Bison Organic Chocolate Stout - Bison Brewing

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a chocolate stout with a real chocolate finish. Very dark and very packed with cocoa, vanilla, roasted malt and even tobacco notes. A big beer with not so much alcohol, this is worth buying for those cold winter nights when you want a beer and a piece of chocolate

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2007 18:06:44 | More by canucklehead

stephendr

California

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

22 oz. bottle- color dark black – sharp quickly dissipating coffee color head - nose of milk chocolate , vanilla , coffee , and anise – taste of milk chocolate , roasted , and dark berries - body medium , and fizzy almost over carbonated – aftertaste of bitter chocolate , and sour

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2006 05:47:55 | More by stephendr

PorterLambic

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +29.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours black with a chestnut tinge at the fringe. Dark brownish-tan head. Big and fluffy with great retention, eventually forms a nice, thick film (about 1/4").
Smell is rich with malt, chocolate, smoke, vanilla, hints of beef jerky and soy - it works - and a touch of hops way in the back. Great balance and nice complexity.
Taste is more of the same, smoky, dark chocolate malts, soy, hops with the same terrific balance.
Smooth with a slightly tingly astringency. A nice chocolate & smoke aftertate lingers all over the palate and just slowly, very slowly, fades. In no way overbearing. Could be a bit chewier, the medium body is really the only thing I can knock here.
An absolutely excellent brew. You would be fool not to have one - or more - of these. An awesome example for the style. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm gonna go get some Oreos and finish this 22 oz. bad boy.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2006 19:57:57 | More by PorterLambic

hunteraw

China

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very dark, with some garnet and orange highlights. A rough pour produces a nice head, but pouring "properly" will produce little-to-none. Nothing in the way of lacing.

Smell: Lots of cocoa powder, with dark chocolate and coffee notes. Smells good.

Taste: Something of a let-down after the aroma. Do not serve this one cold! It will improve greatly the closer to room temperature it gets. Initially sweet chocolate up front, but then... nothing, very light flavor on the middle, before a swallow and a bitter chocolate aftertaste. As it warms, the flavor stretches out and becomes much more balanced, and other characteristics start to make themselves known, like roast and coffee.

Mouthfeel: Thinner than it needed to be, perhaps, but not bad.

Drinkability: When cold? Low. When room temp? Good. Not a chocolate beer to give to a chocolate lover and expect them to like it, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2006 18:10:35 | More by hunteraw

jpkoch1962

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served at cellar temp in pint glass. Poured a deep ebony with a dark tan, long lasting head. The aroma of fresh roasted malt and coffee rushed from my glass. The stout is a tad richer on the front side. Malt, coffee, and roasted malt dominated through out. The finish was suprisingly dry for such a rich stout. A clean aftertaste resulted.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2006 23:55:21 | More by jpkoch1962

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Deep tan head with strong retention into its foamy formy former self. Deep black/brown color. No lacing left. Great bitter chocolate nose with roasted and very lightly smoked malts. By bitter chocolate nose I mean bakers chocolate, straight up cacao. The cacao bitterness blends with the more subtle hop to creat a great bitter palate. Blend this with the great dark malts giving off hints of toffee and coffee. Smooth palate, but a little chewy at the end. Great beer though. Will purchase again if they start distributing to IL. Had to go to IN to buy.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2006 18:02:18 | More by scruffwhor

Applesauce1

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at O'Hooley's in Athens, OH.

Appearance: dark, almost black (looks good); about a half inch brown head off the tap
Smell: chocolate and cappuncino are the main smells i can pick out
Taste: chocolate and a cappucino/coffee flavor are present to start out with; it seems this beer contracted a yeasty flavor about halfway through the drink and became less pleasing though
Mouthfeel: a little to much carbonation; medium bodied
Drinkability: the yeasty flavor turned me off from another one; i would like to try this beer again though

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2006 05:47:58 | More by Applesauce1

MerkinMan

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A good Chocolate stout, though not the best ever. I bought a case of 24s for $20, and was very happy with my purchase. I liked this one much better than their Red or Belgian. The Chocolate could be more pronounced if I was to make personal reccomendations.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2006 17:32:50 | More by MerkinMan

RBorsato

Virginia

2.35/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Black with dark brown edges to a light source, a full big bubbled head and overactive carbonation indicative of a problem. Chocolate, roasted malt, and oxidized/infected aroma and flavors. Medium-light bodied due to overcarbonation with a dry cocoa powder finish.

I need to find an un-infected version of this b/c it certainly had potential.

A bottle of on of these exploded in my basement not long ago and the owner/brewer was great when I discussed the matter with him ... I'll try again for sure.

Per label: "Stout brewed with cocoa" & "USDA Organic" & "Since 1989" & "Fine cocoa in the mash"

Per BB website: Dutch cocoa. 5 Organic malts.

2005 GABF - Silver - Foreign Style Stout

($9.99 / 6-pack)

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2006 19:41:08 | More by RBorsato

kirok1999

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Pours a dark black with a small, clinging head.

