Coopers Best Extra Stout - Coopers Brewery Limited

BeerSox

Virginia

4.97/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12.7oz bottle into mug. Notes on the bottle stating that this beer can be mixed gently or poured slowly to leave the yeast in the bottle.

Amost completely black with a little ruby light showing through in bright light. Light brown one inch head that holds well, settling to a thin cap, leaving solid lacing all the way around the glass. Little bits of yeast chunks settle at the bottom with a bit resting on top of the head. Solid layered lacing from top to bottom. The appearance deserves a 4.75, however I won't give it a 5 because I feel the head could have held a little better (yeah, I'm picky).

Wonderfully thick malt aromas yielding dark chocolate, molasses, and roasted bitter goodness. A little bit of earthy hops are mixed in.

Dark, grainy, and powdery dark malts set up the drink, giving some roasted qualities. A little bit of chocolate makes its way in to add some solid sweetness and creaminess. Some balancing hop bitterness develops in the back of the mouth toward the end. Full bodied with just the right amount of carbonation. The feel is smooth and silky on the tongue. The finish is perfect with a combonation of the dark roasty malts, a light creaminess, a little bit of hopiness to balance, and a hint of chocolate.

This is just one outstanding beer. I think this may become one of the regulars in my fridge, as it has a high availability with a good price. I'm just in love with this beer. The full flavor, the smooth taste, the hints of chocolate, everything about this beer is delicious. When you take that first sip, good luck putting the glass down; you won't even need a coaster.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2007 07:50:08 | More by BeerSox

generallee

New York

4.85/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12.7oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

Appearance: The body has a very dark brownish black color which is nearly opaque. The pour produces a small head that fades quickly down to a small ring of foam. It is light tan in color and makes some slick lacing on the glass.

Smell: It has a solid full aroma. There is a lot of nice roasted character with sweet malted grain, caramel and dark chocolate notes.

Taste/Mouth: The flavor has solid roasted grain character with some sweet caramel, bitter/sweet chocolate and creamy coffee notes mixed with mild hop bitterness. The finish has mild bitterness from the hops and bitter/sweet cocoa powder fading slowly off the tongue. Its palate is slick and creamy with a viscous texture and soft carbonation.

Notes: Outstanding!!! This beer is very enjoyable and surprisingly easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2009 11:55:38 | More by generallee

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.73/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a pitch black with a cola-like hue on the very edges through the light. An espresso-foam colored head dissipates to an uneven film. Lots of sticky lacing coat the glass. The beer smells like milk chocolate and bitter dry chocolate. The taste is exceptional -- There's a clean, dry chocolate profile to start. In the middle or end, a milk chocolate note takes over. Roasted malts, bitter chocolate, dry cocoa, milk ... it's all there, and it's delicious. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a clean dry finish.

Overall, blown away. The Aussies make an exceptional stout here. Totally dominated by a milk chocolate tone, it's just delicious and "feels" perfect. I could almost give this a perfect score, mate.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 04:53:07 | More by JuicesFlowing

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a virtually black color with moderate tannish head. Smell is truly fantastic with strong coffee, chocolate, dark fruit (figs, raisins, prunes, and roasted malt combining in perfect proportions. The taste, if possible, is even better than the smell with the fruits, chocolate, coffee, and malt tasting perfect. Finishes with just the right combination of sweetness and bitterness. This is one of the best beers I've yet to try. Truly a winner.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2006 00:26:57 | More by tgbljb

Halcyondays

California

4.65/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12.7 oz. bottle with rustic 1800s-style label.

A: Black, with a beautiful tan head which looks great in a pint glass. Great lace.

S: Roasted malts, chocolate.

T: Roasted malts, with coffee, chocolate, a lot of malt sweetness, with caramel and toffee.

M: Very good, full-bodied, smooth. Just incredibly silky smooth.

