Young's Double Chocolate Stout - Wells & Young's Ltd

Beric

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Serving: Bottle, poured into tulip
Served: 19 June 2013

Appearance: A great deep black that pours to a fantastic light brown, creamy head that slowly dissipates. Laces down the edge of the class. Looks like a great stout.

Smell: Smells roasty and malty, coffee-like, and with a hint of chocolate bitterness in there too.

Taste: This beer is really dark and smokey tasting. It almost tastes like french roast coffee: so dark it almost tastes burnt. I actually can't pick out much of the chocolate flavor at all. What chocolate is added is extremely bitter, to the point where it is almost not worth calling this a sweet stout at all- the chocolate doesn't seem to add any sweetness to the beer in my mind, but rather provides a really bitter kick to a dark, smokey stout.

Mouthfeel: Feels smooth, with minimal carbonation, as you would expect from a stout.

Overall: Maybe I have a bad/old bottle, since other reviewers really document a different (though similar) taste profile. If it's old, maybe the chocolate taste has faded and all that's left is a bitter, smokey beer. It's still good (it certainly has a lot of taste, if that's what you're looking for), but I don't really find it a pleasurable drink. I'll have to try this one again.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2013 00:25:34 | More by Beric

Kearneytheking

Arkansas

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Had this Double Chocolate Stout out of the 14.9oz "Pure Luxury" Nitro can. Man do I love watching Nitros cascade!

Appearance: Espresso Brown. Thick, dense head that stays with the beer throughout the entire experience leaving its rings among the glass as the beer disappears

Smell: Bummer here, I got a lot of the metallic smell from the aluminum can. (I also get this from imports like heineken and Newcastle though.. wonder what it is) However, a little smoky/roast smell is present

Taste: Espresso! and smoke! and bittersweet baking chocolate! In relation to beer though, not bitter at all. Sweet and smooth like me on a Thursday night with a blonde.

MF: Creamy, light, little carbonation

Overall: Would love to try this on tap. Great chocolate stout.

Serving type: nitro-can

06-19-2013 02:58:22 | More by Kearneytheking

XCOR

California

4.54/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

I had this at Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena--a fun little bar with a bunch of beers on tap.

I really enjoyed this beer. It was thick, creamy and had a head that I was used to seeing on a nitro (was this a nitro? I don't know enough to tell the difference really, and I didn't ask.)

It had a soft, sweet smell but wasn't actually over-sweet when I tasted it. Nice and rich, a bit smokey, but not overpowering. Had a good, strong, steady flavor.

This was dark and tasty and I'll definitely be having it again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2013 21:12:28 | More by XCOR

MWolverines66

New York

3.34/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Pours a dark mocha color out of the bottle, has a strong aroma combination of chocolate and coffee.

Taste was a little too bitter for my liking and extremely bold. Even though the alcohol content is mild, you could really taste it when drinking this.

Not sure if there was something wrong with the bottle since I had this one on tap before on London, but the bottle was definitely a disappointment.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 13:27:11 | More by MWolverines66

scomstock55

Kansas

4.49/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-- poured a dark brown...nearly black, a bit lighter near the edges, had a thick brown head with excellent lacing and retention

S--very chocolaty, some burnt coffee, and a hint of hoppiness

T--malty chocolaty with some coffee overtones...excellent taste

M--very thick on the tongue..not a lot of carbonation..but left my mouth coated with a slippery coffee taste

O--I loved this beer. I wasnt expecting what I got and I wish I had bought more. Not a beer for a long session, but would be great with a piece of cake or a brownie for dessert.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 13:57:05 | More by scomstock55

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.34/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From the nitro can marked on the bottom with: BBD06SEP13-23:26-PD:06/09/2012. Sampled on June 8, 2013.

The pour is jet black with a nitro-fired tan head that lingers for the entire time.

The aroma is dark roasted chocolate and a whole lot of smoke. I love that smokiness. Sugar sweet too.

The body is medium and smooth.

The taste is rich with baking chocolate and smoke. Mild bitterness toward the end but the chocolate lingers on as well. This is the definition of a chocolate stout.

Serving type: nitro-can

06-09-2013 00:02:47 | More by puboflyons

Cubatobaco

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Unbelievably, this is my first Young's DC Stout. I've searched out the most elusive stouts and have been over looking one that should be an everyday staple in the cellar.

It is pitch black with a head smaller than I would hope for, but the lacing and visible carbonation make up for its lacking. The aroma is is of roasted malts, chocolate galore, and underlying coffee.