S- Super chocolate, as the name implies, some bitter coffee, roasted malts. I know there's some hops there but they're kicked around too much by the chocolate.

T- Too bad the taste doesn't match the smell. Very thin and watery, only given body by the chocolate. Dry, with a bitter aftertaste.

M- Thin and watery, just like the taste.

D- Easy to drink, but there are so many better stouts out there.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2006 01:20:13 | More by kirok1999

rayjay

Hawaii

4.1/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Sierra Brewfest in Grass Valley, CA. Found this one and kept coming back. Deep dark brown with big bubbles and a brownish-white head. Sweet and rich with major chocolate notes, both from chocolate malts and from real chocolate. The sugary sweetness of the malts lingers forever, and it pulls it off without being overly thick or sticky. Refreshing even on this hot sunny day. A real treat for stout and chocolate fans alike. Also good to see an organic brew that fits in and doesn't scream "I'm organic so that's why I taste a little bit different than your favorite beer." This is just a good old beer that *happens* to be organic.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2006 18:25:32 | More by rayjay

Brent

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a nice walnut-tinged black. Faint cocoa powder in the aroma. Nice substance to the flavor, with the chocolate note up front but reserved. Front was short-lived, with a follow up by roasted malt that was a touch rough. Chocolate perception faded rather quickly, and the beer held up nicely but without depth. Nice enough with a beef dinner.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2006 14:19:42 | More by Brent

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - black pour with garnet hues around the edge. A thick and creamy mocha head rests evenly across the top. Lacing is scattered and slightly sticky.

Aroma - the cocoa is immediately evident almost as soon as the first drop hits the glass. A backdrop of raisiny sweetness, lending a somewhat sugary quality to the cocoa. Some alcohol notes come out a little as it warms, like chocolate liqueur. Not much roasted malt character but a nice sniff anyway.

Taste - lots of charred malt, burnt even, rather powerful.Getting past that there is some bitter chocolate presence, oak, and a definite dry bitterness on the swallow, but it's not so much hop related as just the bitterness of the chocolate and charcoal. Once the palate adjusts the flavors fit together better, but it needs to warm to the mid/upper 50s.

Mouthfeel - properly heavy, with much carbonation, rather dry on the finish.

Drinkability - I tend to prefer the smoother, less burnt style of stout, but this is a fine beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2006 17:49:10 | More by brewdlyhooked13

mcallister

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A very dark mahoganny bordering on black. A light tan head doesn't stay around for the party and only leaves a ring around the glass with no lace.

Great nose on this beer. Dark roasted malts, espresso, bitter chocolate, vanilla bean, and some black currant.

Unfortunately the taste of this beer does not follow up on the nose. Very one dimensional with little complexity. You mainly get a big slap in the face of dark roasted malt, with some bitter chocolate, and coffee in the finish.

Mouthfeel is thin yet bold. I won't be drinking many more of these.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2006 20:16:35 | More by mcallister

nlmartin

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer was poured into a imperial pint glass.

Appearance: The beer poured a very solid black. The beer had no ruby opaqueness to light. The head was two fingers high and had good retention.

Smell: The beer is loaded with semi-sweet cocoa. The beer has a good dark roasted coffee compliment.

Taste: The beer has a nice roasted maltyness. The semi-sweet cocoa and coffee via for dominance. The semi-sweet cocoa pretty much wins with a powdery coating.

Mouthfeel/ Drinkability: The beer is on the plus side of medium bodied. The beer has a sweet begining but quickly dries out. This is a pretty solid stout; however, I would drink one or two and move on to a different brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2006 05:18:38 | More by nlmartin

laintringulis

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a pub glass. Pours dark black with a large fluffy beige head that turns to a thin beige film very quickly. Little carbonation.

Smell: Smells of charred/baked granny smith apples, smoky bourbon smell, strong coffee smell, semi dark chocolate

Taste: I wish it tasted as good as it smells. Very little hops, over-roasted coffee taste with semi bitter chocolate taste in the back. Slight maltiness and brief fruitiness in the middle. It should have been stronger in flavor. I was disappointed, especially compared to the smell.

mouthfeel/drinkability: Pleasantly more dry in the finish than I expected; however, it has a powdery finish to it. Almost, like undissolved jello granules in your jello. Maybe this would be good for a beginner to stouts. I thought it needed more kick.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2006 11:01:06 | More by laintringulis

thebarracuda

California

1.7/5  rDev -51.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1

Pours a deep dark brown with a thick tan head that stays around.
with the first sip I taste heavy cocoa mixed in with some bitterness and stale coffee. I really don't taste any chocolate at all, but loads of cocoa. And like most things "organic" this is not very good, not at all. Others might like it, I dont. I dont know if I want to choke it down and hope I end up liking it, or pouring it down the drain.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2006 06:42:20 | More by thebarracuda

jettjon

Florida

3.65/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Highs: Appearance, good mellow stout
Lows: Very little chocolate taste

Pours a nearly opaque brown with no visible carbonation. Head pours into a huge mound of brown foam with nice cascading action for a bit, then settles to a thick, 2-finger head with good lacing. Nice looking beer. Nose is primarily toasted malt, but there’s a hint of alcohol and some hops toward the back. Flavor is rather mild, with roasted malt dominating and some chocolate toward the finish. Finished up on a pleasant roasted malt note. Mouth is watery but not too thin; not as thick as I’d prefer, but it’ll do. Drinkability is pretty good: despite the rather lackluster taste, it’s easy to drink, and it’s fairly enjoyable.