D: Insanely drinkable for a stout, a rare style, but is drinkable in all occasions, from a 140 degree day in the Outback, to a cold winter's night. Used to be able to pick up a 750 from Hi-Times for $2.87 plus tax, hope they bring those back. For me, this is Australian for beer. Really, all I'd want in a stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2007 06:36:32 | More by Halcyondays

Sachsenfreude

Germany

4.58/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance; black and opaque with lots of thick sediment. Very thick light brown head with great retention and lots of chunky lacing.

smell; only the slightest hops poke through the burnt malts. Bitter chocolate syrup and roasted coffee beans with the slightest bit of sweetness and burnt sugar. A bit of black molasses, licorice, grape skin and goose berries with mild alcohol.

taste; Upfront a bit of cocoa bean semi-sweet flavors but quickly changing to bitter dark chocolate. The aftertaste is very powerful of burnt coffee beans. A bit of walnut shell and dry tannic woody flavors in the aftertaste.

mouthfeel; rich and creamy, very velvety and powdery. The tannic bitters in the aftertaste form a mild puckering and a very dry finish. Quite a heavy bodied drink.

overall; this beer is awesome, nearly flawless to me but I would like to try more of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 06:07:38 | More by Sachsenfreude

veech

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is outstanding. I'm a big Guinness Extra Stout fan, and as much as it pains me to admit, Coopers whips it ass. Everything you drink Guinness for and more is found in Coopers. The major difference for me was a much smoother, less bitter aftertaste. Can't get it at home so I loaded up on this stuff during my last trip to SC and have savored it ever since. I'm hoarding this stuff like a miser rationing one bottle at a time. A: Black as the ace of spades S: mild coffee and cocoa T: Robust and flavorful, but not obtrusive or overwhelming. M: A little thinner than usually found in a lot of stouts, but it compliments the overall character of this beer so I did not penalize them for it. D: First drank this on a 90 plus degree day after walking for over a mile, and could have easily sessioned it. Thumbs up.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2006 05:57:10 | More by veech

burnheartsMKE

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The Extra Best Stout excited me as it poured a thick inky-blackness into my glass mug with a light khaki-colored head.

It's smell reminded me of a Japanese Dorayaki (Red Bean Cake); doughy and sweet, but not overly sugary. The red beans giving it an earthy aspect. Harmonious and well-balanced.

This is a great full-flavored beer, but not heavy by any means. It start with sweetness but slowly transitions it's flavor as it glides down the tongue reaching for the gullet. A bitter coffee, kiss of chocolate and a flaky-biscuit finish of this simple, comforting and exceptionally beautiful stout.

It's like reclining in my favorite, well-worn, comfy couch - I could just sit here all night.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 05:13:55 | More by burnheartsMKE

Pegasus

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours an utter sable with a modest dark caramel head, a little lace, a fair amount of swirling sediment noted, mild carbonation. Aroma of coffee, bitter chocolate, dark fruit, and dark roasted malt. Taste begins with a sting of carbonation at the tip of the tongue; dark roasted malt, bitter coffee, and dark fruit all ride a wave of sharp tartness to a crisp and very dry finish. Alcohol provides a warming note. This beer is nothing less than excellent and seems particularly suited to the winter season.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2002 07:03:43 | More by Pegasus

Mitchster

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out to a cloudy ink-black with innumerable flecks of brown yeast conglomerating at the bottom of my goblet, with particles in a suspended gradient. The tan head has poor retention and sits atop very fine bubbles. Lacing is very poor to non-existent. Carbonation is paradoxical...mild to moderate by looks, but moderate to strong by texture. Aroma reminds me quite strongly of Mackeson's XXX Milk Stout mixed 50/50 with Guinness Export Stout...sweet with caramel, burnt yet expressive, hints of toffee and butterscotch, dark roast coffee. Wonderful aroma...strong, complex, and rich. Mouthfeel is at first flitting and spritzy on the tongue but the dense body smooths it out and makes for a very refreshing, mild finish. Taste is very nice...starts with vanilla...thin, burnt malts backed up by substantial malts nicely filling out the body, smooth caramelized sugar, rather mild hops teetering between being earthy and herbal at the same time, and finishing with a touch of wood and a hint of smoke. Hops are well balanced with just the right amount of bitterness. Easy to drink, yet sippable owing to it's complexities. Alcohol is not perceptable in aroma or flavor, though there is a hint of warmth going down and it packs a decent buzz. Quite odd feeling in the belly..the carbonation is out of cahoots with the density of the brew. Drawing upon the best of the two beers I mentioned above, but without their weaknesses, this beer is well crafted and bests them both. It had been a long time since I last drank this, but I am thoroughly impressed.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2003 18:36:25 | More by Mitchster

fastfwd

Oklahoma

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Black as night. Nice fat creamy head. One of the best stouts I've had in awhile. If you don't really like hop bitterness this is your beer. It's not completely void of hop, but it strikes a really nice balance with a strong lean to malt. Super easy to drink. It's got a pretty strong abv to boot - certianly took me by surprise. Creeper beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2003 10:01:58 | More by fastfwd

