes strong of coffee and the darkest richest chocolate there is.This is the winter 02-03 edition..Extremely malty and thick..Left a brown lace all the way up my glass.Has a bite on the finish of alcohol.The strongest stout I've ever had! Has kind of a Sam Adams triple bock smell and taste.Very syrupy with almost a wine style taste and extremely high in alcohol.This is not a beer you can drink all night.One of these and you'll be ready to switch.Save for aging or special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2002 20:08:50 | More by kelticblood

comat0se

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

'02-'03 Edition
You open this bottle up and you pour out a thick, pitch black liquid, and you wonder if you are going to be consuming used motor oil. The cascade of tan bubbles (ala Guinness) lets you know that you have a treat ahead of you. A substantial head builds up, creamy on top, course underneath. It'll eventually die down to a quarter inch leaving rememberances of lace along the glass. The aroma is one of my favorite parts of this beer. Chocolately, fruity, winey, with some alcohol presence... makes you just want to take a taste. Initially thin feeling, this beer thickens and becomes creamy as it moves to the back of your mouth. Sweet, dark fruits, and rich dark chocolate bathe the mouth, followed by a roasted grain and wisps of alcohol finish as you swallow. Simply an amazing beer. What would this beer be like in a year?

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2002 23:29:45 | More by comat0se

IrishRedRock

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

'98-'99 bottling, sampled 11.15.04 (ratings reflect this)
OK...this is so much better than the fresh sampled I've had. Oily, thick, viscous black liquid. 1/4in tan head retains for just a moment. Dark chocolate in the nose, along with a nice dark fruit aroma - plum & grape - that doesn't seem as noticeable in fresher samples. Hops and alcohol detectable as well.

The mouthfeel in this 6 year old beer is exceptional. Still subtle carbonation but wonderfully full and rich. This really has aged quite well. Maple syrup notes compliment the mild chocolate and dark fruits. Finishes sweeter than I'm used to - an enjoyable milk chocolate candy-like sweetness that subsides into alcohol warmth.

Excellent @ 6 years old. Thanks to yen157 for this...glad I waited another year after receiving it. Superb stuff.


'02-'03 bottling, sampled 12.22.03 - Not so chocolatey as it is hoppy! One of the blackest, if not the blackest beers I have ever poured, with a nice brown head atop. Aroma has some hops and coffee, with a bit of the dark chocolate.

Has a very hoppy flavor which is quite enjoyable, and a mild chocolate flavor follows with a bit of alcohol as well. This is an excellent stout!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2002 19:10:57 | More by IrishRedRock