I may be beaten by saying it had a flavor very similar to a stout that I hold dear to my heart...Founders Breakfast Stout. The way that the flavors merry on the palate, alongside the weight and viscosity make it extremely reminiscent. Flavors of aromas mentioned and an addition of oatmeal and vanilla.

Overall this is extremely well-made and one that is going to be hard to resist when shopping at the store. Give it's availability, I can only think that this is consistent on a regular basis. Don't pass up for as long as I did!

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 01:38:29 | More by Cubatobaco

soju6

Missouri

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a deep dark brown color with a fair tan headthat fades to some lacing.

S: Aroma of Chocolate, roasted malt, bit od coffee, caramel and nuts..

T: Taste of chocolate, roasted malt, caramel with bit of dark fruit and nuts in the background. Mild bitterness and the finish is quite dry.

F: Full bodied, smooth with a rich creamy texture. Not overly sweet and very well balanced.

O: Very enjoyable but quite filling. Good way to end the day.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 03:19:41 | More by soju6

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.16/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

500ml bottle poured into a pint glass. Bottled on April 25th, 2013.

Pours a pitch black color with a very disappointing sized head. Smell is very rich in chocolate malts. Good aroma on this one. Taste is quite good...huge chocolate bomb here with roasted malts on the back end. it doesnt disappoint in what the name promises. Medium bodied with low carbonation. good mouthfeel, not too light. Just the right amount of body.

Overall a very good brew. Got this bottle for $1.74 on clearance and would gladly pay much more for it. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 22:52:57 | More by Axnjxn

jeepin83

Virginia

4.41/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: dark and a little on the thick side

S: chocolate, roasted coffee

T: roasted coffee, a little burnt taste

O: Great beer, wish the ABV was on the higher side, but all-in-all... if you like the taste and smell of coffee in your beer, this is a treat.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 14:36:11 | More by jeepin83

RaphaelSC

Brazil

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: A dark consistent body, with a creamy head.

S: Coffe and other toasted malts, very sweet and atractive.

T: Follows the nose, with coffe and toffee followed by some bitterness in a complex flavour. The carbonation isn't intrusive.

M: The coffe bitterness with the hop bitterness combined bring a sensation unique. With a bittersweet end.

O: Great to cold days this beer is delightful and complex, but is not my favorite kind of beer. Anyway it is great in its style.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 18:37:34 | More by RaphaelSC

Vogie

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A: Nice creamy mocha white finger of head that slowly cascades down the glass.

S: Lots of chocolate upfront, roasted malts, maybe some coffee notes as well.

T: Creamy chocolate milk with a slight roasty bitter taste on the back.

M: Thin and creamy.

O: Reminds me of a much more flavorful Guinness in a nitro-can. Not a huge fan of nitro infused beers because it takes away from the flavor. However Wells & Young's made this work. I won't rush to seek this out again but would recommend it to someone that is on the fence about stouts.

Serving type: nitro-can

05-03-2013 16:23:08 | More by Vogie

PolarBear3

Australia

3.45/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a black oily colour with two fingered tanned head that reduces slightly and retains very well

S - Burnt, roasted coffee, some hint of chocolate & cocoa

T - Get some sweet but burnt coffee up front, a little chocolate together a slightly bitter finish.

M - Smooth and creamy, medium to full body and medium carbonation

O - Not a bad creamy smooth stout , lacks a little in intensity but nevertheless very nice to drink on a cold evening.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 09:37:49 | More by PolarBear3

Jacurdy60

Alabama

3.61/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

A-The initial pour is a bit unimpressive, as the head seems too carbonated. Turns out it has a good retention and the typical color of a stout. Pitch black with a tan colored half-finger head. Lacing coats entire glass but leaves a small latticework

S-Sweet, milk chocolate. As expected. Toasted nuts, malted barley, and perhaps some whole milk. Very simple, but I like it

T-Diluted chocolate milk. Sweet with a burnt/roasted coffee finish.

MF-The body is kind of unimpressive. It seems a bit watered down and too carbonated.

O-A good milk/sweet stout. Not as good as the reviews show, but still a fine brew. I believe Buffalo Sweat and Left Hand's are still much better because they are smoother/have a fuller body.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 00:44:53 | More by Jacurdy60

dar482

New York

3.38/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Out of the can, it pours in a wonderful dark brown/black color with a light tan head. It’s a beautiful beer as the nitro trickles down in its wonderful cascade. There’s a solid one finger head that just lays there beautifully. It’s very thick. It’s like Guinness with its appeal and look.