Hoagie1973

New York

4.45/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours opaque black with a nice foamy tan head. Not much in the way of lacing. Sides of the glass were clean as I drank it down.
Nice roasty sweet aroma. Flavor has hints of chocolate, black coffee, and a touch of molasses. Hops are subdued, but provide perfect balance to the heavy malts. Powdery dry finish; quite clean for a stout.
Mouthfeel is full, thick, & creamy. Subtle carbonation.
An incredibly balanced & drinkable Export Stout. Probably my favorite of the style to this point.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2008 05:13:25 | More by Hoagie1973

BeerSingh

India

4.45/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is the first beer from Coopers I'm reviewing. Picked up a bottle from Tops in Bangkok. Poured into a colins glass (only option available at that time).

The beer poured a dark brown, almost black colour - in fact at and below eye level it was a ravenous black, only if you would hold up the glass to a light source could you make out the brown around the edges. The dishwater froth coloured head was loose, about an inch high - quickly receded and vanished leaving very light, spotted lacing. To the unknowing, this could be easily mistaken for a glass of Coca Cola.

The nose was full of dark malts, caramel and bitter chocolate initially. Although the smell was profound at first, it was shortlived - a second sniff to bring out any hidden aromas yielded no result, in fact even the initial bouquet seemed blunt. The surprise lay within - a sip and an array of flavours burst inside. First up it was bitter chocolate and coffee which were perfectly blended, followed with a shot of caramel sweetness - all that highlighted the quality of brewing, the choice of malts and the careful degree of roasting chosen. The bitterness that complimented the sweeter flavours did not seem to come from the hops - this was purely malt driven also. The taste was Ace.

The beer was velvety smooth inspite of above average carbonation, bearing testimony to the impact of the big flavour it has to offer. I would certainly be looking out for this beer again. Frankly, I am very impressed with this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2010 11:44:55 | More by BeerSingh

cory3456

Oklahoma

4.45/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I love stout. Good stout. And we have one here. Black in color with a little ruby coming through. Bottle conditioned so lots of yeast. I love that. Smells like beer heaven. Dark malts and English ale yeastyish. Ahh. The taste is even better. The went as far as you can go with the malt without going to far. Perfect hop balance. Good full body. I don't care what anyone says this Ausie brew is up there with the great stouts of Ireland and England. Two thumbs up and a circle snap.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2010 01:11:47 | More by cory3456

porter17

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A solid stout with a nice black appearance, a nice aroma and solid stout taste. This one was a bit off the run-of-the-mill beaten path, having a slightly porter-esque tint to it. Even though I had this beer following a 20% ABV Raison d'Extra, I still found it hit the spot rather nicely. If you're looking for a beer that is 100% true to it's style, you may be let down a bit, but if you like a little bit of differentiation or strecthing of the style limits, you won't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2003 09:37:13 | More by porter17

Offa

California

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a good, very tasty, yet drinkable stout.

It is very dark, essentially black, with a big brown heard that gradually shrinks and leaves a little weak lace.

The aroma is very leasant and interesting with toasted grain, bread crust, sourdough, an overall light roasty quality, chocolate, molasses cake, hints of licorice and grass.

The taste is chocolate, fruit, prunes, hints of wine, spice and brown bread. It has toasty hay in the finish which is dryish and has a light spiciness.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 20:11:21 | More by Offa

mulder1010

Australia

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Have had both in USA and in Australia. A nice brownish head and a very coffee nose. Taste is also strong coffee that turns to chocolate, The coffee is what makes it stands out. I do not think very flashy but has good substance. Gets better when it gets warmer. The only negative to me is after 2 or one 750 I get tired of it and it is a bit samey. The 6.3 does creep a bit on you. Have not had the vintage ale yet but this beer has to be one of Coopers best beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 13:50:53 | More by mulder1010

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a rich deep brown almost black color with a big light brown head.
The aroma of this is mixed roasted coffee and dark chocolate.
The taste of this full bodied stout is also a very good blend of roasted coffee and a dark chocolate.
Decent small lacing linger through out the drinking of this glass.
A dark rich but yet light chocolate dry after taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2009 19:55:42 | More by LXIXME

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.4/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm happy to see this on the shelves here in town. I always loved this beer when I studied at University of Adelaide, so lets see what I think now.

