Scarface Imperial Stout - Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

mactrail

California

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Really and truly black in the tall glass. Nice tight beige head. Monstrously powerful, both in flavor and alcohol. Plus big hops and endless scorched malt. A salty taste I swear tastes like blood. They seemed to be taking no prisoners on this one.

A little coarse on the mouthfeel. Medium body. Not at all syrupy, just um... gigantic. I'm always looking for ways to use these kinds of hugely flavorful but essentially undrinkable ales, and a small dose of this mega-RIS might ravish a timid cheap lager very nicely.

Bitter and more bitter as you sip. That charred flavor lasts through the aftertaste, and I won't be surprised to taste it when I wake up.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 06:23:31 | More by mactrail

claaark13

Indiana

3.4/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours black with a thick light-tan head. Sticks alright to the side of the glass.

S - Roasted malts are mixed well with hops. Then, there is some sort of almost fresh paint aroma. Hmmm...confusing. Not like an alcohol paint, but just a mild aroma that comes from the malts/hops.

T - Very, very similar to the aroma. Roasted malts, hops, then roasted malts again on the finish. The flavor I'm comparing to paint is in the middle before the malts take over again. Slight sweetness on the finish, as well as some cocoa notes.

M - Somewhere in the medium range.

O - Good everyday RIS in my opinion. The aroma is certainly off, but the flavors are good enough to make me buy a round or two at a bar. I just can't get past the odd paint aroma. It isn't like BA Black Sun, but it is in that direction.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 19:17:52 | More by claaark13

BrainDad

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Toronado in San Francisco

Deep rich color. Great lacing and one finger of head.

Aroma does not do justice to the flavor, which is deep and rich. Full of roasted malts and chocolate. Has an airy feel that I prefer which is like a chocolate soda, carbonated but not overly so.

Compared to the Obsidian Stout we oredered at the same time, I would definitely come back for this

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 20:48:40 | More by BrainDad

UCLABrewN84

California

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque black with a 2 inch foamy super dark khaki head that settles to a small cap. A nice latticework of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa nibs, and some subtle coffee bean aromas. Taste is of dark roasted malt and dark chocolate covered coffee/espresso beans. There is a pretty assertive roasty bitterness that lingers on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a very slight crispness and a medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good stout all around and a good deal at around $5 for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 01:19:43 | More by UCLABrewN84

metter98

New York

3.43/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a thin tan head that left a thick coating of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of alcohol in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of dark roasted malts along with notes of alcohol and chocolate and hints of licorice.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a little burn from the alcohol in the finish.
O: The alcohol in this beer is too prominent in the smell and to a lesser degree in the taste. As such, it’s a slow sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 03:20:27 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at Mugs Alehouse in Brooklyn, NY

A: Pours jet black in color with a half finger tall mocha head. The head reduces to a thin layer covering the entire surface of the beer plus a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: There is a lot of alcohol present in the aroma of this beer that is slightly off putting but otherwise the aromas of this beer are extremely roasty. Lots of dark roasted and charred malts, along with some hints of bittersweet chocolate, and very light coffee notes.

T: The flavor of this beer is all roast - dark roasted malts, charred malts, bittersweet chocolate, and hints of coffee. Light amounts of alcohol can be detected.

M: Medium to full bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Slight alcohol heat in the finish.

O: I'm a huge fan of stouts and roasted malts but unfortunately the alcohol is just a hint too present for me to truly enjoy this one. I like the flavor profile once you get past the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 16:03:48 | More by dbrauneis

colforbin73

California

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

why only 4 on the overall? because i just had it a second ago for the first time and i am not ready to push it over the top.

ROAST BOMB

this beer is a rich chocoaltey roasted biscuit cream of a beer. speakeasy outdid them selves on this.

bitter hops confound the back end of your palate. after a complex roasted malt attack the piney hop burn on the back sets in slowly -- the abv rears its' head at the very end but darn, this is WAY better than i expected.

this is an extremely drinkable imperial stout. it just hit the shelves, BUY.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 06:41:01 | More by colforbin73

srandycarter

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown, near black with dark tan small head. Slows to ring. Lots of spotty cling lace.