Smelling it, there’s a sweet milky creaminess with a lot of dry malt powder. There’s that very familiar oatmeal stout aroma.

As for taste, the head there is so important. It just sit there like a floating half inch of cappucino head. My can is about a month away from it’s Best By, so maybe that’s the reason I don’t really get too much chocolate. The flavor instead has this burnt maltiness.

On the back end, there’s a bitterness at the end. It’s almost metallic in its astringency, but not very offensive.

The body is actually quite light, which makes it very drinkable.

However, do listen to the can. It says to serve it cool instead of ice cold. They’re right. As I waited, the chocolate flavor slips in a bit. However, you do then start getting that metallic bitterness. It definitely becomes a more well rounded flavor with it being cool. However, I just can’t get past the body and the bitterness at the end. The lack of chocolate is very obvious. I wouldn’t get this beer for the “chocolate.” It’s more of a Irish dry stout with some round oatmeal stout characteristics.

It’s not what I expected, but knowing what you’re getting, it isn’t a terrible beer either.

Serving type: nitro-can

04-04-2013 01:24:15 | More by dar482

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 3

Tasted 19 March 2013.

Nice-looking beer. Beautiful cascading head, probably thanks to the little widget. About one finger of really really dense head, like the milk foam you'd get in a latte. Great retention, and even after it's faded there's still a fairly thick cap on the beer. Really nice, thick, dense lacing. Beer is basically black with a grayish hue on the side.

Smell is really rich, chocolatey, smooth. Also reminiscent of a latte or mocha, with that strong but gentle chocolate, mellowed out by the other elements. Definitely chocolate, not cocoa, as the sugar combines with it. Sugar cane coming through across the middle. Something about it reminds me of bamboo.

Taste is not bad, just kinda bland. A thin, half-woody half-roasty malt flavor. I only get a bit of chocolate in the taste. Mostly I feel like I'm chewing on sticks that have been sitting in the fire for a while. Turns bitter, a roasty burnt bitter with an herbal hint.

Mouthfeel is straight up flat. Medium-bodied and lighter than I was expecting. Slick and oily without the carbonation, and I don't like it. The nasty sibling of smooth. The lack of carbonation is a terrible combination with the rest of the beer's slipper texture. It's like it's seeking out all the crevices of my mouth, rather than resting on my tongue.

I was excited at first, but the taste brought my hopes down, and the feel dashed them. I could probably drop my numbers more, but the look and the smell were both quite impressive.

Serving type: nitro-can

03-29-2013 03:58:35 | More by zeledonia

3sheets2thewind

Kentucky

3.96/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured for a bottle into a pint glass

A- What I like to see in an english stout...black with the look of oil from an old Series Rover. Khaki tan head but faded faster than I'd like. Fairly nice lacing though.

S- Nothing that really stood out for me. Chocolate, espresso, cookie dough.

T- From the first sip to the last it's as mellow as they get. Creamy, frothy, thickness like a frappuccino crossed with a slightly burnt soft batch cookie. But to me not a whole lot of complexity just a straight forward great chocolate stout.

M- Creamy, thick enough to stay in your mouth for a little bit afterwards.

O- Pretty good, would be as nice after meal drink. Not complex but its a straight forward milk stout and its right where it should be. If your looking for it to stand out big time than you might be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 01:49:25 | More by 3sheets2thewind

Greywulfken

New York

4.14/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: into a nonic pint: pitch black with as big-as-you-want-it head of dark tan foam; lotsa lace sheeting

S: no surprise here: chocolate malt and bitter espresso

T: straightforward and done well: bitter, smooth, and creamy chocolate up front and throughout, undertones of roasted black espresso coffee

M: not too dense, silky smooth, bitter aftercoat, mellowing

O: just well-crafted and to-the-point. An excellent mellowing out beer. The label reads, "Pure Luxury" and I'd agree. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 01:43:59 | More by Greywulfken

dvmin98

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served from a bottle to a Founders Brewing snifter.

The appearance is a nice deep brown. About 2cm of khaki colored head. The smell is chocolatey malts. The taste is definitely chocolate and malts. Nice flavor. What I don't like is the mouthfeel. It is way too thin for me for a stout. Seemed watery. Also, it was a lot more carbonated than I would like. I felt like a chocolate soda.