Pours the deepest of brown colors with just a hit of light coming through the bottom of the glass. A very ephemeral head explodes as it is poured, leaving a sparse patch over top that is maintained by an active bubble at the top of the beer. Nose is very rich with sweet dark fruit, molasses, deep roasted malt and coffee. I would venture that there are some oats in this one as well. It has that creamy essence I associate with oats. Flavor is very nice and has a nice progression from initial sip to finish. It starts as roasted to light burnt malt with prunes and sharply turns to a light chocolate and finally settles on a lighly creamed coffee. Mouthfeel is a touch light for my taste. its right at the lower end of moderate with a fairly light carbonation. Its just too close to water for me. Drinkability is very good. There is nothing to keep me from really drinking this one. Easily could be a beer I could have more than one of in a night. Better than I remember it.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2005 23:36:32 | More by kmpitz2

absolutbc2001

New York

4.4/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer poured with very little head and is thin (for a stout) but dark in appearance. The color is a deep and pleasingly black.

The smell is simple but nice. I could have used a little more aroma but nothing to complain about.

The taste is great and balanced well with the smell. Wanted a little more flavor but simplicity means this beer goes with a lot of food. Reminds me of an unbelievable stout that’s been watered down.

Wanted a thicker and more carbonated mouthfeel.

Extremely easy to drink beer. Simple and sure to please any stout lover and stout liker equally. Most drinkable stout I’ve ever had.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2006 05:30:59 | More by absolutbc2001

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Color is blackest black, as ebon as espresso grounds, and a thin, simmering tannish head rests on top. Aroma looms large and bursts forth with dominant roasty chocolate and espresso associations. An especially burnt flavor comes through, more so than I've found in most stouts, along with hints of anise and cloves. Incredible texture, thick, full body, great bitterness, but balanced by sweet malt on the palate. A grainy, gritty quality continues through the middle, by which time the mouthfeel can best be described as "motor oily", in viscosity and flavor! But that's good, in this case!
An eternal finish, one that digs in it's claws and won't let go! A contemplative stout, one to savor, linger over, and enjoy late at night, with a good book. The flavors come in waves and layers, your appreciation of this dark and delicious stout grows and grows. First rate all the way.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2003 18:02:19 | More by feloniousmonk

kdales77

Nevada

4.35/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Black as the coal you get in your stocking, with a good sized brown head

S- Standard stout smell although a little more coffee than most

T- Devine! caramel, chocolate, coffee, malt. Great hop balance

M- Very smooth

D- very easy to drink...and order another

It used to be hard for me to find this one but it seems to be gaining popularity. Outback has started carrying it also.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2007 04:18:59 | More by kdales77

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I haven't been able to find this around lately. The review is from my notes written 3 years ago. This pitch-black stout is as heavily bodied as it looks. It is not overly sweet, nor overly dry. Bitter chocolate and coffee notes, smoky and quite hoppy with underlying bitter citrus bite. The gorgeous tan head doesn't last long. Deep and complex fragrance. Rare treat!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2003 14:50:22 | More by BeerResearcher

GeoffRizzo

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a charcoal black, lines of nice lacing, some thin carbonation. An aroma of roasted malt, some chocolate also detected. A sharp and crisp tasted of roasted malts, mixed with chocolate and dark roasted coffee beans. Very thick and full bodied, stout lovers only. A finish that is dry and smokey, very rich, very easy and smooth drinking, an awesome stout that rivals the best.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2003 19:20:39 | More by GeoffRizzo

bewley

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm impressed with this.

Pours black with a light foam, tan head that dissipates quickly . . .

Nose gives hints of coffee, alchohol and currants . . .

Taste is nice, not too heavy/ not too light in body. Yeah there's a slight
hint of cocoa as well, but nothing stands out as being a predominant flavor. There's a bit of sediment (ruffage) in the bottom of my glass. Good fiber!

This is just a good, hearty stout--light carbonation rounds this off.

I could drink this everyday.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2005 21:49:44 | More by bewley