S - Soy sauce, Hersheys syrup.

T - Taste reflects smell, but add choc chip cookies and bittering hops at end.

M - Medium to full body, good carb and great balance.

D - Deceptively delicious and alcohol might hurt if try to session.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 04:02:10 | More by srandycarter

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at The Ginger Man NYC. Rpasty aroma. This is black with three-eighths inch of head, and leaves lots of lace tral down the glass. It has a thick mouthfeel and is smooth. Licorice, hoppy, a bit astringent, though good drinkability. Very good but not exceptional for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 13:28:31 | More by northyorksammy

cosmicevan

New York

4.47/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a 16oz growler at a speakeasy tasting locally.

a - Watery black with not much head and slippery lacing.
s - malty roasty oaty.
t - alcohol n oats...bitter cocoa beans and roasted coffee.
m/d - big alc tingle, but the fullness is really nice and it has a bit of an oatmeal stout vibe to it, which I love. at first this beer is big and bold and almost too much, but after a few ounces when you get into it...it kills. Really tasty.

Serving type: growler

02-14-2011 02:12:03 | More by cosmicevan

dudecandle

New York

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Growler into goblet:

A: Black body, slight brownish tint decent head and retention.

S: Smoke, slight alcohol, some dark fruit, plus coffee and wonderful bittersweet chocolate

T: Primarily dark chocolatey, with a good light smokey finish. But the coffee and slight fruit round out the chocolate brilliantly, along with a possible slight herbal hop mixed in there as well, balancing the smoke on the finish.

M: A bit light, but given that this is a growler, that can be expected. The finish seems to last forever, even though the smoke isn't so big on the palate in the first place.

D: Wow. This is probably my favorite stout. Sweet, smokey, bitter, everything a stout should be. Such great balance of the flavors, with a great dose of coffee and smoke without overdoing either. Nothing is overdone, in fact, and all flavors come through so well. The world would be a better place if this was more widely available.

Serving type: growler

01-09-2011 04:43:25 | More by dudecandle

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Speakeasy Scarface, growler bought at the Whole Foods Bowery Beer Room in New York City.

Appearance: My hasty pour (coming out with the glug of a cumfart) produces a big two-finger-thick brownish head, like cafe latte foam, that recedes into a one finger before settling into a thin veil around the rim of the glass. The beer itself appears black as ebony porn, with some white lacing splattered around.

Smell: Rich and unctuous, with dark chocolate, coffee ans sugar aromas. A slight bourbon-y/cask feel at the end, along with some vanilla and booze. A very complex and delicious nose!

Taste: Carbonated bitterness coats the mouth, ending dry. Not as exciting as the nose, but satisfying. Very thick around the tongue. Lots of cocoa/cacao, some coffee too. A bit of hops and cooked milk/dairy.

Mouthfeel: Medium body/low-to-medium carbonation, dry finish. Alright, but not as good as nose/taste.

Drinkability: At 10.5%, you'll need to sip on this. I had 32 ounces and got a grand buzz.

I really enjoyed this one, almost as much as Stone RIS and other classics of the genre. I'm a fan of this brewery.

Serving type: growler

01-07-2011 23:29:30 | More by DoubleSimcoe

infi

New York

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

32 oz. growler, courtesy of BA r0nyn. From 11/20 notes.

Poured into a Duvel tulip.

Typical stout: black and opaque, thin tan head of fine bubbles, very short retention before dissipating into a cap. Decent amounts of speckled lacing on the glass as well. At close examination, the stout is incredibly lively with tons of fine carbonated activity, especially after a couple swirls. Smell is also textbook. Thoroughly full of roasted malt and barley with the latter being the most prevalent. There are a couple hints of dark chocolate and roasted coffee and some booze, but quite subdued overall.

Taste begins with a big roastiness from the malt and barley, which makes up a huge component to the beer. Just like the scents, there are some decent amounts of dark chocolate and coffee, but don't impact much on the flavor itself. Towards the end is a moderate drying aspect of the astringency.