This beer seems to have a cult following, but its not something I liked a lot. It wasn't bad, but I can get a lot better stouts out there. I'd drink it again, but I won't buy it just to have it on hand.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 01:58:59 | More by dvmin98

smokinyodas

Florida

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

Young's Double Chocolate Stout pours out a dark brown with small tan head. Has wonderful roasted malts and chocolate aromas with a thin mouth-feel and sweet taste mixed with dark chocolates. In comparison to other Stouts from the UK it gives off similar complexities with that of Samuel Smith Oatmeal and Imperial stout. Note that there is a difference from the cans and bottles. The Nitro-Cans have less bold flavor and more creaminess that works as a session beer. The Bottle has bolder flavor that puts it back in the big leagues. So in short, if there was a scale of 1 out of 10 I'd put the bottles at a strong 8 or 8 1/2 and the cans at a solid 7.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 05:01:44 | More by smokinyodas

ChugMan

Washington

3.91/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Food Pairing: (1) Chocolate chip cookie was excellent with this. If you like milk and cookies, do yourself a favor and try this combo! (2) Dark chocolate pomegranite candies were great as well. The tangy fruity quality of the candy created a very fun counterpoint to the smooth sweetness of the beer.

A - This is the first beer that's made me say "wow!" just by looking at it. The broiling effect of the bubbles and foam caused by the nitro can made it look like a mudslide was happening in my glass. Once settled, it showed off a nearly opaque, dark maple brown body and beautiful head which left some powerful lacing.
S - If I didn't know better, I'd think it was a glass of chocolate milk. Light spicy alcohol aroma.
T - Very smooth, light, roasted flavors. Tasting mostly dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa bitterness. Some creamy, almondy, coffee- nuttyness too. Damn near a frappuccino.
M - Oily, a little chewy, not bad. Almost like the aftertaste of spiked egg nog. Easy to drink.
O - While the flavor wasn't quite as robust as I hoped, I'd love to re-review this in its bottle form. Maybe the nitro stole a bit of the flavor's thunder...I feel like there was a potential here that was somehow cut short. All in all though, very good indeed.

Serving type: nitro-can

03-12-2013 05:43:37 | More by ChugMan

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep, dark and black this stout sets up beautifully with a frothy brown head.

Dark chocolate and graham cracker are evident in the nose, albeit a little too weakly. A sweet malt backbone establishes itself amongst the stronger chocolate scents. Tinges of vanilla are apparent along with hints of marshmallow.

Rich, malty chocolate and a dry graham cracker taste meld well. Hints of coffee help to make a delightful after dinner drink. The feel needs to be slightly more thick and viscous to make this a true post supper sipper.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 02:05:52 | More by KYGunner

circus_cat

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: Motor oil black with a rocky khaki head. The head is leaving nice lacing as it dissipates and the body looks creamy and inviting.

S: Almost getting a chocolate milk smell. Roasted malts, Lactose, Coffee grinds.

T: Sweet lactose sugar up front, baker's chocolate and roastiness through the middle, bitter coffee and semi-sweet chocolate on the finish.

M: Full-bodied and creamy.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 19:24:39 | More by circus_cat

smiga

New Jersey

4.11/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml brown bottle embossed with a ram, a purple label, looks expensive and for dessert.

Appearance: Black, near opaque with a creamy, large bubbe, tan head, that faded fast, but laced extremely well.

Smell: Roasted malt dominant and chocolate.

Taste: Extremely smooth and creamy with a chewy, nicely odd, mild sweetness that mingles with a slight burnt/roasted chocolate flavor that comes on mid taste to after taste but is not cloying or overly sweet. A slight hop presence balances malt, notes of licorice, roast, hot chocoalate. The mouth is a bit dry so easy drinking.

Feel: medium bodied, easy drinking, pleasantly match of sweet/roast/bitter, but the chocolate overhwhelms the appealing grassiness of some other great stouts which really is preferable to my palate. Tingly, but low carbonation.

Notes: A great stout up there with Left Hand, Sierra Nevada, and others. A great final beer of the evening and not too alcoholic. Would be great with dessert, cheese, chocolate, more than with dinner.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 00:32:58 | More by smiga

hosehead83

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from an 11.2 oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark brown/black in color, with a moderate head of tan, bubbly foam.
Aroma-Dark malt, subtle chocolate.
Taste-Roasted malt, dark chocolate, and a rather roasty finish. A classic, sessionable stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 22:52:13 | More by hosehead83