Overall: A decent stout, not too chocolately—nothing close to Rogue’s Chocolate Stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2006 00:08:31 | More by jettjon

rokoch27

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The first time I ever had an organic beer was in New York and they were some offerings from Wollaver's. I had not really begun to appreciate good beers quite yet and this time I feel like there is still something missing. Pours nice and black, but still feels a bit thin. Tastes something like coffee that doesn't have much body. Burnt aroma. The thing is that compared to Rogue's offering in this department, this Bison beer just doesn't measure up. It is a nice beer, don't get me wrong, but I wont' be searchign it out again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2006 15:01:21 | More by rokoch27

Luigi

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a pitch black color. The light tan head was sticky and leaves a good amount of lace around the glass. The aroma has a hint of dark bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and leafy hop. Has a creamy medium-full body. Bitter sweet choclates hit the tounge first. I can really taste the Chocolate they add to the mash. A hint of coffee, bitter hops, and roasted malts. Has a dry slighty bitter finish. This beer pairs nicey with any dark meat. But, I would personally wait until after dinner and drink it for desert.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2006 07:57:59 | More by Luigi

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I appreciate their dedication to organic brewing...though I'm not sure I've ever drank an inorgantic one. Anyhow, the beer is nice. The color, hue, and darkness is typical for good stouts. The aroma is firm with roasted grain, cocoa, espresso, and a fermented sourness. Tastes very agressive with the roasted grains, adding big charcoal-like bitter, roasted, dryness. The cocoa helps to temper the hasrsh burnt flavors and add a faint sweetness. Most sweetness results from a nice malt balance. The feel is moderately heavy, but not thick. Smoothes considerably toward the finish to help with the drinkability. But, still finishes with a chared, roasty bittering that remains a little overbearing.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2006 03:22:33 | More by BEERchitect

clvand0

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This one pours a dark brown color with a small head that falls fast and doesn't leave much lacing on the glass. The aroma is full of chocolate - seems to be the bitter version, not the sweet chocolate. The flavor has some roasted character along with a strong cocoa/bitter chocolate. Very malty with little trace of hops. I enjoyed the flavor, but it could use a little more body to bring it around.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2006 18:51:50 | More by clvand0

Dukeofearl

California

3.83/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bomber purchased at Hi Time Wine in Costa Mesa, Ca., in Feb 2006 for approximately $3.50.

Pours a deep dark brown/black as a stout shout. Rich and almost oil-slick in looks. A moderate brown head forms for a few minutes, then dalls to nothing.

Aroma is very pleasant- chocolate for sure, but not sweet. The flavor follows through, but a little more complex, cocoa powder and sharpness that, if eating chocolate, I would call bittersweet. But here, it's not quite that feeling. A coffee-like astringency, definite dark malt roastiness and a touch of hop bitter (although I do not know what kind of hops are speaking out). A fairly dry ending.

Overall, a nice chocolate stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2006 02:26:51 | More by Dukeofearl

brentk56

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a thick obsidian color with a tan head that quickly drops to a ringlet and island; leaves some scattered lacing

Smell: Strong coffee and chocolate aroma; slightly smokey

Taste: Starts out with a hot cocoa flavor that is joined, mid-palate, with some nice coffee bitterness that persists into the finish, as does the cocoa flavor as well as some vanilla; somewhat astringent and acidic at the end

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and surprisingly carbonated for a stout

Drinkability: Taste, but I would prefer less carbonation and a more straightforward stout experience

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2006 19:44:03 | More by brentk56

SaCkErZ9

Florida

2.73/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Dispensed from a 22oz bottle into a an imperial pint glass. A half finger head forms on top of a not quite opaque, deep, deep, ruby colored beer. The head almost immediately leaves and no lacing is left behind.

Smell is chocolate. Coffee as well. Also some citrusy hops shine through as an afterthought. I tiny bit of dirty diaper jumps in as well, even as the beer is very cool.

This beer tasted weird. No freshness date so I dont think it is a bad bottle. A weird, burnt chocolate taste is followed by lots of astringency. A metallic taste is in there as well. Maybe it was the water. Not very good in my opinion.

As mentioned, astringent mouthfeel. Dry finish with not much body for a stout. I was disappointed with this offering. Probably will not buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2006 20:29:57 | More by SaCkErZ9