Mouthfeel is substantially light-bodied with a little carbonated feel. Honestly, too thin for me. Drinkability is moderately easy, but fairly slow with the 10.5%. An just-about-over-average beer overall. Thanks to BA r0nyn for this tapped treat.

Serving type: growler

11-21-2010 01:29:22 | More by infi

r0nyn

New York

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into my DFH snifter. Split with fellow BA infi.

Pours a dark, dark mixture that's completely opaque. Frothy tan head that leaves a ton of sticky, spotty lacing. Looks like it has pretty good viscosity. Smell is full of roasted malts, with quite a bit of decadent coffee, dark chocolate and barley. Hoppiness is pretty detectable at the start, but quickly subsides as the beer warms and the sweeter scents become more prevalent. Interesting and complex.

Say hello to my little friend(s)! Coffee leads things off, more sweet than bitter, but with both qualities making themselves known. Chocolate sweetness follows through, with toffee nuances. As the brew warms, there's a bit of alcohol heat, but it's subdued and unobtrusive. Roasted malts and barley round out the taste, with a mildly astringent aftertaste. Mouthfeel is quite creamy and smooth. I've definitely had heavier stouts, but this one seems to balance the body and the smoothness very well. Minimal carbonation with a lightly drying finish. Very pleasant.

Drinkability is quite good. Pleasing, nuanced taste, enticing smell and a lush mouthfeel make Scarface Stout one to be reckoned with. I would definitely revisit this. Quality brewing from Speakeasy. Thanks to the guys and gals at New Beer Distributors in NYC for making my first growler experience a great one!

Serving type: growler

11-20-2010 18:59:35 | More by r0nyn

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a growler of this at Whole Foods Bowery Beer Room in Manhattan, NY.

A: The best feature of this beer. Black with a light tan head that doesn't want to go away.

S: Pretty basic. Charred wood and some cocoa nibs. Smells like a stout.

T: 70% cacao, some nuttiness, earthiness, and unfortunately a metallic undertone. Luckily there is a little oak presence to mellow it out and some hoppiness to give it a bitter touch.

M: Pretty light for this big of a stout. I thought this was rather dry too.

D: Drinks more like a regular stout - very easygoing and not filling at all. This would be the best feature of this beer, but it doesn't beg to be had anymore.

Overall, a decent (Imperial?) stout but I like their Midnight Run Black IPA much better.

Serving type: growler

10-23-2010 01:40:36 | More by hoppymcgee

Brianmerrilyn

New York

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Many thanks to the Speakeasy Brewery providing a slew of beers for a tasting at the Bronx Alehouse.

A: Poured into a pint glass to reveal a dark mahogony w/chocolate have finger plus head & excellent retention. Considering the ABV, the head held up longer than I expected.

S: Earthy followed by strong malts and grain.

T: Nice & sweet with heat coming in the second aftertaste. Roasted malts and dashes of coffee mingle throughout but overall it's sweet w/heat

M: Medium to thick at first and thinning out quickly afterward

D: A great American stout and plenty of earthy essence to display masterful brewing!

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2010 13:54:55 | More by Brianmerrilyn

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a black body with tan head that left little lace and had a strong malt smell of bitter chocolate, coffee, roasted malts and a very minor fruit smell (I always seem to smell chocolate covered cherries in these beers). Taste is more of the same as the bitter chocolate and sweet malts take the main stage as the roasted and coffee malts are underlying. More of a sweet than dry stout but still finishes dry and is a heavier, still bready body that makes a very good stout to have.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2010 10:22:08 | More by clayrock81

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Rattle-n-Hum into a 25cl Allagash goblet.

A: Jet black body with an inch of frothy brown foam. Good retention and lacing. Very dark and very attractive stout.

S: Coffee, chocolate, roasted barley, and a hint of citrus hops. Very sweet overall, but the hops are a nice touch.

T: Coffee is dominant out of the gate, with very sweet maltiness backing it up. Maybe a bit too sweet, as the flavors don't resolve into chocolate or caramel, but remain purely sweet malt. Some hops on the finish, but not quite enough to balance the cloyingness. Quite tasty nonetheless.

M: Fairly thick with moderate carbonation.

