Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - Brooklyn Brewery

mattkoon

South Carolina

3.64/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

black chocolate stout- is pretty heavy on the black and not so much on the chocolate. it pours black- with hardly any head- but i didnt pour it hard into the glass so that could be my fault. the smell is really sweet, with traces of alcohol. the flavor is super bitter and rich. this is a good stout....but i dont feel like there is as much chocolate in the flavor as i would have liked. i think over all though this is a flavorful stout that coats your whole mouth and delivers what i look for when i drink a powerful stout... i am a little let down however by the work "chocolate" on the label- i think if i wasnt influenced by that word i may have rated this beer higher.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 21:54:44 | More by mattkoon

linnymtu

Michigan

4.19/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- solid stout appearance pouring black with thin tan head

S- fairly subdued for a stout, wish it were more pronounced. Mainly I pick up chocolate hints.

T- much more impressive than the smell. Probably the best "chocolate" stout I've ever had as it was not over done with the chocolate. Also taste some coffee in there. The alcohol is extremely well hidden, I can't even tell i'm drinking 10%, even a little.

M- Could have been smoother. I dont like too much carbonation in my stouts. And while it was not "too" carbonated, it could have been less.

O- Very well done, but not a game changer

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 02:01:32 | More by linnymtu

tviz33

New York

4.13/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle in to a snifter.

A- Pours a viscous black body topped by a single finger of light brown head that recedes in about two minutes to a very thin cap, leaving behind some lacing.

S- Not a whole lot here, but there is definitely some chocolate, back by some coffee and a faint bit of alcohol.

T- The taste is far greater than the smell indicated. Chocolatey but not overdone. It is quite malty and there's a smokey component to it as well. It finishes with subtle dark fruit notes and a bite from the alcohol as well. That said, the alcohol is well-hidden compared to the last 10.0% beer I had (Ballast Point Victory at Sea).

M- The feel of this is very creamy. It does of good job of not being too stick and slick as it just glides across the palette.

O- A very solid representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:39:06 | More by tviz33

notchucknorris

California

4.06/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

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

S: Smell is definitely a bit faint, but what's there is really good. A sweet aroma with some chocolate, light roasted coffee and some raisin skin.

T: Opens with a big, roasted chocolatey note. Rich notes of dark chocolate and roasted malt. Some anise, espresso, and a nice touch of oats on the finish. A nice, velvety mouthfeel works really well with the flavors here. Really good.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 03:46:46 | More by notchucknorris

jifigz

Pennsylvania

4.66/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

bottle poured into a pint glass

This beer pours a dark and deep black color with a nice off white head that lingers for a long time. It is whatever temp my cellar is, so it is definitely not fridge cold which is a good thing in my opinion. That really helps beers be themselves. Anyways, the aroma is boozy, chocolatey, slightly bitter with a touch of wet dog. The flavor is great. It is rich and bold and smoky and chocolate and stove ash all rolled together. It comes in waves and changes on the tongue and remains quite complex. There is a hint of bitterness on the end, but mostly alcohol. The MF is a decently light for style but still quite perfect.

A great beer. I am usually not a huge fan of Brooklyn, but a good job on this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:07:54 | More by jifigz

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, winter 2012-2013 vintage. Drank a bottle of this stuff last year, and remember liking it a bit, but don't remember too much beyond that. So we'll see what the deal is again. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Straight pour down the middle of the glass yields three fingers of beautiful chocolate mocha colored head. Gorgeous. Virtually opaque thick oily black body. Even some nice rings of lacing leftover.

S - Toasted chocolatey oat smell. Slight bourbon / vanilla /alcohol soaked wood type aroma begins to creep out. Not bad smelling, just not very impressive. I guess I just had high expectations.

T - Dark roasted malt profile, with even a bit of hop presence standing out. More of a dry powdery cocoa type taste leftover. Not much coffee bean bitterness happening, very much malt forward. Some alcohol presence makes itself known, but this beer is ridiculously smooth for being a 10.00% abv beer. Creamy vanilla flavors begin to appear as the beer warms.

M - Dry, bitter, powdery cocoa type feel.

Overall, a smooth creamy tasty beer, and one that deceptively masks it's 10.00% abv, yet I feel that there should be more going on here than there actually is. Perhaps it's a beer that will mature with age, so maybe I will have to cellar one to find out. I would personally prefer a North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout to this beer, so maybe a side-by-side tasting is also in order. Either way, Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout is an enjoyable, highly drinkable stout, one any serious beer lover should try.

Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 04:23:28 | More by mfnmbvp

rawfish

California

3.49/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours viscous and black into a snifter. Finger high mocha colored head, tight bubbles with medium retention for a stout and thin lines of lacing on the glass.

Robust aroma of raw dark cocoa, licorice, dark fruit, roasted malt with some toffee sweetness, alcohol. Dark chocolate stands out as well a bit of sharpie too.

Roasted malt, ashy with light caramel sweetness to it, dark chocolate and an odd vinous fruit note and plenty of licorice. Not my favorite profile. Earthy bitterness on the tail end with a roasted aftertaste and plentiful booze.

Not quite astringent but the sticky roasted malt really extends the profound alcohol burn. Creamy on the palate with a typical imperial stout body.

Not bad, reminds me of Old Rasputin well crafted with lots of earthy licorice notes. A little green, could have waited 6 more months to crack this one, alcohol makes a big impact. Aroma is memorable. More chocolate and sweetness could push this beer up.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 23:33:33 | More by rawfish

screamking

Ohio

4.24/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Winter 12-13 poured into snifter.

Apperance-Pours pitch black with a thin dark khaki head, some lacing. 4

Aroma-dark fruits covered in milk chocolate, raisins, plums, mild roasted coffee, licorice, slight hint of vanilla, clove. 4.5

Taste-milk chocolate right up front and center. Then the sweetness of rasians, blending into roasted coffee. All this in a matter of seconds. There is a small stale cola taste in the middle. As it warms the vanillia starts to step up. 4.25

Feel-full bodied, coats palate very well, slight carbonation, alcohol burn is there at the end. 3.75

Overall-Great price for a 4-pack. This chocolate stout has everything you could want in a RIS, great taste and an even better smell. Abv is a right up therewith the great RIS of our time, but this one doesnt hide it as well as those. Serve this one slightly less then room temp. 4.25

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 03:17:47 | More by screamking

gr0g

New Jersey

4.26/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, '11-'12 vintage with a year on it.
Fuel note on the nose and the finish has diminished, as has carbonation (slightly). Chocolate flavor now comes out fully. A very noticeable increase in refinement. Flavor and aroma scores based on this aged bottle.

12oz bottle, '11-'12 Winter vintage.
Pours a syrupy black with a thin layer of brown foam comprising the head. Alcohol is somewhat prominent on the nose, with cocoa and coffee-like aromas too. Semi-sweet chocolate flavors emerge courtesy of the roasted malt. and bitterness that's more reminiscent of coffee than hops emerges on the finish to provide balance to the flavor. Alcohol presence is there in terms of warmth but not flavor.

BCS is a a go-to Imperial stout of mine because of the high quality at a relatively low price. While not among the elites of the style, once it has some age on it, it truly becomes a great beer. Pick up a 4-pack, or two, or ten, and enjoy over several years.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 04:39:58 | More by gr0g

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