D: A little too sweet for me, but not too bad. I still would have liked more than 25cl (especially since the menu said 12oz, which is 40% more beer, but I'm not a complainer).

Notes: This one came highly recommended by Phil the bartender, and I was excited to try my first Speakeasy brew. While not quite blown away, I found this to be well-done and thoroughly enjoyable. There are many impy stouts I'd rather have, but this was a great one to get to try.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 11:14:54 | More by woosterbill

Billolick

New York

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler filled at DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY. Pours nice and black under a super dark mocha head, that stays and stays, frothy, and dense. Leaves short lived sheeting, then globby strands of thick lace. Nose of dark malts, coffee, and sugary toffee. Full flavor stout, more sweet and dark roasty notes. Coffee, mocha milkshake with hints of whiskey and wood. Super smooth and velvety on the tongue, without going over the top and taking away from drinkability. Enjoyable, nicely crafted and tasty I.S. Nice offering from Speakeasy Ales.

Serving type: growler

05-25-2010 02:03:21 | More by Billolick

pennywhistle

California

4.72/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It had a delicious, deep roasted malt flavour. Subtle on the coffee - it's there, but it doesn't feel like you've got espresso grounds at the bottom of your glass. This beer is very rich, and very smooth. If it wasn't quite so high in ABV I would want to drink it all the time!

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2010 21:55:40 | More by pennywhistle

Mora2000

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to thirdeye11 for sharing this beer. This was a 22 ounce handbottle filled at Bierkraft in New York.

The beer pours a dark brown color with a khaki head. The aroma is dark chocolate and roasted malt. The flavor is more of the same with coffee, chocolate and roasted malt. Thick mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 05:51:25 | More by Mora2000

kirchnak

South Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Not a lot of aroma (that I remember). I had it on tap at the weekly Firkin' Friday at the the brewery. It was unbelievably smooth. I knew it was 10.5%, but couldn't taste it. Has nice chocolatey notes, and is velvety smooth. I quickly finished two before I realized what I had done, it is that good. That is also why I don't have a better description for you. Sorry. It is that smooth (and strong). Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2010 05:44:26 | More by kirchnak

vacax

California

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ. Poured pitch black with around a centimeter of dark brown head that had some fair retention and comparably nice lacing. Aroma is pungent and loaded with roasted coffee beans, malt, oak, and vanilla. Maybe a bit overdone on the roast. The flavor is packed with roast, dark malts, a bit astringent actually, lots of oak and oaky bitterness, vanilla, and cookie. Finish has a touch of floral hops along with lots of roast and cookie. Full bodied, lightly slick with a slight chewiness. I liked this beer, it was perhaps a bit much on the roasted elements, but the overall flavor was nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2010 20:55:32 | More by vacax

Goldfish19

New York

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

~ Purchased this 32 oz growler from Big Z Beverage in Huntington, NY.

Appearance: Dark brown with a small tan head.

Smell: Roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and some bitter hops.

Taste: Similar to its smell. Overall, there is a nice, well-balanced combination of roasted malts, chocolate, and bitter hops.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and very smooth.

Drinkability: Impressive. Drink carefully though because the 10.5% ABV is undetectable and will creep up on you when you least expect it.

All in all, I really enjoyed this offering from Speakeasy. It's definitely worth seeking out - that is, if you can actually find it. ~

Serving type: growler

03-14-2010 23:37:51 | More by Goldfish19

womencantsail

California

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Stone

A: An incredibly nice looking pour on this beer, plenty of tan foam with a viscous black liquid underneath.

S: The nose is full of the usual suspects for an imperial stout. Coffee, bitter chocolate, and roasted malt with a slight smokiness to it.

T: The flavor pretty much mimics the nose. A nice coffee and roasted malt character with some notes of chocolate with a definite bitterness and some light smoke.

M: Quite a full bodied beer with a low level of carbonation and a creamy feel on the tongue.

D: For a fairly high ABV and a rather bold style, this one is fairly easy to consume and was a pretty interesting beer overall. A pretty solid offering from Speakeasy.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2010 09:27:33 | More by womencantsail